Africa is the centre of the world when it comes to journeys centred on wildlife and adventure
When people think of a safari, Africa is usually the first thing that comes to mind. The Big Five, exquisite birdlife, wild and rustic bushveld, and some of the best sunsets and night skies in the world. Africa has vast spaces and unspoiled land. Not only that, but many of the world’s most magnificent creatures reside here. It’s no surprise that people from around the world flock to the continent to experience it all.
Zambia: See the Smoke
The world-renowned Victoria Falls lies on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and is the largest curtain of falling water in the world. One of the five UNESCO heritage sites across these two countries, the Falls offers a treasure trove of safari experiences, especially for the adventure safari enthusiast – in fact, the area is known as the ‘adventure capital of Africa’. At the Falls, travel adventurers can include ziplining, bungee jumping or abseiling on their adventure safari, or try hydrospeeding at the base of the falls. They can also explore the area on some of the beautiful horse trails or take a swim in Devil’s Pool. Custom tours and safaris into and around Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, including Victoria Falls, are also available. Zambia has 20 national parks that offer safari-goers everything from exceptional bird sightings to boating experiences and water safaris on one of the many rivers and dams.
Tanzania: On the move
Every safari enthusiast has the Great Migration on their bucket list. This awe-inspiring move of around 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, gazelle and eland begins in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) site and the event is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. The nearly 14,800km² Serengeti National Park is home to over 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, 550 cheetahs and over 500 bird species. This promises safaris filled with incredible wildlife sightings. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania is another incredible area to experience. It hosts the world’s largest inactive volcano, the Ngorongoro Crater, which is home to a broad diversity of wildlife, offering incredible safari experiences such as Big Five game drives on the floor of the crater, as well as birdwatching safaris and cultural safaris on which you can interact with the local Maasai tribe.
South Africa: The hub
The first safari destination that comes to mind when you think of South Africa has got to be the Kruger National Park. Recognised as the largest natural wildlife park in the world, the 20,000km² national park is a melting pot of wildlife for safari-goers to see. With the largest wild rhino population on the planet, the Park is also home to the rest of the Big Five, the elusive African wild dog, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest and giraffe and myriad other animals. And the Kruger National Park is easy to reach from all over the region with Airlink, so it’s easy to escape to this beautiful environment for a weekend. In addition to this gem, if you travel towards the North West and Limpopo provinces, you will find Welgevonden Nature Reserve, Dinokeng Game Reserve, Plumari Game Reserve, Pilanesberg National Park, and other sanctuaries. There is an incredible array of wildlife across these areas, ranging from klipspringers and sable antelope to leopards and brown hyenas.
Kenya: Masai Mara and more
Kenya is known for delivering sightings of the Big Five, as well as the Great Migration. The Masai Mara National Reserve borders Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, being part of the channel along which the Great Migration takes place. This makes it a great destination to incorporate into a safari built around that attraction. Being the origin of the Maasai people, the Reserve is home to the Maasai Village, which travellers can experience as part of a cultural tour. Or a cultural safar can be expanded to include the city of Nairobi. Taking to the skies, travellers can experience a hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara plains, seeing the rich grasslands and experiencing wildlife from a different perspective.
And the rest…
Visitors to Uganda can experience forest safaris with sightings of gorillas – an experience that can also be enjoyed in Rwanda, which is known for the Volcanoes National Park, where groups of safari trekkers can visit some of the 10 habituated gorilla families. Namibia is a destination for desert safaris, with incredible sunsets and the spectacular Cape Cross Seal Reserve. And Zimbabwe is home to the walking-and-canoeing paradise of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mana Pools National Park.
Text | Shaun Wheeler Photography | Volodymyr Burdiak
and Gudkov Andrey
Shaun Wheeler is General Manager of Radisson Blu
Mosi-Oa-Tunya, Livingstone Resort.
For more information, go to radissonhotels.com.
