safari Archives - Travel Destination Bucket List

Planning An Action Packed Trip To Kenya

May 19, 2019 By anthony Leave a Comment

If you asked someone what their dream trip would be, a lot of people might say kicking back on a beach in Tahiti or whiling away the hours on some Caribbean island. While both are great ideas, many more people might opt for doing something a bit more adventurous such as planning an action packed trip to one of the African countries. Kenya is one of the hottest countries that welcomes travellers and the potential to have one of the most memorable holidays ever. Here are just a few of the things you should consider doing when you visit Kenya.

Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya is the highest peak in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, second only to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Mount Kenya is a challenging climb for those who want to flex their mountaineering muscles while in the country and it’s a fantastic addition for any itinerary if you’re adventurous. In recent years, accommodation has been added to the mountain to make it easier for climbers to acclimatise to the altitude, resulting in more successful summit attempts.

An interesting point of note is that Mount Kenya actually directly provides water for over 2 million people as a result of runoff that comes off the mountain. During your ascent you can see examples of this in some of the beautiful rivers and waterfalls that don the routes.

The Serengeti and Maasai Mara

The Serengeti in Tanzania is one of the most famous African plains where safaris are a popular and common activity. The region in Kenya north of the Serengeti is known as the Maasai Mara National Reserve and is home to numerous small Maasai tribal villages as well as just about every type of animal you could wish to see on safari. The whole area is home to numerous types of flora and fauna and is also a popular spot for many to watch the annual wildebeest migration in which millions of wildebeest flock across the plains in a terrific display of numbers on their migration path. This particular region is insanely popular for safari-seekers, so it’s a good idea to book yours well in advance of your stay to ensure you get the lodges and packages you’re after. Best times to visit are June to October in the dry season, which is also the height of wildebeest migration.

The Beaches

Head over to the coast for a bit of rest and relaxation after safari – something you will highly enjoy after spending a few days tracking game through the wilds of the Maasai Mara or other safari reserves throughout Kenya. The coast is to die for – with beautiful resorts, beaches and ample opportunity to just kick back and relax with nothing to disturb you except the waiter bringing you another cocktail. Don’t take it from us though, come and see for yourself. Flights to Mombasa from other areas of Kenya are the quickest way to get right onto the sand, so check them out ahead of time.

With so much to see and do throughout the country, we’re sure you will have no problem planning an action packed trip to Kenya. But don’t take it from us – come and see for yourself just what this unique, beautiful and welcoming country has to offer its visitors.

Where the desert meets the delta – a Botswana Safari

October 18, 2017 By Admin Leave a Comment

Home to some of the most remarkable landscapes on earth, Botswana ranges from lush delta to arid desert and everything in between. An iconic safari destination for almost 100 years, it’s home to plush camps, remote lodges accessible only by plane and stylish small ships that will take you on a one of a kind river safari. A Botswana safari is truly unique, diverse and unforgettable!

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OKAVANGO DELTA

There’s nowhere on earth quite like the Okavango Delta, a Botswana Safari icon. Its swamps and floodplains double in size during the wet season, creating an immense network of interconnecting rivers and lakes that support tens of thousands of animals and birds. Endangered species like cheetah, white rhino and African wild dog roam freely here, having adapted to life in a complex wetland. No two days in the Okavango need be the same, with safaris on foot, on horseback or in a traditional mokoro dugout canoe.

Duba Plains

Duba Plains sits on a private 77,000-acre concession in the middle of the Okavango Delta, surrounded by vast open plains known for dramatic encounters between buffalo and lion. The camp has only just reopened after an extensive refurbishment with five tents and a stylish two-bedroom suite. It’s a relaxed and intimate camp, where each group of guests has their own private guide and butler, and the wine cellar is one of the best in the country.

Vumbura Plains

Split across two satellite camps in the vast Kwedi Concession, Vumbura offers a unique program of both land- and water-based safari experiences. Making use of the delta’s extensive system of waterways, guests can go wildlife spotting from a small boat or traditional mokoro dugout canoe. This mix of habitats means that just about every animal to be found in the Okavango Delta can be seen close to the camp. Each camp has seven rooms (with private plunge pools) set around a central raised lounge and dining area overlooking the ever-changing floodplains.

Beyond Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge

Xudum Lodge sits on the edge of a seasonal lagoon that is home to a resident family of hippo each rainy season. All nine luxurious suites here have a private hideout on the roof, perfect for watching them wallow without being seen. The whole lodge has a relaxed, playful feel with plenty of oversized couches, a tractor tire swing in the trees and an open kitchen where guests can see the chefs at work.

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MAKGADIKADI PANS

Botswana is a land of contrasts and from the lush wetlands of the Okavango Delta it changes pace to the vast, arid, stark saltpans of Makgadikadi. Covering some 30,000 square kilometers in the northeast of the Kalahari Reserve and was once one of the world’s largest inland seas. Though it looks desolate, in the wet season in comes alive and you’ll spot zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, lion, cheetah, wild dogs, hyena and tens of thousands of flamingoes. The area has been inhabited for thousands of years, with evidence of Stone Age settlement and fossils at a number of archaeological sites. We are called as African Travel Specialists.

