So much to enjoy in Africa, many times a visitor will be limited by time because Africa comes fresh with natural beauty, n this article we highlight major safari experience that one should not miss out while on an African safari.
Mountain gorilla tracking
The worlds endangered species mountain gorillas are found in Africa and none other than east Africa and central Africa in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo respectively. Mountain gorillas share 97% DNA with human beings making them close to human species. According to the last conducted mountain gorilla census shows there is an increase in population to 1000 individuals of the largest population of the remaining mountain gorillas can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest south western of Uganda.
Trekking to see to see mountain gorillas amidst thick bamboo and shrubs is one of the forgettable experience and finally finding a settled family of mountain gorillas going about their day from playing, feeding their young ones is simply amazing. Mountain gorillas live in families led by the silver back that weighs about 200kgs.
Gorilla safaris in Rwanda which may be quite expensive. You need to book a gorilla permit at US$1500 if you are looking to gorilla trekking in the Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. For those looking to meet up with the gorillas in Uganda, a gorilla permit can be booked at US$700 and Congo offers the lowest price at US$400 for Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Wildebeest migration
Experience the great migration that comes around every year during the dry season, this movement spans around 3000 kilometers, almost two million wildebeest and 20 000 plains game migrate from Tanzania’s Serengeti to the south of Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of lush grazing grounds and life-giving water. The wildebeest migration features about 1.5 million wildebeest which move along with thousands of herbivores including 200000 Thompson’s gazelles, 18000 errands and 500000 zebras. These animals migrate to and from Masai-Mara wildlife reserve in Kenya and Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking brings you closer to our closest little cousins in the jungle, chimpanzee have 98 % human character. Chimpanzee tracking is a memorable experience seeing how these primates behave closely to man from building nests, hunting, feeding their young ones, they live in troops of about 90 members.
Visit Uganda, the primate capital and meet thousands of the these primate among others like l’hoest monkeys, baboons, black and white monkeys, golden monkeys, red tailed monkeys and many others. In Rwanda chimpanzees are found in Nyungwe forest national park and Gishwati Mukula national part, while in Tanzania, chimpanzees can be tracked in Gombe stream national park. This park is located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika thus chimp tracking in Gombe stream national park offers the option for boat rides, snorkeling, kayaking, and diving in the Africa’s deepest lake.
Hot air balloon
One of the best safari experiences in Africa has to be a balloon safari. While it is not a cheap experience it is without a doubt a once in a lifetime one.
Drifting above the plains, forests, and rivers feels like a dream. There is no turbulence and no loud motor, just you and your temporary balloon drifting over wild elephants, lions, and giraffe among others. Hot air balloons are I deal in savanna parks like Masai Mara in Kenya, Serengeti national park in Tanzania, Murchison falls national park, kidepo national park and Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda.
Swimming with sharks
Mozambique is famous for its deep bay and abundance of Mega fauna. It is arguably one of the best places in the world to go diving and snorkeling with whale shark. These gentle giants may have the name “shark,” but they are filter feeders like many whales don’t mind the presence of swimmers. It’s a unique experience because it’s not for the faint hearted, we all know what sharks are capable of.
Cultural and community walks
Safari in Africa isn’t about wildlife viewing. To have an authentic real African safari experience, you have to get on a cultural tour by visiting indigenous local tribes.
After game viewing in the morning or afternoon, visitors can opt for evening village walks that will allow meeting and interacting with local people. There are several ways to have a traditional African cultural experience such as eating local food, attending a cultural ceremony, camp fire local cultural dances, music, drama and storytelling, visiting a cultural museum, taking a city tour among others. Don’t only do game viewing if you really want to experience African culture. Book a safari with cultural tours and activities for a memorable visit to Africa.
Mountain climbing
Mountain climbing is a hobby and unforgettable experience especially when you hit the target like climbing the highest peaks, in Africa. Kilimanjaro is one of the highest mountains about 5895 meters high above sea level. The second highest mountain is Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda rising up to 5109 meters above sea level, all these mountains feature glaciers peaks and reward the mountaineer with clear views. In most cases trekking to the top takes days but the experience is forever to tell, in Mt Rwenzori usually takes 12 days while Mount Kilimanjaro goes for 15 days depending on one’s experience in climbing the steep slopes.
Big five safaris
Big 5 African mammals include Lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, rhino, and leopard. They are the most sought after animals in Africa by many visitors on safari.
The term big 5 was introduced by European game hunters to describe the animals that are very difficult to hunt and kill in African during the 19th century. There are several destinations in Africa which are home to the big 5 African mammals for tourists to spot on safari. Kenya and Tanzania are popular big 5 safaris destinations due the large number of rhinos, lions, elephants in national parks like Masai-Mara wildlife reserve, Lake Nakuru national park, Serengeti national park, Nairobi national park, Ngorongoro crater conservation area.
Other countries like Uganda offer a chance to spot the rare tree climbing lions in Ishasha wilderness Queen Elizabeth national park.
Birding
Africa is a birders haven and it most done in the scenic destination of East and Southern Africa. Birding so diverse that one should not miss out on this unforgettable experience.
Africa has over 2500 bird species in each African country, the most notable endangered species include shoebill stock in Uganda and Rwanda, Rudd’s Lark found in south Africa and this one is critically endangered,Liben lark’s are the Archer’s Lark found in Ethiopia. Common ones are flamingos, owl, cape sugar bird, malachite’s, penguins, and fish eagles among others.
Canopy walk
Canopy walk is another experience of its own amidst tropical rain forest in Africa usually you are walking on top of the forest that gives you clear views of the forest watching out of its beautiful features. in East Africa canopy walk experience can only be got in Rwanda, nyungwe national park, as well as home to the chimpanzee and other mammal species including notable primates like grey checked mangabeys, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys , black and white colobus monkeys,
today, in Africa, canopy walks are found in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and Kakum National Park, Ghana.