Safaris to Suit You

by Leigh Kemp, 3 March 2008

If you could travel on an Africa safari by any means possible, what would you choose?

Would you overcome your fear of heights in a hot air balloon, would you paddle your way up to a hippo or crocodile and introduce yourself, would you take a leisurely ride in a safari vehicle or would you get your heart pumping and your muscles aching with a walking safari.

The relentless quest to catch a glimpse of the big five has, and always will be, at the forefront of any African safari - what's changed is the significant number of innovative safari alternatives that are now available for those who are looking for something a little different from the norm.

Africa by Land

Sitting on the back of a safari vehicle under the guidance of a trained ranger, is still the most popular way of viewing Africa's wildlife. It is a known fact that vehicles are the best way of getting up-close to big game.

The theory is that the animals do not associate vehicles with danger, unless they have been exposed to hunting areas, and see them as merely part of the landscape.

Self-drive safaris through African bush allow you to view animals and plan your days at your own pace, without having to meet deadlines of meals and departure times.

Although you do not have the benefit of a knowledgeable guide, self-drives offer time for exploring lesser known routes.

Many of Africa's wilderness areas are not suitable for self-drive safaris due to inaccessibility and bad infrastructure but places such as Kruger National Park in South Africa and Etosha National Park in Namibia, are renowned as the ideal self-drive destinations for their road network and availability of supplies.

In recent years elephant-back safaris have come to the fore. There was a time when it was believed that African elephants could not be tamed but the popularity of elephant-back safaris today lays this belief to rest.

Elephants that are used in this activity are generally orphans from the wild or elephants that have been born in captivity.

Safari connoisseurs, however, prefer walking safaris. Although you may not get as close to wildlife as you would with a vehicle safari, a walking safari makes way for a far more personal experience with the earth.

Walking safaris are accompanied by an experienced guide who provides in-depth knowledge of the wilderness. Nature-lovers and bird-watchers might well prefer this intimate encounter with their surrounding fauna and flora.

Africa by Water

Drifting at a leisurely pace through untouched waterways, paddling across hippo-infested water or powering along Africa's imposing rivers, are imaginative safari experiences that provide travellers with diverse perspectives of animal behaviour and will get your palms sweating like little else.

Powerboats are used on the great waterways of Chobe and Okavango in Botswana, the Rufiji River in the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania and the Zambezi River (see further reading below) and Kariba Dam in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

These boats combine the thrill of racing across the water at lightning speed with the excitement of viewing animals as they carry on with their daily routines seemingly oblivious to your presence.

If dodging hippos and crocodiles and camping on riverbanks or islands appeals to your sense of adventure, then a canoeing safari will surely provide an adrenaline-filled adventure.

It is for these exact reasons, that canoeing safaris, in particular on the Zambezi River in southern Africa, are considered by many who have done them, as the most exciting safari experience in Africa.

Makoros or dugout canoes were once the only means of transport in the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

Used by fisherman in the past they are now a popular safari activity in the camps of the delta - providing a serene and soul-filling encounter.

Africa by Air

A breathtaking view of the African terrain from high up in the clouds is enough to leave you speechless for at least a minute.

Due to the remoteness of lodges and safari camps and the problems experienced when attempting to access these by land, air travel by light aircraft is the most popular form of travel to reach the lodges and camps of various destinations in Africa.

In some remarkably stunning areas such as the Okavango Delta in Botswana, air travel has adopted a dual purpose and scenic flights are offered to provide a rare bird's-eye view of the magnificent landscape and wildlife.

Floating over the wilderness, with an unhindered view of the horizon, is an invigorating experience, and although it can be costly, a balloon safari is always a highlight for those who try it.

Balloon safaris are becoming increasingly popular throughout Africa. Historically fashionable as a means of viewing the Great Migration (see further reading below) in the Serengeti and Masai Mara, balloons are now offered in many parts of Africa including the Namib Desert in Namibia, Amboseli National Park in Kenya and Pilanesberg National Park in North-West Province, South Africa.

Africa is a land of contrasts, able to provide its visitor with a wide choice of experiences. Today the possibilities are endless and almost any African wilderness fantasy that you may conjure up in your mind, can be transformed into something real and unforgettable.

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