Any vacations in Africa will not be complete without going on a safari to experience the wild animals and the peace and tranquillity of the bushveld.
But there are literally hundreds of national parks and wildlife areas in Africa that you can travel to. And some are definitely better than others when it comes to providing the potential for a great safari holiday.
In my experience, and in the general consensus of the wildlife tour industry and other sources such as the first hand accounts of safari trips in the travel diaries at African Safari Journals, here are the top five safari vacations in Africa:
1. Tanzania - Serengeti
During the annual migration, when the wildebeest and zebra pack up and leave their grazing areas to find fresher ones, the Serengeti is an astonishing place to be.
It's a very good safari vacations in Africa destination at other times of the year too but the migration has been ranked by many as one of the wonders of the natural world.
Hard to beat in the safari stakes.
2. Kenya - Masai Mara
If you want to see the big cats, this wildlife park is hard to beat. Lion, leopard and cheetah abound and they are relatively easy to spot because of the grassland vegetation which means you get unrestricted views for miles around.
Another big plus is the fact that going off-road is allowed as long as you are not making new trails of your own. This is one of the few vacations in Africa parks that still allows this and it is a big advantage because the animals will rarely oblige you and stay next to the major roads.
The only downside here is that because of it's popularity there are a lot of people around so if you want to spend time in isolation with nature this is not the place to go.
3. South Africa - Kruger National Park
For sheer variety of species no other place in Africa can come close to the Kruger Park. And because it is so large (larger than Wales) it has a number of different ecosystems that you can pass through in your search for animals and birds.
It is one of the best managed parks in Africa and the accommodation and infrastructure is superb.
4. Botswana - Selinda Reserve
Seasoned safari travellers rate this reserve in north Botswana extremely highly and they return to it again and again, drawn by the very high concentration of wildlife, high standard of accommodation, service and exclusivity.
5. Zambia - South Luangwa National Park
South Luangwa is a diamond in the rough, just waiting for enough exposure to bring it to its rightful place at the crown of vacations in African wildlife destinations.
But for the moment it's relative isolation as one of Africa's best kept secrets is part of it's rustic charm.
It has a reputation as one of the best places in Africa to see the elusive leopard and it is the birthplace of the walking safari.
Bruce Whittaker is the founder of African Safari Journals and has been on numerous safaris throughout Africa. African Safari Journals contains various safari travel diaries and photographs from previous trips to aid in choosing possible African safari vacations.
Camping mixed with outdoor activity is a great way to... Read More
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More
As the weather cools in late summer and the days... Read More
Normally when you think Safari you think Big 5. The... Read More
Do you think the only thing to do in Las... Read More
Yes, it's real. There is a place called Timbuktu and... Read More
Contrary to what many think, ultralight backpacking is not just... Read More
An African honeymoon safari is the perfect way to celebrate... Read More
Romancing History ? A Holiday in RajasthanRajasthan, the name evokes... Read More
I've had backpacking trips that included rain, snow, lightning, rockslides,... Read More
Summer is for picnics, hikes, outdoor concerts, barbeques ... and... Read More
Eaton Canyon Natural Area Nature Center, entrance, 1750 N. Altadena... Read More
WHAT TO FISH AND WHERE: Alaska offers some of the... Read More
WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is... Read More
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest and one of the deepest... Read More
Tamil Nadu is a delightful anachronism. With a rich culture... Read More
SAFE WALKING TREKKING OUTDOORSIf you are contemplating a long distance... Read More
The islands of Samoa are emerging as an exciting new... Read More
Soon, the busy summer tourist season will be over in... Read More
White Water on the Comal river in Central Texas is... Read More
Isn't it time you stepped out of the concrete jungle... Read More
The state of Goa on the West coast of India,... Read More
Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More
On Lake Michigan, at the end of the Stonington Peninsula,... Read More
Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors... Read More
Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a... Read More
The Northern Circuit is probably Africa's most dramatic wildlife area.... Read More
WHAT TO HUNT AND WHERE: Alaska is a hunter's paradise.... Read More
I've been traveling and writing about places I believe others... Read More
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of... Read More
Base camp sits at 12,000 feet - stark, windy, unshaded... Read More
There's nothing that will quicken the interest of RVers like... Read More
Recently we stayed at a state campground in Michigan near... Read More
Hello Again,Today we will be talking about meal planning. Meals... Read More
Welcome to Bragg Creek! Bragg Creek is located in the... Read More
The Kuan Yin Shrine in Bangkok is in an old... Read More
The quaint little balcony was large enough to accommodate two... Read More
Are you sick and tired of not knowing what to... Read More
Zambia is Africa's best kept secret as far as safaris... Read More
Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in... Read More
Every year around 40 million visitors come to Florida for... Read More
My favorite outdoor related quote comes from John Muir, the... Read More
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More
There is something about a town tucked between the mountains... Read More
For the 92nd time, the Tour de France has started.... Read More
There are so many selections available when it comes to... Read More
The intricate details on a topographic map can be befuddling,... Read More
We weren't planning to go rock and arrowhead hunting in... Read More
Some people have fought many years of their lives to... Read More
One morning in mid summer, I headed out for some... Read More
Ultralight backpackers want to give up weight, not comfort. Sleeping... Read More
Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a... Read More
Ask about perfect wildlife destinations and a Tanzania safari will... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
Last week in Australia, one man's day at beach could... Read More
I've been traveling and writing about places I believe others... Read More
No one can truly say... Read More
Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More
Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism. Most... Read More
Oregon's Rogue River is one of the nation's most beautiful.... Read More
Don't all of us love to have the money to... Read More
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest and one of the deepest... Read More
I bet you're wondering where the heck this articles going.... Read More
Camping mixed with outdoor activity is a great way to... Read More
White Water on the Comal river in Central Texas is... Read More
Mt. Washington Valley Trails & Mt Washington - NHThe highest... Read More
Outdoors |