A safari is one of the best and memorable trips that can happen in life. The word safari came out of the Swahili language, referring to an expedition and a safari in Africa is the adventure of exploring the wilderness and being in direct contact with nature and wild animals. Be it a luxurious lodge based safari, a mobile tented safari, or a self drive through some of the most famous wild life reserves in Africa, there is a lot to look forward to about the safari experience. To help you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime, here are 10 Insights on What to Expect on Safari.
1. The Thrill of Wildlife Encounters
The possibility of viewing wild animals in the wilderness has to be one of the most exciting reasons to go on a safari. Be it viewing the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros), or the rare wild dogs and cheetahs, no one can avoid the feeling of watching wildlife through safaris.
On safari, you will come closer to animals than it would be in other regions across the whole world. Game drives in open vehicles enable you to see elephants strolling through the bush; lions in the shade; or a leopard trekking gingerly through the tall grass. The wildlife experiences on safari seem like an honor to approach, to view the imperfect beauty of the animal world.
Anticipate the unanticipated with regard to seeing wildlife. Animals may come anytime and it is not always easy to predict their behavior. You can see a giraffe grazing at an acacia tree, zebra grazing, or a pride of lions hunting. The African wilderness is expansive and so there is always something new to find out.
2. Early Mornings and Late Afternoons
A safari day is usually long starting as early as 5:00 AM or even earlier to make the most of the morning hours when the animals are most active. The morning game drives are an opportunity to see predators, like lions and leopards, better in the dawn light because they are more active in the early morning. It is during the cool hours when you will see such animals as the elephant, the giraffe and the buffaloes who come out to drink and feed before the heat of the day.
During the progression of the day temperatures may increase and most animals hide in the shade and rest during the hottest time of the day. This implies that mid-day safaris are not very active when it comes to wildlife viewing. But you can still have the pleasure of the quiet of the scenery and of seeing animals which do not mind the heat, as vultures, or birds of prey. The late afternoon to sunset game drive is also another excellent chance of wildlife spotting. The animals are now beginning to come out after the sun goes down, especially the nocturnal animals such as hyenas and leopards that remain hidden during the day. Sunset gives the golden light which also provides breathtaking outdoor pictures and magnificent views.
3. A Variety of Safari Activities
Although a game drive is the most well-known safari activity, there are other safari experiences that are offered in most of the safari destinations and can accompany a game drive to increase the safari experience. Depending on where you go, you may have the opportunity to take part in walking safaris, boat safaris, or even hot air balloon rides.
• Walking safaris: These safaris give you the chance to get up close to nature and learn about the ecosystem from an expert guide. When walking in the bush, you will encounter the minute details who you may miss traveling in a vehicle like animal tracks, plants, and insects.
• Boat safaris: If you’re visiting a safari destination near a river or lake, such as the Okavango Delta or Chobe National Park, boat safaris offer a unique perspective on wildlife. One might encounter wildlife on the shores such as crocodiles, hippos, and other bird species as he/she traverses the calm waters.
• Hot air balloon safaris: For a truly unforgettable experience, consider taking a hot air balloon ride over vast plains, like those of the Serengeti or Maasai Mara. Sitting in a balloon and watching the sunrise on the savanna is one of the best activities because it presents a bird eye view of the land and animals and leaves one with an unforgettable experience. Regardless of your chosen activity, they are all likely to give you a broader insight of the African wilderness with each game offering you a new angle and insight into African ecosystems and its animals.
4. The Unpredictability of the Safari Experience
Among the significant things to remember when visiting a safari is the fact that it is an unpredictable adventure. There is never extra safari and everything changes every single day with new challenges and opportunities. Although a safari could be the best thing to observe a pride of lions hunting or observe elephants swimming in a river, at times when they are passing it could be a moment when there is not much to see and witness.
It is this doubt that makes safaris so thrilling Wildlife does not run on a schedule and the environment is dynamic. And yet even on less busy days you will form part of the natural beauty of the African wilderness and have new things to discover. The uncertainty gives it an aspect of adventure and makes safari an experience that is guaranteed never to be the same twice.
5. The Importance of a Knowledgeable Guide
The guides that will accompany you on your game drives and other activities are one of the most important part of your safari experience. A good guide will be a difference maker in creating an enjoyable experience filling you with interesting facts about the wildlife, ecosystem and local culture.
