Safari in Africa
Safari, like hunting for wild animals, originated in the nineteenth century. This term was introduced by Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton, an English explorer, when gentlemen from high society take pleasure in hunting and killing animals in their natural habitat in order to. The safari provided an opportunity to prove one’s masculinity and hang a bag with hunting trophies on the wall in the library.
Nowadays, fortunately, there are not so many of us who consider hunting the amazing creatures of Africa as a sport, but we still like to experience the adventure of chasing and watching animals in the wild. Extreme tourism news excites the imagination.
Most people just want to see the “big five” – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. Why graceful giraffes, antelopes and cheetahs, the fastest creatures on earth, are left out of this revered group remains a mystery, but, nevertheless, it is so. In addition to mammals, Africa has a fantastic selection of colorful birds, butterflies and insects, so there is never a dull moment on an Africa safari.
You can take a safari in Uganda, which has almost recovered from the atrocities of Idi Amin, or venture into Zimbabwe, but the best safari is in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa. In these countries there are many different game parks and reserves, each of which has a special character or distinctive feature. They are usually inhabited by different groups of animals. For example, the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is famous for its huge herds of wildebeest and zebras. Herds are constantly in motion, as soon as newborn calves start running, the herd immediately continues to move on. In Kenya, the Tsavo East National Park is home to the country’s largest herd of elephants, while the Masai Mara is home to all of the Big Five, as well as most other species. In addition, this is the best place to watch the southward migration of zebras and wildebeests.
There are many types of safaris to suit every taste and budget. You can travel in a small specially equipped mini-bus that can accommodate about eight people, in a jeep, on an elephant or horse, or even on foot (accompanied of course by an armed guide).
You can stay overnight in luxury cottages (preferably after a hot dusty safari) or camping (almost as luxurious), or eco-friendly treetop hotels, or participate in setting up a camp for a longer safari. You can also book a beach holiday and just spend half a day or night, or even two days in a local community.
Of course, the most important part of a safari is not the mode of transport or place of residence, but the animals. The thrill of a chase, or the sight of a lioness with cubs right in the distance, or seeing some animal in the wild that many have seen only in photographs or, at best, behind bars in a zoo.
You will certainly meet sociable elephants, usually found in large family groups, and if you are lucky, with baby elephants in tow. You can see a black rhino, but it probably won’t see you – they have very poor eyesight but a strong sense of smell. Then tall, elegant giraffes appear, chewing leaves from trees on branches inaccessible to other animals, graceful antelopes, big cats, ferocious or playful, and many others.
Pair these fabulous creatures together with the magnificent beauty of Africa and a sense of danger and exoticism and you can experience an unforgettable experience. So go ahead and click on your amazing animal camera.