Jacks Camp

In the 1960s, Jack Bousfield stumbled upon a very special spot in the Makgadikadi Plains and was so enraptured that he immediately set up camp. Jack loved this region his entire life and in 2003 his son built Jack’s Camp as an homage to his vision. Ten lavish 1940s-style tents are furnished with Persian rugs and four-poster beds, and the camp is centered around a large canvas pavilion that houses its own natural history museum. Guests can join local Zu/’hoasi Bushmen on guided walks and learn how they eke out a living from this harsh environment.

LINYANTI GAME RESERVE

In the far north along the border of Namibia, Linyanti is something of a forgotten paradise, a largely untouched Botswana safari location. It’s landscapes range from lush wetlands and papyrus-lined lagoons to thick forest and open grasslands. The park is one of the best places in Africa to see the rare African wild dog. These handsome painted pups with huge bat-like ears have been driven to the brink of extinction, yet remain a permanent fixture in the relative remoteness of Linyanti.

Kings Pool Camp

Guests will find it hard to choose their favorite spot at Kings Pool. The curved outdoor lounge and firepit overlooking the watering hole? Or the private plunge pool and gazebo on the deck of their tent? The camp sits in the middle of the region with Africa’s highest density of elephants and they will be regular visitors – there’s even a sunken animal hide to put guests right at elephant-eye level. The nine thatched-roof tents have high ceilings, four poster beds, outdoor showers and private plunge pools. This camp epitomizes the essence of a Botswana safari.

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

The Chobe River is the beating heart of this huge national park, home to one of the highest concentrations of game to be found anywhere on the continent. Chobe is most famous for its elephants and you’ll fine enormous herds of them wandering amongst rare roan and oribi antelope (among many others). It’s one of Africa’s quintessential safari experiences, promising animals galore, a sky filled with birds, luxurious safari lodges and camps, and unique river cruises within its borders.

Zambezi Queen

Think of the Zambezi Queen as a private travelling camp, albeit one set on water. This small ship holds just 28 passengers and has been specifically designed for safari cruising with an extremely shallow draft that lets it get right up to the riverbank. Guests can wake up to elephants splashing in the shallows right outside their floor to ceiling window, completely undisturbed. It’s an entirely different experienced to a land-based safari and something guests won’t soon forget.

KALAHARI DESERT

Almost one million square kilometers of desert rolls out across Botswana, Namibia and South Africa Safari, creating one of the most arresting landscapes on earth. Though the name comes from the San word for ‘place without water’, the Kalahari is by no means a dry and empty wasteland. It’s an every changing palette of rich red sands, deep dark canyons and startlingly lush watering holes. It’s a place where the skies are endless and the sunsets unforgettable.

Kalahari Plains Camp

Welcome to the middle of nowhere. The ultra remote Kalahari Plains Camp sits in the center of the Kalahari Desert on the edge of an enormous saltpan, so far from civilization that it’s best reached via a small plane. Solar powers runs the lights and heats the water for the eight plush tents, each with an open-air sleepout above where guests can spend the night under the stars. These Botswana safari game drives search out the rare black-maned Kalahari lion and local San bushmen lead interpretive walks.

Best Tips To Plan For African Safaris

December 1, 2016 By anthony Leave a Comment

In mind you know this could be a lifetime journey; a once in a life time kind of thing so you do not want to mess it up. It is the basic things really that you have to put in mind for example what to wear, what to carry, how much for upkeep, the coast and many other important things. It is an exhilarating experience especially if you plan to view Africa wildlife if especially you have only ever read about them and seen pictures online or on animal catalogues and documentaries.

First you need to decide on your safari destination and set your timing right. The eight countries in Africa that are famous for being safari destinations are South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Uganda. The most popular park in east Africa is the Maasai Mara national park which also hosts naturally the migration of wildebeests from July to October. Such factors are what you should keep in mind while choosing your destination plus you should consider places that are dry during the time you want to go for your vacation.

The clothes you carry also matter. It is mostly a myth that Africa is this hot place. Carry clothes for both cold and warm weather. Alternatively you can carry clothes that are warm enough and can be easily layered. After sunset it is chilly and you may also need a jacket if you will be touring around at early dawn. In relation to touring, you want to capture the best wild game views and sometimes your tour guide may not be able to go very close to the animals so bring with you a binoculars or a zoom lens for your camera. This will give you a closer view and you will be able to get the best snaps. You will never forget your experience there.

You should also take malaria prophylaxis to keep off malaria. You might want to go to Zambia and spend a fulfilling night outside taking in the view of the sky. You should consider keeping yourself safe so a few weeks before your trip try to find the right anti-malarial tablets for you, and deal with any side effects if there are any before your trip. Prevention is the best option here because if you get sick during your safari you won’t enjoy it much. Some areas in Africa including national parks are highly accommodative of malaria transmitting mosquitoes.

Finally you need to budget because planning a safari is not cheap. A budget will be able to keep you within your ability in sectors like lodge selection in your chosen destination. Ask an African Safari Expert to guide you through.

Following these tips will ensure your trip is fulfilling at all African Safarai levels. You should consult people who you know have been to Africa for vacations to advise you appropriately and be sure to heed to whatever they say. Find the best place for you and go with the best people too.

Summary:

African safaris can be luxurious, romantic, affordable, adventurous, family oriented as well as a fun filled affair. But you have to know how to choose the kind of holiday you love in this complex and magnificent continent. Africa offers all sorts of adventure travels and safaris.