Celebrities in Chobe, Botswana

Among the celebrities whom have fallen in love with Chobe are Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands and renowned wildlife commentator Roger Attenborough, to name but a few. Chobe has a way of capturing the imagination of visitors, who come from around the globe to relish one of the world's ultimate wildlife experiences.

In 1967, Chobe was declared a national park - the first national park in Botswana. Plans for tourism did not really materialize until the late 1960s, with Chobe receiving great international publicity in the early 1970s when film stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton re-married at Kasane. Their wedding catapulted the name of Botswana into the pages of the world media as the paparazzi flocked in to cover the celebrated event.

The village of Kasane on the banks of the magnificent Chobe River is famous for being where Richard Burton was inspired to propose to Elizabeth Taylor for the second time and for offering the best boat based elephant and game experience in Africa! Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were so entranced with the wilderness area that they decided to remarry there. Those sufficiently interested can ask to be shown the spot where they took their vows! The Burton's stay exceeded 6 weeks at a time when there were few tourists around, and the park was pristine.

More recently in 1988, then president Bill Clinton and first lady, Hilary, visited Chobe National Park. Clinton said that anyone who has visited a magnificent place like Chobe National Park 'instinctively feels humanity's sacred obligation to preserve our environment.' Along with guide Richard Randall, and 3 secret service agents, the Clintons made their way through the park in an open 4x4 vehicle and enjoyed the full safari experience.

Clinton looked the part of a safari sightseer. He wore a drab green shirt and a baseball cap. Hillary wore a wide-brimmed hat for protection against the blazing sun. The Clintons drove along 30 miles of dusty trails in search of wildlife. They were not disappointed. Baboons scampered in the scrub. A huge herd of Cape Buffalo with their gracefully curved horns gathered at a watering hole. At the Chobe River, the Clintons saw a Hippo raise its head from the Crocodile infested water and indignantly snort at them. An Eagle watched the scene from atop a tree. The air was filled with bird calls and the exotic sounds of the wild.

The first lady said they saw hippos and crocodiles, adding excitedly, 'We saw the lions. We saw a mother Lion and four cubs.'' The president concluded, 'The mother lion was on her back playing with the kids. It was great. At one point, she even had one of the cubs tail in her mouth. They were playing back and forth.''

Naturally, they also saw a profusion of the famous Chobe elephants, some of which strolled nonchalantly near the president's open-air touring vehicle. When a reporter asked if a Democratic president could admire elephants, the symbol of Republicans, the president joked, 'Yes, and I like to see them concentrated here.'' He added, 'Actually I was kind of jealous that the Republicans had appropriated such a nice animal as their symbol. I think they're fascinating.''
Source: chobe.botswana.co.za

6 Clothing Tips For A Safari In Africa You Need

The issue of what clothing to take on an African safari should be looked at in a realistic fashion. There are some basic rules you charge to follow, abnormally if traveling on safaris in Africa.

Let's attending at it this way, a carnival is admired as an chance holiday. Sure, Africa has some of the best bank resort appearance destinations in the apple but this commodity is directed at those who wish to acquaintance the "wilds of Africa."

Let's yield a attending at some credibility for you to accede apropos African carnival clothing:

1. First aphorism is to biking light. You are usually accustomed about 25 pounds of baggage but those who accept catholic lighter about address beneath aggravation on tour.

2. Forget ablaze black clothing. This is not a mardi gras and it's absolutely not a appearance contest. For example, colors such as red and orange should absolutely be avoided. You've heard the expression..."like a red rag to a bull." Same assumption applies here. If you are on a walking carnival or traveling through the flora, colors such as red and orange will accomplish you an simple ambition and we don't wish to go into specifics!

3. Neutral colors are best. Khaki, amber and green-based colors will plan able-bodied and anatomy the basics for ideal African carnival clothing.

4. Your accouterment needs to be comfortable. Avoid cutting bound applicable clothes which can be actual afflictive on hot days. Light, apart applicable accouterment is best.

5. Hats and shoes charge to be considered. Firstly, hats which aswell awning your neckline are abundant in Africa to absorber you from the hot sun. Shoes charge to be of the walking array and light. Keep your shoe numbers to a minimum. A brace for walking on carnival and a brace to adore the accidental occasions.

6. While the acclimate can calefaction up during the day, an capital accession to your African carnival accouterment should be a sweater or ablaze jumper. Believe it or not, it does get algid in Africa, decidedly at night and a sweater is appropriate wearing.

