African Safari Clothing - 6 Clothing Tips For A Safari In Africa

The issue of what clothing to take on an African safari should be looked at in a realistic fashion. There are some vital rules you need to follow, especially when traveling on safaris in Africa.

Let's look at it this way, a safari is regarded as an adventure holiday. Sure, Africa has some of the best beach resort style destinations in the world but this article is directed at those who want to experience the "wilds of Africa."

Let's take a look at some points for you to consider regarding African safari clothing:

1. First rule is to travel light. You are usually allowed about 25 pounds of luggage but those who have traveled lighter generally report less inconvenience on tour.

2. Forget bright colored clothing. This is not a mardi gras and it's definitely not a fashion contest. For example, colors such as red and orange should really be avoided. You've heard the expression..."like a red rag to a bull." Same principle applies here. If you are on a walking safari or traveling through the flora, colors such as red and orange will make you an easy target and we don't want to go into specifics!

3. Neutral colors are best. Khaki, brown and green-based colors will work well and form the basics for ideal African safari clothing.

4. Your clothing needs to be comfortable. Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes which can be very uncomfortable on hot days. Light, loose fitting clothing is best.

5. Hats and shoes need to be considered. Firstly, hats which also cover your neckline are great in Africa to shield you from the hot sun. Shoes need to be of the walking variety and light. Keep your shoe numbers to a minimum. A pair for walking on safari and a pair to enjoy the casual occasions.

6. While the weather can heat up during the day, an essential addition to your African safari clothing should be a sweater or light jumper. Believe it or not, it does get cold in Africa, particularly at night and a sweater is required wearing.

Want The best tips and tricks in preparing for an African safari vacation [http://www.african-safaris-site.com/africansafariarticles.html]? Don't spoil your African safari trip

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African Safari Trivia Questions And Answers

1. Where are lions still found in the wild?

A. Africa south of the Sahara Desert

B. Northwest India

C. Both A and B

D. The zoo

C. Both A and B

TOPICS: Today, lions are found in the wild in only two places on earth. About 100,000 lions survive in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Another 300 lions, called Asian lions, live in a reserve called the Gîr National Park and Lion Sanctuary in northwest India.

2. Elephants are the largest land animals and among the longest-lived. How long does the average elephant live?

A. 100 years

B. 60 years

C. 40 years

D. 20 years

B. 60 years

TOPICS: Highly intelligent and strong, elephants are the largest land animals and are among the longest-lived, with life spans of 60 years or more. Healthy, full-grown elephants have no natural enemies other than humans.

3. Apes are highly intelligent primates. How many species of ape are there?

A. 2

B. 13

C. 202

D. 313

B. 13

TOPICS: An ape is any of 13 species including chimpanzees, gorillas, gibbons, and orangutans. Apes are sometimes confused with monkeys, but unlike their smaller primate counterparts, apes do not have tails and their arms are usually longer than their legs. Apes live in tropical woodlands and forests of Africa and Asia.

4. Hippopotamuses are often called river horses for what trait?

A. They are horses that only graze with a river in sight

B. They are horses who choose to spend most days in water

C. They can breathe underwater thanks to the gills behind their ears

D. Their noses have special flaps that close when they go underwater

D. Their noses have special flaps that close when they go underwater

TOPICS: Hippopotamuses actually resemble pigs more than horses. They have large heads with small eyes and small ears; their nostrils, surrounded by sparse, bristly hairs, are equipped with special flaps that close down when the animal goes underwater.

5. Great apes have well-developed brains and are among the most intelligent of all animals. What trait do they demonstrate that we thought only humans possess?

A. Creating Haiku poetry

B. Making alcoholic beverages

C. Space travel

D. Making tools

D. Making tools

TOPICS: In the wild, chimpanzees and orangutans are known to make simple tools, such as sharpened sticks used to extract insects from holes in tree trunks. Toolmaking involves a preconceived image of what the tool will look like, a visualization ability that is only possible with an advanced brain. Orangutans have even been observed untying knots, working out for themselves the steps necessary to achieve this complex task.

