What to Expect on a Safari ?
When considering a safari tour every person’s expectations might be different. For example someone would prefer to see the larger animals such as the big five. Others have a more delicate taste and desire to do bird watching or explore the habitat of smaller animals. No matter what your preference may be, everyone wants to see the animals in their natural environment. Living in South Africa makes safari tours a real possibility as all the tours are easily accessible and in near proximity to all of the major cities. We recently stayed at Ashanti Backpackers Greenpoint Cape Town which offers an impressive selection of tour offers, overland trips and even shark cage diving tours.
Botswana
The country of Botswana which borders Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa does not require a long journey from the major northern cities in South Africa and offers many safari adventures.
- The Chobe National Park has the largest troops of elephants, due to the Chobe River. There is an abundant water supply and various boat safaris are available, which allows the tourist to view the game drinking water as well as plentiful bird life along the banks of the river. The Park also offers 4 x 4 game safaris that will allow you to view wildlife that is not easily seen by the general visitors.
- The Okavango Delta also offers game viewing by means of water boat safaris, and also land, 4 x 4 safari tours. In the Delta there are various territories that offer an abundance of wild life and bird life. The Delta is well known for its lavish grass lands that lure numerous wildlife species. The Moremi Game Reserve lies in the eastern section of the Delta and offers the tourist canoe safaris where you will be able come into close proximity of the hippos, elephants and crocodiles. You will also be able to view the big cats, giraffes and rhinos.
Namibia
Namibia is well within the reach of Cape Town and most of the towns in the Northern Cape. Due to its very dry conditions it makes it an ideal spot to view all types of unique wildlife, including many reptile species.
- The Etosha National Park has a two night camping safari expedition, where you will be able to view numerous types of game on a drive through the Park. The highlight of the safari is a drive at night to a well-lit waterhole where you will be able to view all the various game coming to drink.
- A great safari trip is one taken early in the morning when the sun is beginning to rise. After going through Sesriem, which is the entrance into the dunes, the tour takes you through the dunes by foot, for 5 km until you reach Sossusvlei. Here the view is breath-taking with the bright yellow of the rising sun lighting up the white sands of the dunes. There are also gemsbok and ostrich to see in this environment.
South Africa
South Africa is not without its own share of wildlife and Nature Reserves, with overland tours and safaris tours easily available in all of the nine provinces.
- In the Western Cape there are 77 Game Reserves that allow the tourist to view anything from the large cats to bird life and plant life. These include amongst others Bird Island Nature Reserve, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Deer Park, Karoo National Park, Swartberg Nature Reserve, Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve.
- In the Northern Cape there are 21 Nature Reserves which houses all types of wildlife and offers many safari tours. Some of the Reserves are Augrabies Falls National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Witsand Nature Reserve.
- In the Eastern Cape there are 60 Nature Reserves all with their own safari tours. Each tour also offers breath taking scenery. These include Addo Elephant Park, Cape St Francis Nature Reserve, East London Coast Nature Reserve, and Seal Point Nature Reserve.
- In KwaZulu Natal there are 107 Nature Reserves offering a very wide range of wildlife, bird life and beautiful scenery. Some examples are the, Enseleni Nature Reserve, High Moore Nature Reserve, Monks Cowl Nature Reserve, Umlalazi Nature Reserve.
- In the Free Sate there are 17 Nature Reserves which includes the Golden Gate Nature Reserve.
- In Limpopo there are 65 Nature Reserves, the bush veld environment is ideal for many wildlife species. One of the most famous reserves found here is the Kruger National Park.
- In Mpumalanga there are 26 Nature Reserves of which, Sabi Sands Game Reserve is very popular.
- The North West Province has 20 Nature Reserves. The Mafikeng Game Reserve is one that offers safari tours.
- In Gauteng there are 33 Game Reserves of which the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve offers tourists a safari experience.