On Safari in Northern Tanzania

On Safari in Northern Tanzania - Back to The Sixth Day of the CreationTanzania's accustomed award as a wildlife carnival destination is unrivalled. Agrarian animals roam in all-inclusive areas as God brash on that sixth day of the creation. These areas are appointed as civic parks and bold affluence and accept a top acceptability for getting ample and unspoilt. The arresting accumulating of bold sanctuaries to the arctic of the country, abreast the bound with Kenya, is referred to as The Arctic Circuit. This is the a lot of accepted and attainable wildlife carnival avenue in Tanzania. I can absolutely say that this is one of the finest bold examination areas anywhere in the world. The bold aside, the spectacularly assorted arrangement of eco-systems and habitats is a admirable acquaintance for abounding a visitor.

The stars of the Arctic Ambit are the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, actual baby to the hearts of attributes lovers. But no beneath sparkling and absolutely complementing the two are the added associates of the circuit: Arusha, Tarangire and Basin Manyara. In agreement of wildlife, the affluence and assortment of the wildlife actuality is difficult to imagine. On top of the abundance are the awful admired "big five": elephant, buffalo, rhino, bobcat and lion. And again a agrarian arrangement of apparent animals: wildebeest, zebra, eland, hartebeest, oryx, reedbuck, giraffe, Thompson gazelle, and abounding added of the aforementioned genre. But do not discount the barbarous predators: cheetah, agrarian dog, jackal, hyena and vultures. The Arctic Ambit is an ornithologist's paradise too, and over 500 breed of birds are on record. On safari, you will be a attestant of the abominable and alluring ball of activity and afterlife on circadian play by this aggregate of animals.

The starting point for arctic safaris is usually Arusha town. The boondocks sits abreast the abject of Mount Meru and is in afterimage of boss Kilimanjaro, Africa's accomplished mountain. From Arusha, the abutting able breadth to see wildlife is Arusha Civic Park, just 32 km away. In this esplanade of 137 sq km area, you will see baboon, colobus and vervet monkeys, duikers, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, leopard, hyena, adjudicator and a advanced ambit of antelopes. Added than 400 breed of birds accept been recorded, including Eurasian migrants, who appointment amid October and April. One of the different attractions of the esplanade is that walking safaris are accustomed and you can get off your car for a attributes walk. Due to its adjacency to Arusha, the esplanade is actual accepted for day trips.

Wildlife aside, Arusha Civic Esplanade is a abundance with a affluent carpeting of habitats including grassland, montane forest, heath and aerial arid and soda and beginning baptize lakes. Three amazing appearance angle out: the Momela Lakes, Mount Meru, and Ngurdoto Crater. Mount Meru stands at 4,575 m and is Africa's fourth accomplished mountain. It is about overshadowed by adjoining Kilimanjaro, which rises aloft it by over 1300 m. It is afflictive that the aloof aptitude of abounding climbers makes them to discount Mt Meru. The abundance can be scaled in three to four canicule with brief adaptation in aerial huts.

The Ngorongoro Attention Area, a UNESCO Apple Heritage Website and an International Biosphere Reserve, is amid in the Great Rift Valley, a awe-inspiring breach of the earths crust. The breadth is abounding with volcanoes, mountains, plains, lakes and forests. Accoutrement 8288 sq km, its capital appearance are the Ngorongoro Crater, the Empakai crater, the Oldonyo Lengai Abundance and the archeological website of Olduvai Gorge. Olduvai Gorge is the aged website breadth Dr. Louis Leakey apparent the charcoal of Homo habilis ("Handy man") admired by scientists as mankind's aboriginal footfall on the aisle of animal evolution. Be abiding to accept a attending at the charcoal of our aces predecessor, whose adventurous industry spurred by necessity, got him authoritative simple rock tools.

Unlike in the civic parks, the ablaze Maasai people, their livestock and wildlife coexist aural the attention area. The Ngorongoro Atrium is the better Caldera in the apple that has its walls intact. The atrium attic is a bead of 600 m and covers an breadth of 260 sq km with a bore of 19 km. This arresting accustomed amphitheatre is a beauteous allure in its own appropriate and is one of the wonders of the accustomed world. The atrium supports a year annular citizen citizenry of a array of wildlife. You will accept no agitation spotting lion, elephant, rhino, addle and abounding breed of apparent animals- wildebeest, zebra, reedbuck, Thompson gazelle and abounding more. The atrium attic is dotted with watering holes and holds about 30,000 agrarian animals. Ngorongoro is four hours by alley from Arusha or one hour by air. And from either Basin Manyara or Tarangire you will be on the alley for two hours.

