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Africa Safari - Tanzania, Kenya & Zambia
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African Safari Activities In Kenya, Tanzania & Zambia
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Review the below eleven AfricanMecca Safari Activities in Africa
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1. Vehicle Game Driving Safari Experience In Africa
When in Africa, game driving or game viewing safari refers to the experience of tracking/spotting/sighting wildlife on safari by vehicle at the same time experiencing the landscape and topology within the complete safety of the vehicle. At Africa's national parks, reserves and conservation areas, dependent on their conservation policies, the permission for night and/or day game drives are primarily based on the number of visitors and impact to the ecology. Day game viewing safaris are typically divided up into a morning and afternoon safari experiences.
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The morning safari experience typically begins after an early wake up call just before sunrise returning to the camp for breakfast. The second opportunity for wildlife viewing typically starts in the middle of the afternoon, ending just by sunset. This would be typical of African wildlife safaris in Kenya and Tanzania. At Africa's safari parks which permit night game viewing, for example in Zambia, the afternoon safari game viewing would start a little later and culminate into an early evening/night safari, tracking wildlife via the use of a spotlight (with or without filters depending on the ground situation). During the heat of the day, primarily between late morning and early afternoon, many wildlife species, especially cats, tend to take refuge in the shade. During this period, AfricanMecca clients typically relax, enjoy the natural surrounding, take on other activities, take a short siesta and well....eat and drink. The African safari game viewing experience is best experienced in open 4x4 vehicles, allowing unobstructed views of the landscape. The daylight provides an excellent opportunity to spot excellent diversity of wildlife. During the early morning safari game viewing, elephants, zebras and a variety of antelopes among others can be sighted near water holes then moving on to forage after having a drink. Each scenario and situation is different dependent on the opportunities presented to predator and prey however the generous amount of sunlight also works against the efforts of predators when hunting, leading to a mostly dismal effort on the part of the group hunt (like lions); single leopard hunting camouflaged by the dry bush/thicket has better opportunities for a successful kill. The night African safari experiences are out of this world. Apart from the "common" cats who start their hunt in the early evening and presenting the opportunity to see the hunt carried out in real time, the night game driving is about spotting/sighting nocturnal creatures - aptly called in the African safari marketing lingo: "The Small Five."
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2. Walking Safari Experience In Africa
The term walking safari concept in Africa was first coined/pioneered in the "tourism safari" sense by Norman Carr, a naturalist in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Since then, there has been a steady increase in walking safari opportunities in Africa with specialized itineraries offering a first hand natural feel of being in the wilderness, spotting wildlife on foot supported and guided by professional wildlife guides and armed national park rangers. The idea behind the walking safari is to be able to "watch" wildlife rather than to "spot" wildlife in relation to its ecology by hearing, feeling and smelling the bush as they do, and more importantly, experiencing the small wonders of the African bush i.e. from ant lions to dung beetles.
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The "watching" of wildlife allows guests to see the highly specialized behavior of the animals in areas where vehicles cannot possible reach or interfere with their on going activities. Participating in the walking requires patience and peace so not to startle the animals being watched, adding to the safety measure in this activity. The quality of experience is top notch especially for new safari enthusiasts. The type of walking safaris offered come in two "styles" and two ways to experience those styles. Avid and recreational walkers can select a leisurely full day walking or half day walking safari "style." The walks can either be done on route between 2 camp locations or selecting and exploring an area of the park with the help of support vehicles or porters carrying supplies. The porterage of supplies on route your walking safari is reminiscent of the yesteryear bush camp safaris. On route during the leisurely walking safaris, guests have the opportunity to explore the wonders of the vegetation, ecology and landscape and make inferences with the help of their professional guide on how the whole "circle of life" fits into the larger scheme of our ecosystem and its intricate interdependencies. The walking safaris are undertaken to give you an optimal experience - walking when its cool and refreshing, and relaxing when its hot and sunny. AfricanMecca's partnership with the world renowned walking camps in Africa assures our clients of the best possible experience considering quality of guides, safety procedures and training in place. Binoculars are not needed for this activity.
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3. Horse & Camel Back Riding Safari In Africa
Horse back riding safaris in Africa are offered as full multi-day riding experiences through the back wilderness areas supported by a supply crew and ready setup camps on arrival. The horse back safaris are geared towards avid experienced riders who have a passion for this unique safari experience as well as for new riders who are comfortable with riding horses. The off the beaten track riding and a defined route in place enables the safari guide to lead you across pockets of plains game animals, bushes, hill/slopes where vehicles are unable to penetrate.
