A traditional safari holiday usually involves an excursion into the African bush, where you track down the “African big five”, namely, the Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Buffalo, and Rhinoceros in a vehicle, and then watch them for a while. You may be thinking “those aren’t actually the biggest animals in Africa”, and you’d be right, but the term actually comes from the older form of safaris, when they used to be hunting trips for Europeans, when those five animals were the most prized trophies. While this is a valuable experience, and well worth the trip, the safari industry has branched off into numerous different areas, with multiple formats of safari trips. A newer format for your safari could involve walking through the bush instead of driving. This allows for a more in depth look at the ecosystem within Africa, while also providing ample opportunity to see some of the more majestic animals on offer. You may also benefit from the more covert nature of the format, as animals will be less aware of you, and therefore interact more naturally.
There are special considerations for any safari trip, particularly regarding individuals not used to the environment there. Simple things which are often overlooked would include things like warm clothing and bug spray. You need warm clothing as, while the days are very hot, the nights can turn bitterly cold. Bug spray is very important, as mosquito’s are one of the biggest risks in Africa, and bug spray can reduce the risk of catching Malaria or another exotic disease.
Safaris have been a staple holiday for generations, and have since branched out into numerous areas. While a traditional safari holiday where you go to see the “African big five” still makes for a great holiday, you can also go on other ecological tourism holidays, which offer a unique, life changing experience as well. With the recent end of civil wars in Africa, there are now tourist opportunities available for those with the desire to trek through the mountains, and see the interactions of mountain gorillas. If this isn’t for you, there is still a wide range of options for a traditional safari holiday. There are opportunities available for those with a specific interest in certain animals, such as Elephants, so that you can go on your safari holiday, while still focusing on the animal which most holds your interest.