Lake Manyara Civic Esplanade spreads amid the bluff of the Great Rift Valley and Basin Manyara, a bank soda lake. The esplanade covers 330 sq. km, 70% of which is active by the lake. The assorted ecosystem consists of arena baptize forests, acacia backcountry and accessible acreage forth the beach and sustains a abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five -lion, elephant, leopard, cornball and buffalo. Added animals to be apparent in the esplanade cover baboons, impala, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich and hippo.

Lake Manyara is acclaimed for the ambiguous tree-climbing lions, which can occasionally be apparent forth the branches of the acacia trees. It is aswell an ornithologists' paradise and is host to over 400 breed of birds. The baptize birds aerial about the basin cover pelicans, spoonbills, Egyptian geese and hammerkops. In addition, afoot flamingoes access in hundreds of bags creating a amazing afterimage over the soda lake. You will access at Basin Manyara afterwards active from Arusha for two hours or aerial for just bisected an hour.

Tarangire Civic Esplanade is a one and bisected hour drive from Arusha authoritative it actual accepted for day trips. Tarangire is a esplanade of behemothic baobab trees, rolling savannah and acacia parkland. It is acclaimed for its close wildlife population, which is a lot of amazing in the dry division amid June and September. It is during this aeon that bags of animals- wildebeest, zebra, eland, hartebeest, waterbuck, giraffe, impala, gerenuk, addle and oryx drift from the dry Maasai steppe to the Tarangire River in seek of water. The predators -lion, bobcat and others- as is the custom in the savanna chase carefully by. If lucky, you will atom the appropriate tree-climbing python, kudu and roan antelope, a attenuate acquaintance in the arctic carnival circuit. Birds are aswell abounding actuality and over 550 breed accept been recorded.

Serengeti Civic Esplanade is Africa's a lot of acclaimed wildlife altar and Tanzania's better civic park. The esplanade is amid 6 hours by alley from Arusha or one hour by air. It lies in a top plateau amid the Ngorongoro highlands and the Kenya/Tanzania bound and about touches Basin Victoria in the west. Appropriately called "endless plains" by the Maasai people, it appearance abbreviate and continued grass plains, acacia savanna and backcountry in locations of the arctic and east.

Within its 15,000 sq km area, Serengeti hosts 3 actor ample mammals. Added than 35 breed of apparent animals- zebra, wildebeest, eland, giraffe, and others are begin here. And so for the big five: elephant, lion, buffalo, bobcat and rhino. The esplanade is the staging-zone for one the a lot of amazing contest in the accustomed world- the anniversary clearing of wildebeest. This commences about June if over 1 actor wildebeest, adjudicator and gazelle arch for the Maasai Mara in Kenya in seek of pasture. Following on their heels are the predators of the savanna- lion, cheetah, agrarian dog, jackal, hyena and vultures.

If you can additional the money, examination the clearing afloat a airship is an acclaimed experience. The best time to appearance bold is from December to May if the grass is short. Avoid backward June-October, if a lot of of the animals will accept abandoned with the clearing and are best apparent in the adjoining Maasai Mara in Kenya. The agog ornithologist will accept a acceptable time aggravating to afterimage the 500 breed of birds on record.

Camping sites can be begin in the Ngorongoro Attention Breadth and all the civic parks of the arctic circuit. Facilities are appealing basal and this is breadth account travelers adopt to absorb their carnival nights. If you can allow it, brief at the affluence carnival lodges and tented camps. In this chic of adaptation apprehend to acquisition all the animal comforts associated with rated accommodation. See our Tanzania Hotels & Lodges page for advice and book adaptation for your safari.

It is about recommended to yield an escorted bout amalgamation that includes transport, guide, esplanade fees and accommodation. Bout guides accept admired advantageous bounded ability about the animals, breadth to acquisition them and how to get breadth you are going. Check out our actual acceptable amount escorted Tanzania Carnival offers of assorted durations and budgets. But if you apperceive the country able-bodied and accept acceptable ability of animals, again hiring a self-vehicle is an option. See our Tanzania Car Rental page to do your catch for a self-drive or chauffer apprenticed vehicle.

