When you think African Safari, you probably picture khaki clad tourists with massive cameras, snapping away from the back of a safari vehicle. And you would be right, game drives are the most common way to explore the game reserves across Africa. The question is, are game drives the best way for you to see the animals on your safari?
Honestly, yes. If you have a short timeframe or a shoestring budget, then game drives are the best way for you to safari. Game drives give you the best chance of getting close to the animals, quickly. The wild animals are so used to the safari vehicles that they don’t bat an eyelid and you can often get so close to the animals that even the cellphone camera needs more distance!
But, in order to really immerse yourself in Africa, you need to get out of the car and into nature. Seasoned safari lovers will often tell you that walking safaris are the best way to explore the bush. They might be right. Nothing will get your adrenaline going like walking up to a herd of animals with nothing between you and their sharp teeth. But bush walks are about more than the big animals. A top walking guide will teach you about tracking, the plants and their medicinal uses, find the smaller animals and immerse you in nature. A walking safari can be as long or as short as you like, so even us gentle walkers can manage it.
The traditional Mokoro canoes allow you to sit back in silence while your guide gently poles you through the river channels. Suddenly you realise that there is no such thing as silence in the African bush. All around you is a chorus of whistles, croaks and chirps, interspersed with the odd roar or grunt. As you glide along, animals come down to the water to drink and you get wonderful photographs of them facing you. Mokoroing probably won’t allow you to see loads of animals, but the peace you feel in the wilds of Africa will stay with you for a long time.
If you want to cover ground and get closer to the animals that the Mokoro allows, then a boating safari is a great option. The motor allows you to go further, but sill gives you a sense of peace. And of course there is no bouncing around. So, throw a line, have a G&T and hope for some fantastic sightings
Other safari experiences such as horse riding, bicycle safaris, visiting conservation centers and sleeping out in the bush are all worthwhile, especially if you are traveling with young people. The best way to keep youngsters engaged in the family safari is by making sure there are lots of varied activities to enjoy.
My own personal favourite safari activity is the sofa safari. When everyone in camp has gone off on their activity and the camp is quiet, I will sniff out the best spot for watching the animals. Armed with a drink, binoculars and a book, I wait for the animals to come to me. It works! I have seen some amazing things, without moving from camp.
It is important to make sure you chose lodges that include a variation of activities and experiences to give you a well rounded safari experience.