Safari

Safari is a Swahili word that means journey. Traditionally, a safari involved camping overnight in remote wilderness areas. A burning campfire helped keep wild animals at a safe distance. Today, the safari experience is more comfortable, but the spirit of adventure remains the same.

The famous explorers Livingstone, Stanley, Thomson, Hemingway, and Blixen introduced the world to African safaris. Their stories made safari travel a symbol of adventure and exploration. Even in the 21st century, visitors can still experience incredible wildlife and breathtaking landscapes across Africa.

Africa offers many outstanding safari destinations. Kenya is well known for its classic safari experiences. Tanzania and Botswana are also popular choices, although safaris there are often more expensive. In return, visitors enjoy more remote locations and wildlife that is less accustomed to seeing vehicles.

One of Tanzania’s hidden gems is Katavi National Park. It is the country’s third-largest national park and is located in the remote southwest, near Lake Rukwa. Katavi is famous for its untouched wilderness and large concentrations of wildlife. During the dry season, visitors can see up to 200 hippos gathered in a single pool along the Katuma River, creating one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles.

Also South Africa is known as a great place to go on safaris. Especially Kruger National Park is famous for its magnificent wildlife.

Whether you stay in a lodge or a tented camp, the daily safari routine is simple and rewarding. The day usually begins with an early morning game drive before breakfast. After returning to camp, breakfast is served between 9:30 and 10:00 am. Guests can then enjoy another game drive or relax until lunch. In the afternoon, a longer game drive continues until sunset, offering excellent opportunities to spot wildlife.

Katavi National Park is home to large numbers of herbivores. This rich wildlife attracts lion prides and spotted hyena clans that roam the floodplains. The park is remote, unspoiled, and rarely crowded. It offers an authentic African wilderness experience that feels much like it did a century ago.

Tanzania is also home to Gombe National Park, which became famous through Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking research on wild chimpanzees. It remains one of the best places in Africa to observe these remarkable primates in their natural habitat.

Further south, South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is one of Africa’s last true wilderness areas. Much of the park remains untouched, making it a favourite destination for adventurous travellers. Mozambique is still rebuilding after years of civil war. While it has fewer wildlife parks, several reserves now offer rewarding safari experiences.

Botswana is often described as one of Africa’s hidden gems. The Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Central Kalahari, and Makgadikgadi Pans are among the country’s top safari destinations. These remarkable landscapes provide unforgettable wildlife encounters and some of the finest safari experiences in Africa.

Then again Kenya could be argued to boast a more diverse landscape and with that more specialized species of animals in a smaller geographical area, making it possible to see many of the world’s premier places for gamewatching on a one week safari and, as an added bonus, in Kenya you can prolong your safari with a relaxing holiday at the country’s spectacular Indian Ocean coastline.

That combined with the Kenyans reknown hospitality, friendliness and service, has made Kenya the premier safari destination in Africa and more than seventy percent of the one million visitors Kenya receives annually, come to Kenya with the sole purpose of going on a safari to have a first hand encounter with the incredible African wildlife.

Going on a safari in Northern Kenya is mostly done with special purpose vehicles like a Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rovers and other sturdy 4-wheel drive vehicles. But in other places of the country the roads are often much better and mini busses are being used for safaris here.

In the Masai Mara there is not only competition amongst the animals, but also between the tourists in minibuses as to whom will be the first to spot the game. The drivers use radio communication to share information about where to find the most sought after animals – which is the big cats, black rhinos and elephants.

When going on a safari, you can either choose to stay in a luxury lodge, a luxury tented camp or maybe take your own camping gear along and pitch a tent in the wild. Definitely going on a safari in Africa is a journey of a lifetime and probably nowhere else in the world will you see as much wildlife as here!

For most safaris in kenya Toyota or Nissan minibuses are being used for transportation though in the rainy season it can be nessecary to have four wheel drive. In Tanzania it is mostly 4-wheel drive vehicles that is being used. For some reason the wildlife don’t seem to take any notice of a car and cheetahs will even use vehicles as a vantage point for a better view of their prey.

Also lions wont take much notice of a car full of people, as long as everyone stays in the car! Fatal incidents have taken place, when a foolhardy person wanted to get closer to the seemingly calm and friendly animals, and left the safety of the car. As a warning, leaving your vehicle in Kenyas national parks is strictly forbidden exept if the driver needs to change a flat tire.

If you have the extra money flying from the city to one of the national parks is a viable option that will spare you alot of time on bumpy roads. For example driving from Nairobi to Masai Mara usually takes around 4-5 hours whereas flying takes only 45 minutes. In most national parks there is a landing strip.

Walking has during millions of years been the most widespread means of transportation and a walking safari is probably the most intense and rewarding way to see and experience the life of the wild animals in Africa.

This is because all your senses are being utilized when walking through the African bush and you will feel the rush of adrenaline when getting close to the African wildlife – especially animals like lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards etc. without the safety of a vehicle.  

A few places like on Crescent Island and in Hells Gate by Lake Naivasha, there are no predators and so walking here is quite safe even without being escorted by an armed ranger.

However in most of the National Parks a walking safari will probably make you feel how the early humans must have felt like when walking amongst giants from the animal kingdom like elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, hyenas as well as hippos and buffalos – the latter two species competing to be on top of the list of the most dangerous animals in Africa.

But if you are accompanied by an armed ranger or some Masai warriors who understands the behavior of the wild animals, it is possible to leave the car and take a walk on the “wild side” to get a first hand encounter with Africa and her amazing nature – rivers lined by gallery forest, tall yellow grasses glistening with dew in the morning sun, blooming trees and a wealth of butterflies, a birds list hard to beat and an array of wildlife that covers all habitats and niches in the sprawling ecosystems of Africa.

A balloon safari is probably one of the most exotic and romantic ways of seeing the wildlife and in Masai Mara Game Reserve and in Amboseli National Park it is possible to get a chance to silently fly above the savannah, watching the wildlife beneath you as the sun rises.

The elevation of hot air balloons is controlled by just the right combination of air temperature inside the balloon and sacks of sand to act as counterweight.  The course of the balloon as well as the altitude is to a high degree determined by the wind and so it can be a bit difficult to make an “itinerary” in advance. Hence, from a photographers point of view, it can be a bit “hit or miss” taking photos from a balloon – especially if one wants to photograph the unpredictable wildlife on the plains. Yet one can be sure though, to get some great views of the landscape and it is a once in a lifetime adventure.

After landing a luxurious breakfast is served as a picnic on the savannah and the exquisite endeavour is properly celebrated with a glass of champagne. Watching the sun rise over Masai Mara from a balloon is something to remember for many years to come.

A hot air balloon safari in the Masai Mara typically costs between $450 and $585 per person for adults and around $325 to $370 per child depending on the season and operator.