The Pleasures Of Taking Safari Parks

It is impossible to enumerate all safari parks, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation areas and the likes in a single article. So we have decided to focus our discussion on the top five African Safari parks destination. Let's begin?

South Luangwa National Park of Zambia
Fairly unexplored, South Luangwa is a treasure that only needs to be discovered at its own time. The birthplace of walking safari and the haven of elusive leopards, this is the best place to seek isolation, away from the crowd that characterize other national parks.

Selinda Reserve of Botswana
A very highly rated safari park in all Africa, most seasoned travelers recommend a visit or two to this park to experience what truly is an African safari. Packed with dense population of wildlife, birds and plant species, this truly is a haven that is enjoyed both by the wild and the tamed. Naturalists' most enjoy it here due to the diversity of species found in single locations.

Kruger National Park of South Africa
For the sheer enjoyment of seeing endless arrays of animal species, plants and birds, Kruger would be the best bet if you would like to see diversity. Since it scales more than the size of Wales, it is not unlikely that it harbors the largest concentration of species that is unequalled anywhere else. The rich tapestry of ecosystems is such that it would be hard to imagine how all things coexist in competition to live in a space so large.

This safari park was the pioneer of its kind since it has already existed since 1889, the year when the first realization of endangerment of animals is conceived. Primarily intended to protect wildlife in advance, Kruger now stands as the largest single place harboring excellent game reserves.

Masai Mara of Kenya
Being the most excellent wildlife safari park in the whole region, Masai Mara is duly recognized for supporting large herds of cat species. It is home to endless plains that are populated with grassland, thus ideal for game-viewing. See leopards, cheetahs and lions in action as they mercilessly follow after their kill during the exchange of life and death in the plains of Masai Mara.

Serengeti National Park of Tanzania
Oh the sound of the name alone brings memories of might and migration. This is one of the most famous national safari parks in all Africa as it is the site for the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, and antelopes. The birth and death place of most calves, this truly is a place to behold if you want to experience authentic deal.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on safari & other useful information, please visit http://safari.articlekeep.com

Elephant Safari: Unforgettable Incident That Illustrates An Elephant's Intelligence

The elephant is a member of the "big 5" list of animals that tourists out on an African safari holiday usually want to see.

Much has been written about elephants but one particular incident that we encountered on our way back from a safari, years ago, stands out on my mind and illustrates the amazing intelligence of this animal.

Before I narrate this tale, let me explain something. Everybody knows that the elephant is famed for its' memory. If you can remember things, folks will tell you that you have the memory of an elephant. This is factual because elephants will remember old routes in the African bush that they last used decades previously to reach a water hole during a very dry spell. There is a direct relation between the ability to remember and intelligence, as most people know. Many people will also know that research has clearly shown that animals with bigger brains are more intelligent. But then that is not my area of expertise and readers should do their own further research at their favorite search engine on this.

Let us move on to my amazing real life elephant tale.

Years back, we were returning from an exciting Safari in the world famous Masai Mara game reserve and were headed back to the hotel in Mombasa when we came across a very strange and bizarre site right in the middle of the busy highway that links the tourist city of Mombasa to Kenya's main capital city of Nairobi.

A baby elephant was lying right in the middle of the road. CONTINUE

Chris Kavila blogs from a house close to the beach in Mombasa, Kenya ? not far from the world famous Masai Mara game reserve (and loves every minute of it). He brings you regular fascinating tales of African Safari Holidays.

One day Kenya tour & safaris in Nairobi Kenya day tour package

One day Kenya tour & safari. Have you ever found your self with a full 1 day to literally 'kill' while transiting Nairobi to Europe? Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) hosts so many transit travelers like you that have a one day wait till their connecting flight, usually in the evenings. There are many 1 day tours and safaris into Kenya that will make you wish you had more time on your hands.

Kenya one day Kenya tours

Nairobi airport is centrally located in Kenya and as such offers diverse options for one day Nairobi Kenya tours. These one day Kenya tours will range from having a wildlife park tour to simply whiling away in a comfortable hotel in town. Whichever your option, its best that you spend your hard earned dollar in a way that you make most out of it and the day at hand. Here I try to highlight some of the most interesting one day Kenya tours that will make your day worth spending in Nairobi.

