On safari trail
From the game reserves in Africa to Polar wildlife in Northern Canada, options are endless for those who want try something different
Big game on foot
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia: A huge country with 18 massive game parks and wide variety of wild things, but underdeveloped as yet. The South Luangwa National Park specialises in walking trips where you
get to see animals and events that would be impossible from a 4WD and lots of birds.
Best October, good
July - September.
Wet wildlife
The Pantanal, Brazil: A huge swamp swarming with creatures, especially birds ranging from emus to macaws, plus monster snakes, crocs, iguanas, some jaguars, anteaters. Safari is possible by truck, foot, small boat, or horseback. Basic accommodation.
Best April-Sept.
Big game safari
Serengetti, Tanzania: The world's most famous big game park and great variety of animals. Jeeps often have to follow specific tracks, whereas they can go anywhere in the Masai Mara.
Best in June or July at wildebeest (more than 2mn) and zebra migration; lasts three weeks. Also good during Aug-Oct, Dec- Feb.
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania: Huge concentration of prey and predators, spectacular scenery but no migration. Better than Serengetti if you're not going for the migration. Best July-Oct.
Selous Game Reserve, South Tanzania: If you want to have a walking with animals experience rather than riding one, try this monster game park.
Best June-Oct.
Etosha National Park, Namibia: The great arid scrubland and salt pan of Etosha contains a massive concentration of wildlife, particularly huge herds of zebra, various antelope and wildebeest, but no shortage of elephants, giraffe or birdlife either. There are three inexpensive, walled restcamps in Etosha, each with their own waterhole attracting animals. Namutoni is less successful, Halali's hole attracts a lot of elephants and giraffes, while Okaukuejo is the hands down winner, with superb huts and a wonderful waterhole with endless action, occasionally even getting lion kills.
Best June-Sept.
Polar wildlife
Churchill, Hudson Bay, Northern Canada: Excellent arctic animal scenes – polar bears, caribou, wolves, huge number and diversity of whales (especially beluga), and seabirds. This is also a great place to observe Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
For polar bear migration best time to visit is October, otherwise March - Nov.
Swim with the dolphins
Bimini Island, Bahamas: Just 50 miles off the Florida coast and only seven miles long, Bimini has acquired a reputation as a place to swim with wild spotted dolphins that have taken up residence about an hour offshore.
Best May-July.
Wildlife safari
Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana: The reserve covers about one third of the Okavango Delta, with habitats ranging from woodland through floodplains and swamps to lagoons. Travel is usually by small boat and all the usual big animals are present. Moremi is an excellent location for viewing migratory birds too.
Best July-Oct.
Self-drive wildlife safari
Kruger National Park, South Africa: A massive reserve the size of Wales, offering all the usual wildlife. Apart from the size, what makes Kruger different from most other safari parks is that you can self-drive and have a big choice of places to stay inside the park, from comfortable tented camps to luxury lodges. Book your rooms in advance. You can also walk in the park with an armed guard if you so choose.
Best June-Sept.
AFRICAN SAFARI ESSENTIALS
Here are some tips if you are planning a
South African safari
best time for game viewing
Although game viewing is highly enjoyable throughout the year in South Africa, the ideal time is winter. In the wildlife areas, most rain falls during the South African summer, encouraging lush vegetation and making game difficult to see. From May to August, the grass is short and game is easily spotted. From August through to mid October, the last months of the dry season, game tends to concentrate near waterholes, which makes them ideal game viewing areas.
What to pack
Casual clothes are the order of the day. Mute coloured clothing – such as beiges, browns and khakis – is recommended to avoid alarming
the game.
Sensible walking shoes are best, particularly if you would like to experience a walking safari.
Wear a hat, sunglasses and sun cream, especially during the middle of the day.
Also take a jumper as early mornings and evenings can be quite cold. Long sleeved shirts and light trousers are best for evening wear as this helps to prevent mosquito bites.
Wear insect repellent at dawn and after dark and if you are going to private game reserves, make sure you have your anti malaria tablets. Binoculars and camera are essential on your safari. |
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