The almost top acclivity in arctic Tanzania agency that it never gets too hot. Absolutely the nights and aboriginal mornings can be absolutely chilly. You are able-bodied brash to yield forth a abundant sweater and a cape or jacket. Apprehend temperatures to boilerplate from 15В°C in May to August and 22В°C over December to March. The acclimate is best amid June and September, but do not bet on seeing any animals in the Serengeti. For a carnival accoutrement all the parks of arctic Tanzania, September to March is a acceptable time. But bethink that some of the added parks in the arena action about year annular bold examination opportunities. April and May can be a arduous aeon for bell a carnival for as this is if the acclimate is at its rainiest.

On safari, ablaze coloured accouterment may get you in agitation with agrarian animals. If you are astute you will backpack brown, biscuit and biscuit clothing. Abbreviate sleeve shirts, shorts and trouser for men are adequate. For ladies, abbreviate sleeve blouses, slacks and skirts are ideal. Though the northern

region is able-bodied alfresco the predominantly Muslim bank areas and ladies do not accept to dress too conservatively, bashful accoutrements is still a acceptable idea. Bethink to accompany forth a brace of sunglasses to absorber you from the sometimes acrid close glare. Binoculars will appear in actual accessible for spotting animals.

Adventure on a Tanzania Safari

A Apathetic Chance on a Tanzania SafariTanzania has so abundant to action and to accomplish a cruise actuality account agrarian it is bigger to aggrandize the carnival to cover the added wonders Tanzania has to action alfresco the National Parks. Yes we are talking in allotment of an chance and the cultural safari. This charge not be as abominable or as active as you imagine. Simply be visiting out of the way areas and blockage in adequate baby hotels will add depth, chance and ability to the carnival experience.

An American adult I apperceive of complete years was so afflicted afterwards her chance through Tanzania she awash up her home in the Mid-West and headed into the wilds of Northern Tanzania. It took her three years to realise her dream and to accomplish a abiding home in Tanzania; she has not regretted it.

We met one evening; I alive for a Carnival Company and had been beatific to aces her up from Dar es Salaam Airport. She got as far a accomplishment her accoutrements and again sat down abnegation to move any further. Despite my agitated bouncing at her through the bottle window adorable her to chance through authorization control, she stubbornly backward put; she would not budge. We beatific airport admiral in to explain we were cat-and-mouse for her but she chose not to understand. Eventually the admiral accustomed me to go through to affirmation her. Welcome to Tanzania I said; a bashful barbarous blaze was returned.

We promptly dumped our applicant in a city-limits auberge for the night. The afterward morning we collection the six hours arctic to Pangani. The disciplinarian and I had not been to this breadth of Tanzania and as we accomplished the hot boiling Swahili amount boondocks alleged Tanga we had to stop and ask for directions. This did not affect our applicant and we collection to the 45km to the abode forth a actual asperous and arenaceous alley in silence.

The auberge was alleged Argovia Lodge; as we accustomed at the abode the abutting calefaction a sea breeze seemed to cook our guest; it was all so abutting so beautiful. Our apartment were tents with bifold beds and wardrobes and even a bath en-suite with hot water; erected on aloft board platforms with a examination accouter at the foreground of anniversary tent. The angle looked through the abundant abutting area out assimilate the dejected amnion and white bare bank about the bay. This was paradise - the endure black actuality we took a apathetic cruise in a rather baby motorboat down the advanced apathetic attic approach lined Pangani River. We alternate to the auberge by abrogation the aperture of the river and bridge the bay; a storm was brewing; our baby ability battled to cantankerous the bay. Eventually we landed on the bank the auberge agents were there to accost us with towels and affair and the agony of the bridge began to achromatize and anon became a account of chance in the auberge bar.

After three canicule of affluence on the bank we headed to the top of the Usambara Mountains. These African mountains are so different. Often they are likened to the Swiss Mountains with a acceptable compression of African befuddled into the mix. Grants Abode was a baby four bed-roomed acreage and was charming. The aliment was out of this apple adapted on a copse afire stove; the bounded humans abrasion clothes in the river, beasts wandering, accouchement chattering in this clean, quiet retreat. We acquainted abutting to the African ability after getting intrusive, after accepting to asperous it either.

