When we go on an African safari we make sure to chat with other visitors and for the last sixteen years we have compiled the following list of the top ten reasons people leave the comfort of their homes to travel south or east from Africa on a trip. Guided or self-drive safari.
If you have been on safari or are thinking of going, see if your reason relates to any of the ten listed below.
They are listed in order of importance:
1. Relaxation – People need to escape the stress of work and just relax. Some people relax by the pool, read a book on the camp lawn, while others want solitude – the peace and quiet you get in the bushveld camps of Kruger or the wilderness camps of Kgalagadi. However you relax, recharging your batteries by breaking the routine in an African national park is good medicine.
2. Photography – The ‘big five’, the ‘super seven’ and the ‘elusive eleven’ are all exciting animals to photograph and your photos will provide perfect souvenirs for you to take home. The southern African parks of Kruger, Kgalagadi, Etosha and Pilanesberg are ideal game-watching destinations, as they all provide excellent wildlife photography opportunities.
3. Nature – Some people go on an African safari for educational reasons, such as observing endangered species, documenting certain animals and plants, or seeing how many different birds and mammals they can see and mark.
4.Family and friends – Many people have friends and/or family scattered all over the world and going on a safari together is the ideal way to be together while experiencing wildlife and nature.
5. Food and Culture – People want to experience different cultures and an African safari will expose you to many unique cultures, from the Himba tribe in Namibia and the Zulus in South Africa to the Maasai in Kenya. And don’t forget the many different foods! We have had delicious German food in Namibia; succulent seafood in Mozambique and Tanzania and tried almost all the game in South Africa, of which the elephant and impala were delicious.
6. Attractions – These can be natural attractions such as stunning scenery such as Victoria Falls or luxury accommodation such as those found in private lodges in Kruger Park or East African parks. Another draw is the weather: when it snows in Europe and America, Africa has sunny skies with balmy nights!
7. Activities – Nature photo tours, trekking, mountain biking, horseback or elephant safaris and even lectures are activities that can enhance your safari experience.
8. honeymoon – If you are getting married, you want to go to a special place to celebrate and most of the national parks in South and East Africa offer the ideal setting for you. Most game reserves and rest camps have at least one private chalet that is perfect for honeymooners.
9. Spiritual – The African safari experience will affect most people and they should start thinking about life: appreciate what they have, thank God for his many blessings and also reflect on questions like ‘Where do we come from?’, ‘What is the purpose of life?’ Y ‘What happens to us after we die?’.
10. Healing – People often visit national parks to scatter the ashes of a loved one, as the place has a special meaning for them. Kruger Park is one of those popular places where you can combine a safari with the healing act of returning a loved one to nature.
So you may identify with one of the above reasons or your reason may be a combination of the above. Be that as it may, traveling on a safari can and should be an unforgettable experience.