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Countries in Africa that offer a solid horse back safari program include Kenya and South Africa. New riding opportunities also exist in Botswana and Tanzania. As a second option, for the recreational riders or even experienced riders, private conservation areas offers horse back safaris as day riding excursions as alternatives to many multiple game viewing activities. For example half day game viewing experience on horse back and the other half day in a vehicle. Camel back safaris are genuinely prevalent in the physical environment that sustains such experience: hot climates with rocky terrain with short brush and dry vegetation. The central experience of the camel back riding safaris in Africa are to provide an authentic bush experience with setup camps on route on the full multi-day excursions exploring different parts of the landscape/countryside, The experience would include skilled native guides from the local surrounding communities who are familiar with routes and are able to provide a professional and safe guided experience. For example Kenya's Northern Frontier District in Northern Kenya sustains such an ecology perfect for the authentic camel back safaris. The skill set for camel back safaris is not required because the native guides from the Samburu, Laikipiak Maasai and Borana communities are present to handle and tame the camel with each casual trot and gallop. Also, as a second option, short camel back excursions in private conservation areas are offered as alternatives to many multiple game viewing activities.
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4. Africa Elephant Safaris
Elephant Safaris have 3 main experiences: 1. The Elephant Back Safari - where clients actually sit on an elephant and go out for a day's excursions searching for animals. Such opportunities exist at Abu Camp in Botswana, the home of the original elephant-back safari in Africa, allowing guests the extraordinary privilege of becoming part of an elephant family by riding atop members of the resident herd and watching, at close quarters, the interaction between these magnificent animals and their offspring with other wildlife of the Okavango. All elephants at Abu Camp have been rescued from zoos and culling exercises.
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Guests quickly learn the individual character of each elephant and the magic of getting acquainted with the world's largest land mammal. It is an experience that has been described by many guests as "the ultimate safari". Short day excursions on Elephant backs are also experienced in Zambia at the Mosi-o-Tunya National Park. The experience would include traversing the parks experiencing the ecology and wildlife on route 2. Elephant Interactions When On Safari: One of Africa's most famous conservationists - David and Daphne Sheldrick's Elephant orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya is the nursing ground for orphaned and captive elephants before being released back into the wild. The elephant orphanage keepers look after the elephant and train them enough to fend for themselves before being translocated back to Tsavo East National Park or parks with smaller numbers of Elephant population which are able to sustain them without difficulty to the elephant, ecosystem or the people that live around the parks. There are several research centers at certain parks in Africa that have been setup by other conservationists. One good example is the elephant research center in Amboseli National Park set by Cynthia Moss. 3. Safaris To Parks/Reserves With High Solid Number Of Elephants: This would include the traditional game viewing safaris, visiting parks with these large mammals and staying at accommodation where these elephants are resident to the area so guests can watch them with relative ease.
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5. Africa River Boating Safari
River Boating Safari on a motored pontoon or boat are offered in two main experiences. 1. Wildlife & Bird Viewing From The River: The experience on the river presents guests with opportunity to view game from the river exploring the different sections of the river banks mostly inaccessible by vehicle or on foot. The opportunity is also spectacular for viewing the diverse species of birdlife. The river plays hosts to large hippo pods and crocodiles sun basking with their wide open mouth. Elephants are often seen stripping and breaking down the luscious tree branches. Lions may be seen relaxing under the trees.
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Birdlife including rollers, carmine bee-eaters (depending on the season), fish eagles, African darters among others are spotted with relative ease. 2. Relaxing Sun Downer: For a mixed experience of watching wildlife and birds on the river banks, watching the sun set while sipping tea/coffee/beverages is another excellent experience after a days worth of hard work searching for wildlife.
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6. Africa Canoeing Safari
Canoeing Safari is an fun and adventurous activity where guests paddle their way down stream on a fiberglass canoe while viewing and spotting game and birdlife on route. The ride is casual and is lead by a specialized canoe guide who is familiar with the route. The guide and service crew keep abreast of water levels to determine the canoeing direction/positioning/steering. The guide is interactive in his/her explanation of the various wildlife sightings and interesting aspects during the canoe safari. A variety of wildlife can be seen. The canoe safari is also supported by a service crew. The canoes arrive at the shores where refreshments are served. The drive back to camp/lodge is via a vehicle.
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7. Africa Fishing
Safari
1. Indian Ocean Fishing: Our guests staying on the African coasts' various Indian Ocean Islands like Mombasa, Zanzibar can take full or half day excursion over single or multiple days to fish. Among the methods used in the deep-sea fishing industry: deep bottom and rod fishing, Our expert skippers often select trawling which is the most exciting and rewarding experience, where the boat traverses the Indian Ocean waters at relatively slow speeds with multiple professional fishing equipment structured in different directions to bait the fish. As the boat traverses the various areas of the ocean, the bait smoothly follows and attracts the fishes.
