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Planning Accessible Safaris for Travelers with Disabilities

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Embarking on an African safari is often viewed as a journey of a lifetime. However, for people with disabilities, the question has often loomed: is this mesmerizing adventure accessible to all? The wonderful news is that many travel suppliers are now taking the necessary steps to ensure nobody misses out on the chance to see Africa’s incredible wildlife up close.

We aim to provide rich, and extensive travel opportunities for all those who travel with us! An African safari is the life dream of many people, but unfortunately, they are often portrayed as being for non-disabled outdoor enthusiasts.

However, safaris and other adventure activities specialized for disabled people and those with limited mobility are a rapidly growing market.

There are some truly magical trips that have been created for clients with special requirements, including those with mobility-, visual-, and hearing impairment, as well as persons requiring oxygen or kidney dialysis.

We offer scheduled departure tours, where any individual or group is invited to join a set itinerary as well as custom-designed private tours and safaris that correspond with your personal requirements.

Mobility Impairment

There are a variety of wheelchair accessible tours in Africa. Whether you use a cane, crutches, have a slight limp, use a manual wheelchair or permanently use an electric chair.

Some of the activities that involve physical activities like walking and gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, there is more that is needed. People are carried in a customized chair through the rainforest to track the gorillas. We offer the best to take care of the clients. On the day of gorilla tracking in Uganda and Rwanda, people with special needs are allocated the gorilla groups that are near.

Hearing Impairment

These tours have been specially designed to create an informative, holistic experience, very different in presentation to other mainstream tours, and we have aspired to interpret the African wildlife experience in a very unique way. Safety is paramount in our privately guided safaris, taking your hearing impairment into consideration whilst you are out in the African bush amidst its wildlife.

Visual Impairment

These tours have been specially designed to create an informative, holistic experience, very different in presentation to other mainstream tours, and again we have aspired to interpret the African wildlife experience in a very unique way. We use detailed descriptive techniques to paint mental pictures in order to enhance your wildlife experience. Where it is safe to do so, travelers and guides exit the vehicle in order to live any experience of interest via our senses of hearing, touch and smell, which when combined, provide a superior experience to that of sight.

Oxygen Users

There are safaris and tours in Africa for individuals who require permanent or semi-permanent oxygen supplementation. Oxygen supplementation is a logistical need, which modern medicine and technology have overcome, and your travel need not be limited by this factor.

Kidney Dialysis Requirements

Dialysis may be a big part of your life but it doesn’t have to stop you from traveling. Medical care in Africa is world-class, as are the dialysis centers that we recommend to our clients. There are various dialysis centers countrywide, and your trip can be arranged according to your specific needs, permitting an unrestricted holiday with your friends or family.

How have Africa’s travel suppliers catered to the needs of travelers with disabilities?

In its characteristic warmth and hospitality, the African travel industry has risen to the challenge of ensuring safaris are inclusive experiences. Here’s a snapshot look at what to expect when staying at a wheelchair-accessible lodge.

Ramps

Many properties have placed ramps across their venues, ensuring all public areas and accommodations are easily navigable. This simple yet impactful change opens up many experiences for travelers with disabilities, from getting cozy in a luxurious tented suite to enjoying a sun downer overlooking the vast plains.

Specialized Units

Some suppliers have gone the extra mile by constructing special units that specifically cater to the needs of travelers with disabilities. These units are thoughtfully designed for maximum comfort and safety. Features include grab handles in the bath and shower areas, wheel-in shower stalls, hand-held shower nozzles, and modified furniture that marries elegance with convenience.

Transfers and Beyond

The journey is as significant as the destination. Recognizing this, several suppliers now offer wheelchair-accessible transfers for a seamless adventure from arrival to departure.

Additional Amenities

In the realm of inclusive luxury, portable pool hoists allow guests with disabilities to take a refreshing dip, while shower seats and commode chairs enhance the comfort quotient. For wildlife enthusiasts, wheelchair-accessible hides have also emerged.

