Travel and Vacation Digest » African Safari

African Safari Has Everything From Wild Lions To Extremes Of Landscapes

Ed — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 07:33:01 +0000

Africa is sure to be a dream holiday destination. The African safari is something that a lot of people look forward to with great expectations and the wildlife and scenic surroundings make it even more appealing. Still, not every African safari is going to be the dream vacation and things can and often do go wrong if it is not planned for in advance.

Lion Safaris Are Very Popular

An African safari could be the most enchanting experience that you will ever get to take, and the African lion safari is very popular in this regard. Other choices include the South African Kruger National Park and Tanzania's splendid Serengeti for which you should have prepared well in advance if you are to really get the most out of your visit.

When you do undertake an African safari, makes sure that you don't overlook the essentials such as adequate safari wear and just the right amount of luggage, which should tend be on the light side. In the summer, you would require light clothing while the winter demands heavier clothing. The weather can be hot in the daytime and the nights can turn very cold. In addition, you will need to have protection from the insects that are found in abundance. Also, take along sunscreen and a hat.

When on an African safari, you will need to be alert and on your guard especially in urban areas and you must always carry your identification with you, even when you are in bed at night.

The African lion safari is very popular though the number of lions seems to be dwindling, which only seems to whet people's appetite to view them in the wild. You would do well to check out the Masai Mara National reserve that is found in Kenya and the best time would be when the wild beasts migrate. Other worthwhile African safari destinations to view wild lions include Kruger National Park, South Africa, the spectacular Central Kalahari in Botswana, as also Tanzanian Chobe and Linyati parks, and finally all you can take in between Serengeti to Lake Victoria.

Wild lions are of course the main attraction to an African safari though attention may also be paid to the splendid landscapes, which are pretty extreme all across Africa. You can check out the jungles or open plains or there are waterways; whatever, you choose, there is something that is sure to be a photographer's delight. So, make sure to pack a good camera as well. The African safari will offer many choices, so you may have your hands full deciding on one particular type.

Different Choices In African Safari Tours

Ed — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 04:07:01 +0000

If you are considering a trip that will offer adventure beyond your wildest dreams, perhaps an African safari tour is for you. In Swahili, "safari" means journey, but today the word has become associated with adventure, exploration and amazing sights and sounds. There are a number of African safari tours that you can choose from, and they will vary greatly depending on the level of comfort that you are looking for and the budget that you can afford. Keep in mind that even the most basic African safari tours will cost a hefty amount, so this is not a trip that most folks will generally take on the fly. It usually requires plenty of time to save and plan to embark on a safari adventure that will be satisfying, educational and comfortable. There are generally four types of safari adventures that you can take: a mobile safari, a permanent tented safari, a lodge tour or a fly-in adventure.

Types of African Safari Tours

Many African safari tours will require you to sleep in a tent of one type or another each night. Some of these tents are permanent fixtures that are set on concrete slabs away from the damp and bugs of the area. These are called permanent tented safaris. Others require you or your safari staff to pitch a tent each night in the spot that you stop. These are called mobile safaris, and offer many great opportunities to encounter the wildlife of the area. For those who prefer comfort and even luxury with their adventure, the lodge tours will provide shelter at night that ranges from a basic type of motel to luxury accommodation. These African safari tours tend to run in the much higher price range, but can offer a resort feel out in the middle of the wild. Finally, you can explore the more distant locations by small plane in what is known as a fly-in adventure.

Preparing for your Adventure

No matter what type of African safari tour you choose, you must plan ahead to make the most of your trip. Flying to this country generally requires immunizations and other medical care to prevent illness and injury from occurring on the trip. You will also need to outfit yourself with the proper gear and clothing that will help you to handle the elements as well as the pests and insects of the region. It is also important to bring plenty of equipment that will aid in your wildlife viewing, such as cameras, binoculars, and perhaps even a laptop to capture pictures and memories in a journal. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many travelers, so preparation is key in ensuring that your African safari tour is one trip that you will never forget.

