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How to Plan for Your Safari in the African Savannah

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on September 14, 2008
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You are excited about the idea of a vacation in Africa, a place you have never been before. When you think of Africa, perhaps you have in mind images of vast plains dotted with wild animals, but little else about what exactly to expect. You have decided that the perfect vacation for you would be a safari in the African Savannah, but where to start planning your trip?

Safaris in the African Savannah are an experience like no other. You have often had to watch “The Lion King” with your children, and now this is your chance to be in your own version! The African Savannah is known throughout the world as a place where many diverse species of animals live, and safaris in the African Savannah allow you to see them.

Some people think that while they are on a safari in the African Savannah they will see every exotic animal that they expect to see. However, this is not necessarily true. It all has to do with where the safari guides decide to direct the safari through, as well as the animals themselves. For example, if you take your safari on a particularly hot day, you might not see as many animals, since they will most likely look for the shade. Early morning or late evening may be the best times to look.

If you do get to see lots of exotic animals, there are some safety precautions that you should follow. Some of these safety precautions can include not making loud noises, and staying in the vehicle at all times. Also, if you plan on taking pictures, you will most likely have to turn off your flash, so that the flash does not startle the animals.

Remember, as beautiful as a safari in the African Savannah can be, it can also be expensive. First, you need to consider the cost of the plane tickets, which all has to do with the airline that you choose, as well as where you are flying from. Next, you need to find suitable accommodations, which will take a considerable amount of research.

Be sure that wherever you plan to stay, it is in a safe area, as well as an area that is close to where you will plan on going for your safari. If where you plan on staying is a bit more expensive, be sure that you book far enough in advance that you can start saving some money!

With such a lot to consider, and so many locations and tours to choose from, it pays to take the time to learn more about your options and what to expect. Fodor's hot new African Safari Planner is one of the best resources available. Fodor's The Complete African Safari Planner, 1st Edition: With Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa & Tanzania (Full-Color Gold Guides)

Paperback: 584 pages
Publisher: Fodor's; 1 edition (August 5, 2008)
Language: English

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African Safari Holidays For Adventure Thrills

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on September 4, 2008
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African safari holidays are thrillers in more ways than one. These African holidays will be more thrilling than the most exciting movie because an African safari holiday takes place in fabulous natural settings with big skies and powerful waterfalls. An African safari holiday is a thriller because of the views of gigantic animals such as hippos or elephants making their way through their natural homes. An African safari is thrilling because of the minute birds and crazy monkeys as they play or search for their food. In the zoo where most people view animals, a trainer in a uniform with a bowl of hay is not the same as a monkey going after a banana in a tree.

African safari holidays are possible in many different countries on the dark continent of Africa. Kenya has a huge number of wild animals roaming about the countryside where tourists can go on an African safari. An African safari in Kenya might include accommodations at one of the beautiful hotels located around the country. Some of the hotels are closer to the animals than others, and tourists will be pleased with most of these hotels as part of their African safari holiday. The tour busses leave from the hotels to view elephants, zebras and other beautiful and impressive animals moving about the countryside.

African Safari Holidays Come In Many Prices And Arrangements

Any tourist can spend a little or a lot on an African safari holiday. There are some great packaged African holidays already in South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana and Namibia. Those who want a unique experience should make arrangement for a camping trip in the wild where they will be closer to the animals. The expert guides know the countryside, they know the animals and they know how to take care of their guests. An African safari holiday can return the guests to their hotel every night, but there is nothing quite as exciting as an African safari that spends the nights out in the wild among the animals.

African safari holidays come in all shapes and sizes. There are African safari holidays that will fit in many budgets, and there are African holidays for only those with deep pockets. The main attraction of an African safari will always be the wonderful animals in natural settings. The accommodations and meals are secondary but important. Those who want a luxurious camping trip in the wild will find great possibilities. Those who want a quick trip fit for a meager budget will also be able to find an African safari holiday at a reasonable price.

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Danger And Beauty On An African Safari

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on June 1, 2008
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The danger and beauty of wild, unrestrained nature as it has been for so many years has intrigued and enthralled people around the world since David Livingston wrote home to England of his adventures in Africa.  An African safari has long been in the top list of many a traveler's dream vacations.  How exciting it would be to see a lion, the King of the jungle himself, lounging in the shade with the rest of his pride.  To be so close to danger, and yet still safe from it all is one of the reasons safaris and Africa are so popular.
 
