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Our Guide to African Safaris

By Chris Edgeller

With the best safaris in the world, Africa is a must for any safari goer.

Whether you are a novice or an experienced traveller, an African safari offers stunningly beautiful views and the opportunity to see some of the world’s most exotic animals and wildlife.

Africa’s seasons are the opposite to ours, so their winter is during our summer. Although it’s an 11 hour + flight time depending on your ultimate destination there is only a couple of hours’ time difference – meaning no jet lag. Anyone who knows me well knows that the continent of Africa is my absolute passion so it brings me great pleasure to introduce, in no particular order, Create Your Escape Travel’s guide to African safaris.

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Masai Mara, Kenya

 To many, Kenya is the home of safari and there’s no better place to experience safari in Kenya than Masai Mara.

Highlights

    •  Masai Mara is the best for spotting big cats. See lions, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards strutting their stuff in the wild.
    •  Experience this iconic region with a walking tour and trek in the footprints of the Big Five
    •   Or why not take an early morning balloon flight over the conservancies
    •   Masai Mara’s Naboisho Conservancy offers beautiful, preserved savannah wilderness.

A lone hot air balloon over a herd of zebras.
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When to go

Masai Mara is teeming with wildlife and animals from July to October. You might even catch the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River in this time.

But it lends itself well as an all year round destination.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park define South African nature. It was South Africa’s first national park in 1926 and boasts exotic wildlife. It is consistently rated as one of the top safari destinations in the world and a great first time safari experience.

Highlights

    •   Balule Nature Reserve is a private reserve next to the Kruger National Park and offers small lodges away from tourists.
    •   Drink in some of the best views in Kruger. By the Olifants River.
    •   Kruger has a lot of animals. 140 species of mammals and over 500 species of birds. Lots to tick off.
    •   There are world-class lodgings. There is a wealth of different top-quality lodgings on offer, from camping, private luxury villas and family retreats, you won’t go wanting.

When to go

The temperatures are at their most pleasant in Kruger during the dry season. Not too hot during the day. Not too cold during the night.  

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

You can’t miss out Serengeti. World-famous and for good reason, this park will leave you speechless with the array of animals and jaw-dropping views.

Highlights

    •   It is Tanzania’s oldest parks and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    •   The number one highlight has to be the annual migration of wildebeest and zebras. Simply must-see.
    •   Ngorongoro Crater, 20km across and 600m deep it has a permanent concentration of wildlife
    •   Take a hot-air balloon and see the classic African scenery from on high.

When to go

The annual wildebeest migration varies each year but your best bet for seeing it is in June or July.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Situated in the north of Botswana Chobe  takes its name from the Chobe River and is one of the best wildlife destinations out there. It is split into 3 areas the main one being the Chobe riverfront in the Northeast featuring dense woodlands and lush flood plains. Large herds of elephants & family of Giraffes & buffalo can be found quenching their thirsts here

Highlights

    •   Cape buffalo and elephants
    •   Take a boat cruise down the Chobe river and take in the stunning views.
    •   Chobe floodplains
    •   Birdwatching

When to go

The best time of year to visit Botswana is during the dry season between May and October.

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

In the Northwest of the Country Hwange is the largest game reserve in terms of size and animal numbers in the country and my personal favourite of the African National Parks

The dry season is August to October where you are likely to find the animals around every shrinking water holes.

Highlights

    •   Large herds of Buffalo and Elephant
    •   Its sheer size makes you feel you have the park to yourselves
    •   Superb birdlife.
    •   White Rhino, Black Backed Jackal, spotted hyena, leopard to name but a few

    •   Although not a National Park, no visit to Zimbabwe would be complete without seeing Victoria Falls which itself has incredible wildlife and seeing the iconic Falls before flying home can cap a perfect end to your visit.

Victoria falls
Elephants at the watering hole

When to go

The best time to visit is undoubtedly the dry winter months when water levels are low and game concentration is high in Hwange

Lake Kariba and Mana Pools have the permanent waters of the Zambezi and they are good year round, although Mana Pools camps close seasonally

The Victoria Falls are spellbinding year round, but never more so than in peak flood in Mar – May. Even as water levels drop, the adrenaline sports the Zambezi is famous for become more exciting than ever

Hwange national park Zimbabwe

Safaris FAQS

What do I need to pack?

    •   Light cotton clothing. It gets hot.
    •   Layers, you will be out early then it heats up as daybreak dawns & vice versa on your evening game drive
    •   Comfortable shoes. You’ll be on your feet a lot.
    •   A wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face.

    •   Binoculars – most important

    •   Camera. While everyone has one on their phone, a good quality camera will help you capture those once in a lifetime moments
    •   My top random packing tip, pack a shower cap & place it over your walking shoes so you don’t get any creepy crawlies in them

 

Do I need any jabs?

You’ll need malaria tablets depending on where you go. And mozzy spray wherever you go.

 

How do I stay safe on a safari?

    •   If you’re in a jeep, stay in a jeep.
    •   Don’t get up close and personal with the animals. They like their space.
    •   Above all, listen to your guide. They know what they are doing.

Ready to for a tailor-made trip to African Safari?

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