Safari and Beyond
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Destinations
KENYA is one of the most developed countries in Africa. The number of parks and camps plus the huge number of animals combined with an infrastructure that transports travelers efficiently makes Kenya the prime wildlife viewing area in the world.
Nairobi: The major city in the region, Nairobi is the hub for travelers flying to sub-Saharan Africa.
Aberdare National Park: This beautiful park about 2 hours north of Nairobi and lying above 10,000 feet is the home of the game viewing lodges that feature salt lick, floodlit pools. Visitors spend the night viewing the animals drinking from the pools.
Amboseli National Park: Beautifully situated at the foot of the towering Kilimanjaro, it is the home of huge herds of elephants. Here you can see lions, cheetahs, hyenas as well as Gnus, kaffir buffaloes and Burchell’s zebras.
Tsavo East/West National Park: Both National Parks form the largest reserve in East Africa. The Northern part of Tsavo East may not, however, be visited by tourists. In spite of its arid countryside and savannah vegetation, about 60 species of mammals and 400 different species of birds are to be found here. Of the birds, the most impressive is the Maasai Ostrich.
Lake Nakuru National Park: A sea of flaming pink, these are the million flamingos seeking their food in the salty deep- green waters of Lake Nakuru. This park has become Kenya's premier Rhino sanctuary and is now home to both Black and White Rhinos, totaling to over 80 in number.
Laikipia: If you truly want privacy, Laikipia, located northwest of Mt. Kenya will be your first choice. Laikipia’s 3700 square mile area is comprised of community rangelands and private ranches. Several ranches have added luxurious lodges and tented camps for visitors. Since Lakipia is located outside the national parks, it has few restrictions. Night game drives, Horse and Camel Safaris, are a few of the activities offered. The wildlife density is second only to the Masai Mara. This upscale jewel is a must for the discriminating traveler.
Masai Mara National Reserve: The Masai Mara is widely considered to be Africa’s greatest wildlife reserve. Contiguous with the plains of the Serengeti, the Mara is home to a breathtaking array of life. The Mara has been called the Kingdom of Lions and these regal and powerful hunters dominate these grasslands. The Mara is an awesome natural wonder, a place where Maasai warriors share the plains with hunting lions, a place of mighty herds and timeless cycles of life, death and regeneration. This is truly big country with massive animals and cruel predators. There is an ominous, overpowering quality of this place that evokes a primitive feeling of fear and wonder. You will never forget the Mara.
Meru National Park: Meru National Park is one of the more famous safari destinations because it was here that Joy Adamson set her lioness Elsa free. The park offers unique luxury accommodations and is a transition point from Central Kenyan to Northern Kenyan fauna.
Mt Kenya: The second highest mountain in Africa at 17,000 feet, Mt Kenya is popular with mountain climbers and those who prefer a day hike up several thousand feet. Game is plentiful in the area especially elephant, buffalo and rhino.
Samburu/Shaba Reserve: This gem of a reserve would have delighted Charles Darwin for it is here that you will see unique animals such as the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, the blue necked Somali Ostrich and the Gerenuk…the Little 5 of Samburu. Bird watching is fabulous here. Whether you are an ornithologist or a first timer, you will find identifying some or all of the 400 species that reside in the area fascinating.
Kenya Coast: The romantic coastal area of Kenya has a history stretching back over 1,000 years. From here the Swahili language spread across the continent of Africa. The 300-mile coastline stretches from Lamu in the North to Shimoni in the south. A spectacular coral reef runs uninterrupted along the palm-fringed coastline. The waters below teem with marine life while up above a huge diversity of birdlife occupies the mangrove forests or overhanging cliffs. Gedi, Watamu and Malindi offer very interesting visits.
Mombasa: The coral island of Mombasa which measures just over 14sq km, less than five square miles – is a busy, frenetic place, packed with a variety of things to see and do. The dominating feature is the old town and harbor, guarded by the imposing Fort Jesus built in 1598 by the Portuguese. Mombasa is a true melting pot of cultures! On its North and South mainland you will find a selection of hotels on sparkling beaches. Deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, dolphin-watching ‘dhow‘ trips and so much more will fill up your holiday whilst in Mombasa.
