| Safari is the Swahili word for "journey." To | | | | Finally, once you've chosen the type of |
| most people, that journey usually includes | | | | safari you're interested in, your next step |
| viewing wild animals in their natural habitat | | | | would be to choose the best way to experience |
| and hopefully surviving to tell the tale. | | | | it. Within most of the categories below you |
| Before you plan your safari trip, there are a | | | | will be able to opt for luxury, basic and |
| number of things you need to consider, from | | | | somewhere in between. |
| the animals you want to see, to the | | | | |
| transportation you'll use to see them. The | | | | Traditional (Mobile) Tented Safari |
| variety of safari options and combinations is | | | | |
| truly mind-boggling, so it will help to break | | | | A mobile camp is one that will travel with |
| the subject down into a few important parts. | | | | you as you move from location to location. |
| | | | Camp is often set up for you in advance and |
| Mammals, Birds or Reptiles | | | | at the luxury end of the scale, will come |
| | | | complete with hot showers, gourmet food and |
| The first thing you need to do is decide | | | | plenty of servants to cater to your needs. If |
| which animals you want to see. | | | | you wish to follow in Hemingway's footsteps |
| | | | this is the safari for you. Mobile safaris |
| Big 5-- Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino and | | | | also enable you to get to the more remote |
| Elephant: If you want to see all of these | | | | parts of the African bush. |
| animals in one trip, the Masai Mara in Kenya, | | | | |
| Kruger National Park, in South Africa and the | | | | Recommendations: |
| Serengeti National Park in Tanzania are good | | | | |
| bets. | | | | Nomad Safari Guides: Tented safaris in |
| | | | Tanzania. |
| Gorillas: If you're interested in gorillas | | | | |
| you would want to head to Rwanda, Uganda or | | | | Abercrombie & Kent: Try their famous Kenya |
| Gabon. | | | | Hemingway Safari Tour. |
| | | | |
| Chimpanzees: If you're inspired by Jane | | | | Outback Africa: Participatory camping |
| Goodall's work, your destination would be the | | | | safaris. |
| Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. | | | | |
| | | | Guided Safari |
| Elephants: For an abundance of elephants the | | | | |
| Okavango Delta in Botswana is probably your | | | | You will usually travel in a group often |
| best destination. | | | | using 4x4 vehicles or overland trucks. The |
| | | | itineraries will be set on a day by day |
| Lions: To see the king of the beasts, the | | | | schedule which you will know in advance and |
| Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation | | | | includes meals, lodging and activities. A |
| Area in East Africa are the best parks to | | | | tour guide will stay with you to coordinate |
| view lions. In Southern Africa, South Luangwa | | | | and manage the trip. A guided safari is |
| National Park deserves a mention for its | | | | wonderful if you are looking for a relatively |
| abundance of lions in a less touristy | | | | hassle free trip. They are often well |
| setting. | | | | researched, the guides are very well informed |
| | | | and it can make travel possible in some of |
| Black Rhino: To see the black rhino is quite | | | | the more remote parts of Africa. |
| rare, but you still have a chance to catch a | | | | |
| glimpse in Etosha National Park, Kruger | | | | Recommendations: |
| National Park and Chobe National Park. | | | | |
| | | | Taga Safari: Offers an excellent guided |
| Hippos and Crocodiles: Plentiful in lakes and | | | | safari in Malawi. |
| rivers throughout East and Southern Africa. | | | | |
| The most I've ever seen were on a Canoeing | | | | Explore Tanzania: A good example of a 7 day |
| Safari in the Zambezi River, which runs | | | | guided budget tour. |
| between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Selous Game | | | | |
| Reserve in Tanzania and Liwonde National Park | | | | Magical Africa: Luxury guided tour includes |
| in Malawi also offer fine viewing | | | | the best parks of Botswana and a night at the |
| opportunities, but be cautious, crocs and | | | | Victoria Falls. |
| hippos can be extremely dangerous. | | | | |
| | | | Package Safari |
| Birding: If ornithology is your passion then | | | | |
| you will be very happy to know there are many | | | | Similar to a guided safari, a package tour |
| birding safaris available in East and | | | | offers a set itinerary with lodging and meals |
| Southern Africa. | | | | included, but you do not travel in a group. |
| | | | Your bookings are made for you in advance so |
| Adventure Safaris | | | | you don't have the hassle of planning your |
| | | | trip but other than that you are an |
| Next you need to decide just how close you | | | | indpendent operator. A package safari is a |
| want to get. If you're not satisfied viewing | | | | good option for first time travellers to |
