Safari to Africa is an expedition or a trip, usually by tourists, to observe animals in their natural habitat and other attractions. These natural habitats can be national parks or game reserves, such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and many more.
Types of Safaris
There are different forms of African safaris. The most notable ones are cultural safaris, birding, adventure, photography, walking safaris, mountaineering, or the most popular, game drives, and gorilla trekking safaris.
Walking Safari
A walking safari involves you or a party and a qualified guide along with an armed game ranger that will take you to the best spots in the park to see wildlife or picturesque views. Like any other type of safari, walking safaris may either be a private tour or a group wherein you join other travelers.
Cultural Safari
On a cultural safari, you will delve into the local cultures through a variety of engaging activities. You can expect to visit remote tribal villages where you’ll interact with local communities and learn about their traditional lifestyles.
Birding Safariinhabitants
Birding safaris in Africa are one of the best destinations, with diverse vegetation ranging from semi-desert, open savannahs and rain forests to mountainous vegetation zoning that gives added advantage to birding tours. All these inhabitants are home to over 2,400 bird species with an estimated number of 1561 and around 67% are endemic, with a majority found in the East-African countries.
Gorilla Trekking Safari
Gorilla trekking is a unique experience that takes place in montane rainforests of east and central Africa. Due to the nature of the terrain, weather conditions and vegetation in the gorilla trekking destinations, travellers are required to pack specific items for facilitation.
Mountaineering Safari
Hiking safari, on the other hand, is when you go on a trekking expedition to experience the mountains like Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Rwenzori, Mount Kenya, and Mount Karisimbi, among others. Usually, people combine these safaris with game drives or gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable or Volcanoes National Parks.
Game-Drives
Game-drives are a staple safari activity. You explore parks and game reserves by riding a vehicle with a pop-up roof. A safari guide will come with you to drive for several hours in search of wildlife. You will drive from between 5 and 6 hours . a day, and whenever your guide sees a Lion, elephant, or any wildlife, you will stop to see them as you take photos from inside your vehicle (through the pop-up roof).
Unlike in a zoo, there’s no set place to see the animals. Nobody knows where they will be hanging out at any time of the day, but your professional safari guide who’ve had years of training and experience spotting and tracking wildlife would know where they “might” be. This is why it’s important to have a good tour guide or else you will miss seeing the animals.
Photography Safari
Photography Safari; In its simplest sense, a photography safari is a guided wildlife photography expedition to capture shots of animals in their natural habitat and the diverse landscapes, among others.
African Safari Options and Cost
Budget Safari:
This is the basic type of accommodation. You can either choose to stay in a budget lodge or tented camp where you can enjoy basic amenities, or you can go camping in one of the campsites inside the park or outside. A common restroom is usually shared by all campers on that site.
Around 500 USD per person for a 5-day safari (all-inclusive; all meals, safari guide, transportation, park fees, activities, and budget Lodges/Camps)
Midrange Safari:
Mid-range accommodations can range from basic hotel-like lodges to simple tented camps with a slight touch of luxury. The differences between this and budget accommodation are the amenities at your disposal, the size of the room and the location/view of your lodge/camp.
Around 1000 USD per person for a 5-day safari (all-inclusive; all meals, safari guide, transportation, park fees, activities, and comfortable Lodges/Camps)
Luxury Safari:
The Tented camps and lodges that fit into the luxury category are posh and comfortable. Expect big rooms, personalized service, good food, and epic views. Luxury accommodation means that you can relax and be taken care of. Oddly enough, luxury safaris are not always private. Often times you will go on game drives organized by the accommodation—these being held in groups. You can usually upgrade to private game drives, though.
Around 1500 USD per person for a 5-day safari (all-inclusive; all meals, safari guide, transportation, park fees, activities, and luxury Lodges/Camps)
Ultra-Luxury Safari (High End Luxury):
Ultr-Luxury (High End Luxury Safaris) feature amenities and comforts that are out of this world. You will most likely have your own private butler at your disposal, a private pool, along with classy activity options such as flying safaris and ballooning. Oddly enough, your game drives are not always private here either, as lodges and camps will often pair you with similar-minded travelers. You can usually upgrade to private game drives, though.
Around 3,000 USD per person for a 5-day safari (all-inclusive; all meals, safari guide, transportation, park fees, activities, and High-End Lodges/Camps)
African Safari Animals
Must See Wild Animals While On An African Safari
Nothing quite compares to the thrill of spotting wildlife on an African safari. The early morning anticipation as the sun breaks over the horizon, the rustling of leaves hinting at hidden creatures, and the breathtaking sight of a lion surveying its territory – these are moments that stay with you forever.