Travel Tips for disabled travelers

  • Call ahead. Service providers are required by law in many cases to accommodate travelers with special needs. However, most need some time to make the necessary arrangements. Mention your needs at the time of reservation, and call the provider 24 to 48 hours before your arrival to confirm that proper accommodations have been made.
  • Be specific and clear when describing a disability. Not all service providers know the “lingo” of accessible travel, or the medical terms for certain conditions. Give as many details as you can about what you can and can’t do, and don’t downplay the severity of the disability. The more information a service provider has, the better they will be able to accommodate you. If they promise you certain accommodations, try to get these promises in writing.
  • Be specific and clear when describing the trip to your doctor. A doctor can often prescribe measures for coping with an unusually long flight, limited medical facilities at your destination, the unavailability of prescription drugs and other pitfalls of traveling.
  • Take a doctor’s note and phone number. Travel with a statement from your doctor, preferably on letterhead, covering your condition, medications, potential complications, special needs and other pertinent information. Be sure you have a number where your doctor (or another medical professional) can be reached in an emergency situation at any hour of the day.
  • Bring extra medication. Many experts advise that you travel with two complete packages of essential medication in case of emergency. Store all medications and other necessary medical supplies in your carry-on bag.
  • Investigate physician availability where you will be traveling. Your doctor, health care provider, insurance company or local embassy can provide the names and contact numbers of physicians at your destination.
  • Carry medical alert information, preferably in a place that a medical professional or anyone who assists you will find easily (wallet card, necklace, close to your identification).
  • Consider using a specialist travel agent. Some agents provide stellar niche services; one might be very experienced in working with travelers with hearing impairments, another with developmentally impaired travelers. Since the requirements for these varied travelers can be staggeringly different, it helps to find someone who knows the ropes.
  • Avoid connecting flights. Although wheelchairs are the last items to be checked into the luggage compartments, and thus first to be pulled off, flying direct can save you unnecessary time and hassle. One exception: If you have trouble maneuvering into airplane lavatories, long flights may become uncomfortable, so a series of shorter flights might be a better option. If you do choose to connect, be sure to allow plenty of time between flights to get from one gate to the next.
  • Don’t forget about transportation to and from the airport. If you have a wheelchair, your tour operator will help you with the arrangement on how to move about from the airport.
  • Bring spare parts and tools. Wheelchairs can take tremendous abuse while traveling; assemble a small kit of spare parts and tools for emergency repairs. You may also be required to dismantle a wheelchair for certain flights or activities.

5 Reasons to Book Uganda Safaris Well in Advance

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Kidepo Lions

Also referred as the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda is a real paradise that is endowed with fantastic attractions including more than 100 species of mammals such as the extraordinary mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, big five animals (lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and buffaloes), breathtaking water bodies inform of lakes (Victoria, Bunyonyi, Kyoga, Mutanda and Katwe among others), River and waterfalls as well as birds, butterflies and Reptiles especially Nile crocodiles among others.

It is always recommended to plan in advance when considering undertaking a safari to the Pearl of Africa. It involves booking for tickets early (which has been made easier due to advancement in internet), parking early and booking for transport as well as accommodation. You might be wondering why but these are the key reasons why it is advisable to book for Uganda safaris in advance;

You always have different options to choose from

If you book for a safari earlier, you will always have a number of options to choose from than someone that does last minute bookings. This is very critical especially during the peak season where advance booking prevents disappointment since you will always be able to choose what you desire. For instance, you will be able to get several budget friendly Lodges within the busy destinations such as Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks that are always fully booked during peak seasons and school holidays. Therefore, tourists are always advised to book for safaris at least 3-6 months in advance.

Lowest Priced Gorilla Permits

Since Rwanda increased its gorilla permits to a whopping $1500, Uganda has remained the most popular budget gorilla safari destination. Till 2019, gorilla permits are booked at USD 600 per person. Therefore if you are planning to take a gorilla safari in Uganda, it is imperative to book your safari well in advance.

Gives more time for planning

Having a vacation is undeniably the most exciting and interesting thing in anyone’s life but when you book for a safari in advance, you will have enough time to plan for whatever you need for your trip to the Pearl of Africa. With at least a month to your safari, you will be left with plenty of time to go shopping for clothes, accessories and other items needed during the safari. Not only that, you will have enough time to get or renew your travel documents such as passports, Identity Cards, Visas and Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates.

Saves money and time

It is obvious that when you plan for your safari in advance, you will be able to save more time and money. If you book late, you will discover that all the budget accommodation facilities have been taken and you might end up paying more for what you need but when you book at least 3 months in advance, you can choose the cheap facilities with all the amenities you desire. Not only that, it also applies to air fares because when you plan earlier, you can be able to get the cheaper airline seats thus will be able to save more for other expenditures for the safari.

Allows prior research

When you book early, you will still have time to find out more about the destination you are visiting especially the extra activities to engage in during the itinerary, the popular sites such as market places, places of chilling or passing time such as the clubs, Cafes, restaurants and bars, Resorts as well as National Parks and Wildlife Reserves to explore.

Therefore, booking in advance for your Uganda safaris not only avoids last minute disappointments but also allows enough time for research, saves more time and money, allows tourists to make right decisions from the many options and also gives more time for planning for the safari.

Budgeting for an African safari

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Luxury African Safari

Budgeting for an African safari seems to be one of the hardest tasks in case one lacks some of the information about the continent. Africa is remarkably known as the world’s second largest continent after Asia protecting about 54 countries in different regions like south, east, west, north and central regions. While budgeting for a safari in Africa, there are many different cost components involved which are tricky to navigate on your own. As Safari experts, we aim to make the budgeting process easier by giving you a rough idea of what kind of safari experience you can expect for your money. We’ll look at the various factors that contribute to the overall cost of the safari and offer you suggestions that greatly fit your budget. During the budgeting of an African safari, people always have different questions within and among these include;

Is an African safari worth the money?

