Why Everyone Needs To Book A Holiday Safari In Africa

So, you have done the vacation thing – winters in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, summers in Europe, spring holidays spent on the sun warmed beaches of South America – and now you are wondering just what is left in the way of a holiday destination. And anyone tired of more traditional vacations or for anyone seeking thrills and adventure – not to mention excitement and exotic culture – should be a holiday safari in the lush, beautiful wilds of Africa.

People automatically think of animals when they hear the word “safari,” and while animals are certainly a large and interesting part of any Safari in Africa, they are by no means the only part.

There are a wide variety of activities offered in most holiday safari packages. There are riding and walking tours, during which visitors can see not only game but also breathtaking scenery and depending on the region of Africa, motorboat tours, canoe trips and the self drive itineraries can ensure you get to unearth the hidden Africa.

Visit local tribes and Bushmen, learn about customs and cultures, and take part in game drives and hikes, which are a staple when on Safari.

Observing animals in their natural habitat is a tradition among holiday safaris in Africa and instead of asking what kind of animals you should expect to see on an African safari. A better question would be to question which can you might not expect to see! The Big Five, referring to leopards, lions, elephants, buffalo, and rhinoceroses, can almost always be found, drinking from watering holes, lounging the heat of the day away, or hunting food (or prey, as the case may be), but they are by no means the only animals you can see. And again, depending on the region of Africa where the safari takes place, visitors can enjoy a diverse range of birds and not to mention giraffes, gazelles, wildebeests, and alligators.

In between all of these exciting, adventurous activities, there is also ample time for rest and relaxation, whether it be reading or napping through the balmy heat of midday or taking leisurely tours through the bush. And after a long day, there is no greater retreat than to enjoy the beautiful African sunset, while looking onto the breathtaking countryside. So experience the raw, primal world of nature for yourself and learn about the rich local cultures and customs by booking your own Safari holiday in Africa, which is sure to offer something for everyone.

So, you have done the vacation thing – winters in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, summers in Europe, spring holidays spent on the sun warmed beaches of South America – and now you are wondering just what is left in the way of a holiday destination. And anyone tired of more traditional vacations or for anyone seeking thrills and adventure – not to mention excitement and exotic culture – should be a holiday safari in the lush, beautiful wilds of Africa. You just have to decide, when and where to take the first step.

Source: Article Base
African Safari Vacations

Southern Africa Travel, Enchanted and Delightful Safaris and Luxury

Southern Africa is truly a unique and culturally diverse country, with an eclectic mix of wilderness and metropolis, wildlife and nightlife, Old Africa and the New World. My Itinerary began with two days of sightseeing in the water front city of Cape Town, the oldest European settled city on the African continent. From our cable car ascent up Table Mountain we walked along trails with outstanding sea views. Other city sights included Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, the Cape of Good Hope, and a visit to the only colony of penguins in Africa.

Forty miles away are Stellenbosh, Franschhoek, and Paarl, surrounded by vineyards, fruit orchards and mountains, and renowned for their gracious blend of 18th century Cape Dutch, Georgian, and Victorian architecture. There is a lot of exploring the Cape’s premier estates to do here, tasting wines and enjoying the hospitality of this very special area.

One thing worth tyring is travelling on the ultra luxurious Blue train. Gourmet cuisine, fine wines, high tea and sumptuous accommodations, combine with romantic ambiance, impeccable service and beautiful scenery, to make this a truly magnificent way to travel from Cape Town to Pretoria.

A quick flight from Johannesburg to Skukuza and then a short drive, and we were finally at our first game reserve. Mala Mala located in the Sabi Sand Reserve is adjacent to Kruger National Park. Within this private reserve, the luxury and tranquility of Africa is ever present. Exceptional game viewing in open Land Rovers, dinner around an open camp fire in a reed enclosed “boma”, visits to secluded hides and night dives are all part of the unforgettable experience.

Our next destination, spectacular Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls, Musi Oa Tunya “Smoke that thunders” is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and truly a sight worth seeing. Our lodging for the night was the River Club, situated on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River. The River Club’s ten luxury thatched roof bungalows overlook the Zambezi. The rooms are completely open in the back giving the best possible views of the river and creating an Old World romantic atmosphere. Although not a game lodge, the Zambezi National Park is located just across the river. Hippos were regularly sighted, and we woke to their sounds in the early morning.

On to Botswana. Our safari in Botswana explored two contrasting ecosystems. The Linyanti ecosystem is big game country where the majority of the 76,000 plus elephants in Northern Botswana reside, the attraction being the permanent water and mopane forests. Wildlife seen here also includes buffalo, lion, leopard, hippo, impala wild dog and cheetah. The second area we explored was the unique ecosystem of the Okavango Delta. Here, as the sands of the Kalahari meet the Okavango River, the waters spread into a maze of meandering channels, forested islands, papyrus thickets and placid lagoons. This green, wet wilderness teams with animal and bird life. Along with day and night game drives, activities offered in this area are mekoro trips (traditional dugout canoe) along narrow canals and guided hikes.

All our safaris were off the beaten path because this unspoiled wilderness has more acres of wildlife reserves than roads to get through them. That is why you are more likely to get transferred by air as you explore this countries vast, best and most pristine wildlife habitat.

In each of our three camps, individual bungalows provided a bedroom under canvas or thatch, with en suite bathrooms in a most traditional safari setting. Built on raised platforms of wood canvas and stone, each camp, Kings Pool, Chitabe and Joa, blended seamlessly into their lush backgrounds. We were made to feel as if we were experiencing an Africa suspended in time, having an authentic bush experience and yet still mad to feel safe and comfortable.

Our host during much of our stay in Southern Africa was Wilderness Safaris. What I found so impressive about this company was not only do they provide a wonderful wilderness experience for their guests, they clearly understand and take the responsibility to help protect the parks, reserves and wilderness areas around them. They also understand the need to empower and uplift the communities around their camps in order that the local people can derive benefits from wildlife-based tourism. To accomplish these ends as a company a portion of each guest’s faire is allocated to the ” Wilderness Safaris Wildlife Trust”.

Source: Ezine Articles
Africa Safari Vacations