The 8 Best Game Reserves In Africa

Africa is the home of some of the most amazing wildlife in the world. To preserve these animals, Africa has a lot of game reserves. If you are thinking of taking a trip to the African continent, you need to know what the best game reserves are and which country you need to go to in order to visit them.

Maasai Mara National Reserve In Kenya

Possibly the best game reserve in Africa is the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. This reserve is famous for the annual Great Migration which takes place between July and October. When visiting the reserve at this time, you will be able to see thousands of gazelle, wildebeest and zebra travel across the plains.

The reserve also protects the Big 5 and has a number of predators roaming freely. The Maasai who live in the park also add an interesting cultural component to any visit.

Serengeti National Park In Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is the most popular and oldest national park in Tanzania. The park is also a World Heritage site. When visiting the park, you will also be able to catch the Great Migration as the herds move on from the Maasai Mara.

If you are visiting the park during the dry season, you will also be able to catch some amazing prey versus predator battles. The park is also the home of the Big 5 along with a range of other predators. If you are an avid bird watcher, there are over 500 different species to be seen in the park.

Kruger National Park In South Africa

The oldest and largest national park in South Africa is the Kruger National Park which covers over 2 million hectares. There are many safari experiences available in the park include a self-drive one. The size of the park enables it to offer visitors with an impressive range of wildlife including the Big 5.

The scenery in the park ranges from vast grasslands to fertile rivers. There are also a number of archaeological sites in the park which you can visit. You can stay within the park in self-catering accommodation or at one of the many lodges.

Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe

The Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe is an amazing place to visit. The center of the park and its most well known feature are the falls themselves which plummet 111 meters in to the famous Batoka Gorge. Here you can bungee jump, river raft, body board and kayak down the mighty Zambezi rapids.

There are lots more activities to do centered around the falls including helicopter and hang glider flights, canoe trips and sight seeing tours.

The town of Victoria Falls is home to an array of excellent lodges and hotels. Check out these great options when looking for a Victoria Falls hotel.

Chobe National Park In Botswana

If you are looking for elephants than Chobe National Park in Botswana is the best location as it has the world’s largest concentration of these animals. The park was the first national park in the country and still one of the best. The north-east entrance to the park is also less than 100 kilometers from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Etosha National Park In Namibia

The Etosha National Park in Namibia is different to other parks because it covers a vast salt pan. The outer edges of the park are more fertile with grassland and thorn scrub. The park is home to some of the more endangered animals on the continent such as the oryx, black-faced impala and the black rhino.

South Luangwa National Park In Zambia

If you are looking for the densest population of wildlife in general, you need to head to the South Luangwa National park in Zambia. The park is famous for the number of lions, buffalo, crocodiles and hippos that live there. The park is also the only place in the world where there have been recorded instances of lions killing hippos.

Volcanoes National Park In Rwanda

An experience that you will never forget is gazing into the eyes of a mountain gorilla. The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is one of the few places in the world where you will be able to experience this. As the name suggests, the park is also the home of volcanoes that visitors can climb.

Top 7 Things To Do In Tanzania And What You Can Expect

Part of the African Great Lakes Region, Tanzania is a beautiful place to visit. Did you know it is home to Mount Kilimanjaro? That is the first place of interest we are going to cover. Now, what you need to do is buckle up and get ready for a great adventure in Tanzania. It is going to be a world of fun exploring the following 7 top attractions.

All you have to do to see Mount Kilimanjaro is to visit Kilimanjaro National Park. You get to experience it the way you wish. Some people take an 8 day guided trek, but that might not be your cup of tea. It sounds like a great adventure, but if I were there to see all of Tanzania, I wouldn’t want to spend 8 days climbing the mountain. Perhaps a different type of adventure awaits you. For sure you can marvel at the mountain from its base or perhaps spend a day there.

Cheetah’s Rock is the next attraction in Tanzania, and it is located in Kama. This is said to be a once in a lifetime experience, simply amazing. Check out a white lion, a striped hyena, bush babies, lemurs, antelope and more. The main attraction is Tyson the cheetah, and you are going to have an amazing experience. Imagine getting to interact with all of those animals.

I’m sure you have heard of Serengeti National Park, and now you are going to experience it in person. Reviews say you get to see what looks like endless plains, and you get to see the wildlife in their natural habitat. Endless plains are a little different than standing at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, wouldn’t you say? People say it is like experiencing the movie The Lion King live in person. Now that is awesome.

Tarangire National Park is another place of interest you might want to visit in Tanzania. Located in Babati, Tarangire National Park is full of baobab trees, cape buffalo, big cats and much more. Tell you what, by the time your vacation in Tanzania is over, you are going to have seen enough wildlife to make your head spin. Don’t forget about all of the bird species.

Now it is time to hit up the beach in Tanzania. The place is Nakupenda Beach. It is part of Stone Town in Zanzibar City, and it is a gorgeous beach with white sand. You will see Prison Island, and you will get to eat some great seafood while you are there, too. After you make your way to Prison Island in a boat, you can go for a snorkeling adventure. Nakupenda Beach in Tanzania is going to be a lot of fun.

You can also experience Nungwi Beach, Paje Beach and Jambiani Beach. Kikuletwa Hot Springs is another place of interest that you might want to check out as well. Tanzania is full of so many natural adventures. Make sure that you look into safari tours because they combine attractions and show you more about them in depth. They are guided safari adventures of course.

Some of the attractions you might want to experience by yourself, but others you might want to experience on a safari adventure. Your vacation in Tanzania is going to be one big adventure for sure. Get ready to see just exactly what you are going to be doing in Tanzania as you make your way to all of these wonderful travel destinations. It is going to be a great time for sure, and you are going to be marveling at all of the wildlife and the natural beauty of Tanzania.

