The word "Safari" in African safaris comes from the Swahili language, meaning "travel" or "journey" and is of Arab origin.

From the times around the 14th century when Arab traders, ivory hunters and slavers used to travel extensively in eastern and central Africa.

A "Safariya" was a major undertaking. In those days such an expedition could sometimes be up to 4000 people strong.


Blue wildebeest on the African savannah
Best African Safaris, Africa safari wildlife park, safari vacation
copyright © South African tourism
Who has not heard of the great Scottish discoverer and missionary Dr. David Livingstone who, later in the 1800’s, explored the African interior for more then 30 years, unlocking its mysteries and secrets,...?

And of Sir Henry Morton Stanley, journalist and writer, who was sent by the newspaper “The herald” in 1869 to look for Dr. Livingstone when he was missing and presumed lost...?

Stanley found him in 1871 in a small village called Ujiji, on the east side of Lake Tanganyika.

If you want to learn more about African wildlife safaris, click on any of the subjects in the menu below,...

• AFRICA SAFARIS,…JOURNEYS INTO AFRICA
• A TYPICAL "ON SAFARI" DAY
• AFRICAN SAFARIS,…CHOICES AND POSSIBILITIES
• AFRICA SAFARI INVITATION
• UNFORGETTABLE SAFARIS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Elephant wandering in the night
Best Africa Safaris, Africa safari wildlife park, safari vacation
copyright © South African tourism
Africa Safaris,…Journeys into Africa.

African safari, a journey into mysterious, wild and yet romantic Africa. Nowadays these words prickle the imagination, associating with images of enormous herds of Elephants, buffalo, wildebeest (gnu) and zebra thundering across vast sweeping savannas, hunted by Lion, Leopard and hyena. Pure magic in the ever present glorious African sunshine, capturing the imagination.

Herd of running Giraffes
Best African Safaris, African safari wildlife park, safari vacation
copyright © South African tourism
From the very first day you spend under African skies deep in the wilderness of our wild continent, you will fall in love with Africa forever. You will understand our passion for...

• the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, also home to the mighty elephant herds of Chobe and Linyanti.
• the searing Namib desert and Skeleton Coast of Namibia.
• the wonderful African bushveld of the Kruger National Park and its game reserve neighbours Mala Mala, Sabie Sabie and Timbavati in South Africa, to name but a few.
• the thunderous roar of the Victoria falls and the mighty Zambesi river bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• the open savannah grasslands of the Serengeti and the Masai mara in Tanzania and Kenya.

These are the playgrounds of the great herds and predators of Africa, true African Safari country.

<< Top of Page

A typical "on safari" day,...

Usually it begins with an early morning wake up call and you start preparing for your first game drive of the day. A nice cup hot cup of coffee or tea with a light breakfast of toast or rusks will chase away the ast bit of sleepiness, making you feel great and ready for the day.


Two cheetahs watching a herd of zebra
Best Africa Safaris, Africa safari wildlife park, safari vacation
copyright © Sabi Sabi game reserve
The best times for game viewing are early in the morning from just before daybreak onwards and from late afternoon until sunset. The late afternoon drive is often extended, turning it into a night drive.

You climb into the safari vehicle, often a group of about 5 to 8 people, excited and full of anticipation. The bushveld becomes quiet, with a kind of stillness hanging in the air just before dawn. Nocturnal life is settling down, its noise level subsiding, while daytime life is awakening with some early birds calling out to welcome the lightening up of the sky.

And off you are. A professional game ranger behind the steering wheel and an experienced tracker on his special seat up front above the bull bar. Between the two of them they will ensure that your wildlife encounter is exciting, informative and safe.


Herd of wildebeest (gnu) at daybreak
Best African Safaris, African safari wildlife park, safari vacation
copyright © South African tourism
And then it is there. Sunrise over the African bushveld. Silhouettes of thorny acacia trees against a golden lightening sky, the upper edge of the sun peeking over the skyline in the distance. Fantastic, what a sight ! A picture !...and you are not just looking at it, you are in it. Yes indeed, sunrise over the African bushveld, an experience you will never forget.

All of a sudden the tracker hisses ssssht !!.... pointing ahead and somewhat to the left. And then you see him, appearing from behind a bush,…a massive male lion. Everybody is holding their breath,…the ranger keeps the engine idling and quietly shifts into gear, just in case…

Slowly the huge body saunters by the vehicle,…big mass of mane hair around its muscular neck,… stretching down its back. It walks like it owns the place, moving each massive paw slowly, deliberately, purposefully. Yes, it walks like a king,…truly the king of animals. One last look,…a slow swing of its tail,…and then it turns and disappears into the bush.


His Majesty, the king of animals
Best Africa Safaris, Africa safari wildlife park, safari vacation
copyright © Sabi Sabi game reserve
An early morning game drive can easily take up to three hours, depending on what you come across during the trip. By then you have taken in so much, that it is time to return to the camp ( or the Lodge ) and to a sumptuous and hearty breakfast.

Most animals take it easy during the heat of the day and are not active until the day cools down again in the afternoon. You can follow their example and spend the middle of the day relaxing at the pool side, or meet and visit with the African people at a local village.

From mid afternoon it starts all over again, with an afternoon drive which normally ends around sundown. Many parks and lodges offer game drives at night, giving you the opportunity to watch lion, leopard and hyena do what they do best and that is hunting for prey. Unbelievable experience.


Bushveld dinner in the boma
Best African Safaris, African safari wildlife park, safari vacation
copyright © Mala Mala game reserve
At the end of the day, return to camp,…a fabulous hot shower,…an ice cold drink at the camp fire,…an outdoor Africa barbeque night and a bushveld dinner in the boma,…black night, stars blazing,…nocturnal wildlife sounds with the roaring of lion clearly distinguishable,…absolute total bliss.

An incredible experience.

<< Top of Page

African Safaris, choices and possibilities,…

The most popular destinations for an absolutely magical African Safari experience are Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda in the Eastern Africa region, and South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia in the Southern Africa region.

An African Safari can be taken in many ways, from low budget backpacking, self driving a 4x4 and organized lodge or tent based safaris, to a fly-in safari and a stay in a luxury private lodge where you will be pampered like a princess (or prince).

There are many types of Africa Safaris, like for instance honeymoon safaris, canoeing safaris, elephant back safaris, walking safaris and adventure safaris, to name but a few.

Whatever your choice, your journey into Africa will remain as one of life’s greatest adventures.


Lion and lioness in the African bushveld
Best Africa Safaris, Africa safari wildlife park, safari vacation
copyright © South African tourism
<< Top of Page

African Safari invitation,…

Join us on a virtual Africa Safari right in front of your computer screen. We will be visiting Pete’s Pond, a wildlife waterhole in the Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana.

Mashatu with its thriving wildlife population,lies at the south eastern tip of Botswana, wedged between the Limpopo river ( South Africa Border ) and the Shashe river (Zimbabwe border).

A wild cam internet video camera has been positioned with a satellite hook-up that provides high resolution streaming video at 20 to 25 images per second.

CLICK HERE... to embark on an exciting African wildlife Safari adventure and watch wildlife gather at Pete’s pond.


Giraffe in the early morning sunrise
Best African Safaris, African safari wildlife park, safari vacation
copyright © South African tourism




Check out Luxury Safari Africa for Uniquely designed holiday safaris to Africa, made perfect for you by our safari experts.

<<< Return to the Top of this Page

Return from the best African safaris page to the Home page