Filed under: Africa, featuredarticle, Kenya, Safari, uganda
African Safari Options
“I want to go on a safari in Africa.”
It’s a common answer to the question “What’s your ultimate dream trip?” or something along those lines. But Africa is a big place – it’s the world’s second largest continent and the second-most populated. Africa’s 54 countries span numerous climate areas, and it is the only continent to stretch from the northern temperate to southern temperate zones. The differing geographical zones mean different animals in different regions. And Africa is home to more than 1100 species of mammal. So when you say you “want to go on safari in Africa”, you might want to be a little more specific.
If a classic adventure starring the “Big Five” is what you’re after, a safari in Kenya may be your best bet. Lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinoceros are the big draws to Kenya’s many game reserves, the largest one being Tsavo National Park in the south-eastern part of the country. Tourism is now, in fact, Kenya’s main source of foreign income. With the cosmopolitan mecca of capital city Nairobi, the many beaches along the coast of the Indian Ocean, and so many luxury African safari options, Kenya is a great choice for a destination in Africa.
If it’s primates you’re after, you’re in luck – there are 64 different species of primate on the African continent. Just east of Kenya is the smaller nation of Uganda, a landlocked country that houses the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – home of the Mountain Gorilla. Located in the south-western part of the country, Bwindi Park is also home to more than 160 species of trees, over 100 species of ferns, and many types of birds and butterflies.
There are just over 700 mountain gorillas left in the world, and more than half of them live in Uganda. A typical gorilla safari strictly limits visitors to small groups, in order to lessen the contact between gorillas and humans. Gorilla tracking excursions involve hikes into the forest, and are often booked months in advance. Uganda is one of Africa’s poorest nations, and gorilla tourism raises hundreds of millions of dollars, over one third of their national annual earnings from tourism.
An African safari is not an inexpensive undertaking, no matter the type of accommodation you choose. In fact, just getting there might take up the lion’s share of your travel budget. If such an adventure is on your bucket list, your best bet is selecting one region and starting from there, and going the route of a professional tour operator. They can relieve much of the stress of planning, as there can often be great pressure when organizing such a journey. Don’t skimp on the details, however; your trip of a lifetime should have amazing memories that last a lifetime as well.
NOTE: This post was sponsored by Sanctuary Retreats; the opinions expressed herein are those of the author.
