Five unmissable African safari experiences to take this year

Africa is such an amazing destination that should not miss o your bucket list. For those eager and looking for exciting adventures in Africa, there are lots of experiences to look at. From the big five safaris to unusual primate trekking safari experiences, Africa awaits you with a unique safari experience that you will never get elsewhere on planet earth!

The Great Wildebeest Migration
The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the unmissable adventures that has been even listed among the eight wonders of the world.

The wildebeests inhabit the Serengeti plains of Tanzania and for most of their lives graze in the savanna and woodland plains of Serengeti National Park of Tanzania and Masai Mara National Park of Kenya. National Geographic mentions that more than 1.5 million of wildebeests migrate and cross the Mara River at the end of the rainy season.

Watching the great wildebeest herds that thunder from Serengeti National Park of Tanzania to Masai Mara National Park of Kenya is one of the great wildlife spectacles that a tourist should not miss.

Gorilla trekking expeditions
Gorilla trekking is with no doubt an extra-ordinary African safari experience has to offer the world. There are multiple opportunities to explore and experience Africa on gorilla safaris and include embarking on a trek to see the rare mountain gorillas or eastern lowland gorillas.

Gorilla trekking in Africa is exceptional in the sense that you have a long day navigating through the lush rainforest in search of gorillas in their natural habitat not at the zoo.

Roughly there are about 1000 mountain gorillas left in the whole world and these are confined to the Virunga Volcanoes (which are split between Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo) and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of Uganda. A trek to encounter a family of endangered mountain gorillas is best done in the four national parks in Africa; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in South Western Uganda, the Volcanoes National Park in Northern Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Eastern D.R. Congo also offers excellent experience of meeting the Eastern lowland gorillas in their natural wild home.

Permits are essential when you think of going gorilla trekking in any of the five parks to see the endangered mountain gorillas. In Uganda, gorilla permits are now available for booking at US$800 per person and in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park you require USD 1500 per person to secure a valid gorilla permit.

Cultural safari experiences
A visit to Africa guarantees you not only a close encounter with the continent’s finest wildlife but also offers you a great chance to explore and experience the vibrant cultures, traditions and the unique cultural heritage. While on African Safari, it is possible to combine cultural experiences including community tours, home stays or village stays, as well cultural exchange programs onto your package.

The unique cultural experiences awaiting you on a safari in Africa include the Maasai cultural encounter in Kenya and Tanzania, the Karamojong community visit in North Eastern Uganda, the Batwa cultural experience in South Western Uganda, the Iby’Iwacu cultural village and Azizi Life in Rwanda, Hadza Bushmen experience in Tanzania, and more.

You can also get to explore the unique cultures from South Africa including winelands tours, traditional hunting expeditions and more.

Game viewing safaris
Africa is home to diverse wildlife! From the big five – lions, elephants, leopards, buffalos and rhinos to interesting big cats such as cheetahs, there is a lot to see on an African safari.

Game viewing is exceptional in Africa – think about lions hunting antelopes for a meal, wild dogs splinting through grasslands, hippos swimming in the water and more. There is a lot to see on an African safari that will involve you driving you through savanna grasslands and catching the wildlife from the comfort of an open safari car.

Some of the popular national parks where you can experience unrivalled game viewing include Kruger National Park of South Africa, Masai Mara and Amboseli National Park of Kenya, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Wilderness Area in Tanzania, etc.

Bird watching
Africa is a great bird watching destination! There is prolific birdlife that you can catch while on an African safari.

The continent also offers easy access to bird-rich habitats that include savanna grasslands, open woodlands, wetlands and more. Some of the national parks are rich in birdlife and you can easily spice up your game viewing with a bird watching experience.

Whether you are looking for forest birds, water birds or even migratory birds, you will probably identify many bird species while in Africa. From the Albertine Endemics to rare species like the shoebill stork, you can easily tick off your checklist while on an African safari in protected areas.

While on a birding safari, you will easily be helped by local guides in identifying bird species by call as well as general features and get to tick off your bird checklist in a less period of time.

Conclusion
The above are just a few travel experiences that you can add to your Africa bucket list. Going on an African Safari will lead you into discoveries of breathtaking wonders of the world and create lasting memories that will never fade. Get started today with planning your next trip by contacting a local safari planner today.

The article Five unmissable African safari experiences to take this year first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.