The Great Tours: African Safari

Begin your journey with a look at the origins and evolution of the safari, from its African roots as a trading journey to the hunting expeditions of the early 1900s to a form of popular tourism. Consider how Africa changed over the 20th century, and witness the rise of ecotourism. Survey the nature of safaris today.

Before you embark on your safari, you have a critical decision to make. Do you want to rent a car and manage your own safari (which offers the most freedom, privacy, and affordability), or do you want to hire a guide to plan your itinerary, outfit your trip, and educate you along the way? Consider the pros and cons of each.

Get an introduction to the five major safari categories. After reviewing them in total, this episode delves into safaris in East Africa: namely, in Kenya and Tanzania. Explore the wildlife on the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. Experience the hair-raising sounds of predators. And learn about the major threat that may exist for an East African safari.

Continue your study of safari categories. Here, tour the astounding wealth of Southern Africa, from the enormous Kruger National Park to Zimbabwe’s big-game landscape and to the wild wetlands of Zambia. Southern Africa is an awe-inspiring mix of desert and wetland safari activities. Find out what to expect and how to plan a trip to this magnificent region.

Shift your attention to the rivers and wetlands of Botswana, where the opportunity to view wildlife from the water is like nothing else. Whether from a boat or a dugout canoe (or “mokoro”), and whether you are birdwatching or big-game viewing, a water safari is without a doubt the crown jewel of the African safari experience.

The majority of safari experiences concentrate in the continent’s fertile savannahs and wetlands, but the arid regions of Namibia and the Atlantic coast of Africa hold countless treasures. Here, journey into the oldest desert in the world, view the magnificent red sand dunes, and learn about survival in a seemingly inhospitable climate.

Trek into the tropical mountains and valleys of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to get a first-hand look at our closest living relatives. From studying gorillas to chimpanzees, there is nothing more enchanting than sitting on the damp forest floor and gazing into the eyes of a great ape.

A night drive into the African bush offers a glimpse into a completely different world, from nocturnal animals to the breathtaking sky. This episode covers the basics of a night safari: what animals you might see, how they might behave, and what tools you need for successful and responsible viewing of animals at night.

Thus far, this series has covered where to go. Here, consider how to experience the safari. Should you soak it all up with the naked eye, or should you bring along your camera equipment to document it all? Whether you’re using an iPhone or the latest and greatest DSLR, learn a few strategies for capturing your trip on film.

While the most common image of a safari is one of riding into the bush in a 4x4 truck to get an up-close view of big mammals, a walking safari can be one of the most stunning ways to experience Africa. Step away from the bustle of the modern world, slow down, and pay attention to the many wondrous details you can see by foot.

Now that you have surveyed the range of geographies and types of safaris, shift gears to begin a multi-episode unit on the flora and fauna you might see on your safari. Here, start with the predators: the crowd-pleasing carnivorous animals at the top of the food chain. Meet the “killer” cats and dogs.

Continue your study of safari animals with this episode on “the hunted”: grazing herbivores that have evolved to thrive in the dangerous jungles and savannahs. From buffalo and antelopes to zebras and impalas, examine an array of herbivores and their astonishing adaptations for survival.

Meet the giant mammals of the African landscape: the elephant, the rhinoceros, the giraffe, and the hippopotamus. Each of these mega-herbivores is truly captivating, but they are also threatened by poaching. As you get to know each species, reflect on the illegal wildlife trade for some of the largest animals in the world.

You learned some ins and outs of a “primate safari.” Now, take a closer look at the great apes you might meet. Study the differences between lowland and mountain gorillas, consider the baboons and monkeys of the open plains, and learn about the much-adored nocturnal primates.

The giant animals might be the immediate crowd-pleasers, but the smaller mammals of Africa can be equally fascinating, and they play a critical role in the ecosystem. From mongooses and rabbits to the strange-looking pangolin, get an up-close look at an abundance of small mammals.

Snakes, lizards, toads, and frogs have a nasty reputation. They’re creepy, crawly, slithery, and cold-blooded. Yet reptiles and amphibians are an important part of Africa’s ecosystem, and, as you will learn in this episode, there is much more to these fascinating creatures than their nasty reputation. Learn about crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and more.

What would a safari be without the avian delights you are sure to encounter in Africa? Ostriches, eagles, flamingos, herons: Africa is home to countless species of truly amazing birds. Examine the stunning world of Africa’s birdlife, and see what equipment you need to make the most of your birding safari.

Africa is home to roughly a quarter of the world’s bird species, so anyone interested in avian diversity should make it a point to visit the continent. In this episode, you will travel to some of the top birding destinations in Southern Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania. Gain indispensable guidance for encountering things that fly.

Spotting the notable animals or identifying bird species might be a primary goal of your African safari, but getting to know the common botanical species is an integral part of the experience. Learn about Africa’s different biomes and the plants best suited for each region, and reflect on the intricate connections among the roots, branches, and flowers of life.

Did you know Africa is home to world-class beaches, wildlife-rich islands, exceptional scuba diving, and some of our planet’s best surfing breaks? Here, you will tour the tropical islands and beaches that offer an experience like no other. Travel to Madagascar, surf the coast of Cape Town, snorkel the reefs of the Seychelles, and more.

Listen: When you go on an African safari, you step away from the hum of household electronics, the wails of car horns and sirens, and experience the call of the wild. The chattering of crickets and frogs, the late-night howls of jackals, the iconic roar of the lions. Learn to observe not just with your eyes, but with your ears.

This series, so far, has traversed all the popular geographies and methods for taking a safari. Now, follow some of the less-traveled roads. Get to know the hospitality of Senegal, the deserts of Morocco, and the cultural melting pot of Ethiopia. See some of the “hidden gems” sprinkled across the continent.

The word “safari” comes from the Swahili word for “journey.” While safaris typically involve journeys into the wilderness, the cities and cultures of Africa offer a different kind of journey. From Cape Town to Nairobi and from the Zulus to the Maasai, experience the thriving cultures and communities across Africa.

The safari experience has changed mightily over the last century, and today, sustainability is one of the most important considerations for tourism. This series closes with a look at responsibility and conservation and what some of the leaders in the safari industry are doing to support local communities and to protect endangered species.