When most people think of Africa and safaris, their mind automatically goes to the Serengeti. This gorgeous expanse of African wilderness has been home to many different thrilling animals from almost the dawn of time. Seeing elephants and hippos and giraffes, in addition to so many others, makes for a very memorable experience. Your poor camera will be so completely worn out.
 
Like A Scene From "Out Of Africa"
 
Which countries in Africa offer the best in attractions and tours?  Kenya usually finds itself at the top of the list for safaris in Africa.  Travel to this country's most beautiful parks during seven or ten day jaunts that offer an array of experiences you could only dream about.  Tanzania, with a park located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zambia are also popular destinations for safaris in Africa.

But there are reputable companies in other parts of Africa as well.  Do your research and read all information thoroughly before committing your time and money to anywhere in particular.  There are also web sites, like The Virtual Tourist that offers ratings and comments from people who have already been where you are going. 
 
For some people, booking an African safari sounds very difficult and time consuming.  The nervousness and excitement of visiting another country so far from your home can also put you on edge.  And maybe at one time planning was a headache, but not anymore.  Thanks to the internet, companies are making it easier than ever for you to have the vacation of a lifetime.

African Safari tour organizers like the African Safari Club, for example, can set you up with all the travel arrangements in place for your safari expedition. You can choose from different tour packages - and select how many days you want - and you are almost good to go.  Some parks require an admittance fee that is not included in the safari price.  But this can be handled locally and still through the company.

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An African Wildlife Safari Is A Remarkable Excursion

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on May 29, 2008
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A hippo in a zoo is a fascinating sight, and a lion in a circus is an interesting creature. On an African wildlife safari, you can see these creatures in their natural habitats so the experience is more incredible. An African wildlife safari is probably one of the most interesting excursions that anyone can have in this modern world. Although there are the modern amenities in the cities, an African wildlife safari takes the guests to landscapes filled with animals untouched by the progress of the rest of the world. Many of the game reserves that will be viewed on an African wildlife safari are strictly protected to preserve the natural habitats of the animal's native to the African continent.

An African wildlife safari can take place in several countries, and Kenya is the most popular place to start. Kenya has some of the most fascinating places to view the animals of this mysterious continent. The accommodations in Kenya range from five star hotels to camps closer to the animals. An African wildlife safari will take the travelers to the preserves located throughout the country to view lions in their prides, hippos in the water and zebras eating on the plains.

An African Wildlife Safari Views Life In The Wild

The largest continent of Africa has the preserves that are familiar to those that have watched movies or documentaries filmed in Africa. There are also many isolated places that have remarkable scenery and animals roaming freely through nature. South Africa has some exciting preserves, wonderful hotels and excellent transportation. Tanzania borders Kenya, but the preserves in Tanzania are more remote and less crowded. There are African wildlife safaris throughout Tanzania that provide guests with fancy hotels rooms or camping sites in the wild closer to the animals.

African wildlife safaris are possible in Botswana and Namibia. These countries are off the beaten track so the experiences are more unique. There are excellent accommodations for visitors in these countries so they can view the wildlife roaming free. In Botswana, travelers can view the magnificent Victoria Falls and the wildlife in the Kalahari Game Reserve. There are cheetahs, gazelles and exotic birds in the wild. There are no enclosures or cages like those in the local zoo. In Namibia, guests can drive or fly over the natural habitats with cheetahs, springbok and impala. Those looking for an adventure should plan an African wildlife safari for a memorable time. An African safari takes place in magnificent surroundings, and an African safari is full of incredible images.

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Ernest Hemingway and African Safaris

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on May 23, 2008
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In one way or another, we have all had contact with the work or read about the life of the famous American writer Ernest Hemingway. We don't usually associate Hemingway with hunting expeditions or wilderness. Those who know a bit about the man have read of swashbuckling tales of drinking, bull fighting and hard living. We knew him as an avid sportsman who even penned one of his great books, The Sun Also Rises, around the annual running of the bulls in Spain. However, what the average person might not know is that Hemingway travelled to Africa to hunt twice in his lifetime and wrote several short stories and novels about the experience. Hemingway is even credited by some with bringing the Swahili word "safari" into common usage in the English language. Although he was not considered one of the greatest hunters, his love of the experience led him to a close understanding of the Kenyan people, which was uncommon in his time.

