SAFARI ACTIVITIES

SAFARI ACTIVITIES
Africa can be experienced in a myriad of exciting ways. What follows are a numbers of types of safari activities. For addition information refer to the country mentioned.

SAFARI VEHICLE
Open vehicles usually have two rows of elevated seats behind the driver’s seat. There is no side or rear windows or permanent roof, providing unobstructed views in all directions and a feeling of being part of the environment instead of on the outside looking in. Such kind of vehicles is well used in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, some reserves in South Africa.

In vehicle with roof hatches or pop-top roofs, riders may stand up through the hatch for game viewing and photography. If the vehicle is full, rides usually must take turn using the hatches, making tours which guarantee windows seats for every passenger ( i.e., maximum of sever passengers in a nine-seat land-cruiser/Land-rover/minivan) all the more attractive. These vehicles are more used in Kenya and Tanzania.
Wildlife viewing, end especially photography, are more where closed vehicle are required. In South Africa (except private reserves) and major parks in Namibia, closed vehicle are required.

PHOTO SAFARIS
The term photo safari generally means any kind of safari except hunting safaris.

In its strictest sense, a photo safari is a safari escorted by a professional wildlife photographer, especially for the serious photographer. These safaris are mainly about learning wildlife photography and getting best photos possible. These are recommended only for the serious shutter-bug.

WALKING SAFARIS
Walking safaris put one in closest touch with nature. Suddenly your senses come alive every sight, sound and smell becomes intensely meaningful. Could that flash of bronze in dense bush ahead be a lion? I wonder how long ago these rhino tracks were made. Can that herd of elephant ahead see or smell us approaching?

Accompanied by an armed wildlife expert, walking safaris last anywhere from a few hours to several days. The bush can be examined up-close and at a slower pace, allowing more attention to its fascinating detail than on a safari by vehicle.

Participants can often approach quite closely to game, depending on the direction of the wild and the cover available. This is experiencing the excitement and adventure of the bush at its best. Zambia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe are the top countries for walking safaris. Walking is also available in some part of Botswana, Kenya and South Africa.

NIGHT GAME DRIVES
Night game drives open up a new world of adventure. Nocturnal animals, seldom if ever seen by day, are viewed with the aid of the vehicle’s powerful search light. Bush babies, night apes, leopard, civet, genet and many other species can be seen.

In addition to the chart which follows, night game drives are allowed and often conducted outside of many reserves, including the Maasai Mara (Kenya), Manyara (Tanzania), Hwange, and Matusadona (Zimbabwe).


GORLLA SAFARIS
Gorilla trekking is one of the most exciting adventures one can have on the “dark continent” and is certainly one of the most exciting experiences of life.

Mountain gorillas are best seen in Volcano National Park (Rwanda), Djomba Gorilla Sanctuary and Rumangabo (Burkina) Station (DRC). Lowland gorilla as have been haunted in Kahuzi-Beiga National Park in DRC. Permits for gorilla trekking are limited; gorilla safaris should be booked well in advance.

BALLOON SAFARIS
At five-thirty in the morning, you will be awaked by steaming hot coffee and tea brought to your bedsides by your private tent keeper. Get off at six o’clock for a short game drive to where the hot-air balloons are being filled. Moments later you will be lifted above the plains of the Serengeti/Maasai Mara National Park for the ride of a lifetime.

Silently viewing game from the perfect vantage point, you will brush tops of giant acacias for close-up views of bird’s nests and baboons. Most animals took little notice, but somehow the hippos know you are there. Maybe it might be your shadow or the occasional firing of the burners necessary to keep you aloft.

Return to the earth it is an event in itself. One hours and 15min. after lift-off, your pilot will landing. By the way, all landings are crash landings, so just follow your pilot’s instructions and join in the fun.

Minutes later a champagne breakfast appeared on the open savannah within clear view of herds of wildebeest, buffalo, and zebra. Your return to camp it is another exciting game drive, only a little bumpier than the trip out.