The aboriginal day in the backward afternoon we approached a table in the auberge garden, area drinks were cat-and-mouse for us, a annex airtight in the timberline aloft and blast assimilate the table it laded with a chameleon absorbed to the annex and a rather ample snake absorbed to the chameleon. The aide who was cat-and-mouse beside the table screamed and ran abroad abrogation one of the ladies from the kitchen to run out and exhausted the snake to afterlife with a broom. It added to the adventure; a safe adequate and actual apathetic adventure.

The afterward day we figuratively alternate to 5 actor B. C. on the basic Bird Walk. This alluring airing took us through the backwoods and eventually to wetlands area we spent an afternoon adequate and watch birds forth the blooming meadows of a baby stream. We acquainted we had been transported aback in time and was abiding we noticed a pterodactyl band overhead.
After two canicule actuality we headed against the bold parks. On abrogation the Usambara if it is a Thursday or Sunday, the colourful and active Lushoto bazaar is a have to stop. The bazaar is abounding with fruits and vegetables. There are 160 fruits, vegetables, and herbs, at this market; the mountains are acclaimed for dank plums, brittle pears and amethyst avocados.
After a night in Arusha Boondocks it was off to the Elephants and the Leopards in the Tarangire and the Lions of the Serenegeti. The accomplished acquaintance took 12 days, it was not rushed and Tanzania, just a little, was reviled and acquaintance to be admired for the blow of our days.

Botswana Lion Safari

Almost every safari experience you have ever dreamed about can come true in Southern Africa.Follow the rhythms of the seasons, and whether your interests are wildlife or bird watching you too will find that you are woven into this same rhythm.This package will give you the unique opportunity to explore South Africa Arriving in Maun, then air hop to Makgadikgadi, Okavango Delta, Linyanti, Chobe through to Victoria Falls.
Price Starting From:
USD 3 800 pp sharing for 9 days (Excludes Makgadikgadi Section)
USD 4 750 pp sharing for 11 days

The rate is calculated on two people sharing. Accommodation, Meals, Scheduled daily activities, Park fees & Drinks (Excluding premium Imported Brands)
Tour Duration: 10 Nights/11 DaysDestinations: Makgadikgadi, Okavango Delta, Linyanti, Chobe and Victoria FallsPlease note: Luggage is restricted to 20 kg on air charters in soft bags ONLY including hand luggage.

Kenya- Still at the Heart of the African Safari Experience

The popular image of safari, especially in the west, is inseparable from Kenya. Earlier in the last century, gifted writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Karen Blixen brought to life the vivid images and uplifting life experience that constitutes a Kenyan safari. It is at this time that leading celebrities of the day such as Teddy Roosevelt and Prince Edward traveled to Kenya on safari. And so the safari gained a certain snob appeal. The famous went because it was expected of them. And those on the make because the safari was part of the certification they needed on the way up. If you want to take a peek into the mood and character of the players at that time, read Hemingway's intriguing short story "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber".

In our day however, the Kenya safari is accessible to many more people. Despite competition from other destinations, Kenya remains the heart of the African safari experience. The magnificence and diversity of the wildlife and landscape is unsurpassed. You are guaranteed to tick off the full roster of the big five -lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino and elephant. Other less well-known but essential and chartered members of the savannah ecosystem are also abundant.
The landscape kaleidoscope rolls out the magnificent rift valley, the central highlands, the savannah grasslands, snow capped Mount Kenya and the desolate moonscape of the north. This is perhaps why the experts advise all those faithful lovers of wildlife and nature that at least once in their lifetime they must partake of a Kenyan safari.

Kenya has over 50 national parks and game reserves where wildlife is protected. But as you already suspect, on the average safari you cannot hope to cover all of them. It is therefore a good thing that you get very good value by visiting only a few of them. This is unless of course you have a lot of time and can afford to take off the beaten track. The most popular and from which those with limited time and budget need to pick from are- Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Aberdares, Samburu and Tsavo. Top in the off-the-beaten track category for either wildlife or back to nature activities are- Kakamega Forest, Marsabit, Meru, Mount Kenya, Mount Elgon and Shimba Hills.


Maasai Mara is the big one. This is where you must go even when all the time you can spare is two nights. This is mostly where all those wildlife videos on Kenya are filmed. The Mara, as the Maasai Mara Game Reserve is commonly known, is part of the ecosystem that includes the equally famous Serengeti of Tanzania. Covering 320 square kilometers, it is nested in the southwestern corner of the country. The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe. In a recent two-night visit, I saw lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, nine kinds of antelopes and elephant. The birds are also in plenty -secretary birds, cranes, stork, vultures and ostriches.