Another great option is to take part in a Kenya Wildlife Course after your visit to Tanzania. Kenya is the country next door to Tanzania and also forms part of the Serengeti and Masai Mara wildlife areas. One of the best ways to experience the migration and amazing natural heritage of the area is on one of these types of courses.

The Top 5 National Game Parks In Tanzania

If you travel to Tanzania, located on the continent of Africa, there are many things that you can do. It is most well-known for the Kilimanjaro National Park, and Zanzibar which is a local island right off the coast. People also travel to Tanzania because of game hunting. They could be looking for rhinos, buffalo, leopards, lions and elephants. Nature enthusiasts also visit this region of the world, attracted by the Serengeti National Park. If you have been looking for a place that has some of the best National Game Parks available, there are five in Tanzania that you may want to visit.

How Many National Parks Are In Tanzania?

Although there are at least 10 very popular national parks in Tanzania, there are five that are exceptional. These are ones that people may have heard of even if they are not from the area. This would include Selous Game Reserve, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Conservation Crater, and the very famous Serengeti National Park.

Selous Game Reserve

What is unique about this particular game park is that it is promoted as one of the largest places in Africa that is almost completely uninhabited. This means you are going to see a multitude of different animals, but very few people. It is a location where elephants and wildebeests come on an annual basis.

Tarangire National Park

This is not located on most Safari routes, and that’s a good thing because it means it will be less crowded. Although it is 10 times the size of neighboring Manyara, it can be very crowded during the peak season. The very famous baobab trees can be seen in all directions. It creates an absolutely unreal sense of beauty that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.

Lake Manyara

This is often referred to as a miniature Serengeti. Although it is very small, it’s primarily because of the size of the lake. There are a total of 11 different ecosystems throughout this region. You will get to see tree climbing lions, as well as elephants, roaming throughout this beautiful location.

Ngorongoro Conservation Crater

This area was originally created millions of years ago. The crater itself is not the result of a meteor strike, but is simply a volcanic caldera. Eons ago, a volcano is thought to have exploded, and at some point in time, collapsed upon itself. In this region, you will see the big five come through which will include buffaloes, lions, leopards, rhinoceros, and elephants roaming through.

Serengeti National Park

One of the most recognized names when it comes to national parks, the Serengeti is absolutely stunning. It is the primary location for the Great Migration, and is thought to be on most people’s proverbial bucket list. There are many ecosystems, including animals, birds and plants of many different types. It’s the diversity, and the beautiful landscape, that is prompted many poets and writers to talk about this unique location that has prompted millions of people to visit this area of Africa over the years.

These are just a few of the top national game parks that you should see while you are traveling through Africa. If you do get a chance to head into Tanzania, you will not be disappointed. At the very least, you do need to spend some time in the Serengeti, one of the natural wonders of the world. It is a place you will never forget, and may even motivate you to return many times in the future because of the animals and landscapes that have no compare.

5 Tips for Planning a Successful Safari in Tanzania

If you are planning a Safari to Tanzania either very soon or in the near future, then it is good that you found this article. Tanzania is a good safari destination mainly because of its extensive national parks and herds of beautiful wild animals.

However, if you want to enjoy your safari in Tanzania, you have to plan ahead of time. There are many factors you need to consider when planning a safari. Do you want to know what those factors are? If the answer is a big yes, then read on to find out more. The tips in this article will help you enjoy the best of Tanzania and help you create a once in a lifetime experience.

Tips for planning a successful safari in Tanzania

Create a practical budget

The basic budget needed to accomplish a safari trip in Tanzania is about 250 dollars per day. However, this is not a fixed price and may cost you more or less depending on your itinerary. The fee includes park entry fees and accommodation fees.

Creating a practical budget is important as it will guide your planning process. It is a good idea to carry extra money on top of your budget to cater for any additional expenses.

Consider safari with a driver

National parks in Tanzania offer guides and drivers to escort tourists for game viewing. It is a good idea to consider safari with a driver instead of self-driving. This is mainly because of the fact that you may not enjoy the wildlife and Savannah on your own.

It may be difficult for you to spot wildlife if you choose to self-drive as you are not accustomed to the wild and you may have to divide your attention between driving and game viewing. Do you want to have a successful safari in Tanzania? If the answer is a big yes, book game drives offered by the national park services in Tanzania.

Accommodation

Accommodation is key to a successful safari tour. Therefore, it is a good idea to decide what kind of accommodation you want to use and then book it in advance. You can either choose luxury lodges, standard loges or safari camp tents.

When choosing the kind of accommodation you would like, decide whether you would like a modest or luxurious style. If you feel like your budget may not allow you to enjoy a luxurious style, then deciding what you want in advance will help you adjust your budget and still enjoy your safari.

What will you pack?

Make sure that you learn as much as you can about the destinations that you would like to visit. Doing this will help you know what to pack for your safari tour. Some of the most important things that you should carry include rechargeable batteries, memory storage cards for your camera and ziplock bags to carry them. In addition, it is a good idea to carry a hat to protect yourself from the sun and insect repellants mainly because of the savannah climate of Tanzania. You will also need anti-bacterial wipes and sun lotion to help you withstand the hot weather.

Clothing

Your Safari trip in Tanzania is an adventure into the wilderness and tropical Africa in which the vegetation is thorny and the sun is strong. So, it is wise to carry clothing that will match this environment and make you feel comfortable.

Look for light cotton clothing but you have to ensure that the clothing you carry is long sleeved and long to the ankles to prevent insects and the strong sun from attacking your skin.