Africa is the second largest continent after Asia. This huge mass of land expands from the North Temperate Zone to the South Temperate Zone, and thus has varied kind of geographic and climatic conditions along its length and breadth. Deserts, arid zones, sub arctic conditions, tropical rainforest, savanna plains, steppe and sahel, all can be found in Africa. Eastern Africa is regarded as the origin of humans and the great apes. Africa also boasts of uninhibited wide open space for a density of herbivores and carnivores, along with reptiles and amphibians. This wilderness has led to the maintenance of some of the world’s best and greatest safari destinations.
Safari is a Swahili word which means journey. The word is typically used to denote tourism and hunting expeditions in East Africa, but now the word is used in a broader sense to include any such adventurous tours. In African safari, you generally travel in you own vehicle, often an open hooded jeep, and drive through the vast openings to view the animals in their own habitat. Khaki dresses, bush jackets and slouch hats are some of the styles associated with a safari.
Most African Safari boast of the viewing of the Big Five -the lion, African Elephant, African Buffalo, Leopard and Rhinoceros. These five animals were known as the Big Five among the hunting fraternity because of the difficulty in hunting them on foot.
Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa and Gabon are some of the countries which have some of the renowned wildlife parks of Africa.
The best known wildlife park is the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya. Millions of zebras can be viewed here from July to October. You can also be sure of getting views of the Big Five. You will also get the opportunity to interact with the Maasai tribesmen.
Kruger National Park in South Africa is the best maintained park in the continent. It is safe for self driving. You can view the Big Five, as well as crocodiles and cheetahs too.
If you are looking for a classic safari setting, you should visit the Serengeti National park in Tanzania. The vast expanse of grassland helps in spectacular views of lion kills and zebra migration.
Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, regarded as a World Heritage Site, is the home to the mountain gorillas. Gorilla, Chimpanzee and other mammals can be viewed here.
South Luangwa National Park in Zambia has hippos, lions and around 400 species of birds. Etosha National Park in Namibia is a photographer’s haven in the summer time. The endangered black rhino, Africa’s tallest elephant, and other mammals can be seen here.
To taste the wildlife of the beach, savanna, swamp and forest all at one go, you must try visiting the Loango National park at Gabon. It is the only park in Africa where you can see chimpanzees, whales and elephants in one park.
Wild dogs and giraffes, along with other animals can be viewed at the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.
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