Lamu Archipelago: In the Lamu archipelago, to the north of Mombasa, are the three islands of Lamu, Manda and Pate, together with some smaller islands. Lamu Island is the most important in the archipelago; it has an excellent natural harbor and is fringed along the West, North and Northeast by mangrove forests.
TANZANIA: This large country is quickly developing into one of the finest wildlife areas in Africa. Boasting the majestic Mt Kilimanjaro to the famed Serengeti and on to Zanzibar, Tanzania has much to offer every visitor.
Arusha is the hub of 'safari activity', covering the Northern Parks. It is a bustling city where visitors shop for tanzanite amongst other things. Arusha National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Tanzania and located 20 miles from Arusha. Aside from the abundance of wildlife, fauna and flora there are three spectacular features – Momella Lakes, Meru Crater, and the Ngurdoto Crater. Both Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru can be seen from the park.
Serengeti National Park: The park covers 5700 sq miles of endless rolling plains that reach up to the Kenyan border and extend almost to Lake Victoria. The park is teaming with stunning wildlife – it is thought that over 3 million large mammals roam the plains. From May to August you can witness the annual migration of millions of zebra and wildebeest in search of water and forage as the seasons change.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area: The Park is located between the Serengeti and Lake Manyara. It is home to the famous volcanic Ngorongoro Crater that is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The crater (2000 feet deep and 100 sq miles) is a microcosm of East African scenery and game. Scenic grandeur and stunning views are the hallmark of this wonder of the world. All the lodges are built high on the crater rim and afford amazing views over and into the crater. There are 25,000 larger animals within the crater itself and is undoubtedly the best place to see black rhino in Tanzania as well as prides of lion that include the magnificent black-maned males.
Mount Kilimanjaro: Mount Kilimanjaro is located at the north/eastern tip of Tanzania. For the adventurous, a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro is a must taking you through the mists of equatorial jungle to reach the snows and breath-taking views from the summit. It can be climbed at any time during the year. However, Christmas and New Year are usually fully booked and April, May and November is the rainy season.
Tarangire National Park: The Park is located 72 miles from Arusha south east of Manyara. This park has a particularly dense wildlife population between June - October. It is home to thousands of elephant, and in the dry season game congregates along the river having migrated from the Masai Mara. This park is symbolized by the Baobab tree and is an ornithologist’s paradise rich in birds of prey and an incredible diversity of avifauna.
Lake Manyara National Park: This beautiful park is at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and is comprised of forest, woodland, grasslands, and swamps. Wildlife includes the famous tree climbing lion, hyena, baboon, giraffe, hippo and 350 species of birds, storks and flamingos.
Selous Game Reserve: The largest game reserve in Africa - 4 times the size of the Serengeti. Walking is permitted (with an armed ranger) which with over 350 species of bird and 2,000 species of plants to see makes this the most heavenly sanctuary to explore. Selous is famous for its elephant, hippopotamus and has a broad range of game including the largest population of buffalo in Africa.
Ruaha National Park: This is one of Tanzania's least accessible parks. As result it is totally untouched and remains one of the most exciting game reserves (almost as large as the Serengeti). It is a birdwatcher's paradise - home to 350 species of bird not found in northern Tanzania. The river runs through spectacular gorges and majestic trees hence it is especially appealing to photographers. The best months to go to see game are from July to November.
Zanzibar: The Spice island of Zanzibar lies off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. It combines ancient ruins and noble Arabic houses with miles of white sandy palm fringed beaches. The warm blue water with excellent reefs offer great snorkeling and scuba diving. Deep-sea fishing is fantastic, if that’s not enough, you can visit the Spice plantations or haggle for carvings in the central market in ancient Stone Town. A must visit!
Uganda: Bordering Kenya and Lake Victoria on the west, Uganda is a landlocked fertile country that is well watered with many lakes and rivers. Most of the country is plateau with a rim of mountains. Its terrain differs from the savannahs of East Africa dramatically.
Kampala: The capital has a population of 1.2 million and is developing into a modern up-to-date city. It is the starting point for most safaris.