6. Which Zebra trait is NOT true?

A. Zebras can recognize other zebras by the pattern of stripes on their bodies

B. Mountain zebras take a dust bath almost every day

C. Grevy's zebra and the mountain zebra are endangered due to illegal hunting and habitat destruction

D. Larger than a horse

D. Larger than a horse

TOPICS: Zebra, striped mammal native to Africa, smaller in size than the related horse and greatly resembling the wild ass in habit and form, having a short, erect mane, large ears, and a tufted tail. The stripes, which distinguish this animal from other members of the horse family, serve as protective coloration in its natural habitat.

7. Despite their immense strength, lions do not have an easy life in the wild. They suffer from parasites and disease, they get injured or even killed while hunting or fighting with each other, and they may starve when food is scarce. How many cubs die before they are 1 year old?

A. One-quarter

B. Two-thirds

C. Half

D. Nearly all

B. Two-thirds

TOPICS: About two-thirds of all cubs die before they are 1 year old. Adult males are usually old and battered by age 10, if they survive that long, and they rarely live longer than 12 years. Females may live longer, up to 16 years, and some are still breeding at 15. In zoos, where they receive veterinary care and plenty of food-and are not allowed to fight-lions can live as long as 25 years.

8. Fossils of elephant ancestors indicate they once lived on what continents?

A. Only Africa and Asia

B. Australia and Antarctica

C. All except Australia and Antarctica

D. Europe and the Americas

C. All except Australia and Antarctica

TOPICS: Fossils of elephant ancestors indicate they once lived on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, but elephant habitat today is restricted to Africa and parts of Southeast Asia. Elephants occupy an array of environments in Africa and Southeast Asia-grasslands, marshes, forests, deserts, and mountains. They are herbivores, or plant eaters, and need great quantities of food to sustain their massive size. They also need a lot of drinking water and so are restricted to areas with ample vegetation and adequate water.

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African Safari Packages

There is no end to the adventures that we can have if we seek them with our eyes open. People seek for excitement, fun, or travel in their lives, for the calmness, and strength these activities provides to the body, and peace to the mind. People undertake adventurous activities for the purpose of excitement, recreation, and pleasure.Safaris are becoming increasingly popular among adventurous travelers, and casual holiday goers alike.

There are thousands of travel, expedition, and recreation destinations in the world. Many of them are famous globally, but few are more popular within the domestic inhabitants. Africa is one of the travel destination, very famous over the world, known for offering wonderful safari services, tours, and expeditions. It is the world's most sought after safari destination. Africa generally does have something for everyone. Although debate and confusion among safari seekers exists as to which destination to choose within the African continent. Few of the best known, and highly liked cities for safari tours in Africa include South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana. This continent is popular because of its deserts, mountains, rugged landscapes, and vast wilderness areas.

South Africa usually is the most reached out travel, and vocational site for safaris. This city wins for opulence, and ancillary non safari activities, with many of the world's top private luxury safari lodges, charming waterfalls, and much more. But the reality is that you can take a truly wonderful, world class safari experience in every city of Africa. Most people prefer to go alongside their families to enjoy the precious moments of their lives. Many common uses of safaris are photography, video shooting, hunting, and discovery.

African safari tours, and packages specifically include family friendly holidays, honeymoons, exotic beach vacations, Eco travel, migration safaris. These packages offer the opportunities to self drive through the African forests, and deserts. Luxury safari packages give the opportunity to have close up sightings with the animals, taking into account the safety, and precautionary measures. When it comes to couples, this part of the world draws its attention not only of a wide range of newlyweds for their honeymoon, but older people for their anniversaries. For the most part, safaris are somewhat costly vacation, and travel experience. But these packages can be tailor made according to one's requirements. These can be designed to suit one's personal budget. But, the length of the safari will obviously make an impact on its cost. The longer you stay, the more is the expense.

Many travelers trek to Africa in search of the big five; buffalo, lions, leopards, elephants, and rhinoceroses. The chance to see these animals in their natural habitats is a once in a lifetime, and rare experience. But your trip to Africa is somewhat more than a trip to the zoo. Safaris can be physically taxing and strenuous, and you may not see the animals you wish. Since most safari destinations are in developing sub-Saharan nations, travelers must take related safety, and health precautions. If you're planning a safari, be as prepared as possible. Reading guidebooks, talking to friends who visited Africa before, and researching the expeditions will be excellent.

