Safari Vacations Archives

There is a certain quality, a certain mystique to the landscapes and the magnificent wildlife found in Africa that simply draws people to that wonderful land. Many people have long-standing dreams of finding a way to experience Africa first-hand. Walking safaris are just one of many types of safari holidays that people can take that will allow them to soak up the unique and special characteristics of African safari travel.

A walking safari allows the adventuresome traveler to truly get “up close” and “personal” with the wilds of this vast and amazing continent. Walking quietly through an African safari wildlife park that is known to be inhabited by big game and other wild animals is a completely different experience that allows the visitor the opportunity to begin to feel as though they are part of the overall wilderness experience. For more information visit overland tours

This is quite a contrast to simply sitting in a vehicle and watching the scenery and wildlife pass by. Walking safaris have much more potential for interaction and more meaningful experiences out in the tall grass of the savannas or in the tangled territory of the jungles.

Of course, this also means that it is important to have skilled, knowledgeable and experienced safari travel guides leading the walking safari. Indeed, it would be completely foolhardy to undertake such an endeavor without a safari guide nearby and well-armed. And, this does serve to highlight the fact that a walking safari can be more dangerous because the participants are not protected by vehicles, which can speed away from danger at high speeds.

Instead, a successful walking safari relies on keen observation skills that an experienced safari guide will bring to the expedition. Such guides will lead the safari travel guests into locations where they can enjoy better and closer views of the wildlife, while at the same time assuring their safety to the best of their abilities. Depending on the size of the safari group, there may be several guides and staff members who travel armed and ready to defend and protect. Refer to african adventure tours for more information.

With a walking safari there is the potential to encounter just about any type of wild beast or bird that is native to the area. A common sight is a giraffe grazing on the juicy, tender leaves up in the tree tops, an enormous elephant pushing over an old tree, an African savanna buffalo at a watering hole, or even scavengers picking over what is left of yesterdays kill.

A walking safari is not for everyone, though. In order to participate, you need to be physically up to the task of walking for hours in the heat of the African plains or the humidity of the jungles. While the pace is usually fairly slow and there are many stops to listen, watch and observe the wildlife around you, it can still be a draining experience for anyone who is less than fit. Anyone who is contemplating a walking safari should be in good enough condition to be able to walk for several hours per day, and each consecutive day, for the duration of the safari.

Walking safaris are really only appropriate for people who want to enjoy the highest level of thrills and exhilaration during their travels. Even though the majority of walking safari tours end up being quite safe and mellow, the potential always exists for a dangerous encounter. Anyone who prefers to avoid uncertainties and risks would be wise to chose a different type of excursion; perhaps an African safari tour. Visit overland safari tours for more information.

Families traveling with kids will find Amboseli national park a safari destination matched to no other, with less tourist traffic, breathtaking open spaces, easy access from Nairobi, the list is endless.

The park described by writers as ‘ a home for the Gods’ covers 150sq mile south of Nairobi and lies just at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895m. The park is currently on the cross roads with the government and the local communities both claiming ownership, with Kilimanjaro’s snow capped peaks dominating every aspect of this Park and form a stunning backdrop to the wildlife found here – elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, cheetah and a host of plains game and its breathtaking beauty, the tag is well worth the effort!

The area is home to the Masai people, tall, colorful, proud, nomadic warriors famous for their legendary prowess in battle and single handed acts of bravery in fights with wild animals. Perhaps, more than any other people they have learned to live in complete harmony with the wildlife which surrounds them, this knowledge they proudly shared to visitors and well worth the time. Kids will be allowed to get really close and explore the simple but fascinating homestades, adults will also enjoy the cultural aspect of the lifestyle.

Amboseli’s Oltukai lodge is one of the best spots in the world where children can watch elephants and study their fascinating wilderness behavior, This is where you will find the highest concentration of elephants than anywhere else in Africa, they can be seen spread well over the savannah woodland, just remember to ask your driver guide on how this clever mammals mourn and pay last respect to a dead member or how they cross their tiny young on a fast flowing river. Refer to overland tours for more information.

