5 of the Best Safaris in Africa

If you are someone who likes to be with the animals or experience how the animals live au naturale, you might want to take a tour of Africa's great safaris. Today, Country Reviews will be telling you which are the five best safaris there is in the big expanse called Africa.

1. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

The South Luangwa National Park in Zambia might not be the beautiful safari on the list, but it will be the hottest one, with temperatures ranging from 40C to 50C in the summer. However, this safari is one of the best walking safaris due to its great game and guides from Robin Pope Safaris (http://www.robinpopesafaris.net/).

Guests would walk a few hours a day, stopping to absorb in the sights of the safari and learning about the living creatures in the Park, like the buffalo. Even though it might be dangerous with wild animals around, it is the best way to experience the atmosphere and listen to what the wildlife has to offer. You can see crocodiles relaxing in the water, elephants bathing their young and the Luangwa fire will warm you up at night whenever you are feeling cold. This safari is pristine and it is one of the best place to experience nature.

2. Mundulea Nature Reserve, Namibia

Another great safari is the Mundulea Nature Reserve, located in Namibia. It is enveloped by bush and the large plains and rugged hills would make any explorer's day. But the best thing about this Safari are their exceptionally trained guide and their vision to make Mundulea one of the best Nature Reserve. 

Bruno Nebe, founder of this particular nature reserve and owner of Turnstone Tours (www.turnstone-tours.com) , is an excellent guide with an eye towards the area's unique ecology. He explains every detail of the Safari clearly and enthusiastically and even possesses facts that other guides do not know.

Herds of Eland and some leopards fill the primary area of the reserve, with Rhinos a rare sight. With such rare game on sight at the Mundulea Nature Reserve, coupled with a great safari guide in Bruno Nebe, the Mundulea Nature Reserve is bound to make you a very happy man even after you completed the tour.

3. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

The Maasai Mara in Kenya is also another ideal safari with many leopards, cheetahs and lions. This Kenyan Safari always delivers with prides of cats roaming in its premise. I saw a male lion roaring from atop of the hill in the morning with pride all around him with the sun rising up from the horizon.

For any visitors, the best time to visit the Maasai Mara National Reserve would be in July, where migrating beasts and zebra herds arrive from the Serengeti area in large numbers with even the most experienced Safari fans being amazed. The endless space and freedom that the reserve would give you is intoxicating.

You can either embark on a walking safari or a driving safari, both satisfactory in terms of the wildlife you will experience. See birds flying over you or elephants roaming in the sparse lands that Kenya has to offer you with the blue skyline over your head.

4. Kruger National Park, South Africa

The Kruger National Park is located in South Africa and is one of the most developed Safaris in the world. With the country being known for its wildlife and nature, Kruger Park brings to you a balance of both. The south of Kruger contains enclaves of luxurious lodges with exquisite cuisine and wines imported in from only the best wine makers in the world. Their guides are also excellent, however, Kruger cannot offer to you the unique bushy experience.

The vegetation and variety of life are uncanny and contains more than 20 tents facing the large river with communal areas for dining and other services connected by clear walkways. This large area encompassing over tens of thousands of hectares is planned to join with Zimbabwe and Mozambique, connecting the 3 parks in each country together to form a Super-Park.

5. Ngoronoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

Last but not least on our list would be the Ngoronoro Conservation Area deep in Tanzania. The Ngoronoro possesses a large crater where the whole array of game can be seen 12 months a year. There are many accommodation for the tourist to stay in at the crater, however, I advise you to not stay near the crater due to safety issues, but rather, relocate either to the South or the North of the crater, visiting the crater on the way through.

It is at the crater where you would find some of the most exotic and rare mammals on display, such as the elusive black rhino with its majestic posture and rough skin. It is truly a breathtaking experience for any photographers with over hundreds of wildlife inhabiting the crater. The area is also home to the Maasai, a group of nomadic people living in Kenya and Tanzania.