28 September 2014

5 Reasons to visit Botswana

5-reasons-to-visit-botswana
Botswana is one of the top African safari destinations and not only in Southern Africa, but in entire Africa. One might not think that, when considering, that the country consists mostly of desert. But exactly that Kalahari Desert creates the most beautiful safari area, the Okavango Delta, which leads directly to reason no.1.

- The Okavango Delta is the dream African safari destination with the Big Five roaming in an amazing habitat of water and land.
- The Okavango Delta allows
waterborne safari activities deep into the channels of this amazing maze of papyrus and water where elephants and hippos stroll, swim and graze.
- The
Kalahari with its own special beauty, desert adapted animals and stunning landscapes. A perfect contrast to the delta.
- The Makgadikgadi Pan, a salt pan for perfect star gazing and home to one of Africa’s greatest migrations of zebras. And not to forget the home of very cute meerkats.
-
Chobe and Linyanti with spectacular swamps and the Chobe River, home to huge elephant populations and many more amazing wildlife including the Big Five.

Botswana is one the best destinations for
outstanding wildlife sightings in combination with exceptional light, which is important for wildlife photography enthusiasts. An African safari in Botswana is a true wildlife adventure in truly remote bush with excellent guides and very beautiful and comfortable camps. The combination of water, land and desert safaris makes it really special.


Ute Sonnenberg for Roho Ya Chui, Travel Africa


Top South Africa safari tour: Kruger to Cape Town

top-south-africa-safari-tour-kruger-to-cape-town
Two places are a must for a top South Africa safari tour, Kruger National Park and Cape Town. Yet there is so much more and for the travellers with a bit more time this safari itinerary might be just the right choice. 24 days might sound like a lot, but there will still be areas of South Africa you will have not seen. The tour goes from Johannesburg to Kruger, Swaziland (best way to go south), the Indian Ocean coast of Kwazulu Natal, the Garden Route and Cape Town. This is an itinerary packed with the highlights of this beautiful country.

Getting around is a combination of
light aircraft transfers and self-drive. At the safari lodges in Kruger Park where you will not need a rental car, the transfers will be by light aircraft. After the safari part you will collect your rental car at Nelspruit Kruger Airport and start your self-drive adventure through South Africa. The roads are good, the routing is easy and the landscapes are stunning.

After
Kruger Park and the eastern and southern coast, is Cape Town the last but not least destination of this African safari tour. This lively city offers the magical Table Mountain, buzzing city life, beaches, stunning surroundings with the Winelands and the Cape of Good Hope and worth mentioning, delicious food and wine at the V&A Waterfront and many more places in town.

View the tour and download the itinerary right
here.


Ute Sonnenberg for Roho Ya Chui, Travel Africa



The Myth of the Big Five

the-myth-of-the-big-five
The myth of the Big Five lives in every safari booking and they are on top of every bucket list of safari guests. The Big Five are the leopard, the elephant, the buffalo, the lion and the rhino (actually the black rhino, but the white rhino is also accepted). They are the most difficult and with the most danger involved animals to hunt on foot.

The term comes originally from
big game hunters, but has been adopted and brought to mystic heights through African safari tourism. Who does not want to see the elusive leopard, hard to find and quickly gone when he/she doesn’t want to be seen? The elephants are often seen as the cuddly giants, but an unhappy elephant is rather dangerous than cute. Buffalos don’t give a warning, they just chase suddenly and some game drive vehicles have experienced that, fortunately with little danger for the guests. The big male lion is the wildlife photographers dream, hopefully with the great light of the golden hour and with majestic posture. And then the rhino, threatened by poachers for their horns, they are impressive animals from pre-historic times, difficult to get good pictures from, that capture their beauty and personality.

One animal, that is often mixed up with the Big Five is the cheetah. The
cheetah is not part of the Big Five, as they are not difficult to hunt, although who would like to hunt anyway any of these amazing animals. Fortunately times have changed and is the hunt prohibited in some African countries. Yet there is still lots of work to do, to ensure the Big Five will be around for safaris also for future generations. Hunting with the camera is luckily easier and provides joy for everyone, the photographer and the animal.


Ute Sonnenberg for Roho Ya Chui, Travel Africa