Visit With The Lion Of Jao During Your African Safari

Ed — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 09:32:01 +0000

For a true African adventure, the African Safari of Jao in Botswana is the vacation to book. Jao is known for its high concentration of Lion. It can offer both land and water activities on the river Okavango. This area is known for its predators and, Jao Camp itself, is located on the border of the Moremi Game Reserve. The camp is on a densely wooded oval shaped island that overlooks the vast flood plains of Botswana. It has incredible habitats and permanent waterways and lagoons. An African safari in Jao is a very memorable safari. The skilled staff at Jao Camp will see to it that all of your needs are met, African style. The Jao African safari wildlife experience is pure African wildlife at its finest. Chances are good that every wild animal that you want to experience will appear. A Jao African safari experience is the safari of a lifetime.

The Accommodations

Your Jao African safari accommodations will consist of African style luxury rooms. The bedrooms are raised wooden decks above palm carpets, constructed of split bamboo and thatch with canvas walls. Each room also has a "sala" for midday siestas with a superb view. Each camp can sleep a maximum of 16 people. Each suite includes a flush toilet and basin, shower and an outdoor shower. Underneath a tree canopy of cool thatch you will find the main dining room and pub area. There is a pool and an outdoor boma for dining under the stars. A raised walkway connects the rooms to the dining rooms and lounge areas.

Game Viewing

Your Jao African safari experience offers excellent game drives, mokoro excursions, short guided walks and boating trips. Since Jao Camp is next to the Moremi Game Reserve, night drives are permitted. This allows your African safari Jao trip to include an exclusive view of the nocturnally active animals in the area.

Your Jao African safari will most probably include views of Lion and Leopard in their natural habitats. Tsessebe, Lechwe and Wildebeest roam all over the flood plains. The wildlife appearances in Jao depend mainly on the water levels in the area. But, generally, a diverse group of wild animals will be plentiful on your safari. The lagoons are the home to the Hippo and Crocodile. The permanent water areas attract large numbers of these two animals. But the King of the Jungle, the Lion, will be a sure thing. The Jao African safari is known for its abundance of Lion sightings. Have your camera in hand and don't miss this one of a kind jungle experience.

Take A Ride On The Wild Side At An African Safari Wildlife Park

Ed — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:42:01 +0000

Have you ever wanted to go on an African Safari but realized the economics just won't make it? There are many people here in the United States who feel the same way. So several intelligent heads got together and decided to work on an international animal exchange. Before long several African safari wildlife parks were born.

Animals from Africa, Asia and South America are all imported to 'wildly' hilly African terrain in several places around the United States. An African safari wildlife park here in the United States is 100 acres of wild animals roaming the land. A road is built right through this animal habitat and your African safari is built. Instead of riding elephants, camels or jeeps, you are simply riding in your car with your family. A very slow caravan of automobiles will take you through the land of the Lion King.

Any type of camera will work as the animals at an African safari wildlife park are not camera shy. These animals are a little different in that none of them are man-eating and they are all cared for by an experienced and knowledgeable park staff. In these African safari wildlife parks you cannot get out of your car. But the excitement abounds when the first animal comes within two feet of your car.

The Animals

An African safari wildlife park here in the U.S. will house hundreds of rare and endangered animals from all around the work. Most of these wild animals will roam free in their natural habitat. These parks focus on conservation and breeding efforts of endangered species. Many of the African safari wildlife parks focus on alpaca, white zebras, giraffe and giant eland.

You are given a tub of animal treats before you begin your tour and if you are lucky enough, you can feed them right at the window of your car. There's something special about a group of monkeys hanging over your windshield and swinging on the side mirrors of your car. African safari wildlife parks make special memories for the children in your family. It also may be the only time they can interact with wild animals face to face.