In the last few years, there has been a predominant increase in tourism, and recreation in many parts of the world. Tourism is becoming an increasingly prevalent economic purpose for many Eastern, and Southern African nations, and in several regions surpassing traditional industries. Huge expenses are incurred every year for advertisement, marketing, and promotional purposes. The companies, or tour operators are incurring huge infrastructure costs, and maintaining the level of services to be appreciated by the customers. There is an intense competition among these operators for the services they are providing, as people around the world are becoming much more aware of these travel destinations. Many operators have employed professional tourist guides, offer safe transportation, and certified educational services.

Africa is an immense continent with safari opportunities available across thousands of miles, so the best time to travel to Africa depends on your specific destination. Overall, it's best to travel during the dry season, which corresponds to the region's winter. Since safari destinations are in the Southern Hemisphere, their seasons run opposite of North America.

The safari vacation packages are flexible. Tourists can choose between fly-in, mobile, self drive, or luxury lodge safaris. These are different, and excellent for interaction with abundant wildlife, and give many exciting ways to enjoy it.

Recommendation;

When planning a safari, many decisions have to be made, from the time of year to travel, to which destination will be best. In addition there may be budget, health, and safety concerns to consider. Overall, safaris offer a once in a lifetime experience to an individual, and they can enjoy, learn, and take out so much out of this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7666391

Whether you are out to witness the Great African Migration, go game viewing or simply revel in the untouched beauty of nature, going on a Tanzania safari can definitely give you what you want. So, what are the things you can expect to see and experience by going on a well-planned Tanzania safari? To give you a more concrete idea on what awaits you in your once-in-a-lifetime safari adventure, here are some of the top African safari destinations in Tanzania that you may want to consider.

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is definitely the best place for game viewing in all of Africa. With its vast plains, breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife population, everyone who is interested in seeing safari animals in action should never miss this destination.

In addition, the Serengeti National Park is also the scene of the Great African Migration - the yearly migration of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles from the Serengeti to the Kenyan Maasai Mara in search of greener pastures. This is surely a sight you would like to behold.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1979, the Ngorongoro Crater prides itself to be the world's largest intact caldera and is also regarded as one of the most amazing natural wildlife sanctuaries today. The crater, with its 2,000 feet walls, offers an excellent view of wildlife in action so it can very well be one of the most exciting highlights of your African safari vacation.

Lake Manyara National Park

Are you interested to see some tree-climbing lions, huge baboon troops, hundreds of migratory bird species and scenic lush green scenery? If you are, then you should make sure you include Lake Manyara National Park into your itinerary. By visiting the park, you will also get to see the famous Great Rift Valley which is one of the few geological features that can be viewed from the moon.

Tarangire National Park

The park is at its absolute best during the dry season after the scorching summer sun has dried up all the water supply in neighboring landscapes. During this time of the year, vast numbers of animals flock to the only permanent water source in the area, the Tarangire River, to quench their thirst.

Aside from its diverse wildlife population, Tarangire is also most popularly known for its dense elephant population, its mystical baobab trees and the extensive airborne predator populations which inhabit the area.

Now, can you see why you should definitely consider going on a Tanzania safari?

Experience an unforgettable African safari holiday by visiting the top African safari destinations in Tanzania. Visit Africa Dream Safaris to learn more about it.

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Destinations For The Best African Safari

If you're deciding to head over to Africa, you cannot miss the opportunity of a lifetime to see its natural wonder, the abundant wildlife and birdlife, ranging from stunning savannas to arid deserts, the various jungles to the powerful waterfalls.

Tourism has boomed in Africa over the last century especially on the popular game reserves found in South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania. Now days in Africa there are a lot of privately own reserves or natural parks where you can experience the wilderness and the beauty that comes with it.

Each and every one of the wilderness and nature parks has something unique and special to offer its guest but there are those reserves that are more sort-after than others. 

The best and most for Africa safari travel include the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya, the Serengeti in Tanzania, Victoria Falls, picturesque Okavango Delta in Botswana and perhaps the most famous, and Kruger National Park in South Africa.

The Masai Mara Game Reserve is a land of hills, woodlands and the acacia tree, but is most famous for encountering wildlife as well as the semi nomadic tribe known as the Masaai People.

