The wonderful wildlife and vast plains of Africa give the compulsive globetrotter a different sight to behold
The opportunity to see wildlife across the equator in the African Savannah is a unique and unforgettable experience. Landing on African soil brings images to mind of the movies made by the National Geographic Society in which predators make mincemeat of their prey. For a moment one feels uncertain when the eyes see no signs of such things. But when one proceeds to the remote and far-off areas towards the African Savannah, it becomes different. As far as one can see there lie grassy areas with all kinds of wildlife. This fascinates all those who are nature lovers, conservationists and professionals, not to mention those who have hectic working schedules.
Recently, I received an opportunity to accompany a group of conservationists, professionals, government representatives, and local community members to visit and study management practices currently applied to national parks and other protected areas of east and south Africa. It took us about 20,000km-long aerial journey through connected flights to reach our destination.
Starting from South Africa, the real safari in the wilderness of the great continent is experienced when one visits the Kruger National Park inaugurated by South African president Paul Kruger in 1898. The park borders Mozambique and more impressive than its size is the diversity of wildlife that it has. Thousands of mammal species including lions, cheetahs, leopards, zebras, giraffes, hippos, warthogs, wild dogs, antelopes, rhinos, buffaloes, and elephants roam around the extensive plains and waterways of the park. One can observe a complete food web on the outskirts of the Savannah. Not only that, many tall and raised mounds of soil called termintariums, the houses of the termites, can also be seen.
The opportunity to see wildlife is superb. African Savannah is famous for supporting the big five mammal species, as classified by international hunters, which include lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants. It is believed that at an average a tourist may rarely be able to see the big five in a single safari day, the most elusive being the leopard. The classification so done is on the bases of giant, mighty and fierce physiological features and the hardships that a hunter undergoes in hunting the big five.
It is quite amazing that these areas that exist in the remote part of the country are visited by thousands of visitors. In the vast wild areas there are rest places for tourists. There are developed traditional huts and other places that are quite distinct in the Savannah having all the facilities that tourists look for. These rest places include Skukuza, Mopani, Satara, Letaba, Orpan and some others. Here, at night time open air movies are shown to provide tourists with more information on the region.
Many tourists use private vehicles for a short safari, but those who want to enjoy a long and extensive safari hire services of tour operators having special safari overlander vehicles as the safe mode of transportation. During early an morning safari and game drive the typical African sunrise is one of the most fascinating sights that many people would like not to miss. At that time the probability factor to see most of wildlife is higher. During midday the chances become less to sight different wildlife, but again the evening safari and game drive make tourists enjoy the typical African sunset.
In many places like the Ambosili National Park, people of local communities called Masai, sell wooden articles and such stuff representing their culture to tourists. Masai is a famous African tribe who hold a club in one hand and wear clothes with red as the prominent colour. Mainly the articles and handicrafts represent wildlife and the Masai culture of Kenya. In Masai Mara, Tanzania, wilderness becomes a general feature of the region, where one sees grassy plains and Acacia trees all around.
The Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, in northern Tanzania, depict the entire wild world. On these endless grassy plains one can have an opportunity to see a live ‘the prey and predator’ game: a victim eaten up by scavengers, lots of elephants passing by tourists vehicles, groups of tourists gathering at a point to see a resting lion, zebras, giraffes, antelopes running around etc. All these could be seen from inside the vehicles without getting off them. In case of getting off the vehicle there is always a risk of mishap or it flouts rules and regulations of the authorities concerned.
In the Ambosili Nature Reserve one had the opportunity to see the highest mountain of Africa called Kilimanjaro, the snow of Africa, located in north-eastern Tanzania near the border with Kenya. Here, many tourists bring edible items and tents with them for an overnight stay.
Having seen all these things, visiting Africa was indeed a memorable experience.
The opportunity to see wildlife across the equator in the African Savannah is a unique and unforgettable experience. Landing on African soil brings images to mind of the movies made by the National Geographic Society in which predators make mincemeat of their prey. For a moment one feels uncertain when the eyes see no signs of such things. But when one proceeds to the remote and far-off areas towards the African Savannah, it becomes different. As far as one can see there lie grassy areas with all kinds of wildlife. This fascinates all those who are nature lovers, conservationists and professionals, not to mention those who have hectic working schedules.
The opportunity to see wildlife is superb. African Savannah is famous for supporting the big five mammal species, as classified by international hunters, which include lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants. It is believed that at an average a tourist may rarely be able to see the big five in a single safari day, the most elusive being the leopard. The classification so done is on the bases of giant, mighty and fierce physiological features and the hardships that a hunter undergoes in hunting the big five.
In many places like the Ambosili National Park, people of local communities called Masai, sell wooden articles and such stuff representing their culture to tourists. Masai is a famous African tribe who hold a club in one hand and wear clothes with red as the prominent colour. Mainly the articles and handicrafts represent wildlife and the Masai culture of Kenya. In Masai Mara, Tanzania, wilderness becomes a general feature of the region, where one sees grassy plains and Acacia trees all around.