This is because safari guides are usually well trained and have a lot of knowledge in terms of how the animal lives, nature and how everything about the environment works. They are able to recognize animals over a long distance, find their tracks and signs and tell about the interactions between animals in the ecological system. Guides can also be very good at interpreting animal behaviors thus making you to understand the animal kingdom better.
Additionally, guides ensure safety during walking safaris or when navigating through potentially dangerous areas. They know how to follow animals, how to determine the dangers so that you never find yourself in unsafe situations when walking around the wild.
6. The Beauty of the African Landscape
Although the wildlife is definitely the centerpiece of any safari, you can not resist the beautiful sceneries you will be faced with on the way. The continent of Africa possesses a wide variety of ecosystems, including large savannas and dry deserts as well as wetlands and rainforests. When you kick off your journey into this safari, you will be exposed to stunning mountain views, grasslands, rivers, and so on.
The land is usually most beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when the gold radiated a scintillating light over the landscape. These are the perfect occasions, which help in reflection, photography and appreciation of the surroundings of the nature wonders that you see around yourself.
7. The Comfort of Safari Lodges and Camps
Back in the day, a safari meant roughing it out in the jungle, but now, aficionados have plenty of choices of accommodations to match their comfort levels. There are luxury lodges with gourmet fare and exclusive plunge pools and simple tented camps that give a pure safari experience, with a wide range of choice.
A number of lodges and camps are found within or close to the national parks and reserves and give the guests easy access to wildlife as well as the modern conveniences. A range of accommodations, including comfortable rooms or tents with mosquito nets, en-suite bathrooms, and beautiful sceneries of the rural wilderness should be expected.
In case you would like to obtain a more adventurous experience, mobile camps as well as smaller, rustic accommodations can also be found. Such camps provide a closer, more hands-on experience with fewer people and a greater engagement with the wild.
8. The Importance of Packing the Right Gear
When preparing to go on a safari, it is important to pack as the trip can be both hot and cold and have variable weather conditions. This is what you should expect to require:
• Neutral-colored clothing: Light brown, khaki, and olive colors are ideal for blending in with the environment and for animal observation. Wildlife may be disturbed by bright colors which attract attention.
• Comfortable shoes: Closed-toe shoes with good tread are important, especially if you’re planning on walking safaris or trekking through rough terrain.
Sun protection: African sun is rather strong, so sunscreens, sunglasses, and hats are helpful to shelter yourself.
Binoculars and Camera: A nice pair of binoculars, and a camera are necessities to see animals at a distance and to memorize amazing moments forever.
• Insect repellent: To avoid bites from mosquitoes or other insects, packing a good insect repellent is important.
Having the proper equipment will keep you ready and able to face the conditions of the safari and enjoy it fully.
9. The Importance of Responsible Tourism
Safaris are not only adventurous and about wildlife, but also they come with the ethical wakefulness of responsible lives regarding the significance of conserving the environment. Responsible tourism is necessary to ensure that safaris are good in both wildlife and human lives.
Most safari operators will fund conservation projects, wildlife protection, and community development projects. Selecting a responsible safari company will make sure that your trip helps preserve the ecosystems of Africa in the long-term and benefits locals who depend on tourism as a means of income.
10. An Experience That Will Change Your Perspective
Among the most significant parts about a safari is the overall feeling of how it can alter one of those views of the natural world. The closeness of wild animals and dipping into the native beauty of nature may create an inner sense of wonder and care about the surrounding environment. Most people who travel into the wilderness on a safari have a change of heart to care about the environment and understand the fragile eco-system on earth.
The joy of seeing the beauty of a pride of lions, the love between an elephant mother with her baby, or simply witnessing the magic of the sunrise over the savanna is an experience that would stay with a person throughout his/her life and makes an emotional attachment to the natural beauty.
Conclusion
A safari is not a holiday, it is an experience in the wilderness of Africa. By understanding these 10 Insights on What to Expect on Safari, you’ll be better prepared for an unforgettable adventure. With adventurous wild animal encounters to early morning game drives, luxury living and a chance to contribute to conservation, a safari is an experience like no other. Given proper attitude and planning, a safari will be a trip that will leave a memorable experience and respect to the beauty that nature holds.
