SIX OF THE BEST
Wildlife Experiences
Add these wild experiences to your next Africa vacation.
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There’s nothing more ubiquitous than heading to every corner of the compass in Africa, and watching things unfold through the lens of a camera or a pair of binoculars. The sheer scale of wildlife and biodiversity on this continent is a glimpse into what our entire planet would’ve looked like thousands of years ago. When thinking about Africa, many envision sitting in the back of a safari jeep riding across the bush spotting the Big Five, but there is so much more to this extraordinary landscape, and it can be difficult to decide where to start a once-in-a-lifetime African adventure. Here’s our top six wildlife experiences across Africa:
1. Lake Nakuru by hot air balloon
It’s not often wild rhinos and lions find themselves upstaged… even less so by a bird.
But that’s the case at Lake Nakuru, Kenya where the sight of (literally) millions of pink flamingos dancing among the shallow waters creates a bright and beautiful spectacle.
The best place to view this is from above, with a hot air balloon ride over the lake also bringing into play the flamingoes’ fellow residents; waterbucks, black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, warthogs, giraffes and more.
You’ll be able to see the birds at any time, but July to October is when you’ll find a lot of wildlife on the run as part of the Great Migration.
ENJOY INCREDIBLE VIEWS OVER THE MARA
An experience that cannot be replicated - trekking with Mountain Gorillas.
2. Trekking with gorillas in Rwanda
Nothing quite prepares you for the experience of being eye-to-eye with a Mountain Gorilla in its natural habitat.
These great beasts can be found in the north-west of Rwanda, predominantly in Volcanoes National Park.
Gorillas travel as a pack, with one silverback male at the head of the group. Being at one with the apes in their jungle, and following along with their daily rituals is an experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.
THE LAND OF A THOUSAND HILLS AND ITS MAGNIFICANT INHABITANTS
3. Elephants without Borders
It’s a little known fact that Botswana has the largest elephant population in Africa. And there might not be anything on this planet cuter than a baby elephant frolicking happily in mud.
You’ll see this at Elephants Without Borders, an organization that saves orphaned elephant calves, nursing them back to full-health after a difficult start to life.
CONSERVATION BEYOND BOUNDARIES
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A tiny green turtle makes a dash for it.
4. Zanzibar turtle hatchling experience
It’s hard to imagine a more precious thing than this: a clutch of tiny green turtles emerge from the warmth of their nest on the beach, and make for the big blue of the Indian Ocean.
The odds are certainly stacked against them from day one. Averaging 100 to a nest, only a small portion of these babies can survive the short distance to the water due to the threat of predators. Those that do make it through, are expected to live until around 70 years old.
This experience takes place all around Africa, but can be seen on the mainland in Tanzania as well as many of the beaches that make up the Zanzibar archipelago.
PLAN YOU ZANZIBAR ISLAND ESCAPE
5. Penguins and whales (and wine) in Cape Town
Driving along Cape Town’s Cliff Path is picturesque enough on its own, even before you begin to consider the 50 ton marine life splashing around in the water.
The path in the Hermanus region of Cape Town is a seven mile stretch of some of the best whale watching viewpoints in the world. In certain sections whales are often seen playing as close as five yards from shore.
From June until November, Southern Right whales begin arriving after a long swim from the Antarctic to mate. Combine this with a visit to some of the South-Eastern coast’s other – much smaller – residents: the easily distinguishable African penguins.
There’s also plenty of great wineries in the area, so grab a nice Sundowner at the end of a big day of spotting.
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH THE MARINE BIG FIVE
Tracking rhinos by foot in Namibia is an experience for the intrepid.
6. Searching for Rhino in Northern Damaraland, Namibia
A safari by foot is one experience reserved for the more intrepid.
The arid environment of Northern Damaraland is harsh, even by Namibia’s standards. But that brings with it unique wildlife opportunities.
Here you’ll get the rare sight of elephants strolling through the desert, and the opportunity to track the even rarer black rhino by foot.
EXPEDITION THROUGH SURREAL LANDSCAPES