If you intend to visit the beautiful country of you truly cannot miss the Masai Mara safari. It's one of the most highly recommended reserves found anywhere on the continent of Africa.

Here the game reserve continues on the from the Serengeti so during the months of July and October each year you may be lucky enough to witness the largest land migration on Earth and over 450 bird species year round.

For the best viewing of the famous land migration however is to head across to the Serengeti where the climate and ecosystem has hardly been changed in the last few million years. Here you witness millions of herbivores making the dangerous journey to greener grasses, with the predators following close behind.

Victoria Falls is a top contender for the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Although Victoria Falls isn't the tallest or widest waterfall in the world it does have the largest falling sheet of water on Earth. This is one of the most photographed landmark features on the continent of Africa.

The Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland delta and created by annual floods, spreading over 15 000 kilometres of the Kalahari Desert in a complex system of lagoons and waterways.

The abundant and spread out islands that have been unearthed from these waterways allow several habitats to be formed throughout the area which now days provides home and shelter to large numbers birds. And although the water in the delta appears from flood waters there are still many species of fish that make their way into these waters.

Kruger National Park found in South Africa is the largest and most popular safari parks in Africa. The reserves hold within the grounds an incredible variety of wildlife and birdlife. South of the park is home the majority of lodges and accommodation as the wildlife is in abundance.

The middle is lined with green leafy environments where as the North is fairly inaccessible to safari vehicles and for game viewing, which is therefore less popular for the majority of tourists.

A trip to all or any of these amazing safari reserves may take some time, but if you can make at least one of these parks it will be well worth the journey. Always book in advance to secure your spot on one of these safari tours and make sure you check what time of year is best to visit.

Plan your safari adventure with Africa Safari Travel. Discover the Big 5 Safari Animals at Kruger, Serengeti, the Masai Mara, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, Mt Kilimanjaro and more.

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The Advantages of Using a Tour Operator for Your African Safari Trip

Should you use a tour operator for your African safari vacation or would you be better off planning and booking the trip all by yourself? While some people may think that they can have a successful safari adventure by doing the work all by themselves, it can actually create more problem than anyone has ever imagined.

Going on an African safari is not as simple as booking a flight and choosing a hotel to spend your vacation. There are a lot of things that you need to consider if you want to enjoy a hassle-free, once in a lifetime adventure at the heart of the vast African wilderness. So, while the tour operator gets a percentage of what you pay for the trip, the benefits you can get out of using their service can more than make up for the difference.

Why Use a Tour Operator for Your African Safari Adventure?

There are a lot of good reasons why you need to consider working with a tour operator for your African safari trip. Here are some of them.

You can get exactly what you want. Given the wide range of destinations and options available, planning an ideal itinerary that will suit your individual preferences can really be a daunting task. Even if you have the time to do it, no amount of online research can ever prepare you for this reality.

With the tour operator's help, you can identify the best places to visit and the best time to go so you will get exactly the kind of experience that you want - whether it may be visiting a traditional Maasai village in Tanzania, going on early morning game drives to the Tanzanian bushes, or witnessing the Great Migration in action. Their extensive personal experience in these areas and their vast network of connections can definitely make your wishes come true!

You can ensure your safety. By having a tour operator, you can be sure that your safety and security will never be compromised. Your tour operator will help ensure that all the aspects of your vacation (including your flights, transfer, hotel and safari destinations) are safe.

You can get expert advice on a lot of small yet important details. Small things can either make or break your vacation. You may not be aware of it but travelling to Africa can really be quite complicated. Some travel-related details that you have previously thought insignificant (consider luggage limits and restrictions regarding cash withdrawals and credit card acceptance) can suddenly become a major issue and get on your nerves. Expect the worse to happen if you don't have someone to fill you in with such trivial yet important details.

By using a tour operator, you can be sure that you will get the kind of experience that you want without encountering any problems along the way. Isn't that what an ideal vacation is all about?

Get everything you want and more by using a credible tour operator for your African safari vacation. Let Africa Dream Safaris make your dream safari vacation a reality!

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African Safari Packages

There is no end to the adventures that we can have if we seek them with our eyes open. People seek for excitement, fun, or travel in their lives, for the calmness, and strength these activities provides to the body, and peace to the mind. People undertake adventurous activities for the purpose of excitement, recreation, and pleasure.Safaris are becoming increasingly popular among adventurous travelers, and casual holiday goers alike.

