safari destinations
Thrilling Activities for a Family Safari in Kenya
31/12/18
If you’ve been thinking about taking your family on vacation, you want to be sure your trip is as exciting and memorable as possible. While you could go to the beach or take your kids to an amusement park, a safari in Kenya is a once in a lifetime opportunity they’re sure to remember for years to come.
Kenya is a great spot for your next family vacation, particularly if you want to enjoy thrilling activities you can’t find at typical holiday spots. Here are a few tips for planning a family safari in Kenya with thrilling activities that neither you or your children will ever forget.
Go on a Game Drive or Walking Tour
The best reason to choose a family safari in Kenya for your next vacation is being able to inspire an appreciation of nature in your children. Kenya is one of the best countries in Africa for animal watching thanks to its world-class national parks.
For most families, the best way to view wild animals in Kenya is on a game drive. From inside of your safari vehicle, your guide will teach you and your kids the basics of tracking animals, and will help you spot exotic creatures such as elephants and lions. If you want the best animal watching opportunities possible, you should book your game drive for Masai Mara National Park, one of the best reserves in the country.
If you and your kids are a little more adventurous, you can go on a walking tour. Exploring Kenya on foot is an unforgettable experience, and with the help of an experienced guide, you’ll have a safe, fun time immersing yourself in nature.
Hit the Skies in a Balloon
As previously mentioned, Masai Mara is one of the best places to visit in Kenya on a family safari. Most travelers choose to tour the reserve on foot or in a vehicle, but if you want a breathtaking view of this area, you and your children can hit the skies in a hot air balloon.
On a hot air balloon ride, you’ll soar 15,000 feet above the ground, meaning you’ll have an unobstructed view of Masai Mara in every direction. From your perch, you’ll have a birds-eye view of the animals as they walk around the park, and will also be able to fully enjoy the scenery. As long as your children meet the height and weight qualifications, you can enjoy the one of a kind excitement of a hot air balloon ride.
Go for a Swim
If your family can’t resist spending time in the water, then snorkeling is the perfect safari activity for your clan. Kenya is well-known for its sand swept beaches and crystal-clear water, and almost every beach in the country offers snorkeling opportunities. While your family is snorkeling, you’ll see exotic fish swimming throughout the water, as well as colorful coral reefs. While younger children may not be able to snorkel, this activity is a perfect way for you and your teenagers to bond.
Finding a vacation where you can spend quality time with your children is easy if you book a family safari in Kenya. On your trip, you and your kids will be able to make memories that will last a lifetime.
The Benefits of Visiting a Private Conservancy in Botswana
23/12/18
If you’ve been thinking about going on an African safari, and your main goal for your vacation is experiencing exotic creatures in the wild, there’s almost no better country to visit than Botswana. With some of the best game reserves and national parks in Africa, Botswana is a fantastic place to immerse yourself in nature and see some of the most beautiful animals in the world.
While visiting one of the public reserves in Botswana is a great choice for most travelers, vacationers looking for a more intimate, personal experience should consider spending some time at one of this country’s many excellent private conservancies. Here are some of the benefits of visiting a private conservancy on your next Botswana African safari that you should keep in mind for your trip.
Get Out from Behind the Wheel
When you visit one of the many national parks and reserves in Botswana, you’ll need to stay in your vehicle the entire time. Although you’ll certainly be able to see wild animals from inside your car, it won’t be quite as exciting as encountering these creatures on foot.
At a private conservancy, you’ll be able to go on a walking safari tour, which is a can’t-miss experience. Exploring a private conservancy on foot is a great idea for adventurous travelers, and with help from your safari guide, you’ll easily be able to see a variety of interesting animal species.
Avoid the Crowds
If you’re like many travelers, one of the worst parts of visiting a popular spot such as Botswana is having to contend with large crowds. One of the main benefits of visiting a private conservancy on your Botswana African safari is that you won’t have to deal with crowds the way you would when visiting a national park.
Generally, private conservancies only host a few guests at a time, unlike national parks and reserves which provide entry to a large number of visitors every single day. Because there will be fewer fellow safari-goers at the conservancy, it will be much easier for you to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Africa. Thanks to the intimate feel of a private conservancy safari, you’ll also be able to meet new people and make friendships that will last long after your vacation has ended.
Go on a Night Drive
The great thing about going on an African safari is that you’ll be able to have experiences that aren’t available with other vacations, and this is particularly true if you decide to visit a Botswana private conservancy. For example, when you visit a private conservancy on your trip, you’ll be able to go for an exciting night drive.
