THE AFRICAN SAFARI – Still an anomaly but worth exploring

One of the still truly exotic vacation options available to individuals, couples, families or even big groups, is the African safari. Often, many won’t even consider it because 1) they think it is too hard to plan 2) they think it is too far away 3) they think it is dangerous or scary 4) too expensive 5) too dirty.

None of these things are true – well, almost none….it can be pretty dirty, but what’s the fun in clean anyway. But, the reality is the planning should be handled by professionals, the journey is no farther than any other destination fantasy spot, the danger factor is controlled by education, tour guides and good information and the expense is reasonable considering the experience.

The biggest challenge is actually seeing one of the cornerstones of the safari, which is the annual migration of the wildebeests – a display of more than 2 million animals moving in unison over the African plains in search of grass and water. Zebras and gazelles and just about any African animal can be seen on the migration, but often, travelers are disappointed upon arrival to learn they won’t be seeing the herds.

What happened? Bad information, freak of nature, just dumb luck? There’s never a guarantee to seeing the migration, but a best case scenario and good planning offer you the best options when trying to calculate this natural phenomenon.

We have created safaris to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Typically, the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers the best opportunity for seeing a resting or moving herd between December and March. Often, the herds settle in the Serengeti’s southern plains to give birth and so December through April/May offers a great chance to see the herds start moving again. Before that, in September the herds are in the northern areas of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and in Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve. If there is a lack of rain, the herd may travel north or west to Kusini and Naabi Hill on the border of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area. April and May are considered off seasons because of the rain, but there are several lodges that offer great views of the long grass plains and woodland of the western Serengeti almost up to Lake Victoria.

The migration is just one adventure on an African safari. Other great locations for animal site seeing and other exciting adventures include Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Zambia. You can relax in high luxury with the comforts of a spa-style lodge. Eat great food in luxurious surroundings and witness the softer side of nature. Or, rough it and take the adventurous route to explore the African plains, the hot dusty landscapes of the desserts, the clear cool waters of the jungle or the snow capped mountains. You can cruise the Nile, hike, photograph wildlife and the most stunning scenery in the world, and enjoy golfing, bird watching, cycling. There’s no end to the options.

Go alone, take the kids or a whole group.

Some caution, though. African safaris take planning and discipline. We are expert global travel professional and can build a safari for you with all of your top needs attended to. Planning takes about 6-8 months so be in touch the minute you decide that life won’t be complete unless or until you travel on that Range Rover in the heart of the African plains.