If you are an avid wildlife lover, African safari tours should definitely be on your adventure holiday agenda. Whether you would prefer to sleep under the stars in the bush or in a more comfortable lodge in one of the game parks, there will be a holiday to suit.
Kenya and Tanzania
A good proportion of African safari tours are run in Kenya and Tanzania, as this is where game is more prolific and wildlife-sighting opportunities are most abundant. From Arusha National Park to Tarangire and Lake Manyara, and from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara, this area is bursting at the seams with some of the planet’s most stunning animals.
The geography of the region is diverse and has been shaped by millions of years of intense volcanic and tectonic activity. The Great Rift Valley dominates the landscape and is home to vast lakes, towering mountains, and volcanoes and calderas. Giraffes, Elephants, Lions and Buffalo roam the area and the skies above teem with incredible birdlife. African safari tours are the trip of a lifetime for those with a passion for learning about the planet’s wildlife.
Arusha National Park, close to both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, is a fine example of Tanzanian scenery and offers a stunning combination of lush rainforests, volcanic craters and beautiful lakes. Hippos are the big attraction here as well as the Black-and-white Colobus Monkey and the African Buffalo.
The experience of the Serengeti certainly lives up to its reputation and this vast eastern region is teeming with wildlife. Most tours will spend a few days here in order to make the most of the incredible opportunities on offer. For bird lovers, the Ngorongoro Crater is a must-see. This relatively untouched area is a popular nesting ground for the graceful Ostrich, the magnificent Bustards and the humorous Secretary Birds.
African safari tours will see you travelling through some of the continent’s most stunning scenery – usually on a morning and evening game drive every day. A local guide who is experienced in sighting the wildlife accompanies. Game drives are run in either open topped jeeps or ex-army trucks, which offer great views in all directions so everyone gets the chance to see. These comfortable vehicles offer a window seat for all, meaning that keen photographers have the opportunity to get some fantastic pictures.
On the best African safari tours, your food and accommodation will be included as will as your transfers, a tour leader and a local guide.