At national parks, you’ll need to leave the area before the sun has set. While visiting private conservancies, there will be no such restrictions. You can enjoy a breathtaking African sunset, and then your guide can take you on a drive where you can see African animals that only come out at night, including owls and bush babies. A safari night drive is an experience you won’t soon forget.
As you can see, visiting a private conservancy is a great way to have fun on your next Botswana African safari. When booking your trip, keep the benefits of visiting a conservancy in mind so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your trip.
Visiting Botswana During the Green Season
04/11/18
If you’ve decided that your next vacation is going to be an African safari, the most important factor to consider when booking your trip is the time of year you will travel. For instance, when visiting Botswana, most vacationers plan their trip for the dry season, which is when it’s easiest to see wild animals.
While visiting during the dry season is a good choice, you can have just as good a time by booking your Botswana safari during the rainy Green Season. Although you won’t enjoy as much sunshine during this time of year, there are some big benefits to visiting during the Green Season that you should consider. Check out a few exciting reasons to book your African safari in Botswana during the Green Season so that you can plan out an exciting, memorable trip.
Beat the Crowds
The Green Season in Botswana takes place from December to March, and because the weather will be much wetter than other times of the year, there will fewer visitors, which is beneficial for several reasons. For starters, less visitors means you won’t have to fight the crowds. In addition to making your safari much more relaxing, smaller crowds means you’ll have better animal watching opportunities.
Traveling during the rainy season also means your vacation will be much more affordable. You should be able to get great prices on virtually every aspect of your vacation, allowing you to spend a little extra money on exciting experiences and attractions.
Take Great Photographs
If you’re something of a shutterbug, then you probably want your next African safari in Botswana to include a few opportunities to take beautiful photographs. While every time of the year in Botswana is excellent for picture taking, the Green Season is especially advantageous to photography enthusiasts.
The Green Season gets its name from the explosion of lush plant life that happens during this time of year. If you visit during this time of the year, you’ll see lush forests and blooming flowers that you’ll enjoy photographing. If you want to take gorgeous pictures on safari that you’ll treasure for the rest of your life, visiting Botswana during the Green Season is an excellent choice.
Unforgettable Animal Experiences
The reason many travelers decide to book their Botswana vacation during the dry season is that it’s much easier to see wild animals because of the lack of vegetation. While you may have to work a little harder to see exotic creatures during the Green Season, you’ll enjoy some of the most unforgettable animal watching Africa has to offer.
For example, the rainy season is when most African animals give birth, which means you may be able to see adorable baby zebras, lions, or giraffes. The Green Season is also the time of year when several species migrate, so you may be able to see large herds of animals moving across the grassy plains. Book your trip for the rainy season, and you’ll get a unique look at Africa’s most exotic creatures.
If you want a fun and memorable vacation, booking an African safari in Botswana is a great choice, particularly if you visit during the Green Season. Plan your vacation for this time of year, and you’re guaranteed one of the best holidays of your life.
Safari Countries US Guests Can Visit without a Visa
07/10/18
When you go on a vacation, you want your trip to be as simple as possible. Unfortunately, when you travel to certain countries, you will need to acquire a visa before you will be allowed entry. Luckily, if you hold a United States passport, you can go on an African safari in several countries without spending your valuable time or money on a visa. Here are a few exciting countries that you can visit for a visa-free African safari and some of the best activities in each location.
South Africa
If you have a passport, you can visit countless countries in Africa without a visa, including South Africa. Possibly the most popular safari destination in the world, South Africa is an exciting country that provides countless activities that you won’t want to miss.
For example, if you’re interested in breathtaking scenery and world-class amenities, you can spend some time in Cape Town. South Africa is also home to several gorgeous beaches, meaning you can spend some time enjoying the sun and sand while on your safari. Whatever activities you’re looking for on your trip, you’ll find them in South Africa, all without needing a visa.
Namibia
Many people planning a visa-free African safari want their trip to include breathtaking, unforgettable sights. If sightseeing is your main goal for your vacation, then the best country to visit that doesn’t require a visa is Namibia.
The fortunate part of taking a trip to Namibia is that the country offers several different environments for you to enjoy. Sossusvlei, for instance, is known throughout the world for its red sand dunes. Adventurous travelers can ride a sandboard down these dunes, and visitors looking for relaxation can take a hot air balloon ride. Namibia also features mountains and oceans, so you can find whatever scenery you prefer.
Visiting Namibia is also a good choice if you want to see exotic animals. This country is home to the largest game park in Africa, making it easy to find interesting animals such as lions and elephants. If you want to visit Namibia without a visa, your passport needs to be valid for at least six months before your trip.
