Best African safaris, journeys to the playgrounds
of the Big Five of Africa

The word "Safari" in African safaris originates from the Swahili word "Safariya", meaning "travel" or "journey" and which in turn is of Arab origin.

Centuries ago Arab traders, slavers and ivory hunters were travelling extensively in central and eastern Africa in pursuit of richness. To them A "Safariya" was a major and costly undertaking and in those days such and expedition could sometimes be up to 4000 people strong.

Blue wildebeest (gnu) on the African savannah - Best African Safaris, Africa safari wildlife park, safari vacation

Blue wildebeest (gnu) on the African savannah - Best African Safaris, Africa safari wildlife park, safari vacation

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,...

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

Herd of running Giraffes
Best African Safaris, African safari wildlife park, safari vacation
copyright © South African tourism
Wait until you have spent your first day in the unspoiled wilderness under the hot blue skies of our African continent. You cannot help but fall in love with Africa forever.

And so you will understand our passion for...

The rich waterways that are part of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the place where you can find the awesome elephant herds of Linyanti and Chobe
The Skeleton Coast together with the searingly hot Namib desert of Namibia.
The incredible African bushveld in the Kruger National Park and its neighbours, the privately owned game reserves such as Timbavati, Sabie Sabie and Lhondolozi, to name but a few
The awesome Zambesi river bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe and the roaring thunder of its Victoria falls.
The Masai mara and the open savannah grasslands of the Serengeti in Kenya and Tanzania

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 theast 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.

Full of anticipation and excitement you get into the safari vehicle, together with about 5 to 8 other people. It is just before dawn, the bushveld has calmed down and there is a kind of tranquility hanging in the air. Night life is quieting down, its noises dwindling, while daytime life is stirring with the calls of a few early birds welcoming the first glimmer of daybreak.

You are on your way. An experienced and knowledgeable game ranger doing the driving and a skilled tracker on his look-out seat up-front above the bull bar. Between the two of them they will make sure that your wildlife encounter will be an exciting, informative and safe adventure.

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. 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
A game drive early in the morning 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 get back to to the camp (or Lodge) and to a lavish and nourishing 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

Bushveld dinner in the boma
Best African Safaris, African safari wildlife park, safari vacation
copyright © Mala Mala game reserve
Back at the camp at the end of the day,...a delightfully hot shower,...an ice cold drink at the camp fire,...a bushveld barbecue ("braai") dinner in the boma,...an African night sky with 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, African safari wildlife park, safari vacation

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,…

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

If you are planning a safari to Botswana then check out Safaris-in-Botswana.com, its a Botswana Safari and Tourism Guide. It also includes culture and travel tips, city guides and "must see" attractions.