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More safari destinations tips & insights |
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Directory of
Botswana
This game reserve's landscape incorporates seemingly endless flat and rolling grasslands, savannahs, sand dunes and salt pans. The Central Kalahari environment is harsh but wildlife (including lions) has adapted to the severe conditions. There are some Bushman communities.
It is Botswana's second best wildlife area (after Okavango/Moremi) - and is known for its many elephants. Unfortunately, its very northern part can be touristy. Reason: Many tourists visiting Victoria Falls make daytrips (2 hours away by car).
It straddles the Botswana and South Africa border. About three-quarters of it lies in Botswana. It is best known for its red sand dunes. Gemsbok is its former name.
This tiny game reserve abuts the Central Kalahari. Khutse is a popular weekend escape of residents of Botswana's capital, Gaborone. Game viewing quality is good, but modest by Botswana's high standards.
These two national parks are known for their vast salt pans. When it rains, they mutate into oasis that attract thirsty wildlife, including lions and elephants. Of the two parks, Nxai Pan is more verdant.
The Moremi Game Reserve overlaps the Okavango Delta (see map). Moremi is Botswana's most beautiful safari area and is flanked by many private game preserves.
This is a group of game reserves along Botswana's southeast border. Elephant herds are Tuli's star attraction.
Kenya
Kenya's two world renowned treehouse lodges (Treetops and the Ark) are located here. This forested park has scenic waterfalls.
It's Kenya's second most popular park. Unfortunately, the large-animal wildlife population has been thinning recently. So has the snow crowning Mount Kilimanjaro (the view of this volcanic mountain is one of Amboseli's chief tourist draws).
Renowned for its pink flamingos. Although the population of this bird all but disappeared in the 1990s, it's making a comeback thanks to environmental safeguards.
This forested park blankets an extinct volcano. Elephants and birdlife are two of the main appeals of Marsabit.
The lioness Elisa of the best-selling Born Free book resided here.
This reserve is home to several lodges and camps, including the globally celebrated Mount Kenya Safari Club.
This small wildlife venue sits just outside Nairobi city, making it convenient for safari daytrippers.
The park is relatively arid, so the river banks attract wildlife, creating good game viewing opportunities.
These are the country's largest wildlife venues. Collectively, they have a large elephant population - and a low human count, which lends a keener wilderness feeling.
South Africa
Besides elephants, this national park on the Indian Ocean coast has the other Big 5 members: lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, and rhinos. It even has great white sharks.
This national park also lies along the Indian Ocean. It offers a variety of eco-systems, from forest to coral reef. You will need to use both boats and land vehicles to explore iSimangaliso.
Combine the adjoining former national parks of Gemsbok in South Africa Kalahari Gemsbok in Botswana and you have the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. It's a significant two-country wildlife conservation endeavor.
It's a relatively new national park situated on the Botswana border. All the Big 5 animals now live in Madikwe, thanks to a relocation program. Much of the arid landscape is bush and open grass lands.
In centuries past, the area was rich in wildlife, then agricultural pursuits nearly denuded it. Today, after a massive restocking program, Phinda is once again a thriving haven for many animals, including the Big 5. Birding is also great here.
Tanzania
This national park is known for its birding and tree-climbing lions. Its other wildlife includes leopards, elephants and giraffes. The lakeside environment is peaceful and relaxing.
Being off-the-beaten-track, Ruaha National Park assures a low-visitor count and a strong sense of wilderness. The Great Ruaha River runs through it, creating first-rate game viewing and birding.
This large game reserve is tranquil and laced with serene woodlands and lakes. You can take a vehicular, walking or boating safari - or combine all three. Like Ruaha, Selous is never crowded.
The water supply is year-round in this scenic national park. This draws big game for other reserves during their dry periods. As with Lake Manyara, Tarangire is restful and is superb for birding.
The best safari
Gorilla safaris - The three best countries for viewing the awesome mountain gorilla are Uganda (Bwindi and Mgabinga), Rwanda (Parc National des Volcanos), and the Republic of the Congo (Djomba and Virunga). The reserves in countries like Gabon are interesting, but have the smaller lowland gorilla species.
Tiger safaris - India has several good tiger reserves, including Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Ranthambore. Nepal has Tree Tops.
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I hope your safari dreams come true
- and that my directory of ©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications
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Central Kalahari
Liwonde
NP