1. Nairobi National Park 1 day tour The Nairobi National Park is the only park within a capital centre in the world. Located 10 min from the central business district, the park is an attraction to many business and 1 day transit travelers in Nairobi. The Nairobi National Park has a diversity of wildlife including the Zebra, lion, leopards, Hippopotamus, crocodile, gazelles, giraffe and buffalo. In addition, there are two very exotic restaurants that offer continental, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. Also within the confines of the park is the Nairobi animal orphanage which houses orphaned animals including cheetah, baboons, vervet and sykes monkeys, leopard, rhino, buffalo, Eland, oryx, ostriches, chimpanzees among many others. The one day Kenya tours returns to the city centre by sundown. Private one day Kenya tours and safaris can be organised in the morning within minutes. 2. National Museum one day Kenya tours

Located within the Nairobi town, the National Museum is a beehive of activity for tourists and transit travelers through Nairobi. At the National Museum there are spellbinding displays of early man, tribal regalia and the flora and fauna of Kenya. A visit to the adjacent snake park is also included. The one day Kenya tours turns to the city centre for more monumental and Nairobi landmark safari.

3. Daphne Sheldrick Sanctuary one day Kenya tours

Named and managed by the family of a legendary Kenyan Warden, the sanctuary offers a rare opportunity to be up, close and hugging with otherwise dangerous of the big five. The Daphne Sheldrick animal sanctuary is home to many orphaned elephants collected from Kenya's many National game reserves. Located within the Nairobi National Park the sanctuary also houses the only tame black and white rhino calves and adults. This Kenya one day Kenya tours can be combined with other city based sight seeing excursions.

4. Karen Blixen Museum one day Kenya tours

This 1 day tour starts in the morning or afternoon. You will be driven towards Ngong Hills and pass Ngong Village to the Karen Blixen Museum, for many years her home. Immortalized by the famous African Movie 'out of Africa' the Karen Blixen is a famous Kenyan coffee house and also offers delicious cuisines. Later proceed to the Giraffe Centre to see and feed the famous Rothschild Giraffe and her family.

5. Amboseli National Reserve 1 day tour

This one day Kenya tours sees you driving south through open grassland country deep into Maasai land. Visit to the Amboseli Park on the Shadows of the Mt. Kilimanjaro. Located 2? hours from Nairobi and at the foot of snow capped Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is one of the best places in Africa for viewing elephants as well as cheetah, gazelle, giraffe, leopard and lion. Birdlife is too prolific here.

Mount Kilimanjaro, with its snow-capped peaks, 6,000 meters high, presides over a landscape containing more big game than almost anywhere in Africa. The Amboseli National Park is famous for the longest studied and habituated elephant herds. This one day Kenya tours is by far the best value for your money and you get to see more in a day than your eyes can take.

Only nature in all her majesty could create such a backdrop of a wildlife pageant found at Amboseli. Game is seen on much of the route to the park, which crosses ochre plains where Masai tend their cattle in an age-old tradition. Lunch is taken at the lodge in the park and is followed by another game drive where lion, elephant and the splendid cheetah are likely to be seen. After your one day Kenya tours, return to Nairobi in good time for dinner and flight back.

6. Nakuru National Park one day Kenya tours

The Nakuru National Park is Kenya's most visited National Park. Located 160km and 2? hours from Nairobi, the park is an important Ramsar site and home to thousands of different bird species.

The 188sq km Lake Nakuru is the only KWS-administered reserve that is fully enclosed. Once just a bird sanctuary, Lake Nakuru is now the best place in Kenya to see the highly protected black and white rhino. Among other animals found in the park include rhino, lion, leopard, flamingos, Egyptian geese, waterbuck, giraffe, hyena, buffalo, baboons, vervet monkeys, gazelles etc.

The park is also located within meters of Kenya's fourth largest township of Nakuru. This is a worthwhile 1 day tour and getting in time for your flight at Jomo Kenyatta international airport.

7. Mt. Longonot 1 day Tour

You will drive into the Rift Valley Escarpment and catch a glimpse of the beautiful escarpment. Arrival at Mt. Longonot National Park is within 1? hours to start hiking to the top and round the crater if time and your energy permits. (The hike up and round takes around two-three hours)

Picnic lunch is taken at the several rest points o at the top of the crater. Depart for Lake Naivasha and its environs. Enjoy a boat ride and view hippos, buffaloes etc. other optional activities include biking. Finish your one day Kenya tours and drive back to Nairobi in time for dinner and departure from JKI airport.

8. Bomas of Kenya one day Kenya tours

A boma is a homestead and just a few kilometres from the city, numerous homesteads reflecting Kenya's cocktail of cultures have been faithfully re-created for visitors to see traditional village life. But the greatest excitement during the afternoon is the display of traditional dancing, music and song performed in a splendid arena. This 1 day tour is ideal for the culturally oriented traveler who wants to sample Kenya's 42 tribes and cultures.

9. Nairobi Carnivore Restaurant

Nairobi has many restaurants offering a variety of cuisine. We recommend dinner or lunch at the carnivore, which is famous for its succulent stew and barbecue dishes as an excellent complement to a holiday in Kenya, especially as a welcome or a farewell dinner. The evening one day Kenya tours includes transfers to and from the airport.