Having spent countless hours on safari in some of the world’s most incredible wildlife reserves, we’ve meticulously curated a list of the 50 most sought-after animals you might encounter on your African adventure. Based on extensive research into traveler preferences, online search trends, and expert recommendations, this comprehensive guide highlights the most iconic, elusive, and ecologically significant species that define the magic of the African wilderness.
We’ll share insider tips on where to find them, how to increase your chances of spotting them to ignite your safari dreams. From the iconic Big Five to the lesser-known but equally fascinating creatures, each animal plays a vital role in the intricate web of life that makes the African wilderness so extraordinary. So, prepare to be captivated as we guide you through the diverse and enchanting world of African safari animals.
African Lion (Panthera leo)
Enjoying the enviable position at the top of the food chain with no predators, the lion rules the wide-open African plains. The largest and grandest of all cats, lions live in small prides led by a single male. Their iconic manes and powerful roars are symbols of their strength and dominance. While primarily hunters, lions also scavenge, showcasing their adaptability in the harsh savanna environment.
How to Spot Lions
Without fear of other animals and no need to hide, they are the easiest cat to see on a game drive. Lions hunt at night and sleep during the day, sheltering from the sun under trees or thick vegetation. The best chance to see them is at dawn when they may still be hunting, or at dusk as they begin to rise for the evening. Listen for their distinctive roars, which can be heard from miles away.
Where to See Lion
You can see African Lions throughout Africa; however, the best locations are in eastern and southern Africa.
Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania: The Serengeti boasts a large lion population over 2,500, offering excellent chances for sightings during game drives, especially around the Grumeti River. The Ngorongoro Crater has one of the highest densities of lions in the world, making it a prime location for observing their social dynamics.
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya: The Masai Mara shares a border with the Serengeti and is another prime location for lion sightings, particularly during the Great Migration when prey is abundant.
Kruger National Park, South Africa: Home to a significant lion population, the park offers diverse habitats for these predators, from open savannas to riverine areas.
Okavango Delta, Botswana: The Delta is known for its large lion prides and unique opportunities to see them hunting in and around water.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda: This park is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, a unique behavior observed in the Ishasha sector.
African Elephants (Loxodonta africana)
The African elephant is the largest land mammal on Earth, a symbol of wisdom, strength, and social bonds. These gentle giants roam the savannas and forests of Africa in matriarchal herds, displaying complex emotions and remarkable intelligence. Their enormous tusks, used for digging, lifting, and defense, are sadly a target for poachers, making their conservation a critical issue.
How to Spot Elephants
Elephants are not difficult to spot due to their size and distinctive features. Look for their large, flapping ears and long trunks, which they use for various tasks, including feeding, drinking, and communication. Listen for the rumbling sounds they make, as well as the cracking of branches as they move through the bush. Elephant dung is also a good indicator of their presence.
Where to See African Elephant
Elephants can be found in various habitats across Africa, but here are some of the best places to see them:
Chobe National Park, Botswana: Forming the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park, the Chobe River and its surrounding floodplains and forests support tens of thousands of elephants. The river attracts elephants in greater densities as the dry season progresses. There are good numbers from May to August, but you can’t move for big herds in September and October. The riverbanks are lined with elephants in the busy season, making a boat cruise on the Chobe River a truly dramatic wildlife spectacle. After the November rains, when the riverfront’s vegetation has taken a real beating and surface water can be found once more, the elephants head back into the interior.
Retired, old bulls live along the Chobe River all year round so you will always see elephants in the Chobe, but if you want to see herds on a scale to thrill, then dry-season Chobe is my number one recommendation.
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe: Located on the border between Botswana and Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park is an enormous tract of jumbo-friendly open woodland that spills across the border from Botswana. Elephants roam freely between the two countries, foraging between the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers and Hwange’s permanent waterholes.
The waterholes are critical way-points for migrating elephants, their locations passed down through the generations by herd elders. All you have to do is park in the shade on a hot afternoon and wait for the show to start. Males are the first to arrive, in knots of swaggering bachelors or quiet old gentlemen, followed by breeding herds of calves, teenagers and watchful mothers, all led by a regal matriarch. Elephant watching in Hwange is best in the dry season – the late winter months of August to October.
Amboseli National Park, Kenya: Home to the world’s longest-running elephant research and conservation programme, Amboseli National Park is where biologists first observed some of the most endearing behaviours of these enigmatic creatures. It was here that herds were first recognised as close-knit families, and where elephants were observed celebrating births, forming friendships and grieving over the death of a family member.