His first visit to the African continent was in 1933 with his second wife, Pauline. Together they visited both Kenya and Tanzania. During this time, and even before he went on his first African hunt, Hemingway became sick with dysentery. For several weeks, he was laid up in a hospital in Nairobi, where he met other adventure-seeking men from America and Europe. After mending and continuing with the safari, Hemingway returned home to write The Green Hills of Africa. The book's poor sales depressed him, but the two shorter works he penned on the trip, The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber and The Snows of Kilimanjaro, are considered classics about African hunters.

In 1954, the great writer set out on another African safari with his fourth wife, Mary. By this time, Hemingway was drinking far too much, but his love of the safari called him to travel once again. It was a dangerous time, as Kenya's Mau Mau was rebelling against British colonists. Still, it was not the violent rebellion that almost cost the Hemingways their lives. The Hemingways were involved in two serious plane crashes that almost killed them and the injuries Hemingway suffered plagued him for the rest of his life. He wrote about this second safari and his relationship with a young African girl in True at First Light, a book that is written as fiction but generally considered autobiographical.

Many modern companies have sought to emulate the Hemingway safaris. Various packages are available for African and especially Kenyan tours, mostly for the enjoyment of taking pictures or observing the wildlife. Many of these modern tours involve high quality lodges rather than the camping experience of Pappa's day. While expensive, many of these modern safaris boast fine lodges and private guides to take tourists through the African jungles and plains. Most of these new wildlife safaris have private itineraries that can be changed at a moment's notice and private trail cars and guides. While they're still connected to the beauty of the African landscape, they offer controlled environments that often tour through preserves and national parks. Some of the more famous of these tours bring back memories of Hemingway's more famous works, but most are not cheap. One company offers a 14-day experience called the Kilimanjaro tour that costs over three thousand dollars. Others offer excursions to places like Uganda to view gorillas.

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Private African Safari Adventure

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on May 20, 2008
in Africa, African Safari and African Wildlife
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In order to experience one of the greatest adventures of a lifetime you must first travel to Kenya in Africa. A private safari in Africa is probably the greatest pleasure and excitement that you can ever imagine. The Governors Private Camp in Masai Mara, Kenya is a world class wonder. This mobile private Africa safari will be tailored to suit your individual pleasures. The world famous staff is experienced and skilled to please each and every guest in the true private African safari style. The wildlife in Masai Mara is absolutely incomparable to any other wildlife in the world.

The animals in this area flow throughout the entire year. If you are lucky enough to take your private African safari sometime between July and October, the Mara becomes the backdrop for one the world’s greatest spectacles. There are approximately 1.4 million wildebeest and zebra that surge up from the Tanzania’s Serengeti plains for their annual search of their life sustaining seasonal grasses. These animals sweep through the tall golden grasses and rivers in gigantic swarms. Their encounters with predators are a jaw dropping event on your African private safari. Your guides from the Governors Private Camp know exactly where to place you for that perfect view of one of the world’s greatest wonders.

The Accommodations

The accommodations for this private Africa safari rival no other. With the backdrop of a colorful jungle and thousands of birds and butterflies, your luxurious accommodations are astounding. Elephants wander through camp at night and leopards call nearby. Your suites are luxurious African tents under canvas with a private veranda. You have your own bucket shower, a flush toilet and water basin. There is electricity and, believe it or not, room service.

The executive chef at the Governors Private Camp will see to it that every meal is of the highest quality. Many meals are the wild game that you catch that day. The dining room is open with a view of the Mara River. You will experience three game drives daily and game walks on your African private safari.

The stories that you bring home with you about your African adventure will be priceless. Your memories from a private Africa safari will last a lifetime. And if your family is lucky enough to accompany you, the educational aspect is far superior to anything you could receive in a classroom. Kenya is the country to visit to experience the best of an African private safari.

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