What is it that you look for when you go on 
Safari? Do you expect semi-arid bush, loads of antelope and a smattering of the Big Five? Or do you prefer rain forests and the chance to see the greatest apes of them all: the gorilla? Perhaps you think a safari isn’t a safari until a crocodile blinks at you in your canoe or a hippo flares its nostrils in your direction? It’s a good thing that Africa is such a vast and varied continent as it caters to each of these experiences, not to mention a whole lot more.
We take a look at four of the best safaris this great, untamed land has to offer.
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
The Masai people have become a global symbol for Kenya. The bright red clothes, beaded jewellery and leaping warriors have captured the world’s imagination, with the advantage that more people are heading to Kenya to see what else the land has to offer. The Masai Mara National Reserve has attracted more than its share of tourists and while it’s in danger of becoming over commercialised it retains its rough African charm and spirit. The reserve is located in the Great Rift Valley, which is actually over 5600km long and extends through five countries.
Primary attractions include the annual wildebeest and zebra migration, as well as lions, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, Nile crocodiles and the occasional black rhino, so most of your bases are covered.
Duba Plains, Botswana
The Duba Plains and Vumbura Plains Reserves are so close together and so similar in nature that many people consider them as one. They are located in the uppermost reaches of the Okavango Delta, and are highly recommended if you like holidays with a personal touch. Duba Plains in particular provides guests with a private and personalised experience as the camp caters to only 12 people. Accommodation is provided in tents, but there is no roughing it here as the tents come with en-suit bathrooms complete with showers and flushing toilets.
Guests are treated to open vehicle game drives and mokoro trips on the nearby waterways. There are also guided walks and night drives. You’ll have the chance to see lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos and leopards, not to mention a number of birds and, if you’re so inclined, fish.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a World Heritage Site and one of the few places in the world where you can see gorillas in their natural habitat. Part of its impenetrable character comes from the fact that the forest is more than 25 000 years old, making it one of the oldest forests still in existence. In addition to its gorilla population, the park is also home to 10 other primate species, including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and baboons.
The public is allowed to visit four of the identified gorilla groups, provided they adhere to the strict rules that keep tourists and the gorillas safe. For instance, no flash photography is allowed and there must always be 5m between you and the nearest gorilla.
Other animals to look out for include elephants, forest pigs and over 350 species of birds.
Loango National Park, Gabon
Gabon is still undiscovered tourist-wise, which means that it’s still untouched, unsullied and pure. More then 70% of the country is covered by forests and it offers visitors the rare opportunity to see hippos surf. Nick Nichols, a wildlife photographer and conservationist, captured the unique pictures of hippos surfing on Gabon’s coast in the Loango National Park, while elephants happily traversed the beach. In the ocean there are whales and dolphins, while a little further inland there are more elephants and gorillas. You’ll also find crocodiles and turtles and enough birds to keep even the most experienced of bird watchers happy.
Honourable Mentions
Telegraph Travel has compiled a list of top ten African safaris based on readers’ personal experiences. Some of the winning safaris included:
- Mundulea Reserve, Namibia
- The Zambezi Valley, Zambia
· The Kruger National Park, South Africa
· Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Read the full list of top ten African Safaris.
Goafrica has also compiled a top ten African safari list, which included:
- Chobe National Park, Botswana
- South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Read the full list of top ten African safaris.
Jade Scully is a copywriter excited about writing copy and stories, blogging about the world and editing. She currently and regularly publishes her stories on a number of blogs. Jade loves animals and hopes to begin writing copy for the animal rescue charity TEARS as her contribution to the cause.