Hot-air balloon safaris are available in Kenya in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, at Taita Hills near Tsavo West National Park and Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)

BOAT/CANOE/KAYAK SAFARIS
Wildlife viewing by boat, canoe or kayak from the rivers or lakes often allows one to approach wildlife closer than by vehicle. Game viewing by boat is available in Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta (Botswana), Selous Game Reserve on Rufiji river and Kilombero Valley, Arusha National Park on Momela lakes, Rubondo Island National Park on Lake Victoria (Tanzania), Lake Kariba and along Matusadina National Park (Zimbabwe) and the Zambezi River upstream from Victoria Falls (Zambia)

Canoe safaris from three to nine days are operated along the Zambezi River below Kariba Dam in Zimbabwe Wildlife is best in the area along Mana Pool national Park. This is definitely one of favorite adventures. In Zambia, canoe safaris are offered above Victoria Falls and below Kariba Dam.

Three-day/two-night safaris are operated on the Zambezi River in Zambezi National Park upstream from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.


WHITE-WATER RAFTING
For white enthusiasts and newcomers alike, the Zambezi River (Zambia/Zimbabwe) below Victoria Falls is one of the most challenging rivers in the world. Some rapids are Class Five – the highest class runable. Rafting safaris from one to seven days are available. No previous experience is required. Just hang on and have the tie of your life!

HORSEBACK SAFARIS
Game viewing by horseback is yet another intriguing way to experience the bush. Horseback safaris up to 16 days in length are conducted in Kenya. Half-day horseback safaris are available in Matobo National Park and Kyle Recreational Park (Zimbabwe)

Horseback riding outside of wildlife areas is offered in s number of areas, including Nyanja National Park and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and Arusha (Tanzania).


BIRD WATCHING
If you are not a bird watcher now, there’s a good chance you will be converted before the end of your safari. Bird watching in Africa is almost beyond belief. Some courtiers have recorded over 1000different species and some parks over 500.

The best time for bird watching is November and March in most areas. However, bird watching is very good year around.

Keen birders planning to visit southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, Tanzania, Swaziland and Zimbabwe).

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING
Africa ha mountains to challenge tenderfoot, and the expert as well. Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), 19,340feet in altitude, is the highest mountain in Afrika, followed by Mt. Kenya (Kenya) at 17,058feet. The Ruwenzori, or Mountain of the moon (Uganda/DRC), is the highest mountain chain in Afrika, rising to 16,794 feet. All of these mountains lie within a few degrees of the equator yet are snowcapped year around. Hiking through fascinating and unique Afro-alpine vegetation found on all of these mountains gives one the feeling of being on another planet.


SCUBA DIVING AND SNORKELING
Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Mauritius offer excellent coral reef diving in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

In Kenya Malindi-Watamu Marine National Reserve is probably the best choice. For those willing to rough it, five-day dive trips on a live-aboard dhow are available from the southern Kenyan coast to Pemba Island (Tanzania).

The Natal coast of South Afrika has excellent coral reefs while the Southern Cape offers the ultimate underwater thrill of diving with great white sharks!

FISHING
Some of the finest deep-sea fishing in the world is found in Indian Ocean off the coast of Kenya, off Pemba and Mafia Island (Tanzania), and off the island country of Mauritius.

Freshwater fishing for Nile perch (200+ pounds) and tiger fish (one of the best fighting fish in the world) is excellent in the Lake Tanganyika (especially near Zambia), Lakes Turkana and Victoria, and Lake Kariba (Zimbabwe). Trout fishing is very good in parks such as Nyanga (Zimbabwe) and the Aberdares (Kenya). Most fresh water fishing requires a license which can usually be obtained from your hotel, lodge or camp for a small fee.

OTHER SAFARIS
Additional option for special interest traveler includes anthropology, archeology, art, backpacking, camel safaris, etc.