Quietly tucked away from view, The Kibo family Villa crouches undisturbed, an elegant three-bedroom log cabin built in stone and gum tree, in complete harmony with its surroundings. Own entrance, a lounge, a fully fitted kitchen and a barbecue area. Secluded by a copse of indigenous Acacia Tortilis trees and five acres of garden, Kibo Villa is peace and privacy made perfection. Two or threes small families traveling together love the self-catering option, use the lodges facility is welcome. Detailed attention is taken on security issues and a resident nurse is available on call.

Kids will love the lavish private family buffet breakfast or dinner set out specially as a family package in wonderful secluded detting amongst the tortillas trees only a tone away from the family of the resident elephants also having a feast of their own, breakfast works out best. For mor information refer to overland safari tours.

Selenkay conservation area lies east of Amboseli is well off the beaten track, never visited by tourist till now, birdlife is prolific especially bird of prey. The 6 tents Porini luxury camp caters for 12 guest at a time, the camp is in the lines of a traditional luxury family camp, comfortable family tent rooms, ensuite bathrooms, flush toilets, solar powered electric lighting and an amazing chef completes a safari family haven!

At Amboseli locally trained masai naturalist or walking guides will get Kids out in the mornings in a small group of say 8 kids for an adventurous nature exploration. This walking trips to the nearby sites in most cases will include lessons on the masai hunting techniques, catching and naming butterflies, treasure hunts, tree planting, hide and seek in animal camouflaged clothing and an interesting Q and A session answering every question they’ ve ever had on wildlife and tribesmen.

The young rangers club is available to 10 – 15 year olds, could be a temporally or annual membership with letters, post cards and birthday cards sent to members all over the world from deep down wild Africa! For more information visit african adventure tours

The mere sound of the name rings bells of adventure, exploration, realization and hunting. Because of the diversity of hunting safari, it offers as much opportunities for hunting fanatics to explore a range of ecological areas that have their own specialties.

Well, it’s hard to imagine how we can exactly describe the purity of Africa. It is safe though to tell you that it is filled with rich resources of plain animals suited for game, predators that follow after their kill, animals grazing on fertile and unspoiled lands and others. For more information visit hunting safari

The game aside, Africa gathers the largest, most dense and extreme concentration of plant species and strange animals that seem to have come directly from the sixth day of the creation. Now going to the bird, at any given time of the year, a single national park can contain an average of 300 to 500 bird species, which make Africa not only a haven of species but also a paradise for naturalists and ornithologists.

The plant and tree species are also diverse that it is impossible to record them all. Some species are as old as several thousand years ago, which again seemed to be the direct link to the Creator. Al these combined (and the mixture of other components), Africa is one big paradise for man and the creations to enjoy. To flourish and to experience the circle of life. The dance that plays with each organism and specie. And the life that sets the balance between the created and the wardens.

As for the hunting safari, Africa boasts the most excellent sites and species that fuel man’s passion for hunting animals in their natural habitats. Though hunting is restricted in some national parks, local governments still assigned African hunting safaris where varieties of games are enjoyed but in accordance with ethical restrictions. Refer to hunting safaris for more information.

Some common hunting safari animals in Africa are: black wildebeest, gemsbuck, red hartebeest, springbuck, waterbuck, bushbuck, zebras, antelopes, eland, steenbuck, rhebuck, impala, blue wildebeest, warthog, kudu and many other species. In African hunting safaris, the most common method used is the rifle hunting. However, although it is popular enough there are still unsettled issues concerning the caliber of the rifle. Please check on the guidelines as suggested by you tour operator.
Next to the rifle hunting is the bow hunting, which for the present is not as customarily used as the rifle hunting. Experts see the future of bow hunting though as the standard to restrict any other issues that must be dealt with the more common form of hunting.

The lion, being one of the big five along with the rhino, buffalo, leopard, and elephant is very much esteemed since it is the king of the jungle. Though safaris are not exactly characterized as jungles in the typical sense, lion country safaris are still very much sought after.

Lions tend to be lazy though. However, it is their instinct to give as much distance away from humans if possible. This is why they are rather hard to hunt than those of the plains games like the antelopes, wildebeests and the likes. So how would one maximize lion country safari game viewing?