10. Hell's Gate National Park one day Kenya tours

The Hells gate National Park is located in Naivasha, 1? hours from Nairobi airport. The park is famous for its sheer vertical cliffs that are popular with rock climbers and trekking enthusiasts. The rocky cliffs create a fa?ade so beautiful and multi-coloured that it rivals the Grand Canyon especially when stricken by the afternoon sun. Walks and biking are offered at the park. Animals to be found in the park include zebra, buffalo, gazelles, and other small game. This one day Kenya tours is ideal for adventure seekers who want to knock themselves out with a trekking, biking, and sightseeing safari.

Robert is a tour consultant and co-owner of Landmark Safaris Ltd in Kenya. Visit them @ http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/daytours.php to tailor your Nairobi-Kenya 1 day tour and grab your free http://www.eastafricasafari.blogspot.com

Ten Tips for a Top Safari

For many people, an African Safari is an experience they want to cherish forever, and for good reason. A Safari experience is a special, soul-awakening adventure. It will excite. It will inspire. It is the experience of a lifetime.

To help ensure that your African Safari is all these things, we've put together:

Ten Tips for a fantastic Safari experience

Plan

Vital to any successful travel experience is proper planning. This is as important for an African Safari as it is for an intercontinental overland adventure trip. I will of course concede that the latter may take a fair bit more work...

Clothing

This is Africa and casual clothes are the order of the day. Neutral-colours are recommended such as beiges, browns and khakis to avoid alarming the game. Comfort is key to a pleasurable experience, so take along lightweight comfortable clothing.

Footwear Comfortable enclosed walking shoes are advisable. This especially important if you intend to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a bush walk.

Sun Protection

Take along a hat, sunglasses and sun protection cream.

Photography

Whether you're planning on getting that once-in-a-lifetime Safari snap or merely looking to have some kind of photographic record to share your safari experience with friends back home, remember to pack plenty of extra film or digital storage media and batteries.

Passports, Visas and customs concessions

Ensure that you have your valid passport. In some instances a Visa may be required as well. Confirm the specifics with your travel agent to ensure a trouble-free experience.

You will also need to acquaint yourself with the customs restrictions of the country you are visiting as well as your own country so that you don't experience any problems when entering either country.

It's also usually a good idea to make copies of all your important documentation and note down your traveler's cheque numbers. Store this information separately from the originals as a backup.

Time differences

Southern Africa is seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. If you are traveling across time zones, your body will need to adjust during the first few days of your trip. Bear this in mind when planning your trip.

Malaria precautions

Umlani is situated in a medium-risk malaria area. Proper precautions are therefore recommended.

Most brands of malaria medication need to be taken at least a few days before you are to be exposed to a malaria risk. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for detailed advice about the type of protection best suited for your situation.

Visitors are also advised to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants to limit the risk of mosquito bites. This is especially true during the dusk to dawn period, when mosquitoes are most active.

Game Viewing

Wild animals are by their very nature potentially dangerous. The animals you are likely to see while out on safari are not pets. Of course, your guide will know all about this and will advise accordingly to ensure maximum safety and maximum enjoyment for all concerned. Listen to your guide at all times.

When is the best time for game viewing?

At Umlani game reserve, wildlife viewing is highly enjoyable throughout the year.

In the main wildlife areas, most rain falls during the South African summer encouraging lush vegetation but making game harder to spot.

From May to Nov, 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, making these ideal game viewing areas.

The Umlani Bushcamp was founded in 1989 in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, now part of the Kruger National Park. This luxury game lodge represents the ultimate in combining five-star comfort with the adventure of an African safari.

African Safari - Back to Basics and Reflections on the Creation

The Swahili word ?safari? originally meant "journey" which is further correlated to ?hunting for survival? and ?exploration of lands?.

The safari is typically traveled by foot amidst the vast lands. This is of course deemed to be the best way of experiencing the circle of life in the safari since you can reach to the core of the natives and their unique cultures.

Walking trails are continuously maintained so that the explorers are guided along their courses better. However, visitors can always widen their safari options with many forms of travel available with each safari tour package. Other modes of transportation include hot air ballooning, fly-in safaris, driving safaris, canoeing safaris, horseback riding safaris, and elephant back riding safaris.

These do not only add ease on travel but may also allow access to the deeper domains (and often uncharted places) which contribute more thrills while on tour.

As for the categories, African safaris are normally offered in three basic types: permanent tented safaris, lodge safaris, and mobile safaris. There are also a couple of other safari choices customized depending on the traveler?s needs. One good example is the honeymoon safari for newly-wed couples.

One complete safari tour that will take you from the Eastern region to the Southern parts lasts around 10 to 21 days. If you are planning to journey this long, it would be best if you avail from a local tour operator or a specialist so you are sure that you what you get is a complete safari adventure.

