Thank You, Africa!

Have you ever given any thought of going on a safari to Africa? How about putting that on your bucket list? What an exciting adventure that would be to experience Africa firsthand. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime-trip! I wish I had put it on my bucket list when I was younger. Now, I can only dream of going, or invite you to go.

The African continent remains in my mind as a wonderland of beauty, hidden mysteries, unrelenting heat, mingled with the brutality of the animal kingdom who live under the mantra of survival of the fittest and by the unforgiving creed of eat or be eaten.

First of all, there are numerous safari sites on the web that advertise tours for the entire family should you desire this type of adventure. It is recommended that first-time visitors visit Masai Mara, Kenya, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Kruger National Park, South Africa, Chobe National Park, Botswana, or South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. There are other recommendations for seasoned visitors.

The ‘Big Five’ safari is considered the royalty of South African safaris in which you can view the African elephant, the African lion, African leopard, the Cape buffalo, and the white or black rhino. The “Big Five’ is a name derived from hunters who consider these animals the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. However, there are other beautiful animals that are not on the ‘Big Five’ list that are just as exciting to see: the cheetah, African wild dog, giraffe, and of course, the infamous hippo. It becomes a matter of personal preference.

Now, you may be wondering if it’s dangerous to go on safari. According to the sites I visited, the most danger lies in the tiniest of creatures known as a mosquito that carries malaria. Actually, the most dangerous land mammal in Africa is the hippopotamus. This animal is aggressively territorial and kills 500 people per year with its long razor sharp teeth or crushes them beneath its extremely heavy body. You must never get between a hippo and the water.

The best time to go on safari to South Africa is during the dry season from May to October when the daytime temperatures are milder and the risk of malaria is at its lowest. The nights, however, will be cooler during these months. This is also the best time for game viewing because the animals are gathering at the waterholes for a drink, and they won’t be foraging because vegetation is scarce and the trees are no longer bearing fruit.

You may wondering how much all of this may cost. There are safaris that fit every budget. However, they do tend to be expensive because of the lack of infrastructure in the bush; everything has to be brought in. The more amenities you demand, the higher the cost per person. Therefore, on average, your cost can range from $150 to $750 per nite all the way up to $1500.00 per nite.

After going on safari, Jurga writes in her blog , “No matter how many pictures you have seen or what expectations you have, the very first moment you see African animals in the wild will be unforgettable.” Then, to remember your adventure, you can proudly display a StickerTalk sticker of the wonderful, unforgettable continent of Africa!

Sources:

https://www.go2africa.com/african-travel-blog/best-african-safari-tours-top-10-picks

https://www.wanderlust.co.uk/content/the-best-african-safari/