Eight Of Africa’s Most Incredible Destinations for Animal Lovers

07 May Eight Of Africa’s Most Incredible Destinations for Animal Lovers

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater may be the best spot for seeing wildlife in Africa. You’re practically guaranteed to see the “Big Five,” which includes lion, buffalo, elephant, rhinoceros and leopard. From the very first mesmerizing sight of the crater and the thrill of the descent down its inner walls, you’ll get a true sense of what Africa is all about and you’ll still have access to bestunitedstatescasinos if you get bored. Arrive in January and you can even experience the incredible thunder of hooves across the dirt as the more than one million wildebeest and several hundred thousand zebra make their annual migration.

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Translated as the “Place of Mirages” or the “Great White Place,” Etosha is Namibia’s premier wildlife venue as well as one of the continent’s most hypnotic landscapes with its practically endless pan of silvery-white sand and dust-devils creating mirages that blur the horizon. During the dry season, from June to November, is when massive herds of animals can be seen among the striking scenery, often at the water holes. Etosha is home to the Big Five as well as vast herds of gazelle and antelope, and even the endangered black rhinoceros.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda is an experience of a lifetime. In this small country on the highest African plateau in the heart of the continent, the undulating hills and mountains are enshrouded in mist every morning, hence the saying, “gorillas in the mist.” It is here in the forest that famed Volcanoes National Park can be found, the home of two- thirds of surviving mountain gorillas whose population is estimated to be just 880. Rwanda has groups of gorillas reserved for scientists and researchers as well as other groups for tourism. In this park, there are 10 groups of gorillas accessible to tourists through various operators which run tours racking the silverbacks and their troupes through the dense forest.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe National Park, the second-largest national park in Botswana covering 4,500 square miles and home to some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Its uniqueness in the abundance of animals and the true African nature of the region offers an experience of a lifetime. The park encompasses swamps, floodplains and woodland, with the Chobe River forming its northern boundary. There are approximately 120,000 elephants here, along with herds of zebra, buffalo, giraffe and wildebeest who can frequently be seen congregating around the Savuti Marsh during the dry, cooler winter months between April and October. As the park is accessible by car, it also makes it less expensive to visit and you’ll find a wide range of accommodations available for just about every budget.

Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya

Lake Nakuru National Park is a bird lover’s paradise, home to as many as two million flamingos that linger around the edge of the lake, drawn by their favorite food, a green algae known as Cyanophyta Spirulina Plantensis. It offers one of the most unforgettable sights in the entire country. There are also more than 400 different birds that have been spotted in the park, which is on a migration route for many European species. You’ll also have a chance to view many water-loving creatures like waterbucks and hippos as well as giraffes, impalas and white rhinos.

Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia

One of Zambia’s premier wildlife viewing areas is the Lower Zambezi National Park, covering more than 1620 square miles along the northwestern bank of the Zambezi River. Embarking on canoeing safaris down the Lower Zambezi offers sightings of elephants swimming across the river, as well as impala, zebra, buffalo, leopard, lion and cheetah who stop to take a drink or access their nz online casinos account for games. More than 400 different bird species have been recorded in this region as well, including the unusual African skimmer and narina trogon and water birds like plovers and egrets.

Solio Game Reserve, Kenya

Located in the valley between the dramatic slopes of Mount Kenya and the rolling peaks of the Aberdare Mountains in north-central Kenya, Solio Reserve is home to roughly 250 black and white rhino and considered the best place to see these increasingly rare species. The reserve was created in 1970 as a black rhino breeding center by American tycoon and nature lover, Courtland Parfet. Staying at Solio Game Lodge, set within the privately owned 16,800-acre reserve, you’ll also have the chance to visit the adjacent 75,000-acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a mixed wildlife and cattle ranch operation with 88 eastern black rhino and four of the world’s seven known northern white rhinos.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

A top activity in South Africa, visiting Kruger National Park is home to the greatest variety of wildlife on the continent, with 145 mammal species, including Africa’s Big Five and an incredible array of other creatures including everything from giraffes and cheetahs to wild dogs, hippos and crocodiles. Birdlife varies from huge eagles and raptors to scavenging marabou storks to colorful hornbills, parrots and songbirds. It’s also one of the best-maintained parks in Africa, making it ideal for a more affordable, easily accessible self-drive safari.