What is a Safari
Many people have heard the word ‘Safari’. A question is usually asked, What is a Safari?
The word safari originates from the swahili word meaning ‘journey’. Traditionally, in the colonial days, the meaning was, the big game would be hunted but today it is a journey across different parts of to see wildlife in its natural setting or habitat. It is often referred to tours to observe and photograph wildlife, bird watching, mountain climbing, hiking, sight-seeing and other activities
Rather than hunting and killing the wild animals for sport and fun, the Safari has changed to socially modern activities and environmentally responsible travel.
An African Safari or journey will include game viewing of the wild animals in the wilderness while staying at the lodges or camps. At the same time there are a number of activities that can be carried out such as photography, bush dinners, sundowners and visit to the communities around the parks. African Safaris are not purely focused on game viewing, but admiring wildlife and birds in their natural habitat, as well as undertaking other adventures activities.
The concept of a safari usually is that you are on the move all the time, staying one or two nights in different destinations to experience a habitats and a diversity of wildlife while undertaking other activities such as walking safaris and horse riding.
The duration of the safari depends on your main interests on the destination to visit, your length of stay at each destination and your budget. Sometimes it’s advisable to point out your main interest and enable your safari to be custom or tailor made to fit into your budget. If luxury accommodation and transport is used the safari becomes more expensive as compared to mid or budget accommodation.
Each country in Africa has its own attractions; one has to determine the destinations to visit and at the same time check out which countries can be combined with ease as one cannot tour all the countries in Africa at ago.
It has become a norm for people to take a holiday vacation or safari which at the end benefits the local resident at the same time creating employment for many. It has led to creation of conservation parks and wildlife sanctuaries. In addition the lodges and camps built in these conservation areas or parks need to have low impact to the environment in order to conserve the wild animals.
A safari is made up of spending some nights with open vehicle game drives in the early morning and late afternoon with a professional guide giving you an intriguing understanding of life in the wilderness or on the plains involving photographing, viewing, and experiencing animals in their natural habitats. A safari can also involve experiencing captivating destinations and natural wonders, visiting and experiencing the local cultures of Africa, touring historical areas and sightseeing, engaging in adventure and outdoor activities
Nowadays there is a variety of safari that a traveler can choose from; Budget Camping, Overland Safaris, Safaris, Budget Lodge Safaris, Exclusive Budget Safaris, Mobile Camping Safaris, mid-range safaris and Luxury Safaris or a combination of two or more options
Below is a list of specialist safaris that a traveler can choose from;
- Birding safaris
- Canoeing safaris
- Hiking and walking safaris
- Gorilla trekking safaris
- Sports Safaris
- Photographic safaris
- Eco safaris
- Cultural safaris
- Mountain Climbing safaris
- Family safaris
- Historical safaris
- Beach safaris
- Horseback safaris
- Big Five safaris
- Wildlife tracking safaris