What is a Safari?
What is a Safari? What does the word “safari” signify and where did it originate? In what ways do safaris from the past differ from contemporary African adventures? For the finest safari experience, where should I go? All about this kind of natural vacation, written by professionals and admirers of safari.
The name “safari” brings up images of a party of travellers traversing an African savannah in pursuit of lions, rhinoceros, buffalo, and elephants, among other big wild animals. Images from the past frequently show guys wearing pith helmets and brandishing firearms, but images from the present day portray individuals driving SUVs and clutching long lens cameras. This is an animal hunt in the wide open spaces of the hottest continent, whether you choose to hunt in the traditional sense or just observe and take pictures. Fashionistas may also recall straight-cut, beige-coloured garments with a wide belt and a wide-brimmed hat, which were a holdover from the British military’s time spent in Britain’s African colonies. These are all of the first things that come to mind when we hear the lovely word “safari,” which has the sound of an Arabic given name.
Today’s safari is a sightseeing excursion to a national park in Africa with the primary goal of seeing wildlife. Safaris used to be planned with the intention of hunting big game. The traditional Big Five of Africa—the elephant, lion, rhino, African buffalo, and leopard—are connected to the continent’s hunting customs. These five mammals were prized as the most dangerous and challenging to hunt, and their body parts produced the most sought-after prizes.
These days, the majority of people in modern society condemn safari hunting. It is still allowed in a very small number of reserves, though. There are tight legal restrictions on this extremely costly hobby. Therefore, the great majority of safaris offered nowadays take place on off-road vehicles travelling along paths designated by national parks, where visitors can encounter wild animals, get up close and personal with them or through binoculars, snap photos, and see how they behave in their natural habitat. The primary language of the people of East Africa is Swahili, from whence the word “safari” is derived. This word translates to “journey, trip” and has its roots in the Arabic word “safar.”In nations where Swahili is spoken, the phrase can apply to any kind of travel. The expression “safari njema” is also often used! It is hoped for a happy and enjoyable voyage.
Types of Safari
In modern East Africa, a traditional safari is travelling across a national park’s vast breadth in an off-road vehicle with a driver-guide to see wild animals in their native environments. Herds of elephants, buffalo, zebras, and several species of antelope traverse the savannas and woods, accompanied by solitary or small-group giraffes. Monkeys and birds frequently live in the trees, and warthogs reside in the bushes’ shadows. Lion prides and single carnivores like cheetahs and leopards hunt large herbivores. Hyenas and jackals select smaller prey. To avoid the heat, crocodiles and hippos seek refuge in waterways. Safari travellers have a really special chance to witness all those breathtaking views that are alive with life.
What are the benefits of using a car to explore a national park? This enables you to witness a multitude of creatures across various kinds in a little two to three hours. Additionally, rangers use radio communication to alert safari car drivers to noteworthy sightings, such a large pride of lions or a rhinoceros, allowing you to promptly make your way to the area to witness those creatures. The most common safari style is the off-road vehicle ride, although there are other options as well. When safety permits, you can embark on a foot safari in certain parks. This is typically set up in places devoid of large herds grazing and where assaults by large animals are rare. An armed ranger goes with tourists for added security.
Safari walks provide you the opportunity to come as near as possible to the park’s natural setting, examine the native plant life, and learn about nature by first hand experience. Roaring over the savannah in a hot air balloon is one of the most breathtaking and unique safari experiences in Africa. This will ensure that everyone visiting a national park has an exciting time. As you soar into the sky in a hot air balloon, you’ll be able to take in the immensity of the landscapes below and experience the genuine sense of adventure that was immortalised in travelogues and books written before the industrial revolution. Contemporary airborne safari is an exclusive kind of entertainment that is more expensive than vintage vehicle trips but ensures incredible feelings and unique perspectives from the air.
Floating on the surface of lakes, rivers, or even the ocean is an amazing opportunity to experience Africa’s breathtaking natural surroundings from a different perspective. While cruising down a river in Tanzania, your guide will be regaling you with a variety of fascinating anecdotes about hippos and crocodiles. You will, of course, get to see those amazing creatures up close and personal! You can take a maritime safari to see several islands or take a boat excursion close to the mainland. Getting up close to dolphins and watching them play is one of the joys of a sea safari.
Where to go on Safari
East Africa’s Serengeti National Park is arguably the most well-known destination for safari tour enthusiasts. Many believe that the magnificent Serengeti landscapes are where the safari phenomenon originated. It is situated in Tanzania’s north. This national park has a natural extension in nearby Kenya, which goes by the name Maasai Mara National Reserve. Nearby is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, another renowned protected area. It is home to the largest ancient caldera in the world, an incredibly beautiful and unique sight. In his book “Serengeti Shall Not Die,” renowned naturalist Bernard Grzimek referred to it as a vast natural zoo. The “Big Five”—elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino—as well as enormous migratory herds of herbivorous animals call it home. The animals appear to be enclosed by a kind of natural barrier due to the sheer walls of the caldera.
Amboseli National Park and the Laikipia Plateau in Kenya, the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park in Botswana, the Kruger National Park in South Africa, and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda are a few additional noteworthy parks and protected regions. We should also bring up the well-known national parks of Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe and Mosi-Oa-Tunya in Zambia. Despite their small size, the primary benefit of these two national parks is that they are both close to the breathtaking Victoria Falls. The iconic Mt. Kilimanjaro volcano is another amazing location that can rival Victoria Falls in popularity. Its widespread recognition contributed to the rise in popularity of several lesser-known Tanzanian national parks, such Arusha National Park and Tarangire National Park.
Safari destinations in Tanzania
Tanzania’s most well-known protected areas are found in the north, roughly between Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria. The Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Arusha, and Kilimanjaro National Park itself—whose primary draw is the park’s name, the highest point in Africa—have already been mentioned. Apart from the Kilimanjaro hike, the northern region of Tanzania offers two more captivating ascents: to the summit of Meru, Kilimanjaro’s smaller sibling, and to Ol Doinyo Lengai, a mountain revered by the indigenous tribes. Lake Manyara National Park and the three large lakes of Manyara, Eyasi, and Natron are among the other well-known locations in the area.