Most of the African safari wildlife parks also have safari walk through attractions. These may include pig races, warthog playtime, camel and pony rides and snake handling. The educational programs at an African safari wildlife park are exceptional. Part of the conservation effort is to educate children and adults on each and every one of these wild animals. Wild animals are becoming more extinct as time rolls on. We all need to learn about their natural habitats and try to help preserve these beautiful animals.

African Safari Travel Stops

Ed — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:13:01 +0000

Taking a vacation in Africa is something that is well planned out with considerable time and money invested. Understand the differences between the safari companies before booking and also ask what areas that the safari will travel through. African safari travel will make or break the entire experience.

The experience in different countries might also be different. A lot of African safari travel stops will be determined by the type and cost of different lodges. The differences are many. There are lodges with five star quality, lodges built into trees, and lodges for travel with small children. All of these choices change the cost and the trip themselves. African safari travel is different in Kenya than Tanzania. The parks and natural lay of the land will determine where all of the animals might be found.

If traveling in Kenya, some of the places to see would be Marsabit National Park and Amboseli National Park. These two parks are a long way apart. Marsabit is in north central Kenya and Amboseli is southwest and very near Tanzania.

A person should take the time to ask the safari company about these parks. Another area to see in Kenya is Masai Mara National Reserve. It is located partially in Kenya but most of the reserve is in Tanzania. For an African safari travel, try to plan for where the safari company will go and then check other companies to see if they go to different places. Sometimes there might be a difference and people can book two smaller trips with different African safari travel companies.

African Safari Travel Destinations

Whether the planned safari is in Kenya or Tanzania or another country, there are differences because of dealing with different governments. Also the landscape of the countries can vary wildly. Different African countries offer different places for African safari travel. Tanzania and Kenya have excellent animal management policies that take care of not only the animals but the land as well.

One last thing to consider when in the planning stages of an African safari travel is looking into companies that got to more than one African country. Some people would like to visit more than one country since the trip was long and costly. Check into the possibility of safaris covering more than one nation. African safari travel is a special and unique way to visit the African plains. For those who have often thought about it but not ever followed through, now is the right time to follow ones dreams and see the splendor that is Africa.

Vintage African Safari Photos Africa With A View

Ed — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:18:01 +0000

Before the invention of the camera, sketchbooks were our answer to viewing the incredible wildlife of Africa .Vintage African safari photos are some of the unique photograph collections today. Many early African safaris were taken so the artist could catch the image of the wild animal on canvas. The painter would stand for hours painting under the shade of a great palm, while his tribal guides fended off the animals with their spears.

Sometimes at night, these early explorers would get trampled in their small tents by elephant stampedes. If they slept too soundly and didn't hear the loud snorting or the vibrations on the ground of these mighty beasts, their demise would surely come quickly. So it was very timely when the camera was invented and photographic African safaris could be made.

There were many photographers in the early days of photography that attempted African safaris. Lucky for us they did, because we now have the remarkable vintage African safari photos to exhibit to the world. Without the vintage African safari photos we would not know of the tribulations and adventures that these early explorers endured. These photographers, as the early artists, roughed it in Africa.

These images are very apparent in their vintage African safari photos. There was no ban on game killing in those days and many of the vintage African safari photos showed the grisly killings as proud trophies of their hunt. The black and white prints tell a story and reveal a lot of the early history of Africa.

The Dangers

One of the biggest dangers in capturing the early vintage African safari photos were the African natives. They were very tribal then and many were not friendly, especially to a white face. And it was only white faces that traveled to Africa in the early days of the African safari. Finding a friendly tribe who would guide you to the perfect view was the biggest hurdle. Almost all of the vintage African safari photos have tribesmen pictured in them.

These African vintage photos teach us about the culture of that time. They give us a history of the African and his land. Because there was an abundance of wildlife at that time, the next major danger was the animals themselves. The hunters were not shy to shoot any animal they saw, therefore, the animals sensed danger whenever they smelled a white man. The wild animals were quickly becoming predators of the white hunter and vice versa.

The vintage African safari photos provide us with the knowledge we have today of many of the early mishandling of wildlife by these hunters. The vintage African safari photos speak volumes as to how history should not be repeated.