Entebbe: Located 25 miles from Kampala on the shores of Lake Victoria, it is the home of the international airport made famous by the Israeli Mossad who rescued hi-jacked plane passengers during the dark days of Idi Amin.
Lake Victoria: This huge lake of 26,560 square miles borders Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Discovered as the source of the Nile by John Speke, it was later verified by the explorer Henry Stanley.
Jinja: Uganda’s second largest city is located at the actual source of the Nile where the water pours out of the Lake and into a river called the White Nile.
Murchison Falls: One of the most spectacular Falls in Africa. The Nile enters a gorge that narrows to 21 feet forcing the river to rush through this small opening at tremendous speed. You will see the falls from the front and the back. In the lake below you can fish for 100 lb. Perch that must be released.
Budongo Forest: This forest near the Falls is noted for its Chimpanzee population. Bush walks to visit the chimps are allowed but only 12 visitors are allowed in the morning and another 12 in the afternoon.
Bwindi National Park: Five Gorilla troops call this park their home and they can receive 30 visitors per day. Visits to these peaceful giants are as humbling as it is thrilling and is considered the premier wildlife-viewing event. Permits need to be purchased far in advance.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: Sitting on the Rift Valley floor between lakes Edward and George, the 763 square mile park boasts 95 mammal species and an amazing 612 species of birds. Game viewing is spectacular as is Chimpanzee trekking.
Victoria Falls: The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Victoria Falls is over a mile wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops about 300 feet into the Zambezi Gorge. Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria Falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860's.
Botswana: Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Slightly semi-arid the terrain is basically flat tableland with the Kalahari Desert in the southwest.
Gaborone: The capital city of 200,000 lies in the southeast east corner of the country 9 miles from South Africa. Fairly modern, the city is the administrative capital of the country.
Maun: This is the gateway to the one of the best wildlife experiences you will ever have - a safari in the unforgettable Okavango Delta. Maun has grown rapidly from its early days as a small, rural frontier town and has now spread along the wide, usually dry Thamalakane River. It now boasts good shopping centers, hotels and lodges.
Okavango Delta: The Okavango is a labyrinth of lagoons, lakes and hidden channels covering an area that makes it the largest inland delta in the world. In the lush indigenous forests of the delta and its islands, and along the floodplains more than 400 species of birds flourish. On the mainland and among the islands in the delta, lions, elephants, hyenas, wild dog, buffalo, hippo and crocodiles congregate with a teeming variety of antelope and other smaller animals - warthog, mongoose, spotted genets, monkeys, bush babies and tree squirrels. Travel from the camp to the islands is by Mokoro; a dugout poled by your guide.
Chobe National Park: The Park has three main areas; Chobe Riverfront in the northeast, Savuti Marsh Area in the west and the Linyanti in the northwest corner. Chobe Riverfront is fairly close to Victoria Falls and is located on the Chobe River where there is plenty of wildlife activity in the river and on land. There are an estimated 30,000 elephants in the park. The Savuti in the west is covered with extensive savannahs and rolling grasslands-great for wildlife. The Linyanti in the northwest is adjacent to the Linyanti and Kwando Rivers. Wildlife is abundant with large concentrations of lions, leopards and wild dogs.
Kalahari National Park: Characterized by vast open plains, saltpans, ancient riverbeds and sand dunes to flat bushveld in the central area, the Central Kalahari National Park is the second largest game reserve in the world. Although the National Reserve is accessible throughout the year, only limited access is allowed to visitors under permit. The people known as the Bushmen have been resident in and around the area for thousands of years. Nomadic hunters and gatherers, their lifestyles have gradually changed with the times and they now live in settlements, some of which are situated within the southern half of the Central Kalahari National Park.
Moremi Game Reserve: Moremi is mostly described as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in Africa as it combines mopane woodland and acacia forests, floodplains and lagoons. It is the great diversity of plant and animal life that makes Moremi so well known.
The reserve contains within its boundaries approximately twenty percent of the Okavango Delta. Elephants are numerous, particularly during the dry season, as well as a range of other wildlife species from buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, hyena, jackal and the full range of antelope, large and small, including the red lechwe. Very few of the camps on the islands can be reached by road.
