Whether you're thinking of an African safari holiday for the first time, or you've now "got the bug" and want to return to this amazing continent, here are a few of my recommendations for areas that are well worth visiting.
MASAI MARA, KENYA.
With one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the planet, the Masai Mara this is one of Africa’s must-visit safari destinations. On its vast plains, you can be surrounded by thousands of wildebeest, zebra and antelope – which attract predators — so you’re very likely to encounter lion here, as well as cheetah. Your time is mostly spent on morning and afternoon game drives. But, if you stay on a community-owned conservancy bordering the main reserve, you can usually head out on bush walks that home in on the ecosystem’s smaller species, continue your game drives after dark for a chance to see nocturnal species, and visit Maasai villages for a glimpse of the local culture. Meanwhile, a dawn hot-air balloon safari gives you a bird’s-eye perspective over the bush. You’ll encounter far fewer vehicles in the conservancies than in the main reserve, and just 4 or 5 are permitted at any one wildlife sighting, making for a more peaceful and authentic safari experience.
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA This is one of the most accessible wildlife areas in Africa, allowing for self-drive safaris as well as classic guided drives. Wildlife lives here in such high numbers that you can turn a corner and have every chance of seeing any member of the Big Five, a cheetah or a pack of wild dog. Having said that, the park’s ease of access does mean that it gets busy. So, for a more exclusive experience, I’d recommend staying on one of the private reserves next to the Kruger. They’re unfenced, so wildlife is free to move between them, but only those staying on the reserves can enjoy activities there. Camps and lodges in these reserves are of a high quality, and you can take your safari beyond just game drives, heading out on bush walks with highly experienced guides who’ll amaze you with their knowledge as they effortlessly identify birdsong, animal tracks and plants.
HWANGE NATIONAL PARK, ZIMBABWE
With its open plains scattered with patches of dense woodland, Hwange attracts all manner of wildlife, including more than 30,000 elephant, lion, leopard and wild dog. This despite the fact that there’s no natural surface water. Instead, there are manmade waterholes which are pumped with groundwater - and you can watch as wildebeest, buffalo, Burchell’s zebra and a numerous species of birdlife take advantage of these miniature oases. Many of the camps here have their own waterholes, some of which started out as plunge pools for guests until they were taken over by thirsty elephant. Now, you can sit on a lounger and watch as elephant come to drink just steps away.
OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
This is truly a green oasis in the heart of Southern Africa. You can explore it by motorboat, traditional mokoro (wooden canoe), game drives along the banks, and on foot, making it one of the most varied safari destinations. Safaris here feel more exclusive than elsewhere — you’ll usually stay on private concessions with just a handful of intimate camps and lodges, so you’ll rarely see another vehicle. And the guides are excellent — most are local and all share a passion for and knowledge of their country’s wildlife, Expect to see plenty of elephant, lion and buffalo. Leopard can sometimes be spotted lounging in the branches of sausage trees, and keep your eyes peeled for wild dog. One of the highlights is the delta’s birdlife — bring your binoculars!
SERENGETI, TANZANIA
With its seemingly endless plains, swaying yellow grass and twisting acacia trees, the Serengeti is Africa’s most famous and fabulous game reserve. Home to the Great Migration - when up to 2 million wildebeest. accompanied by zebra, make their way across the plains following the promise of rain - forming a column more than 40 km long. Even without the migration, the Serengeti’s wildlife is unparalleled. Lion are a practical certainty for the photographer, cheetah pace the plains, leopard lounge in sausage trees and spotted hyena and golden jackal can be seen trotting through the grass. As the Serengeti is vast and the migration moves through different areas according to the season, it’s worth considering staying in a couple of different areas of the park.
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