There are thousands of travel, expedition, and recreation destinations in the world. Many of them are famous globally, but few are more popular within the domestic inhabitants. Africa is one of the travel destination, very famous over the world, known for offering wonderful safari services, tours, and expeditions. It is the world's most sought after safari destination. Africa generally does have something for everyone. Although debate and confusion among safari seekers exists as to which destination to choose within the African continent. Few of the best known, and highly liked cities for safari tours in Africa include South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana. This continent is popular because of its deserts, mountains, rugged landscapes, and vast wilderness areas.

South Africa usually is the most reached out travel, and vocational site for safaris. This city wins for opulence, and ancillary non safari activities, with many of the world's top private luxury safari lodges, charming waterfalls, and much more. But the reality is that you can take a truly wonderful, world class safari experience in every city of Africa. Most people prefer to go alongside their families to enjoy the precious moments of their lives. Many common uses of safaris are photography, video shooting, hunting, and discovery.

African safari tours, and packages specifically include family friendly holidays, honeymoons, exotic beach vacations, Eco travel, migration safaris. These packages offer the opportunities to self drive through the African forests, and deserts. Luxury safari packages give the opportunity to have close up sightings with the animals, taking into account the safety, and precautionary measures. When it comes to couples, this part of the world draws its attention not only of a wide range of newlyweds for their honeymoon, but older people for their anniversaries. For the most part, safaris are somewhat costly vacation, and travel experience. But these packages can be tailor made according to one's requirements. These can be designed to suit one's personal budget. But, the length of the safari will obviously make an impact on its cost. The longer you stay, the more is the expense.

Many travelers trek to Africa in search of the big five; buffalo, lions, leopards, elephants, and rhinoceroses. The chance to see these animals in their natural habitats is a once in a lifetime, and rare experience. But your trip to Africa is somewhat more than a trip to the zoo. Safaris can be physically taxing and strenuous, and you may not see the animals you wish. Since most safari destinations are in developing sub-Saharan nations, travelers must take related safety, and health precautions. If you're planning a safari, be as prepared as possible. Reading guidebooks, talking to friends who visited Africa before, and researching the expeditions will be excellent.

In the last few years, there has been a predominant increase in tourism, and recreation in many parts of the world. Tourism is becoming an increasingly prevalent economic purpose for many Eastern, and Southern African nations, and in several regions surpassing traditional industries. Huge expenses are incurred every year for advertisement, marketing, and promotional purposes. The companies, or tour operators are incurring huge infrastructure costs, and maintaining the level of services to be appreciated by the customers. There is an intense competition among these operators for the services they are providing, as people around the world are becoming much more aware of these travel destinations. Many operators have employed professional tourist guides, offer safe transportation, and certified educational services.

Africa is an immense continent with safari opportunities available across thousands of miles, so the best time to travel to Africa depends on your specific destination. Overall, it's best to travel during the dry season, which corresponds to the region's winter. Since safari destinations are in the Southern Hemisphere, their seasons run opposite of North America.

The safari vacation packages are flexible. Tourists can choose between fly-in, mobile, self drive, or luxury lodge safaris. These are different, and excellent for interaction with abundant wildlife, and give many exciting ways to enjoy it.

Recommendation;

When planning a safari, many decisions have to be made, from the time of year to travel, to which destination will be best. In addition there may be budget, health, and safety concerns to consider. Overall, safaris offer a once in a lifetime experience to an individual, and they can enjoy, learn, and take out so much out of this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7666391

An African Safari

We are living in a multi-cultural society whose differences can be so enormous that only the avid traveler can properly perceive it. A short safari that takes two hours can reveal that what is the norm in one place can be quite different elsewhere, only a small distance away. This is more pronounced when travel adventure involves long distances, particularly to distant cultures. For Westerners, a safari to Africa can quite literally open the door to the unexpected as they are confronted with the truly different, a culture shock that is welcomed by many who keep coming back.

The casual tourist who lands in Africa for the first time must be prepared for a number of surprises. The first surprise is the Language. Kenya, as a representative example, is a country where everyone speaks at least two languages, and many speak three, two of them being English and Kiswahili. This tendency to speak at least two languages is replicated in many of the African countries and for a visitor, what is immediately striking is the accented English that differs from country to country.