For one, you have to know the right season. It is usually the dry season that encourages the congregation of both preys and the predators in common places. These places are normally around the riverbed, water holes and the lakes. If you would not want to take the risk of getting to near with the lions and other wild animals, you may chose to avail small shelters that overlook the spots where animals naturally proceed. Nonetheless, you can maximize the use of your open vehicle.

Summer is not only good because it is when most animals group. This is also the season when vegetation is significantly thinned. Thus, better game viewing. It is strange how the biggest of elephants can camouflage with the thickest grasses but that still is the way that it goes.

Dry season varies depending on the region where you are camping. In the eastern Africa, first dry season occurs between January to March and the second dry season is from July to October. In southern Africa however, dry season extends from May through October. Visit hunting safaris for more information.

In Africa, with the exchange of life and death among the animals and their environment and the dance of existence between the components of nature, death and living are two closely intertwined practical elements that make nature more proportionate.

African lion safari is one of such element. Lions are included in the big five constituents of the wild along with the revered buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros and the mighty elephant. Nature aside, game is the central attraction in the wilderness of Africa. By merely watching the prey being hunted by the merciless lions, that would mean witnessing how nature maintains its equilibrium. Which itself is a very intricate and delicate process. Refer to hunting safari for more information.

Apparently, African lion safaris seem to be the passport for total adventure. They offer travelers the prospect of seeing wild animals interplay with the ecosystems. Majestic animals that constitute the circle of life. You may catch glimpses of how wide range of animals, of birds and of living species compete for survival. You may either do this while riding an open safari vehicle or through other means of voyaging the safaris.

To say the obvious, African lion safaris are found in their natural habitats which include areas such as South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Namibia. Meanwhile, most national parks offer sights of African lion safaris. These parks include world revered spots like the Kruger National Park, Chobe National Park, Pilanesburg National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Samburu National Reserve and Lake Manyara National Park to mention some of hundreds of others.

All African safaris offer rare opportunities to catch a glimpse of creatures that may only be found in the wild. And as vast and diverse as Africa can get, it can provide unimaginable things from the strangest to the wildest creations there are.

Lion safari, one of the keen focuses for most travelers since it offers satisfactory game can be found in various sites in Africa. It is the passport for adventure where a guest may spot nature working within itself to maintain the equilibrium.

Lion safari is best encountered in its natural habitat. Some of the well-known sites of lion safari are the following:

Kruger National Park
Because of the Kruger’s excellent game-viewing opportunities, it is included in the top priorities when it comes to lion safaris. It is created even before the emergence of some of the national parks that we now enjoy, which makes it the pioneer in the field. The preservation was initiated in 1889 to help protect the wildlife of South Africa, which then was faced, with the swelling problems of unrestricted hunting. Visit hunting safaris for more information.

Pilanesburg National Park
Lion safaris are found in Pilanesburg, which is revered for its being malaria-free, thus the comfort of game-viewing.

Kalahari Gemsbok National Park
Because it is naturally intended to create a haven for wildlife animals, Kalahari is home to unimaginable number of animals. It is characterized by being semi-dessert, which borders in between Namibia and Botswana.

Chobe National Park
Found in Botswana, Chobe is recognized for harboring the largest congregation of buffalo and elephants.

Linyanti Game Reserve
Linyanti Game Reserve, on the other hand, nurses the largest prides of lions and equally large population of some good preys such as the elephant.

Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Being included in the list of most famous reservation parks, these two harbors the impressive tree-climbing lions and black-maned lions respectively.

Masai Mara National Reserve
Found in Kenya, Masai Mara collects a year round game-viewing and is the finest national park in all Kenya.

Serengeti National Park
On top of the heap is the Serengeti, which is also known for another name- the big cat central, which is so much closer to the truth. Since grasslands dominate the seemingly endless land, it is much easier to view games here. The migration of wildebeest and the collection of buffaloes and zebras make Serengeti a great place for the interplay of preys and predators. Yearly, millions of wildebeests come here between the months of April to August to seek better grazing in the far South. Go to hunting safaris for more information.