| wildlife from a 4x4 vehicle, there are plenty | | | | Africa and those on a budget since they are |
| of alternative options available. | | | | often a little cheaper. |
| | | | |
| Elephant Safari | | | | Recommendations: |
| | | | |
| The best offer I can find for an elephant | | | | Classic Kenya: 7 Day package to Kenya's prime |
| back safari is at Abu Camp in the Okavango | | | | wildlife parks. |
| Delta, Botswana. There are some elephant | | | | |
| rides available in Zimbabwe but not an entire | | | | Northern Tanzania: A 2 week tour of national |
| safari. Since elephants generally crash | | | | Parks and a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. |
| through the bush you may not see a lot of | | | | |
| game, but the experience of sitting high up | | | | Kaingo and Mwamba Safari: The best of South |
| on this great beast would be worth it. | | | | Luangwa National Park in Zambia including a |
| | | | walking safari. |
| Walking Safari | | | | |
| | | | Independent (Self-Drive) Safari |
| If you are fit and appreciate an adrenalin | | | | |
| rush, then go on a walking safari. The Guides | | | | You basically plan your own trip, rent a car |
| are extremely knowledgeable and being on foot | | | | and drive yourself through whichever game |
| will enable you to get truly close to | | | | park you choose! It is a good idea to |
| experiencing the sights, smells and sounds of | | | | research and perhaps copy some itineraries |
| the African bush. | | | | that are to your liking. Parks and Reserves |
| | | | are often in very remote locations so always |
| Mountain Bike Safari | | | | bring an extra supply of food, water and |
| | | | gasoline. It is worth using a travel agent or |
| An excellent option for cycling enthusiasts, | | | | tour operator to help you book your lodges |
| the bike safari offers excitement, | | | | and rent your vehicle in advance. Self-drive |
| flexibility and exercise! | | | | safaris are great in South Africa, Botswana |
| | | | and Namibia but countries like Malawi and |
| Canoeing Safari | | | | Zambia really lack the infrastructure, petrol |
| | | | and even roads to make this a good option. |
| Floating along the Zambezi River among the | | | | Unless your idea of a fun drive includes |
| hippos and crocodiles; camping under the | | | | dodging potholes the size of trucks, |
| stars and listening to lions roar deep in to | | | | strolling people, goats and dogs it may be |
| the night; seeing elephants cross the river | | | | better to go with a tour. |
| trunks held high - that in a nutshell was my | | | | |
| canoeing safari experience. Magical. | | | | Recommendations: |
| | | | |
| Balloon Safari | | | | Wildlife Africa: Self-drive tours in South |
| | | | Africa. |
| Not for the budget-conscious, but a balloon | | | | |
| safari is a once in a lifetime experience and | | | | Namibian.Org: See Namibia in your own time |
| most large National Parks are offering this | | | | and at your own speed. |
| popular option. The best place for it has to | | | | |
| be the Serengeti Plains watching the annual | | | | Safari Drive: Covers Safari-drives in several |
| migration of Wildebeest. You will be pleased | | | | African countries and highlights Kenya. |
| to note that all balloon flights include | | | | |
| champagne. | | | | Fly-In Safari |
| | | | |
| Camel Safari | | | | For the ultimate convenience charter |
| | | | operators can now fly you directly to a game |
| The good thing about a camel safari is that | | | | park. Fly-in safari's enable you to visit |
| your guides are likely to be local tribesmen. | | | | reserves and parks that are inaccessible by |
| Less gainly than a horse, a camel is | | | | road, offering a true adventure in to the |
| nevertheless a fun and relaxing animal to | | | | wilderness as it were. Flying around |
| ride and there is something romantic about | | | | obviously saves you travel time on the ground |
| camping next to your steed at night. | | | | and allows you to not waste a second of |
| | | | wildlife viewing fun. |
| Horse Riding Safari | | | | |
| | | | Recommendations: |
| You can race zebras and antelope on horseback | | | | |
| - what fun! A great way to experience the | | | | South Africa Fly-in safaris: Plenty of optons |
| African bush but you have to be quite fit and | | | | available all including Kruger National Park. |
| an experienced rider to enjoy these safaris. | | | | |
| | | | Skeleton Coast, Namibia: Experience |
| Hunting Safari | | | | shipwrecks in the desert, it's a little eerie |
| | | | but fascinating at the same time. Not a lot |
| If you wish to travel to Africa and shoot | | | | of wildlife viewing on this tour. |
| with a gun rather than a camera, there are | | | | |
| lots of options available. For the right | | | | Botswana Fly-in safaris: A good way to get |
| price you are guaranteed a trophy of your | | | | around quickly and some of the best camps are |
| choice for your living room wall. | | | | only accessible by air. |
| | | | |