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The multiple fishing line hookups increase the probability as well form a firm grasp of a fish if one was to be caught. When a fish gets caught, AfricanMecca guests can sit on the revolving fighting chairs and reel in the huge catch. Your fishing crew is available to assist you at any time in harnessing the fish and lifting it inside the boat. A camera brought along on your fishing expedition will help keep wonderful memories for years to come. Billfishes are tagged and released back in the ocean. The fishing experience is a wonderful opportunity to do something different as well as to enjoy the sun. 2. Lake & River Fishing: Some of Africa's rivers like Zambezi and lake's like Lake Victoria provide excellent fishing experience. The Zambezi is world renowned for it's excellent fishing particularly for the world's premiere game fish: the Tiger Fish, which can weigh up to 15 kg and the Vundu, giant catfish that can weigh well over 50 kg. Experienced guides will take you to all the best fishing spots and guide you through the whole process. Whether you are a complete beginner or a professional angler, we can guarantee you that catching one of these mighty fish is an experience you will never forget. The best time of year to catch Tiger Fish is September through to November. Please note that fishing for Tiger Fish is on a strictly catch and release basis to conform to local wildlife conservation regulations. Other species of interest are the Three Spot Bream, Red Breasted Bream, Nile Bream, Chessa, Nkupi, Bottlenose and the Cornish Jack. The fishing in Lake Victoria is exciting, and both well known Nile Perch and Tilapia can be caught. The fishing boats have been well equipped for trawling for Nile Perch. The Nile Perch is the king of the lake's fish. The fish can grow to 1.8 meters (6 feet) long, and weigh up to 140 kg (300 pounds). Fish of 5 to 15 kg are regularly caught. In the shallow waters, there are Tilapia, which can be caught either among the reeds from one of the boats or off the jetty. While you are fishing you can enjoy the bird-life resident along the lake shore, the families of otters amongst the rocks and colorful Luo community fishing villages along the shore.
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8. Chimpanzee or Gorilla Safari In Africa - Primate Safari
The experience of viewing chimpanzees or gorillas in their natural habitat include a full day of trekking in the African forests/highlands/mountains. Guest on tour will have the opportunity to experience the park through sight and sound by examining the behavioral characteristics of these highly advanced and sophisticated animals from a distance, which sometimes includes grooming, use of simplified tools, male dominance, and/or mating rituals. Chimpanzees and gorillas are part of the ape family and share a special genetic relationship with human beings, over 98%, making them the closest relative of modern man.
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Just like humans, chimps and gorillas share common physical and behavioral patterns with humans such as have a large brain, social characteristics and intelligence. Apes, which include chimpanzees and gorillas, are found across sub-Saharan Africa apart from Tanzania (only chimpanzee), in countries such Congo, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda. Although chimpanzee and gorillas viewing is normally the focus of attention when visiting the habitat, keen clients will be able to hear the sounds of the insects, butterflies, birds and also other primates in other parts of the forest.
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9. Cycling Safari In Africa
Cycling Safari is a fun and adventurous activity. Several conservation areas in Africa or areas just outside national parks offer clients the opportunity to mountain bike around trails as part of the day excursion. This provides an opportunity to experience the landscape and region seeing some of local parts and communities. Some of the areas include Lake Manyara in Tanzania; Borana Lodge in Northern Kenya; South Luangwa in Zambia.
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10. Aerial Safari - Balloon, Helicopter, Microlight Safari In Africa
Aerial safaris are designed to add a twist to your program aiding in the creation of lasting memories of your African vacation tour. Imagine being flown over the Victoria Falls in a single motor micro light engine or traversing the gorges in a helicopter. Imagine an early morning rise on the Serengeti-Masai Mara plains in a hot air balloon safari ride while watching the elephants in the distance or even the possibility of flying over a morning kill made by lions. These excursion are an add on program to your safari in Africa.
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11. Village Cultural Safari - Maasai, Samburu etc
There are several opportunities to meet the various cultural communities that exist in Africa, to see their ways of life, to interact/ask questions and learn from them. Some are more authentic than others. Revenue generated from your stay is plowed back into the community and into the conservation of the land and its habitats. There are several projects in the works including: school projects, water supply and mobile medical clinics. Many traditional African communities understand that future of the culture, community, rites, traditions and rituals can only be preserved if they fully participate and take charge. There are also several specific opportunities to spend additional time volunteering after your Africa safari at the various communities, helping out in the schools and hospitals.
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The safari activities experienced during your African safari is dependent on the safari park destination you are visiting and safari accommodation you are staying at. Let us know your preferences during your safari planning.
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