Reasons To Go On A South African Safari

Ed — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 14:52:01 +0000

Of all the vacations that you can have in a lifetime, perhaps none is more exciting than going on safari. There are many locations in Africa in which to go on safari, but among those, South African safaris are among the best to take. If you are still trying to settle on a safari destination, there are a few reasons while you should consider South African safaris above all others.

The Lay Of The Land

South African safaris work well because not only is there a lot of grassland, which is perfect for viewing animals, but there's been a lot set aside as a form of wildlife conservation. One such area is Kruger National Park, a game reserve established over the last century and about as large as Wales. Careful planning and conservation have ensured that there is plenty of natural beauty at Kruger National Park, which can claim home to several endangered species.

Even more interesting, treaties with Mozambique and Zimbabwe have led to the creation of a new park that ignores national borders, and that will allow animals to have wider ranges and to follow natural migratory roots. So Kruger National Park is now not just a great destination for South African safaris, but soon to be part of one of the largest reserves ever.

The Animals

If you're looking for a place that contains most of the animals you might see on safari, then a South African safari should definitely be your destination. As already mentioned, places like Kruger National Park provide many places to view rare animals such as lions, African wild dogs, and white rhinos, and often in large numbers. South African safaris give you the opportunity to see these creatures in their natural habitat. Whether you're looking for hunting safaris or just seeking to photograph these animals, you'll get some great glimpse of them on South African safaris.

When Done With The Safari

When you're through with your South African safari, the fun doesn't have to end there. As a rather stable country, South Africa offers plenty of other diversions for tourists. Take a drive along the scenic Garden Route, for instance, relaxing on a road trip while exploring nature's beauty in a different way. Or, explore the Wild Coast and view places where many ships have made their final resting place, or just relax in a comfortable resort. But for fun while on safari, and great things to do even after, you should make your future trip a South African safari.

Don't Forget Your Buzz Off Hat Men's Clothes For An African Safari

Ed — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:09:01 +0000

Packing men's clothes for an African safari is really a very light affair. You would think that when packing for Africa, an international trip, you would need everything that was used by the great white hunters in the Tarzan movies. In reality, this is not the case at all. You are usually only allowed 25 pounds of luggage on your safari, so packing light is essential. Men actually like to wear the same clothes for several days while on safari. It has something to do with the Tarzan syndrome. Remember to pack very little clothing when packing men's clothes for an African safari.

Items

Men's clothes for an African safari need to be light colors. The style of course can be fashioned after the hunters in the Tarzan movies, not Tarzan himself. It's very hot in Africa, so shorts are the recommended britches of choice. It is possible to get a pair of "everything proof" shorts. Believe it or not you can find water-resistant, wrinkle-proof, stain-proof and rip-proof shorts. These shorts are ready for Africa and should be included in men's clothes for the African safari. Plus if you are a clumsy eater, your beverage will just roll off of you when you spill. If you prefer the clothes that you have in your current wardrobe, then choose clothes that will hold up well. Choose men's clothes for your African safari that are comfortable and light. Be sure the clothing can protect you from intense sunlight and malaria carrying mosquitoes.

There usually is a laundry service on your safari. If you throw your undies, socks and shorts into a laundry basket, they will usually be waiting for you, folded and tidy on your bed at the end of the day. One pair of shoes is really all you need. Safari camps are not very formal so men's clothes for the African safari should include one pair of good water-resistant hiking boots. You never know when you will be walking through pools and lagoons in Africa.

Men's clothes for the African safari should not be anything too flashy. Do not wear bright yellows or wild patterns. You do not want to look like a meal waiting to be eaten. A light fleece jacket at night is helpful for the cooler evenings. And definitely do not forget your Buzz Off clothing. It is essential that men's clothing for their African safari need to include one Buzz Off hat and Buzz Off shorts, shirt and socks. Mosquitoes are the real menace on African safaris, not the wild animals. Buzz-Off clothing is the only clothing you ever need to purchase for an African safari. The real critters will stay away and you can enjoy your safari of wild animals.

