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Sensational safaris and where to find them!
There are few adventures more exhilarating than a safari! The Big Five are the undisputed kings of the African landscape and to watch them gracefully roam their land is a sight to behold!
For those unaware, the Big Five refers to the African elephant, African lion, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. They were categorised as such by 19th-century big game hunters who considered them the most dangerous animals to hunt…
Thankfully, these magnificent creatures are now lawfully protected in national parks and game reserves which are striving to rejuvenate the population, meaning it’s a prime time to witness them first-hand!
Odyssey World’s connection with Africa is passionate and long-established, with specialists who have lived there and curated authentic travel experiences for decades. This expertise allows us to keep up with the best accommodation, knowledgeable guides and reliable services so your journey can run seamlessly.
Whether you want to see the Great Migration, the boundless vistas, abundant diversity of life or simply an unforgettable experience, these locations should well and truly scratch that itch!
Namibia
Boasting more wild animals than people, Namibia is sometimes referred to as ‘Africa for beginners’, however, experienced or not, it’s undoubtedly a fine choice for a safari and offers more than enough to satisfy!
Etosha National Park is the prime destination and is positively overflowing with wildlife! You’ll have the chance to spot four of the Big Five as unfortunately there are no buffalo in Etosha, however, you can spot them in the nearby Waterberg Plateau and Caprivi Strip.
Additionally, it’s one of the best places in Africa to see the white rhinos and critically endangered black rhinos. Despite large swathes of the population being culled by poachers, the protective forces of Etosha have helped repopulate numbers and they can often be found around the waterholes.
The waterholes are also a great place to spot lurking lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas, as well as elephants arriving for a drink and to bathe in the water.
Elsewhere, wildlife can be harder to track down, but you can combine your safari with other famous attractions – Namibia is known for its otherworldly landscapes: be it the world’s oldest desert, the Namib, the orange dunes of Sossuvlei, shipwrecks off the Skeleton Coast or the abandoned town of Kolmanskop!
To find out more about Namibia, read our previous blogs: Namibia as a honeymoon destination and camping adventures!
Tanzania
The country of Tanzania is almost synonymous with Africa at this point. Many of its most famed attractions can be found here – be it the Great Migration, aka the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’, the eighth wonder of the world: The Ngorongoro Crater or the momentous Mount Kilimanjaro which “rises like Olympus above the Serengeti”.
Serengeti National Park is an iconic location and one of the greatest destinations in the world for spotting the Big Five. One of Tanzania’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, its ecosystem is one of the oldest in the world – with plants and animals that have barely changed over the past million years.
Over two million wildebeest migrate across the Mara River in search of greener pastures each year, galloping forward in a thundering mass. The migration sets off annually around July, heading to the Masai Mara in Kenya, before returning over 1,000km back to Tanzania around October when the rain sets in.
Another hotspot for wildlife is Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Located in the Crater Highlands of northern Tanzania, Ngorongoro is an ancient volcanic crater spanning 100 square miles.
Over 25,000 wild game animals (including the Big Five) reside here. The conservation area also serves to safeguard the remaining population of endangered black rhinos, as well as the elusive African wild dog. You can also witness cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, gazelle and spotted hyenas!
On top of all of that, Tanzania is home to dazzling powder-soft beaches that look straight out of the Maldives, including the paradise-like beauty of Zanzibar! To learn more about Tanzania, read our previous blog regarding its excellent safari credentials!
Kenya
The other half of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem lies in the indispensable Kenya. The word ‘safari’ itself actually originates here, translating to ‘journey’ in Swahili. The Maasai Mara National Park is a timeless attraction, famous for its rolling savanna grasslands and sheer density of wildlife.
Big cats — lions, cheetahs and leopards — are ubiquitous, as well as plenty of opportunities to see elephants, leopards, buffalo and a plethora of wild game that cross over in the long trek.
You will also get the opportunity to witness a unique variation of the Big Five. Take a journey into the wild bushland of the Samburu National Reserve and look out for the ‘Samburu Special 5’ – these five rare animals can only be found in its unique ecosystem and include the Reticulated giraffe, the Grevy’s Zebra, the Beisa oryx, the Somali ostrich and the gerenuk.
If this isn’t enough, Kenya has an outstanding offering of national parks and safari circuits: Amboseli, Lake Nakuru with Tsavo West, the Laikipia Plateau and Tsavo East are among a few.
To learn more about Kenya, read our previous blogs regarding new safari inclusions and the intriguing village that’s empowering local women!
Botswana
While Botswana has its plentiful share of wildlife, many opt to supplement their safari experience with a taste of its unusual and dramatic scenery.
Explore the Okavango Delta’s great waterways where land and water sinuously intertwine or the Makgadikgadi salt pans, a flat sea of white that once housed a lake larger than Switzerland! You could also jump into a canoe and go wildlife viewing off the beaten track.
Botswana’s wildlife is characterised by its sizable preponderance of elephants – with growing numbers of over 130,000, it contains the largest elephant population in the world!
You’ll also have a chance to learn about the culture from those who know it best – the San of the Kalahari – who have been familiar with the environment for thousands of years and run bushwalks for visitors.
With one of the lowest population densities on the planet, Botswana is a pleasure to travel through – containing empty roads, very sparse urban areas and a highly accredited safari industry.
To learn more about Botswana, read our previous blog regarding its unorthodox, yet highly effective conservation practices!
Odyssey World offers a wide range of safari itineraries – simply contact us to plan and curate your individual experience! Email us at enquiries@odyssey-world.co.uk or give us a call!
