Africa...a few of our favorites
Safari makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne — bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.
Karen Blixen
Karen Blixen
An African safari has magical powers. The animal sightings are so amazing you feel as if you are participating in a National Geographic documentary. You may find yourself close to a predator who may be hunting or sleeping, see them silhouetted against a backdrop of a sunset or appearing miniature against snow capped Mount Kilimanjaro. Depending on what country you visit you will see things that exist no where else such as lions that sleep in trees or elephants that live in the desert.
Americans have a tendency to see Africa as one culture not realizing that there are 54 different countries each with their own distinct culture. While everyone goes on safari for the incredible wildlife, many come away equally impacted by the people and different cultures. In Tanzania, you can meet with the Maasi people - seeing their colorful clothes, seeing their homes, and hearing their stories - this connects us to our common humanity. In Kenya you can meet and hear touching stories of grandmothers who are supporting their grandchildren by farming. In South Africa, you can meet with the last living prison guard that knows what it was like to spend time with Nelson Mandela - one of history's great heroic figures. You can speak to people who experienced apartheid and see the changes that have occurred since the 1990's.
Americans have a tendency to see Africa as one culture not realizing that there are 54 different countries each with their own distinct culture. While everyone goes on safari for the incredible wildlife, many come away equally impacted by the people and different cultures. In Tanzania, you can meet with the Maasi people - seeing their colorful clothes, seeing their homes, and hearing their stories - this connects us to our common humanity. In Kenya you can meet and hear touching stories of grandmothers who are supporting their grandchildren by farming. In South Africa, you can meet with the last living prison guard that knows what it was like to spend time with Nelson Mandela - one of history's great heroic figures. You can speak to people who experienced apartheid and see the changes that have occurred since the 1990's.
Tanzania
One of the most sought-after safari experiences is the Great Migration, the largest overland migration in the world, which entails an ever-moving circular migration of over two million animals across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The constant movement of running wildebeest, joined by zebra, gazelles, impala, and other grazers follows an ancient course in search of fresh grassland and water where each animal will cover as much as 600 miles. After calving in the southern part of Tanzania's Serengeti the animals migrate through the Serengeti in a circular, clockwise route towards the Masai Mara in Kenya, then return to Tanzania where the cycle starts again. Where grazers are, hungry predators including lions, cheetah, leopards and crocodiles follow giving this ancient ritual the nickname "the greatest show on earth".
Tanzania has more than 20 national parks, including the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater and national game reserves, where visitors can view some of the country's most amazing wildlife and spectacular scenery. Tanzania's tropical coastline connects the country to the Indian Ocean and Zanzibar Islands.
One of the most sought-after safari experiences is the Great Migration, the largest overland migration in the world, which entails an ever-moving circular migration of over two million animals across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The constant movement of running wildebeest, joined by zebra, gazelles, impala, and other grazers follows an ancient course in search of fresh grassland and water where each animal will cover as much as 600 miles. After calving in the southern part of Tanzania's Serengeti the animals migrate through the Serengeti in a circular, clockwise route towards the Masai Mara in Kenya, then return to Tanzania where the cycle starts again. Where grazers are, hungry predators including lions, cheetah, leopards and crocodiles follow giving this ancient ritual the nickname "the greatest show on earth".
Tanzania has more than 20 national parks, including the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater and national game reserves, where visitors can view some of the country's most amazing wildlife and spectacular scenery. Tanzania's tropical coastline connects the country to the Indian Ocean and Zanzibar Islands.
careful, I will steal your lunch!
|
Fulfill your wanderlust with an African Safari
An Africa safari is an unforgettable experience. The continent has a secret superpower. It transforms people. A destination for extraordinary wildlife viewing. Africa is the world’s number one destination for safaris. The continent’s vast and diverse nature makes it complex and difficult to decide on the best region for a safari. But the east, central and southern parts of the continent are by far the preferred choices. Below is a quick guide to some of the safari hot spots on the African continent. East Africa The Serengeti wildebeest migration is the main reason Kenya and Tanzania have become popular safari destinations. This migration sees millions of wildebeest, zebras and predators following their prey, move between Tanzania and Kenya. The best places to view this migration include Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area is also a great choice with an abundance of big 5 - the African elephant, African lion, black rhinoceros, African leopard and the Cape buffalo - and will not disappoint. Central Africa An area of immense natural beauty. Rwanda and Uganda are great places to view the endangered mountain gorillas. The best places for Viewing are Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in south-west Uganda, or Volcanoes National Park in north-west Rwanda. Various factors have threatened the population of gorillas. Today, due to conservation efforts, the population of mountain gorillas is showing steady growth. Many tourists are attracted to the idea of being able to get close to these animals. In Rwanda you can also combine a gorilla trek with a Golden monkey trek. Southern Africa South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi offer very diverse wildlife. This is because of the variety of biomes in the region. Chobe National Park is home to the biggest concentration of elephants in the world - 70 000 of them. It lies between the Chobe River and the Okavango Delta in the north eastern parts of Botswana. Also in Botswana, the Moremi Game Reserve, in the iconic Okovango Delta, is the first reserve in Africa to be established by local residents. The Etosha National Park in the northern arid region of Namibia offers great chances of spotting endangered black rhinoceros as well as flamingos in the salt pans. The Kruger National Park in South Africa is one of the best known parks because of its diversity of animals as well as private upscale lodges that surround the national park. While Kruger tends to be pricey there are other, equally good, options available through out South Africa that are also malaria free. isimangaliso Wetland Park was the first site in South Africa to be awarded World Heritage status. It contains most of South Africa’s remaining swamp forests and is Africa’s largest estuarine system, which is a partially enclosed body of water where fresh water from rivers and streams mix with salt water from the ocean. The park borders Kosi Bay and St Lucia Lake which is the only place in the world where you can find sharks, hippopotamus and crocodiles in the same body of water. Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape province is the only park where you can find the Big 7: the African elephant, Cape buffalo, African lion, African leopard, African rhino as well as whales and Great White sharks. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park consists of mostly unspoiled wilderness in the north of South Africa, crossing over into Botswana. This park is largely located in a desert area and is famous for animal species such as the Kalahari black-maned lions and the Gemsbok or Oryx. |
|
|
Giraffe Manor, Nairobi, Kenya
Have a truly unique, immersive experience as you unwind from your long flight from the US to Nairobi. Giraffe Manor is the only hotel in the world where you can feed giraffe from your window. Combine this unique, interactive experience with a safari. With only 12 rooms be prepared to book minimum of two years in advance. Call us at 800-882-9000 or 954-720-9000
|
