10/12/2019
Africa’s Big Game Destinations
Travel made Easy for you to explore, discover and experience the beauty of Africa
African Big Game Safaris have been popular ever since due to its vast and rare wild animal populations.
We at Destination Africa dmc Ltd - Website: www.destinationafrica.co.ke
Are ever ready to tailor-make a holiday of a life-time in any of the popular Big Game African destination and should budget allow, you are at liberty, to combine a list of your preferred destinations of your choice.
African safaris have been popular since ages due to their vast and rare wild animal populations.
We at Destination Africa dmc Ltd are pleased to offer an insight for you to explore some of the top countries that makes the African continent an ecotourism tourist hub for perfect safari holidays
Big Game Regions:
Kenya and Tanzania leads the pack
In terms of game experience, these two countries leads the pack and welcome most tourists and in large numbers from across the globe for their vast wilderness, amazing landscape and, most of all, exotic animals in their natural habitats.
Kenya - The best country in Africa to visit for a safari holiday
If you are a first timer and may never get another chance to visit Africa, then think of no other country to visit. Kenya with over 50 national parks and game reserves, is rich in natural beauty and wildlife. This is the home of the Safari. Here, within a short period, you will spot The Big ‘Five’ and abundant game of different species.
The Masai Mara Game Reserve deserves a special mention as it hosts over 95 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and over 450 species of avifauna. Lions, leopards, rhinos, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and hippos are among the predominant species here, along with the wildebeest, whose annual migration from late June to November though is dependent on weather is a sight to behold.
One of the other topmost places of visit is Amboseli National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its elephant population and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Other top notch prime parks in Kenya include:
Samburu Game Reserve that hosts distinctive game 'only' found north of Equator line, and includes: the reticulated giraffes, grevy's zebras, beisa Oryx’s, Somali ostriches, a good number of predators etc other great game parks or conservations in the same region includes:
Lewa wildlife conservancy and Ol Pejeta private game ranches (The latter is a Chimps and Rhino Sanctuary), as well as some other great private game ranches also found in the north of Equator line,
In the South of Equator line, you find other popular game parks and reserves that apart the famous and 7th wonder of the world Masai Mara Game Reserve, includes: Tsavo East and West National Parks, with a square area more than Switzerland, Lake Nakuru National Park, Aberdares National Park, Mount Kenya National Park, Lake Naivasha, the only fresh water lake found in the Great Rift Valley and a very popular tourist destination for bird lovers, great hiking and walking with wild animals at both Hell's Gate National Park & Crescent Island, Lake Turkana, Saiwa Swamp Game Reserve, Lake Bogoria where hot springs (Geysers) sprung and flows into the lake etc,
Tanzania
Tanzania's Serengeti National Park is considered one of the best wildlife sanctuary in the world for viewing lions, boasting a large concentration – around 2,500 – of the animal. It also witnesses some of the biggest animal migrations in the world, of over a million wildebeest and zebras each year. More than 500 species of birds are also found in the area.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprises a variety of habitats like grasslands, forests, mountains, volcanic craters, lakes and swamp land, which are crucial for globally threatened species like the black rhino and during the migration of the wildebeest, zebras, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles each year. Ngorongoro Crater and Olduvai Gorge fossils are the key attractions.
Other popular destinations include Gombe Stream National Park, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park. With over 1,000 species, Tanzania is also an ideal place to spot some of the rarest birds.
Rwanda:
One of the fastest growing ecotourism destinations on the continent, Rwanda is known for its mountain gorillas whose population continues to rise because of conservationist efforts. To spot them, one needs to visit the Volcanoes National Park in a guided and timed tour. Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park are one of the top-rated places for spotting other primate species and the big five, i.e. lion, elephant, leopard, rhinoceros and buffalo
Uganda
Declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the best locations in the world to spot mountain gorillas up close, with nearly 400 of them living here. The thick jungle ecosystem also has around 120 mammal species and over 350 bird species.
Other attractions:
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers views of the rare tree-climbing lions as well as chimpanzees. Take a tour of the Murchison Falls National Park for spotting birds and mammals via a cruise along the Nile River. Kibale National Park is home to chimpanzees and more than 10 other primate species
Botswana
Botswana is famed for its wildlife conservation efforts. It is one of the world’s most sparsely populated nations, and offers miles and miles of pristine forest area that can be explored through walking, camping, and off-roading and even via a boat or canoe. While Chobe National Park is known for its huge elephant population, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Okavango Delta is famous for its canoe safaris and Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, one of the world’s largest salt flats, is a good spot for bird watching and game drives. Other popular destinations include Moremi Game Reserve, Nxai Pan National Park and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
Malawi
Although a small nation, Malawi can be visited for its biodiversity. Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa, occupies over one-fifth of the country’s total area. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, Lake Malawi National Park (pictured) lies at the southern end of the lake and is known for its abundant mammal, bird, plants and cichlid fish species. Other places of visit include national parks like Kasungu, Lengwe, Liwonde and Nyika; wildlife reserves like Majete, Mwabvi, Nkhotakota and Vwaza Marsh; and biosphere reserves like Lake Chilwa and the UNESCO listed Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve.
Namibia
Namibia is rich in wildlife – the sight of which is accentuated by the dramatic scenery of its deserts. Extending from eastern Namibia across most of Botswana, the Kalahari Desert offers varied landscapes and wildlife species, which are part of the three protected areas – Khaudum National Park, Kgalagai Trans frontier Conservation Area and Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
Regarded as the best place in Africa to spot cheetahs in the wild, it is also home to the regal black-maned lion and African wild dog. Another must-visit destination is the Namib Desert, which is home to some of the most diverse plant and animal species, including antelopes and short-eared elephant shrew. Etosha National Park is home to lions, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, springboks and gemsbok, which can be easily spotted around the water holes. One must visit the Cape Cross Seal Reserve for viewing the world’s largest Cape fur seal colonies.
South Africa
Kruger National Park, which spans the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, is one of the biggest national parks and the country’s top draw. It is home to over 140 mammal species, including the big five. More than 100 reptile species and around 500 species of birds are also found here. The area has several lodges and hotels that offer safaris of the wilderness. Another option is the Pilanesberg National Park which will give you a chance to view the incredible wildlife, enjoy game drives and relax amid the African bush. Other places of interest are Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, Madikwe Game Reserve and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Zambia
The country’s South Luangwa National Park provides an exhilarating experience due to its concentrations of wildlife around the Luangwa River and its lagoons. A prime destination for watching leopards, it also has wild buffaloes, zebras, hippos, elephants, lions and Nile crocodile in large numbers. Other popular destinations include the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, which offers views of the Cape buffalo, elephants, Angolan giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, crocodiles, hippos, impalas and antelopes. Lower Zambezi National Park is known for its canoe safaris. Bird lovers can head to Kasanka National Park, which boasts more than 400 avian species.
Zimbabwe
With steady and continuous infrastructure development since 2017, tourism in the country has only gotten better. Hwange is the largest national park which hosts at least 40,000 elephants. It also features over 400 species of birds and over 100 animal species, including zebras, hippos and crocodiles, which can be best spotted near the water holes from July to October. Mana Pools National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Victoria Falls National Park and the neighboring Zambezi National Park are some of the other ideal places for wildlife safaris
Mozambique
Mozambique is a divine destination for people who love pristine beaches and clear blue waters, and boasts a brimming marine life. Gorongosa National Park is the most popular and well-known spot for wildlife watching, while Niassa National Reserve, the largest in the country, boasts the biggest population of wild dogs and elephants. For ocean safaris and elephant sightings, head to Maputo Special Reserve
