Think ‘African safari’, and the image that instantly springs to mind is of four wheel drives trailing lions, tigers and rhino’s through national parks. In reality, the African Safari experience can encompass far more diverse experiences than the game drive safari so indelibly ingrained in the popular imagination.
There are many different safari options, running the gamut from the authentically rough and ready to luxury lodgings replete with fine food and wine. To choose the African Safari that best suits you, it’s wise to consider where your interests lie and what constitutes your idea of a good holiday is. African Safari’s are popular primarily for the abundance of unforgettable landscapes, wildlife and culture one encounters at every turn.
Experiencing landscapes
If your interests run more to wild landscapes than wild animals, a safari that includes a tour of the red dunes of Sossusvlei (pictured above) is a must. These ancient dunes form part of the worlds oldest, not to mention driest, ecosystems on earth. The dunes are constantly colour and shape shifting due to the winds and changing light. With the Big Daddy dune soaring to heights of 325 metres, the sights of Sossusvlei and surrounds are a true marvel to behold.
Wildlife experiences
Of course, stunning wildlife is one of the main draw cards of the African Safari experience. Chobe National Park (pictured below) contains within its perimeters some of Botswana’s most amazing and varied wildlife. Elephants dominate, as to a lesser extent do buffalo, lions, wild dogs, puku, red lechwe, sable, giraffes and roan antelopes. Safari packages can be arranged through Wild Africa which provides you with riverfront accommodation along the northern tier of the park, which contains the largest concentration of wildlife. If Where The Wild Things Are still ranks as one of your favorite books, this is the safari for you! As part of this safari, you will also bear witness to the incredible bird and wildlife within the lagoons, channels, and Islands of the Okavango Delta.
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is increasingly becoming one of the must do adventures while in Africa. Currently, three destinations have emerged as the best destinations where travelers can see the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild.
A gorilla safari is one of the lifetime journeys that you should take when you go on a holiday in Africa.