Africa Safari Many Countries, Many Different Types Of Safaris

Ed — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:35:01 +0000

When you think about Africa, images of savannahs, outstanding landscapes as well as splendid animals must be going through your mind. There may be excitement in the air as you must be anticipating meeting proud ancestral tribes; of course, the main attraction would no doubt be the Africa safari.

A Moving Experience

The Africa safari will move you profoundly as well as spiritually and the exhilaration that you will feel will surely make a new person out of you. An Africa safari is something that you will cherish for long and it will sure to be momentous as well as be the adventure that will be hard to beat in one lifetime.

There are many destinations that beckon you to them for your Africa safari including going to Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia as well as Zimbabwe. You can plan your Africa safari to include one or many of these countries and you can choose to take the safari in a small group, or have a customized private safari. It all depends on your whims and fancies, and of course, your bank balance. In fact, you can choose between an adventure, luxury, private, small group, safari excursion, and a camping safari.

The Africa adventure safari will take you to remote areas in Africa and you can take part in many different activities such as hiking into volcanoes craters, visiting tribes of Bushmen, or canoeing bang next to elephants. The luxury Africa safari will allow you comfort as well as style and you will stay in luxury in intimate camps as well as lodges that are away from the normal tourist spots.

If you think that your Africa safari should be private, then you can take your own professional safari guide and hop on board a private 4×4 safari vehicle and set your own schedule that may vary according to movements of animals. The other option is to go in a small group which should suit single travelers as well as couples, or a bunch of close friends.

You may also want to take a safari excursion which is a short program that include combination safaris such as elephant back safaris, camel safaris, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, diving, riding on horseback, fishing, staying in estates, taking train rides as well as having a golfing trip.

You can also opt for an Africa safari in the form of camping safaris that will take you deep into the heart of Africa in the wilderness where you may stay in tents with king size beds, or in dome tents. Of course, you will relish the sumptuous food, which alone can make your Africa safari worthwhile.

African Safari Holidays Are Thrillers

Ed — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:31:01 +0000

African safari holidays are thrillers in more ways than one. These African holidays will be more thrilling than the most exciting movie because an African safari holiday takes place in fabulous settings with big skies and powerful waterfalls. An African safari holiday is a thriller because of the views of gigantic animals such as hippos or elephants making their way through their natural homes. An African safari is thrilling because of the minute birds and crazy monkeys as they play or search for their food in nature. In the zoo where most people view animals, a trainer in a uniform with a bowl of hay is not the same as a monkey going after a banana in a tree.

African safari holidays are possible in many different countries on the dark continent of Africa. Kenya has a huge number of wild animals roaming about the countryside where tourists can go on an African safari. An African safari in Kenya might include accommodations at one of the beautiful hotels located around the country. Some of the hotels are closer to the animals than others, and tourists will be pleased with most of these hotels as part of their African safari holiday. The tour busses leave from the hotels to view elephants, zebras and other beautiful animals moving about the countryside.

African Safari Holidays Come In Many Prices And Arrangements

Any tourist can spend a little or a lot on an African safari holiday. There are some great African holidays already arranged in South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana and Namibia. Those who want a unique experience should make arrangement for a camping trip in the wild where they will be closer to the animals. The expert guides know the countryside, they know the animals and they know how to take care of their guests. An African safari holiday can return the guests to their hotel every night, but there is nothing quite as exciting as an African safari that spends the nights out in the wild with the animals.

African safari holidays come in all shapes and sizes. There are African safari holidays that will fit in many budgets, and there are African holidays for only those with deep pockets. The main attraction of an African safari will always be the wonderful animals in natural settings. The accommodations and meals are secondary but important. Those who want a luxurious camping trip in the wild will find great possibilities. Those who want a quick trip fit for a meager budget will be able to find an African safari holiday at a reasonable price.