It’s thanks to this research, coupled with the support of the local Masai people, that Amboseli remains a haven for Kenya’s elephants. The landscape is generally flat and open, with only a sparse covering of vegetation but there is plenty of water coming down in streams from Mount Kilimanjaro to form wetlands of lush greenery. Imagine a herd of elephants quenching their thirst against the backdrop of ice-capped Kilimanjaro—if you get the angle right, you’ve got Africa’s biggest animal set against its highest mountain… and a pretty impressive selfie!
Tarangire National Park: The elephants of Tarangire National Park are red in colour thanks to a coating of fine dust kicked up as they walk between their daily browsing in the dry woodlands and the Tarangire River’s fresh water. Elephants often drink only once per day, which can make the little ones so excited about reaching the cool, fresh water that their trunks wobble like jelly as they run to the riverbank!
Home to around 100,000 elephants, Tanzania has long been a Jumbo stronghold. The most famous parks, like the Serengeti, are often vast tracts of rolling grassland that are better suited for grazers like wildebeest, zebra, and antelope. Other reserves like the Nyerere National Park (previously Selous) are so enormous that their elephant populations are spread thinly. But at Tarangire, you’ll stand a good chance of seeing elephants in herds that are an awesome 300-strong.
Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa: As the name promises, Addo’s main attraction is the elephant. You don’t need to travel into the back of beyond either – the park is conveniently located along the Cape’s famous Garden Route, an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth. This sanctuary shows us what the wildlife of the Eastern Cape was like before the arrival of gunpowder – hundreds of elephants live here alongside buffalo, lions, and rare black rhinos.
All this megafauna (a fancy word for large animals) is good news for Addo’s visitors. Malaria-free and famous for its year-round temperate weather, the Eastern Cape is perfect for families with young children who want all the thrills of a big game safari within easy driving distance of urban centres. The bottom line? Addo is not a vast wilderness, and it does get busy during holiday seasons, but it’s also an easy place to see lots and lots of elephants without the risk of malaria.
Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda: This park is home to both savanna and forest elephants, offering diverse viewing opportunities. The park’s boat trips along the Nile River provide unique chances to see elephants from the water close to Murchison Falls.
Okavango Delta, Botswana: This is where the concept of elephant back safaris and walking with elephants was pioneered. Welcome to the jewel of the Kalahari, the Okavango Delta. Botswana’s lush wild heart is home to a huge diversity of animals and birds – it’s a place of big cats and wild dogs, hippos and crocodiles, and plenty of elephants. They wallow in the shallows beside papyrus-lined lagoons and cross open floodplains to reach the delicacies of fruiting trees.
And if all the natural splendour isn’t enough, the Okavango Delta offers you the chance to interact with tame elephants in their natural world. It’s a real and humbling experience that often inspires a sense of quiet wonder in those lucky enough to spend time in this pristine wilderness in the company of elephants.
Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Mountain gorillas are powerful yet gentle giants, known for their close family bonds and surprisingly human-like expressions. These critically endangered primates inhabit the lush, mountainous forests of central Africa. Observing their social interactions, from playful youngsters to the dominant silverback, is a humbling and unforgettable experience.
How to Spot Mountain Gorillas:
Mountain gorillas are some of the most notoriously difficult to track African safari animals due to their remote habitat and shy nature. To see them, you must embark on a gorilla trekking safari, led by experienced ranger guides who know the gorillas’ territory. Be prepared for a physically demanding hike through dense vegetation, but the reward of encountering these magnificent creatures is well worth the effort.
Where to See Mountain Gorillas
You can see mountain gorillas only in Africa in three countries:
Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are home to roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park is another prime location for gorilla trekking, offering stunning views of the Virunga Mountains.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Virunga National Park is the oldest national park in Africa and offers gorilla trekking opportunities, although the security situation in the region can be unpredictable.
Important Note: Gorilla trekking permits are required and must be booked well in advance due to limited availability. These permits contribute to conservation efforts and help fund the protection of these endangered primates.
What to pack for an african safari
Pack comfortable clothes in relatively neutral shades (very bright colours can frighten animals) and layers-mornings and evenings can be chilly enough for a hat and gloves, but by 10am, it’ll be T-shirt weather. Bring sturdy, closed-toe footwear if you’ll be walking, a hat, sunglasses and suncream. Photographers will want their longest lenses, but plenty of people do fine with their smartphones. Binoculars are very useful, although we have pairs to share.
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