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Africa safaris

Hundreds of game parks and reserves now vie for considerable wildlife bragging rights, but it hasn’t always been that way. The safari has changed dramatically since the likes of Roosevelt when the idea of a fine safari was to see the great wildlife, and shoot it.

There are now so many different ways of enjoying a safari in Africa: by vehicle, on foot, canoe, kayak, micro-lite, hot air balloon and mountain bike but critically there is huge variance in both parks and the style of the safari.
 
For the huge herds of game the countries of Tanzania and Kenya are king with their abundance of predators and the extraordinary 'Great migration'. Zambia has rightly claimed the 'walking safari' mantle and the coast of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mozambique the marine safari. Uganda and Rwanda are almost exclusively known as the home of gorilla treks, while Gabon is fact gaining a reputation for its wildlife, especially in the forest clearings, or ‘Bai’, where it is not unusual to see elephants, buffalo, gorillas, forest hog, chimpanzees and 3-4 different antelope at any one time.
 
What to look for in a good safari
There is huge disparity in standards and whistle stop tours, although appearing to show a good view of the countries, actually are nothing like as comprehensive as spending quality time in one area. Prices vary also due to vehicles used, ratio of staff to clients and seasonal changes, and a good guide/spotter is essential. Research and more research is critical if your agent, operator or so called expert hasn't been there, call someone else. A good safari cannot be beaten by any other holiday.
 
Irresponsible Safaris
Saba Douglas Hamilton, Kenyan wildlife film-maker, has become increasingly concerned with some irresponsible wildlife developments that are trashing some prime wildlide habitat.

This development was approved by Kenya's National Environment Management Authority on the basis that the EIA declared that it would be a temporary camp. This is not the case and you can clearly see large and very permanent concrete buildings, again in a patch of woodland that was previously heavily utilised by wildlife.

Click here to read the full article.
 
 
 
 
 
safaris/leopardpgmedium Walking safaris
Some areas of Africa purport to have walking safaris but really only involve ambling in a game reserve for a few hours with a selection of plains animals. A proper walking safari means very small groups, with armed guides and rangers, and is probably the rawest way of experiencing the African wilderness. South Luangwa in Zambia has traditionally been the home of the finest walking safaris with some very experienced high class operators. From June to November small walking safaris trek betwee
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safaris/lion South Luangwa Valley
Explore one of Africa’s most exciting wildlife places: South Luangwa National Park with Peter Geraerdts, wildlife photographer and safari operator. “If a holiday should alleviate stress and provide adventure at the same time, then…’ ...the South Luangwa National Park is the place to be for the real adventurer! At over 9000 KMS2, it is one of Africa’s most pristine places. It features a high game density in a wide variety of habitats, enormous spaces and a rarity of wildlife often unseen in
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Samburu and Buffalo Springs
Not as popular as some other parks in Kenya, but it is hard to see why. These two parks are divided by the sandy Ewaso Nyiro River but are essentially the same. This area of Northern Kenya is lower, drier and hotter than the Masai Mara but the rewards, especially along the river margins, are huge. Ringed by vertiginous escarpments everything about the park is unusual from the geography to the species. Among the rarer species to be seen here are the gerenuk, endangered Grevys zebra, Reticulated
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features/Giraffem Safari with children
My kids were so excited about the thought of going on safari in Kenya, and we had a great time. A walking safari, 4 days on the Masai Mara seeing pretty much everything, the flamingos and rhinos at Nakuru, everything you want to see. And the abiding memories? Hiding under the seats of the open top landrover while watching lions hunting, (as all they have learned from years as armchair viewers is that lions will eat you.) and the hotel with a swim up bar and free coke!
READ THE FULL ARTICLE
Top African Safari Destinations (in no particular order)
ELEPHANT BACK SAFARIS: CONSERVATION OR CRUELTY.
Shearwater Adventures, a tour operator from Zimbabwe, is under fire for capturing wild elephants for use on elephant back safaris. However Shearwater strongly defend their position by pointing out that the drought in Zimbabwe is devastating the elephant herds.
Read both sides of the argument.