Africa Safaris and Gorilla Trekking Tours

Africa is inhabits some of the most diverse and spectacular wildlife on the planet hence giving nature enthusiasts, adventurers and photographers unique adventure encounters as they observe wildlife animals in their natural vegetation habitats.

While on safari adventure in Africa, you can embark on a Wildlife Safaris or go Gorilla Trekking in Eastern and Central Africa i.e Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. This essential article gives you information regarding the two extraordinary activities, highlighting the best destinations, what to expect and the significance of wildlife conservation in Africa.

Wildlife Safaris in Africa

A Wildlife safari in Africa is a unique adventure experience for many travelers as they get to witness the “Big Five” (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) as well as countless other species in their natural habitats. These Safaris are allocated into various formats i.e traditional game drives, walking safaris and boat safaris.

Top Wildlife Safari Destinations in Africa

1. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park is the most prominent wildlife safari destination in the world offering unforgettable wildlife safaris to all travelers visiting Tanzania on holiday vacation. The Park is known to have all the Big Five wildlife animals (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) which are watched on Game Drive as you transfer from one track to another taking many photos with your camera or binoculars. other  than the Big Five, travelers can also watch animals like Wild dog, Spotted hyena, Wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, zebra, eland, jackal, bat eared fox, gazelle, giraffe, cheetah etc.

The Park also has the unique great wildebeest migration which attracts many travelers to Tanzania. This gives them a chance to watch multitudes of wildebeest, zebras, four hoofed wildlife animals traverse the Serengeti and Mara Rivers annually.

          2. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Located in southwestern Kenya, the Masai Mara is known for its vast plains, which are teeming with diverse wildlife hence a very good destination for all traveler on Wildlife Safari. The Park is known to have Africa’s Big Five Wildlife animals i.e (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) and others which include; Wild dog, Spotted hyena, Wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, zebra, eland, jackal, bat eared fox, gazelle, giraffe, cheetah etc.

        3. Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Okavango Delta is a unique inland delta that floods seasonally, forming a paradise for wildlife. The Delta is located in the Northern part of Botswana offering safaris, birdwatching adventures, eco-tourism. Unlike most river deltas that drain into the sea, the Okavango delta does not flow to any ocean or sea but rather, it floods into the Kalahari Desert forming a large life sustaining wetland.

This delta covers an area of about 15,000 square kilometers with seasonal rainfall. During the annual floods, the water can expand over 22,000 square kilometers, making it one of the largest inland deltas in the world.

Travelers her can explore the delta by mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe), walking safaris, or vehicle-based safaris. Watch many wildlife species like elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a rich variety of birds.

       4. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park is one of the vast game reserves in Africa offering remarkable wildlife safaris to all travelers on holiday vacation in South Africa. The Park is situated in the North Eastern part of South Africa covering an area of 19,485 square kilometers inhabiting wildlife animals, ecosystems. The park was founded to protect wildlife from hunting and encroachment.

The park is situated in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa stretching from the crocodile River in the South to the Limpopo River in the North bordering Zimbabwe in the North and Mozambique to the East.

Various habitats can be explored in the park and these include; savannah, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands and riverine forests. The park is home to all of the Big Five and is one of the best places for self-drive safaris, though guided tours are also available.

       5. Chobe National Park, Botswana

Known for its large population of elephants, Chobe National Park is located in the North Eastern part of Botswana and known to offer amazing Wildlife Safaris to all travelers on safari vacation. The park covers an area of 11,700 square kilometers with many species of wildlife, terrain landscapes that can be explored. The park stretches along the banks of Chobe River close to the borders of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia.

The park includes; riverine forests, dry Savannahs, woodlands and ecosystems. The Park is ideal for Boat Safaris on which you view animals like elephants, buffaloes and hippos etc.

       6. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Hwange National Park is situated in the northwest corner of Zimbabwe spanning an area of 14,650 square kilometers (5,650 square miles). It includes vast terrain landscapes, woodlands, savannas, and grasslands, diverse ecosystems and an impressive array of wildlife.

The park is situated on the Kalahari sand basin with land which is relatively flat with occasional seasonal waterholes, pans and saltpans. The park includes the mopane woodlands in the eastern regions.

The Park comprises of vast herds of elephant, lions, leopards, wild dogs that are watched on guided safari experience.

Safari Activities and Experiences

• Game Drives: The traditional safari experience involves early morning and late afternoon game drives in 4×4 vehicles. These drives are led by expert guides who know where to find wildlife and understand animal behavior.
• Walking Safaris: Walking safaris allow visitors to explore the bush on foot, guided by experienced rangers who teach about the ecosystem, animal tracks, and the smaller creatures often missed during a game drive.
• Boat Safaris: Available in areas like the Okavango Delta, boat safaris provide a unique perspective of wildlife, especially for aquatic species like hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.
• Hot Air Balloon Rides: In some parks like the Serengeti and Masai Mara, hot air balloon safaris offer a breathtaking aerial view of the landscape and wildlife, particularly during the migration season.

Gorilla Trekking in Africa 

Other than Wildlife Safaris in Africa, travelers can engage in Gorilla Trekking Adventures as they get to watch the endangered Mountain Gorillas in their natural forest vegetation habitats. Gorilla Trekking in Africa takes place in the dense forests of Central and East Africa.

Places to Go Gorilla Trekking

1. Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Rwanda referred to as the country of a thousand rolling hills is one of the top destinations for trekking the majestic Mountain Gorillas in the wild. Gorilla Trekking in the country takes place at Volcanoes National Park which is situated a few kilometers off Kigali City requiring travelers to drive for 2 to 3 hours towards Ruhengeri Musanze.

The park is home to various habituated Mountain Gorilla families that are trekked in groups with park rangers as you leave the Kinigi park headquarters to enter the green forest habitat to trek the primates for a period of 3 to 5 hours till you meet them and in an hour, take many photos to keep. Trekking the majestic Mountain Gorillas costs US $1500 per person.

       2. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Uganda is another prime location for trekking Gorillas and this is done at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park located in the South West of Uganda. To trek the Gorillas, you shall need a valid Gorilla Trekking Permit which costs US $800 per person interested in watching the rare species of Mountain Gorillas in their natural forest habitat.

Trekking the Gorillas in Bwindi is quite challenging as you follow through rugged terrain and thick forest vegetation and when you meet the Gorillas, an hour is allowed to stay in their presence taking various photos to keep.

Other than Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, travelers can trek Mountain Gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also located in the South West of Uganda. Trekking Gorillas here differs as you get to watch the Gorillas up close in the bamboo vegetation and forest.

       3. Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park

Virunga National Park in the DRC offers a more remote and adventurous trekking experience as you get to trek and watch the Mountain Gorillas in DR Congo. Virunga National Park is located a few kilometers off Goma Town. Trekking in Virunga gives you a chance to trek the Mountain Gorillas in Congo and the trekking expedition is the same giving you a chance to stay in the presence of these for a period of an hour.

Other than Virunga, travelers can explore and trek Eastern Lowland Gorillas at Kahuzi Biega National Park situated after Bukavu Town in the Southern province. However, due to political instability in the region, travel advisories and security concerns should be considered before planning a trip.