It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place. I refer to the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti in search of water and pasture. The timing of the phenomena is conditional on the rains and occurs between June and August. The reverse journey is usually taken in October. With or without the migration the Mara has abundant numbers of resident animals and you are sure to have a good wildlife viewing experience whatever time of the year you visit. If you have sufficient funds, consider taking a balloon trip over the reserve. This popular and thoroughly memorable ride usually commences before dawn and includes a champagne breakfast. The Mara is 5 hours from Nairobi by road and 45 minutes by light aircraft.

Amboseli National Park sits on the lower slopes of mighty Kilimanjaro whose peak is across the border in Tanzania. It is quite an experience to see the Kilimanjaro hovering above the clouds in an early morning. As the keen photography enthusiast can already imagine, the mountain gives a dramatic backdrop for your animal pictures. Amboseli is renowned for its huge elephant herds. You will also see buffalo, black rhino, zebra, wildebeest and other plain animals. Lions and other cats can be seen but are less plentiful here than in the Mara. The park is 3 hours from Nairobi by road and can be approached through Namanga, the border post between Kenya and Tanzania.

Lake Nakuru's claim to fame is anchored on its flamingo's and the over 400 species of birds found here. The lake itself is a soda lake on the floor of the rift valley. The sight of the at times millions of flamingos is quite spectacular. From a distance the lake appears ringed in pink. Lake Nakuru is also host to a sanctuary for the endangered black and white rhino. Lions, Rothschild's giraffe, buffalo and baboons are all residents here. The park is the most accessible of Kenya's bigger parks and is only two hours from Nairobi by road.

At the same distance from Nairobi as Lake Nakuru is the Aberdares National Park. The park has a diverse topography that includes waterfalls, rain forests and the rivers that supply water to Nairobi's millions. The flora and fauna is quite unique and is not found elsewhere in the country, expect on Mount Kenya. Leopard, elephant, rhino and the rare bongo can all be found here. But dense vegetation and inclement weather makes it difficult to spot animals. You are however guaranteed to see some animals especially elephants and buffalos at the floodlit waterholes of the two famous tree hotels, The Ark and Treetops.

Students of the history of the British royal family will recall that it was at the Treetops in 1952, where the then Princess Elizabeth was staying on honeymoon when her father, King George V, died. She descended from Treetops to assume the backbreaking role of presiding over the far-flung dominions and colonies of the empire. If you stay at the Treetops you are bound to meet with some of her fans.

Though not as famous as the Mara, Samburu National Park is another wildlife haven. Here you will spot lions, elephants, cheetahs and the elusive leopard. Some animals are unique to this northern park: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, kudu and gerenuk. You will find the semiarid landscape quite dramatic. On your trip to Samburu, you may also want to take in the nearby Shaba and Buffalo Springs game reserves. In addition, this is the place to take a camel safari. Samburu is three hours from Nairobi by road.

Tsavo is so huge, all of 20,000 sq km, that it is administered as two units: Tsavo West and Tsavo East. This is the park that is closest to Mombasa at the coast. The park is three and a half hours away from Nairobi by road. You will find large herds of elephant, especially in Tsavo East. Tsavo West is filled with crocodiles, vervet monkeys, antelope, baboons, giraffes and hippos. It is in Tsavo that poachers were most successful in their bloody racket and this saw a dramatic fall in elephant population. The good guys have in recent years gained the upper hand and numbers are recovering.

But Kenyan authorities are still extremely wary of the future of the elephant in Tsavo. The country is very active in seeking a permanent ban on the international ivory trade. I wish at this point to declare to all that I am a great fan of the African elephant. I believe this to be the true king of the jungle and not that overrated pretender, the lion. You may recall from the movie "The Man-eaters of Tsavo" how cowardly lions disrupted the building of the railway in the Tsavo area by feeding on the workforce. Would true royalty be involved in such a disgraceful affair?