The second surprise is mannerisms. Africans by nature are very respectful and formal. In many of the African cultures, there are formalities and protocols which must be observed without which certain events will not progress. Every African clan has a hierarchy of authority; elders must be consulted for major decisions, marriages take place under certain rules and guidelines, traditional ceremonies must be graced by elders, and in some cultures, certain foods are the sole preserve of young females and others that of elders or elderly women, and so on.

The third surprise is food; the fare ranges from the slightly familiar to that in the West to the totally different. In Egypt, for instance, Kushari is a dish comprising of pasta, tomato sauce, rice, and other ingredients that lends it a slight familiarity with Westerners. Mulukhiya, on the other hand, is a greenish broth prepared from jute leaves and can present a tantalizing challenge even to the most adventurous. And in Nigeria, Kenya, DRC, Ghana, and many others, there are as many different recipes as there are ethnic groups.

A tour of Africa is a must for anyone wishing to see the 'different' and appreciate the cultural richness that is so evident in the continent. Even though all modern amenities are available in Africa, a truly worthwhile tour of Africa requires a visitor to go to the distant reaches of a country, view the most exotic animals of Africa and vegetation, and mingle with local communities as they celebrate marriages, harvests, cook their traditional foods, and sing songs that can melt even the hardiest of souls. This is adventure travel at its very best.

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Bird Watching on an African Safari

Why choose an African Safari?

When most people think about the wildlife of an African Safari, they generally conjure up images of the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo. However, what if you are eager to see what is in the sky rather than on the plains or in the rivers? We all know that there are many bird enthusiasts about, and Africa is one of the best places to spot rare and beautiful birds. You can choose to go on a safari specifically targeted for birdwatchers, or you can go on a more general safari where you'll still see a whole range of spectacular and unique birds. Generally speaking, Southern Africa is better for spotting birds than the northern countries, and November through to March is the best time to go - this is when birds are mating, their plumage is at its most beautiful and the birds themselves are at their most vibrant; you may even be lucky enough to spot a courting ritual!

Where Are the Best Places to See Birds?

The best countries to see birds on an African safari are usually Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa and Kenya, but of course this does depends on the time of year. In the same way that water attracts zebras, antelopes and buffalo, and in turn predators like lions, crocodiles and leopards, birds are also attracted by rivers and lakes and for this reason, the Okavango Delta in Botswana is absolutely superb for bird watching. If it's flamingos that fascinate you, Kenya is the country to visit; Lake Nakuru is home to over one million of these remarkable pink birds. Tanzania is greener and more fertile than most other African countries and as a result it is heavily populated with many different types of birds.

Planning a Safari to See Birds

If you want to plan an African safari and your main concern is spotting birds, we would recommend choosing a Botswana safari. The fertile oasis of the Okavango Delta is home to hundreds of different species of birds; from raptors to waders and hornbills to kingfishers, this stunning location truly is a bird watcher's paradise. The winding waterways give way to savannahs and grassland, which means you'll be able to see birds from every type of habitat. For those accompanying you who may not be so enthusiastic about our feathered friends, there is much else to entertain them, as this beautiful region is also the best place to spot the Big Five! Whichever country you choose to take your African safari in, you will most certainly come away with wonderful memories of these exceptional creatures.

Choose your Bird Watching Safari Holiday with Africa Exclusive.

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African Safari Trip Lessons

Countless people from all over the globe book African safari tours because of the widespread desire to see exotic, beautiful animals in their native habitat. I can attest as someone who has traveled very widely internationally for decades that taking a safari vacation is one of the best, most rewarding things a tourist can do. I want to share some things I have learned from my recent trip that can help others make good decisions, because these safari tours are pretty expensive. The toughest decision is what tour company to select of the great many in the market.

A critically important issue is how many game drives you actually get, usually one in the early morning and one in the evening at safari lodges. These drives in specially designed vehicles usually last for three hours or more and can be very rough rides over dirt roads and sometimes directly into the bush landscape. Each vehicle has a ranger who drives and provides information continuously to usually four to six guests in the vehicle. He also has a rifle that is always at hand, just for that remote possibility of an animal charging people. Check out this reference for general information on safari trips.

