AFRICA SAFARI HOT SPOTS

 

If you have never been on an African safari before, you may be at a loss as to where to go. This guide explores some of Africa’s famous safari hotspots.

This depends on specific needs and requirements. Interests range from Africa’s spectacular wildlife to the wide variety of birds that occur in Africa at different times of the year.

Where one wishes to go really depends on the type of activity one would like to partake in. From sandy deserts, beaches, game reserves, aquatic reefs, mountains and lakes, there are so many beautiful things to see in Africa.



BOTSWANA

Botswana offers exceptional wildlife and game viewing all year round. It is important to take note that certain seasons are ideal for special interest travelers:

- Birding season is from Nov – March when the Okavango Delta is home to the many migratory birds during their breeding season.

- Botanical season is from Dec – May when the vegetation is lush and green, and also when most plants are in flower.

- Photography is excellent year-round, but depending on what your main interests are, note that the scenery is most spectacular from Sept – Feb during the first rains. For wildlife the winter months from May – Sept is best, as the vegetation is less dense and game viewing is generally more prolific.

Seasons

• Botswana’s high season is from July – October. Due to the low number of rooms in most of the Botswana lodges and camps, availability is at a premium over this time, so it is essential to book well in advance.

• Shoulder season is from May – June. This is also a ‘busy time’ in Botswana’s national parks and reserves.

• November to April is a less popular time to visit Botswana due to the rains that cause the animals to disperse over wider areas and not around the water holes. It also causes some roads to be inaccessible due to the seasonal high waters of the Okavango Delta.

KENYA

Kenya is a year round destination for both exceptional game viewing and spectacular scenery. Without a doubt the greatest annual attraction is the annual wildebeest migration between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. This spectacular wildlife event takes place between June and September.

Seasons

• Low season is from April to May. A positive point during these times is that the lower numbers of tourists, so the travelling experience is more exclusive and the rains do not hinder game viewing.

• High seasons are January, March, June and November to December. During these warm and dry months the wildlife is generally found around the seasonal water holes during these months, so game viewing is great. The Rift Valley Lakes offer great bird viewing during this time.

• Peak season are from February to March, July to October and December. During these time one has a chance to

witness the spectacular wildebeest migration.

 



MALAWI

The dry season is from early May to late October when the vegetation is less dense and the game viewing best. Bird viewing is generally good all year round, with October and November being the best. Hiking is possible all year, but it is recommended that this not be undertaken in the wet season. August and September are the most comfortable times for climbing the Southern Highlands as the mountain air is crisp and cool.

Seasons

• The best weather is in August, and with it being the high season, national parks and the lake resorts are crowded.

• The rainy season is from January to March when some areas become inaccessible due to road conditions. This season is very humid and wet.

• May to July is best for scenery when the landscape is at its best. July is the coolest month.

 

 

NAMIBIA

Namibia offers exceptional wildlife and scenery all year round. It is important to take note that certain seasons are ideal for special interest travelers:

- Birding is best during the summer months (Nov – April) because of the greater variety of species to be found.

- Botanical season is from December to May when most plants are in flower.

- Photography is excellent in August and September with cloud build-up in the afternoon that offers spectacular scenes.

Seasons

• Namibia’s high season is from July – October. Due to the low number of rooms in most of the Namibia lodges and camps, availability is at a premium over this time, so it is essential to book well in advance.

• Shoulder season is from May – June. This is also a ‘busy time’ in Namibia’s national parks and reserves.

• Christmas and New Year as wel

An African safari is an experience that is sure to exhilarate and satisfy anyone who has a sense of adventure. There are many different types of Africa safari adventures that you can embark on. Many people use the services of an African safari travel company to make the arrangements for them, while others enjoy membership in an African safari club where they can meet and get to know fellow adventurers.

Whatever approach you choose to take for your own Africa safari travel, it is important to gather as much information as possible before making final decisions and travel arrangements for the safari that you want to participate in. One of the first decisions that should be made is the area of Africa that you want to visit. Africa is a vast land and a safari in one area can be a completely different experience than a safari to a different area of the continent.

Once you are feeling good about the possible part of the country that you intend to travel to for your Africa safari, the next step will be selecting your guide. This is particularly important if this is your first safari and the safari guide you choose can literally make or break your experience.

Before you choose a guide for your adventure you must make sure that guide and the African safari tour company that he is associated with are fully versed and experienced in the area you have chosen. For example, if you decide to visit Kruger in South Africa, then the guide must have a broad knowledge about that specific area of Africa and the types of wildlife safaris that are typically carried out in that area.

It is unfortunate but true that many people have ended up going on an African safari with inexperienced guides and have returned from their safari holidays having had a negative experience. But, having a bad experience is not the only concern, because traveling with a guide who is not experienced, skilled and professional can also result in putting you in dangerous situations, which can put your safety and your very life at risk.

The internet is an invaluable tool to use in researching African safari companies, the exact services they offer, and the background and experience of the safari guide staff that they have. Through doing research online, you should be able to find all of the information that you will need about what the various elements of a good African safari are. With that information, you can also prioritize what is most important to you to see and experience.

During your online research, you will encounter a number of Africa safari travel companies who specialize in preparing and leading African safaris. It is a good idea to contact these companies directly and ask questions regarding the amount of time they have been in business and the experience level of their safari guides. While many of these companies provide an email address for you to contact them, you will most likely be able to get a better feel for their services in general if you call and speak to someone directly.

It is also a good idea to speak to other people who have been on an Africa safari and ask them for recommendations of destinations, as well as companies that can provide guides. While there is a great deal of information that you can gain from a safari company’s website, there is nothing better than speaking to a person who has used their services. Taking that extra step before you book your African safari holidays can help assure you have the best possible trip.

Please subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/user/briczar22 This footage was taken on a AAZK trip to Kenya, Africa. For more info on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy visit: http://www.lewa.org The footage of the young elephant and myself was taken at: http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org My goal in life is to get people interested in animal conservation. Local communities also benefit from conservation and in all it makes this a better planet for people and animals.