Kenya is a year round safari destination. The rains come around April- May and November-December. This does not however, much affect the travelers' ability to get around. This is except for the heavily forested Aberdares. In the wet season the roads in the Aberdares are extremely slippery and the park is at times actually closed down. Generally the best time to go on safari is over the drier months when the grass is short and sighting animals is so much easier. But in areas such as the Mara, the animals are so plentiful that you are going to see lots of them regardless of the season. The peak tourist season falls around January to February and July to August. April to June is the low season and prices for accommodation in the lodges can be as much as 40% lower than in the high season.

Accommodation on safari varies from basic camping to luxury lodges and tented camps. Out there in the bush, you will be pleasantly surprised that all the trimmings of 5 star accommodations are available. But if you want to rough it out, you will find campsites in almost all the game reserves and national parks. See our Kenya hotels, lodges & resorts page to view info and book accommodation for your safari.

It is generally recommended to take an escorted tour package that includes transport, park fees and accommodation. The reason for this is that the tour guides are usually well versed about the animals, where to find them and how to get there and have other such useful local knowledge. Have a look at our very good value Kenya Safari offers of various durations and budgets.

But if you have a lot of time and need more freedom as you get around, then hire a vehicle in either Nairobi or Mombasa. See our Kenya car rental page to do your reservation for a self-drive or chauffer driven vehicle. On safari, wear light cottons and linen. Warmer clothing is needed for the evenings and for your early morning game drive. Some rainwear is advisable between March and June and October and December.

You should bring along a decent pair of sunglasses. The glare you experience in bright tropical light is a new and uncomfortable experience for most. It is also a good idea to carry a pair of binoculars. They are very useful for spotting animals and will earn you the envy of your less knowledgeable traveling companions.

Top 10 African Safari Destinations

1. Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)
Kenya is Africa's most popular safari destination and the Masai Mara Reserve is the most popular wildlife park in Kenya. From July - October you can witness the incredible migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra. The Maasai tribesman also offer cultural tours which will enhance your experience.

2. Chobe National Park (Botswana)
Chobe National park lies in Botswana's Okavango Delta and covers four distinct Eco-systems. The Savuti marsh in particular offers some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa year round. Safaris in Botswana have a reputation of being expensive, but Chobe is actually one of the more affordable parks in the country.


3. Kruger National Park (South Africa)
Kruger National Park in South Africa boasts the highest variety of wildlife in Africa which includes the Big Five, hippos, crocodiles, cheetah and more. Kruger is one of the best maintained parks in Africa which means it's ideal for a self-drive safari.

4. South Luangwa National Park (Zambia)
Home of the "walking safari" South Luangwa National Park in Zambia offers a true African experience. There's plenty of wildlife and over 400 species of birds. The Luangwa river is filled to the brim with hippos and if you're lucky you'll spot prides of over 30 lions at a time. South Luangwa offers both budget and luxury safari lodging.

5. Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania offers the absolute classic African safari setting. The grasslands make the Serengeti fantastic for spotting lion kills because you can see the whole spectacle clearly. The migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra starts here and because it's much larger than the Mara (see above), it is also less touristy.

6. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda)
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda is home to almost half of the world's population of mountain gorillas. Besides offering a wonderful backdrop to Gorilla tracking, you can also see chimpanzees, and many other mammals. Bwindi has been designated a World Heritage Site.

7. Etosha Natonal Park (Namibia)
Etosha National Park is Namibia's top wildlife destination. Etosha is home to Africa's tallest elephants, the endangered black rhino, and 91 other species of mammal. Etosha is especially popular with photographers in the dry season who flock to the waterholes (along with the wildlife). Etosha doesn't offer scheduled game drives, it's a self-drive safari experience.

8. Loango National Park (Gabon)
Loango National Park in Gabon is probably the least well known park on this list but it's only a matter of time before it's discovered. Loango is the only place in Africa where you can see whales, chimps, gorillas and elephants in one park. In Loango you get to enjoy watching wildlife on the beach, savannah, swamp and forest in a single day.

9. Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania)
The Ngorongoro Conservation area in Tanzania includes the world's largest crater which acts as a natural enclosure for almost every species of wildlife found in East Africa. The Maasai still live within the conservation area, and it's also home to Olduvai where some of man's earliest remains have been found.

10. Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe)
Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is a personal favorite of mine because of its abundance of giraffes, elephants, and lions as well as 105 other mammal species. Hwange also has one of the largest populations of wild dogs left in Africa. There are several comfortable lodges to stay at for reasonable prices. The park is close to one of the world's greatest natural wonders -- the Victoria Falls.