I recently went on an amazing safari holiday to Africa with Audley Travel.
It was a life-changing experience and I thought I'd write my first story on World Nomad about Africa’s numerous game reserves, which are
home to a stunning array of wildlife. I thought I'd make some recommendations on what you should look out for on a safari holiday!
The Big Five
Traditionally used to describe
the most dangerous animals in a big-game hunter’s repertoire, ‘the Big Five’ is
now a term which refers to the most desirable animals to see on a safari –
namely lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Your guide will be able to
take you to the best places to spot these impressive animals, allowing you to
observe them as safely as possible. Lions are probably the easiest to spot
owing to their habit of spending their days lazing around in large groups. West
Tanzania’s Katavi Park is one of the best places to see buffalo, particularly
from June to October, when herds number around 3,000 animals.
Zebra
Did you know that no two zebras
have exactly the same stripes? Surprisingly, nobody actually knows for sure why
zebras have stripes; theories range from camouflage to a kind of natural
protection from the harsh African sun. Whatever the reason, these striking
animals are always a popular spectacle on safari.
Giraffe
Giraffes are the tallest land
mammals in the world and are easy to spot in wildlife reserves across Africa.
Their long necks allow them to pluck the leaves from the tops of their
preferred vegetation, acacia trees – aided by their 53cm tongues! Like the
zebra, no two giraffes are the same, and they too are a universally popular
sight with safari-goers.
Wild dogs
Native to the sub-Saharan plains
of Africa, the African wild dog has distinctive dappled markings which give it
the name “painted dog”. They live and hunt in packs similar to wolves, and
although they are an endangered species, they can still be found in many of
Africa’s game reserves. If you’re lucky, you might see them hunting their
favourite prey, the antelope.
Ring-tailed Lemurs
The adorable ring-tailed lemur is
a firm favourite with safari-goers. Difficult to miss with their vivid black
and white striped tails, they’re found only on the African island of
Madagascar. Incredibly, 80% of the species which inhabit this diverse island
are found nowhere else on Earth, and the same goes for both the ring-tailed
lemur and the rest of the lemur family. One of the best places to see these
wonderful creatures is in the popular Berenty Reserve on the south coast of the
island, which is also known for its splendid bird-watching opportunities.
Bushbabies
Cute and cuddly-looking
bushbabies are small and exceptionally agile primates which come out at night –
so make sure your safari holiday includes a nocturnal excursion if you want to
see them. Roughly the size of a squirrel, they get their name from their
distinctive cry and feed on insects, which they locate in the dark using their
refined sense of hearing. Their preferred habitat is wooded areas, where they
inhabit tree hollows.
