by Claudia Smargiasso, 30 July 2010

There's nothing quite as satisfying as earning the bragging rights for visiting one of Africa's high profile safari destinations. Or is there?

While you're guaranteed a great safari at the many big names and national reserves - the likes of the Kruger National Park, Masai Mara and Okavango Delta - for which the continent has become so popular, there's a lot to be said for the smaller conservancies and private reserves situated in and around their borders.

Sure you'll get to see the magnificent wildlife at the big name reserves, but a visit to the smaller parks more often than not brings with it a variety of experiences that cannot be had in a national park.

Kruger - South Africa

South Africa's Kruger National Park has long been the brightest star in the country's safari sky, but, being a national park, is restricted by the government enforced rules and procedures: gate closing times, no off-roading, no night drives and no walking safaris.

Running along the Kruger National Park's western border, lie the prestigious private reserves - the Sabi Sand, Timbavati and Thornybush - to name a few. They not only offer exclusivity and luxury, but a far superior overall safari experience in that they aren't bound by park rules.

For a start, rangers in the private reserves are permitted to drive off-road, so your game-viewing experience isn't limited to the action that takes place fortuitously at the side of the road. You're also able to venture out on a night game drive to spot nocturnal species that you wouldn't normally get to see in the national park

A Kruger National Park visit will have you staying safely in your car, while a visit to one of the private reserves will allow you the opportunity to explore the African wilderness on foot for a far more authentic and interactive experience.

Within the national park's borders lie the private concessions - areas of land that have been leased from the government. Offering the same wildlife experience as the national park and the same exclusivity and luxury of the private reserves, it's a sort of best-of-both-worlds option.

Okavango - Botswana

The Moremi Game Reserve encompasses a large portion of Botswana's Okavango Delta, however, along it's periphery are a number of smaller private concessions that offer visitor's a far more interactive experience of this unique destination.

Some of the concessions are more land-based, while other's more water-based, but either way, the list of activities and experiences to be had is far greater in the private concessions.

Walking safaris in the private concessions are led by armed guides, this not only means you'll be safe, but it is an indication of the level of excitement involved. Night drives and off-roading are permitted and highly recommended at the private concessions.

Not only do these concessions offer exclusivity, but they usually have their own airstrip which means your travelling time will be significantly shortened and your game viewing experiences far less crowded.

The diversity of eco systems and habitats make the Delta the kind of destination, much like Kruger, that you don't want to enjoy from afar. It's far more rewarding to experience these destinations up close and hands-on.

Serengeti - Tanzania

Running along the borders of the world-famous Serengeti National Park, you'll find the private concessions. They share an unfenced border with the national park, so the wildlife experience is no less thrilling.

What's the difference, then? The range of activities that you can enjoy in the private concessions is far more diverse. Like at Kruger walking safaris and night game drives are usually prohibited in the national park, but not in the private reserves.

The Grumeti Reserves is a 400 000acre private concession named after the Grumeti River than runs through it. The reserve is a year-round safari destination, although between June and July things really get exciting when the annual wildebeest migration sees masses of antelope herding across the crocodile-ridden river and predator-dotted plains.

The Grumeti Reserves is home to a dizzying number of bird species - best viewed on a walking safari. Nocturnal species can be seen on night game drives, and for something a little different, some lodges offer horse riding safaris, mountain biking and memorable hot-air balloon safaris over this iconic landscape.

Masai Mara - Kenya

Much like the Serengeti, Kenya's Masai Mara is an unfenced national park, so opting to stay at one of the private concessions won't mean an inferior game viewing experience at all.

With almost a third of all Masai Mara accommodations situated outside of the national park itself, there are plenty of options for a Masai Mara safari with the added benefits of a variety of game viewing activities.

From walking safaris with Maasai guides, night game drives, picnic lunches in the African wilderness and cultural visits, the list of safari experience is far more extensive in the private conservancies of the Masai Mara.

Article © Copyright 2010 Go2Africa.

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