Up front on a special seat sits a tracker who, in the daylight, is continuously examining the ground for evidence of specific animals. At night the tracker continuously directs a large flashlight into the bush to spot the eyes of animals. It is truly amazing how the trackers actually locate various animals, including lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, giraffes and many more so that guests can get up close to magnificent creatures.

On my tour there were blankets for passengers because of the chill in the morning and nighttime hours. In the morning there was also a much appreciated hot water bottle. Midway during the drives drinks and snacks are served. Upon return from drives there is a sumptuous breakfast and dinner.

Everything is done to make it easy for people to take pictures of the wildlife, often getting extremely close to the animals. Most people take many hundreds of photos on these trips.

For months my wife and I researched a great many African safari tours and finally selected the Tauck company and its South Africa: An Elegant Adventure tour; it offered eight animal drives in two different safari areas in Kruger Park; and the itinerary included seeing more than just wildlife in safari regions, including Cape Town and surrounding areas as well as Johannesburg and Victoria Falls. Second, we had the distinct impression that it would be a luxury tour with true first class hotels and other amenities. Other tours at lower cost, perhaps half as much, mean roughing it and this may appeal to many people.

Let me emphasize that we absolutely loved our trip just as everyone else we met while traveling who were on different tours, mostly because of so many wonderful experiences seeing all the animals in glorious settings. Local guides and staff were excellent. Yet there were some disappointments. Of the five hotels the first three were wonderful five star hotels with great food and amenities, including the waterfront Cape Grace hotel in Cape Town and the two safari lodges, Tinga and Sabi Sabi. But all the satisfaction of staying there set us up for disappointment.

The last two hotels did not live up to the Tauck reputation for elegant accommodations and supplying comfort to its clients. The rooms at the DaVinci hotel in Johannesburg were in the two star category, small, poorly designed and dysfunctional in many respects. The tour director upon hearing complaints justified the hotel on the basis of its location, the safe Sandton suburb with interconnected underground malls. But nearby was an Intercontinental hotel and the Saxon Boutique Hotel that would surely offer superior rooms. Whatever safari tour companies you consider, question them not only about what hotels or lodges they use but also what type rooms in them you will get; all too often tour companies like Tauck buy the cheapest rooms.

You definitely want to see Victoria Falls if you travel to Africa; they are truly electrifying. Boat rides along the Zambesi River that feeds the falls are usually included in tours; ours was wonderful, including close up views of an elephant and a hippo. But disappointing was the much acclaimed Victoria Fall Hotel. While the location, grounds, exterior and public rooms define a historic, elegant five star venue, nearly all the guest rooms were quite small with very old and drab furnishings and poor views. There are some very fine rooms which a few people on the tour got (including suites), which raises ethical questions why some people were better treated by Tauck. Our room was so awful with a thick smell of tobacco that we demanded and received a different room, which still was a one star accommodation. There are other hotels and lodges in the Victoria Falls area that merit consideration when researching possible safari tours, including The Kingdom, a modern hotel, and the luxury Royal Livingstone Hotel. If you go to the falls, definitely go to the local market where artisans sell their goods; the variety and prices are just about the best we saw on our entire trip.

Tauck proclaims that it offers personalized service with each guest treated as an individual, with their own needs understood, and most safari tour companies also seem to promise this. However, we did not experience this. Unlike luxury, small ship cruises where the cruise director and other staff go out of their way to make you feel cared for, at no point did the Tauck tour director seek to discover whether or not we were fully satisfied and having all our needs satisfied. In particular, it was very disappointing that the tour director did not facilitate shopping at local artisan venues, especially in Victoria Falls. Lastly, there is a valid view that Tauck tours like other companies are relatively small group ones, but there were 31 people in our group, not exactly small and intimate. Pay close attention to any safari tour company with regard to group size.