Namibia: Twice the size of Germany, Namibia gained its independence in 1990. With 7 persons per square mile, it is one of the lowest density countries in Africa. Geographically, it is mostly desert with some mountain ranges, huge saltpans and some fertile plains. It does give some visitors the feeling they are at the ‘end of the world’.
Windhoek: The capital of Namibia is situated almost exactly in the center of the country. The German style buildings and the extreme cleanliness of the city reflect the influence of the colonial era.
Etosha National Park: Here is the gem of Namibia that is home to 100 species of mammals and 300 bird species. The Park is dominated by the vast Etosha Pan, a greenish-white salt flat that looks like the sea. Game drives here are unique because of the terrain. A must see!
Sossusvlei: This desolate area possesses the natural spectacle of the world’s highest sand dunes over 1200 feet high. A sunrise visit to the dunes gives the camera buff surreal pictures of this spectacular area. Travelers enjoy exploring and climbing the dunes and Sesriem Canyon.
Skeleton Coast: Stretching 300 miles up the Atlantic coast lays one of the least accessible areas of Namibia. Some travelers venture in via light aircraft. The most famous picture from this area was one of a lion eating a whale that had washed ashore!
Swakopmund: This neat, tidy German town is Namibia’s premier resort on the Atlantic Coast.
Rwanda: This small landlocked country, the size of Maryland, is the most densely populated country in Africa (10 million). In 2008, it became the first country in history to elect a national legislature with a majority of its members women. The climate is temperate with two rainy seasons, February to April and November to January. The terrain is mostly grassy upland hills with its lowest point 2900 ft and the highest, Volcan Karisimbi, 14,700 ft.
Kigali: Located in the geographical heart of Rwanda, Kigali is not only the capital but also the main business center and port of entry. All parks are located within 3 hours of Kigali.
Parc National des Volcans: Located on the steep slopes of the great old volcanoes, in the Virunga Range, the Parc is the home of the rare Mountain Gorilla. Four groups of Gorillas (70 in total) inhabit these slopes. 8 permits per day per Gorilla Group are issued to tourists for a maximum total of 32 per day. A visit to these Gorillas is considered one of the most memorable events in a person’s lifetime. See www.rwanda-gorillas.com.
Akagera National Park: Located in the lowlands adjacent to Tanzania, this park is dominated by swamps, lakes and the Akagera River. This is big game country featuring Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra and Eland. A stray Leopard or Lion is seen occasionally.
Nyungwe National Park: Known for its primate population including Chimpanzees, Nyungwe is the most important ornithological site in Rwanda with a population of 300 species of birds. The park is located in southeast Rwanda
SOUTH AFRICA: One of the most developed countries offers the visitor a wide variety of nature, culture and adventure.
Cape Town & Cape Peninsula up to Cape Point, are famous for scenic beauty; celebrity beaches; Table Mountain; whale-watching; world-class shopping, nightlife, food & wine; and a laid-back atmosphere.
The Winelands: Discover the joys of SA’s award-winning wines and cuisine along any of the beautiful Cape wine routes, taking you through green valleys and historic towns.
Garden Route: Known as South Africa’s Eden, the famous Garden Route traverses an area rich in natural beauty and charm, attracting adventure-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Kruger National Park: This world-renowned park of nearly 2 million hectares features 16 ecosystems. Spot the Big Five on a 4x4 game drive or walking safari.
Robben Island: The Island’s most famous prisoner, Nelson Mandela, has turned this institute of brutality into a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit over enormous hardship.
Soweto: South Africa’s largest and most famous township was a hotbed of anti-apartheid activity. Visit Freedom Struggle sites and eat at a shebeen or township restaurant.
ZAMBIA: is commonly regarded as one of the most beautiful, friendly, diverse and unspoilt countries on the entire African continent.
South Luangwa National Park: Experts have dubbed South Luangwa to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
Kafue National Park: Kafue is one of the largest national parks in the whole of Africa. Despite its size and prominent location only two hours’ drive from Livingstone, it remains little-known and largely unexplored.
Lower Zambezi National Park: The diversity of animals is not as wide as the other big parks, but the opportunities to get close to game wandering in and out of the Zambezi channels are spectacular and it is fairly close to Victoria Falls