Botswana
Finding the most memorable travel experience of your life is easy when you book your trip with a stop in Botswana. This visa-free country is known for its gorgeous scenery and ample opportunities to explore nature. Botswana features the large savannahs for which Africa is famous, meaning you’ll have the authentic safari of which you’ve always dreamed.
Botswana also features several interesting features that you won’t find in other African countries, including the world’s largest salt pans and the Okavango wetlands. If you want to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Africa, Botswana is your perfect visa-free travel destination.
When you’re planning your next vacation, you don’t want to deal with having to obtain a visa. Fortunately, as you now know, it’s easy to plan a completely visa-free African safari. Make sure to visit these countries on your trip if you want a thrilling vacation that you’ll remember fondly for the rest of your life.
5 Reasons to visit Botswana
10/06/18
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.
Why should you know about flood levels in the Okavango Delta
18/05/18
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of the Seven Natural Wonders in Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It attracts thousands of visitors every year and is a top-rated African safari destination. Despite being very popular under safari travelers, the Okavango Delta offers remote tranquility, intimate wildlife sightings and a great variety of safari activities, both land and waterborne. A visit to the Okavango Delta is an enchanting African safari experience.
The delta is produced by seasonal floods of the Okavango River, draining the summer rainfall from the Angola highlands into the Kalahari. The surge flows about 1,200 kilometers in approximately one month and spreads over an area of about 250 by 150 kilometers in size. The water never reaches the ocean. It rapidly evaporates due to the high temperatures in the delta. The flood peaks between June and August and the delta grows to three times of its permanent size. As this happens during the dry winter months, the water attracts wildlife from kilometers away and creates one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
When planning your safari to the Okavango Delta, you should keep the flood levels at the different times of the year in mind. They have influence on the activities you can engage with at the different safari lodges. Low flood level can mean, that waterborne safari activities are not possible or in the case of high flood level, game drives in certain areas are not possible. Check the location of your lodge or camp in the delta to make sure you can experience all safari activities you would like to join during your tour.
The Okavango Delta is a highly enchanting safari destination year round, yet mind the flood for the safari experience you are coming for.
5 Top Reasons to visit Zambia
12/05/18
Most Southern Africa safari itineraries include Zambia with a visit of the Victoria Falls and that is as far as a safari guest gets to know the country. This is a pity, as Zambia is a top-rated African safari destination, one should definitely include in a southern Africa safari tour. Here some good reasons for visiting this amazing country:
1. The varied habitats of Kafue: Kafue, Lufupa and Lunga rivers with adjoining peaceful stretches of riverine vegetation, dambos and wetlands, extensive miombo woodland with seasonal floodplains and swampland create a diversity of habitats, that attract an abundance of wildlife.
2. The Luangwa river is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life blood of the South Luangwa National Park’s 9 050 square kilometres. The park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. The now famous “walking safari” originated in this park. There are 60 different animal species and 400 different bird species. One special being Thornycroft Giraffe found only in the Luangwa Valley. Some magnificent trees grow in the Valley among the more common are the mopane, leadwood, winterthorn, baobab, large ebony forests, vegetable ivory palm, marula and the tamarind tree. The changing seasons add to the parks richness ranging from dry, bare bushveld in the winter to a lush green wonderland in the summer months.
3. The Lower Zambezi National Park is still relatively undeveloped, but its beauty lies in its absolute wilderness state. The diversity of animals is not as wide as the other big parks, but the opportunities to get close to game wandering in and out of the Zambezi channels are spectacular. The park lies opposite the famous
Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe, so the whole area on both sides of the river is a massive wildlife sanctuary.
4. The Victoria Falls are known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders), due to its towering plume of spray that is visible at a distance. Within this area of the mighty Zambezi River one can engage in wildlife viewing or one of the many adrenalin activities on offer. The 108 m long (354 ft) and 1 708 m (5 600 ft) wide Vic Falls are the largest sheet of falling water in the world.
5. Due to the riverine wildlife areas the light is sublime for wildlife photography. Colors are crisp and clear, warm and rich. The landscapes of waterways with their distinctive vegetation are stunning backdrops for wildlife photography. The opportunity of photographing big mammals like elephants in and around the water allows amazing wildlife photography. It is simply heaven for wildlife photography enthusiasts.
The wildlife areas in Zambia are best accessible by light aircraft transfer to avoid long drives. A great variety of land and waterborne safari activities are available for a diverse and exceptional safari experience. The best time to visit is from April to November, however, the so called “emerald season” is worth a visit too.