Most important, give serious thought to going to Africa for a memorable safari tour.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7720904

Top 3 Destinations for an African Safari

3 Amazing Destinations for an African Safari

An African safari offers the trip of a lifetime, allowing you to experience sights and activities that you will never forget. With so many captivating destinations, it can be difficult to know where to choose for your adventure. Here we look at 3 of the best places for an African safari:

The Masai Mara, Kenya

Visit this Kenyan reserve on your African safari and you won't be disappointed. Between June and November here you can witness the great wildebeest migration, which is one of the most amazing natural sights on Earth as over a million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle make their way here from the Serengeti in Tanzania. However, whatever time of year you travel here, you can enjoy viewing leopards, lions, elephants, giraffes and rhinos as they graze or hunt on the vast plains. If you wish to combine a safari with coastal relaxation, Kenya offers miles of deserted sandy beaches and crystal clear waters where you can swim, snorkel or enjoy water sports.

Bwindi, Uganda

If the main aim of your African safari is to get close to primates, Uganda is the perfect destination. Trek through the Bwinidi Impenetrable National Park to see families of mountain gorilla; half the world's population can be found amongst Uganda's mystical landscape. During your stay you can also look forward to seeing chimpanzees, baboons, Columbus and red tailed monkeys. Bird lovers will also be enthralled by the diversity of the species that Uganda has to offer, boasting twice that of other countries in Africa.

South Luangwa Valley, Zambia

Escape the crowds in the spring to enjoy the varied landscape of this region with its woods, plains and hills, which offer some of the best opportunities to spot wildlife in the whole of Africa; if you want to see elephants, giraffe and the big cats, this is a prime spot to visit. Those who prefer to view wildlife on foot will enjoy the chance to take guided walks through the amazing scenery; alternatively take a canoe ride along the Luangwa River or view the plains from the air on a microlight safari. After your animal adventure you might wish to visit the wondrous Victoria Falls. On the border with Zimbabwe, look on in awe, hear their roar and feel the spray; for the more adventurous, you can take part in white water rafting nearby, but more gentle cruises are also available. Watch the sun set over the falls for a magical end to your African Safari.

Choose your Perfect Safari Destination with Africa Exclusive.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7472909

African Safari - Travel Guide

Republic of South Africa, lying at the bottommost of the big African Continent, is a country of large variety and beauty desiccated deserts and tropical coastlines; rugs of eye-popping daisies and great 5 safaris; majestic tradition and excellent infrastructure. All of these factors bring in Republic of South an ideal vacation destination.

A SA vacation provides for each and every, genuinely African Safari in Kruger nationalistic park, unbelievable South beach vacations together with the seashore and connoisseur of good food fare in the sophisticated and attractive Cape Town, let alone the distinguished lay out of Africa family line vacations in this family-affable place.

Mounts and Beaches

Tramp through spectacular Drakensberg mounts or try out the taste of various kinds of wines at the dignified, complex wine lands of the Cape Town.

Accommodation or lodging in South Africa is as unusual and diversified as their landscape; greatly enjoy an opulence African Safari in inaccessible wild regions, nonpublic Cape Town country house on the inclines of Table mount, friendly guest homes in the center of the Cape town Wine-areas, classy and stylish hotels in Johannesburg, and KwaZulu lodging looking out over footmark free beaches or historical fields of battle.

If you've a taste sensation for venture, African safari vacations offer up all things adrenaline addicts would beg for. Sea-rafting on the Fish sea or river, diving with big white sharks, and the most altitudinous bungee jumping in the domain on the Garden road are simply a few of the heart-pumping African safari vacation actions.

Rainbow land vacation

It was actually Archbishop who minted the idiomatic expression "Rainbow land" to key out the melting down pot of folks and civilizations living on united in the South Africa.

Republic of South Africa has gone through a long-distance path since her foremost parliamentary elections during 1994; the prideful-ness in this accomplishment is obvious and the exuberance for the time to come is catching. Let the affable localized folks give systematic information you about the land that they greatly enjoy.

Masterminded African safari trips are a first-class method of immixing the land vacation highlighting - such that like their coastline and their safari holidays destinations. Check out few tourist package offered up by some parties for a broad range of selections.

For assist in planning your Kenya safari vacation, check out some SA atmospheric condition reviews when to proceed to Africa for a safari vacation, or talk to somebody who's been in Africa and nowadays there are lots of African Safari experts available, they could offer up a first-hand recommendation and advice.

Being after for a Safari holidays? Then you must check luxury-safaris.co.uk to find out some vital facts about South Africa to bring in your trip comfy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4663350