It is helpful if you have the knowledge of some of the practices, culture and etiquette to adopt well with the localities. As for your choice of safari package, consider the factors such as meals, accommodation, transportation, driver and guide service, excursions, itineraries and supplemental packages.

There are hundreds of conservation parks and wildlife sanctuaries that display the continuous interplay of the wild in its natural setting, marvelous places untouched by technology, and vast array of flora and fauna.

Life in the safari is more serene and offers more grounds for realizing how beautiful creation is. And all these are topped with the unique (and sometimes peculiar) cultures of different African tribes that mark the richness of their history.

African safari seems to remind us how the sixth day of creation looks like. They are the living remembrances of how the Creator intended things to be- the perfection, the diversity, the coexistence between man and his nature, and the life that surrounds everything.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Safari, please visit http://safari.articlekeep.com

What you need to know about south africa safari

The land of Cape of Good Hope, wonderful flora and fauna, multiple languages and mother of eminent leader like Nelson Mandela, South Africa awaits no introduction.
There are more than a few reasons that make this country an apple of everyones eye.

The Matchless Wildlife Adventure

One of its distinguished features is the Kruger National Park that invites visitors from all round the world. The ferocious as well as the gentle wildlife is at parade in this park. The park that is the home for the Big Five Animals i.e. lions, elephants, leopards, black rhinos and Cape buffalo, is supposed to be the largest wildlife park in the world today. Young as well as adult come to South Africa with a dream to encounter exclusive 142 species of animals and 507 types of birds found here. This park is the most breathtaking adventure trip for all its visitors. The wonderful fantasy of Jungle Book comes to life for the children when they gaze at huge tigers, rhinoceros, giraffes etc. walking close to them. The park has specific timings when it is thrown open for safari. The place is always thronged with researchers and those making animal documentaries.

Wildlife can also be discovered at the Tsittsikamma National Park. Apart from numerous birds and animals species, the site is blessed with beautiful coastal cliffs, waterfalls and deep narrow valleys. When it comes to whale watching, the experience at the Walker Bay (at the coast of Cape Town) is unprecedented. It is an awesome experience when huge mammals like whales and sharks seem to be at hand. The Karoo desert is famous for its Mountain Zebra National Park that has inhabited some of the most unique zebra species. There is also the Karoo Nature Reserve that has nestled bizarre desert plants like kudus, buffaloes, hartebeests, springboks etc. The lovely and queer ecosystems that include coral reef, shore, lake, swamp and grasslands can be perceived at the renowned site called Greater Lucia Wetland Park. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in the Zululand region is a destination worth visiting for all the wildlife devotees.


The Cities that Count

The city of Cape Town is one of the oldest cities of South Africa. The city receives vacationers attention due to many reasons. The significant causes include the stunning Table Mountain, The District Six Museum which is quite informative about the place and the displaced people, The South African Museum, The Castle of Good Hope that has been functioning as a guard to this area since ages.

The city of Durban is popularly known for its 230 days of sunshine and its being the third largest of the South African cities. The city owns a refreshing beach known as The Golden Mile Beach, the Seaworld that holds attractive dolphin shows, the Waterworld with lots of slides etc. Also to be seen is the Time Warp surfing Museum that has a rare collection of the surfing mementoes.


The South African city of Johannesburg has its own charisma. This wealthiest metropolis was once widely known for mining of gold from various sites here. The other pulls of the city are the South African National Museum of Military History, the Dynamite Museum, the Madiba Freedom Museum (well known for the exhibiting the life of Nelson Mandela) and the Johannesburg Zoo. The Newtown region of the city is dedicated to industrial work. But it has the admired Museum of Africa, the Soweto Art Gallery that parades the magnum opus of black artists, the SAB World of Beer and much more.

The Western Cape Province is the area at the edges of Cape Town. This region is swarming with visitors due to the multiple attractions. The wine lovers never miss a chance to visit The Winelands area around Stellenbosch that has ample of wineries. The high mountain ranges like Franschoek, Slanghoeck etc add to the splendor of the place. If you encounter atypical sandstones and paintings on rocks and caves, this mystifying place is the West Coast and Swartland.


The Bloemfontein, the judicial capital of the country and the provincial capital of the Free State Province is stuuded with museums and so visitors throughout the year.

The Western Gauteng region of Gauteng Province receives special attention due to the wonderful caves in this area.


The Northern Province lures the tourists with its exquisite nature reserves. The highly acclaimed is the Ndzalama Wildlife Reserve.

The National Botanical Gardens on the Crocodile River in the Mpumalanga Province are quite informative about the geography of South Africa. The Little Dragon Mountains and impressive rock formations in this quarter are evergreen tourist spots.


About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about south africa safari topics. Learn more at http://www.vacationtosouthafrica.com.