What you should know about famous Moremi Game Reserve
16/04/18
Moremi Game Reserve is part of the Okavango Delta and number one on every Botswana safari wish list. The game reserve is renown for its abundance of wildlife and the great variety of safari activities, on land and water. The reserve is unfenced and its boundaries are defined by natural water systems. The vegetation is varied, with dry land complemented by permanent and seasonal swamplands, resulting in an excellent diversity of both wildlife and birdlife. There is a great network of game drive routes through the reserve. Boating can be enjoyed in Xakanaxa and Mboma where the channels are connected to permanent delta waterways.
Moremi is excellent for viewing the endangered African wild dog. Xakanaxa is home to a resident herd of several hundred buffalo whose range covers the territories of at least four prides of lion who hunt them. Breeding herds of elephant move between browsing areas in the mopane forests and the fresh waters of the Okavango. Red lechwe are one of the more unusual antelope species commonly found here.
Game viewing in the Moremi Game Reserve is excellent year-round and varies between the seasons. During the dry season (Apr – Oct) the game is usually concentrated around permanent water sources as seasonal pans dry up. From September to November migrant birds such as herons and storks return to the area guaranteeing prolific bird watching which remains excellent throughout the summer months. In the rainy season (Nov – Apr) Moremi captivates its visitors with wild flowers, dramatic thundershowers and spectacular sunsets. Most of the animals give birth during this period and newborn antelope attract a variety of predators.
The main areas of this top-rated African safari destiantion are the Khwai River, Xakanaxa Lagoon, Third Bridge and Chief’s Island. The Khwai River traverses a picturesque region characterized by tall evergreen trees lining a wide floodplain. It is situated on the north-eastern tip of Moremi Game Reserve and provides remarkable sightings of predators and prey. The elusive leopard is spotted regularly and birdlife is abundant with saddle-billed storks, wattled cranes, and many species of kingfishers and bee-eaters present.
The Xakanaxa Lagoon lies at the tip of the Mopane Tongue, where substantial mopane forests and a system of deep waterways and shallow flooded areas come together. It is where the desert meets the delta. The striking landscape is packed with game and leopards are seen frequently even though they are well-camouflaged, solitary and shy. The lagoon is also a good place to find the African wild dog and the sheer density of antelope is staggering. Exceptional and varied birdlife is the order of the day at Xakanaxa Lagoon, renowned for the breeding colonies of birds that congregate on its tree covered islands. Seasonal sightings include innumerable herons, egrets, storks and other waders, to the many species of sparrow hawks, buzzards and kites. There are three camps in this area situated along the shore of the lagoon, Camp Moremi, Camp Okuti and Xakanaxa Camp.
A short drive from Xakanaxa Lagoon, lying in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve is Third Bridge. The area is positioned on an island with substantial amounts of tree thickets, in addition to a number of large, open plains. Campsites are available for mobile safaris, and the combination of unfenced campsites and wandering wildlife make for some close encounters between man and beast. Third Bridge's boundary of land and water is an ideal destination to combine vehicle and boat trips, or for the more adventurous, an 'island sleep over!'
Many areas of the Okavango Delta are largely dry including Chief's Island, arguably the Okavango's most famous isle. Once the royal hunting ground of Chief Moremi, the traditional leader of the local tribes donated it as an extension to the Moremi Game Reserve, which it was incorporated into in 1976. Chief’s Island is now one of the region's best locations for spectacular wildlife viewing and hosts three luxury safari camps. Chief’s Island is the first part of dry land that the flood waters reach in the greater Okavango region. Most of the nutrients carried by the water are deposited here and this results in vegetation for rich grazing and browsing for wildlife. These nutritious grass plains support herbivores in large numbers and associated high population of predators. Chief’s Island is also called “predator capital”, the perfect place to see the big cats.
As Moremi is not fenced in, it can be a good choice to stay at one of the neighboring private concessions. A number of lodges can be found in the private concessions bordering Moremi Game Reserve, offering the wildlife viewing of Moremi without the crowds. As there are no fences between the reserve and these private concessions, animals are free to roam. Since these areas can only be explored by guests staying there, the game viewing experience is an exclusive one as well as a great one. As these areas aren’t governed by National Park rules, night drives and walking are also possible. In addition to land-based activities, some of these camps also offer the water-based activities and the scenic landscapes of the delta.
Make sure you will experience a perfect African safari in Moremi or at one of the private concessions by making an informed decision on the camp you choose. Keep the seasons in mind and the floods to enjoy all safari activities possible.
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