Going on an African safari is not the most low-budget vacation your family can take, but it is one they will certainly always remember. While not inexpensive, most returning families won’t hesitate to say their safari in Africa was a completely life-changing experience worth every penny spent. Africa is the only destination where one can go for rare and unique experiences like mountain gorilla trekking that only happens in 3 countries in the world – Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. This experience makes the African safari expensive since one has to own a gorilla trekking permit so as he or she can go for the encounter. This trekking permit goes at different rates depending on the destination/country you opt for. In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park at USD 800 per permit per person. In Rwanda, the experience is done in Volcanoes national park at USD 1500 per permit per permit and then in Congo, the encounter is done in Virunga national park at USD 400.

Still on the African safari, expect to spend most of your nights in the amazing and comfortable hotels with friendly staff members that will contribute on the unforgettable experience that is worth your money. Other activities to go for in the safari include; chimpanzee trekking, game drives, bird watching, mountaineering, and many others. All the mentioned and unmentioned activities and attractions make the African safari worth every penny spent.

How to budget for an African safari

The cost of an African safari depends on your destination, when you visit, what you do, and the level of service and privacy you desire. You will have a much clearer idea of what to expect after speaking with one of our safari planners about your specific needs and preferences. They will help you with the logistics involved around visiting various safari regions and help you compare mid-range luxury and high-end luxury safari camps and hotels.

In this article, let’s look at 7 ways you can spend a little less yet still ensure a dream African safari experience for you and your beloved one;

Choose Your Destination

Different African countries offer different safari experiences, and costs can vary widely. Popular safari destinations include; Kenya, a home to Masai Mara national park which is known for the great wildebeest migration where millions of animals flock and cross to Serengeti national park of Tanzania in search of greener pastures and water. Other destinations include South Africa with Kruger national park which is famous offering a variety of safari experiences like game drives, nature walks and others. Also, Botswana is among the best African destinations known for the Okavango Delta and then Uganda, Rwanda and DRC with the rare endangered mountain gorillas and the world’s most powerful Murchison falls in Uganda only. From all the mentioned countries, you can choose the one with the attractions of your desires

Time your visit just right

From May to October, in the high season for African safaris, rates are more expensive. This is because game viewing is easier when the dry bush is sparse and animals concentrate around permanent water sources. In the months of November to April which is known as the wet season, few visitors are expected to visit Africa though in some countries like Zambia and Botswana, game viewing is more rewarding in the wet season.

As you are planning your visit, please note that Africa can be visited all year round but in the off-peak season, there are possibilities of not having excellent views but some features can be got on discounts.

Type of Safari

The type of safari you choose during your African safari will greatly influence your budget. There are three safari types that is luxury, mid-range and budget safaris. Luxury safaris include high-end lodges, private tours and exclusive experiences and their accommodation prices range from $500 to 2,000 per person per night. For the mid-range safaris, it involves use of comfortable lodges or tented camps and the prices range from $200 to 500 per night per person/room. And for the budget safaris, they involve the use of basic accommodations, traveling in larger groups and self-drive options. Prices range from USD 100 to 200 per person per night.

Travel less and see more

As we mentioned, the best way to utilise your safari budget is to visit destinations that are fairly close together and easily accessible. We always advise guests to dedicate ample time to each location instead of visiting as many game parks and lodges as their schedule allows. Spending at least 2-3 nights at each camp or lodge will help you fully appreciate the uniqueness of each location and take advantage of all the game-viewing opportunities on offer.

The high costs that can be associated with travelling between camps and lodges make short stays even less desirable. Hopping between camps a lot also cuts into your valuable game-viewing time and can also cause fatigue. Through many years of first-hand experience and speaking to thousands of guests, we can all but guarantee, you will enjoy a more immersive and rewarding safari experience if you visit a maximum of 2-3 destinations per week of travel.

Know which lodges to go to

The biggest portion of your safari budget will likely go to lodging expenses, which usually includes all game drives, meals and non-premium drinks unless you are self-driving in South Africa or Namibia. Generally speaking, if you plan to visit Africa, the type of accommodation chose affects your budget either positively or negatively. African accommodations vary that is luxury, mid-range and budget lodges/campsites. For the luxury ones, everything is inclusive and also gourmet meals. For the midrange facilities, you get comfortable with good amenities lodges pus guided tours and then with budget lodges/campsites, you are offered with basic facilities basic meals or self-catering.

Explore outside the parks

For the logistical reasons mentioned, limiting your experience to game parks while in Africa can be costlier than diversifying your family vacation. Safaris are generally more expensive per night than stayovers in hotels, lodges and even family-size villas. Combining your safari with a few days in a city or on the beach can be a wonderful addition to any itinerary and lower the cost of your trip quite significantly. Some of Africa’s most celebrated cities, islands, white-sand beaches and cultural sites like Victoria Falls, Zanzibar and Cape Town are within easy reach of the best safari regions.

Once you have the experience inside the parks, you will incur other expenses like the park fees and permits that include entrance fees for example in Kenya, national park charges USD 60 to 80 per day, Tanzania charges US$60 to 70 per day, South Africa charges US$20 to 30 per day for Kruger national park. For the gorilla trekking safaris, permits range from USD 400 to 1,500 depending on the country and time of the year.

In conclusion, by carefully planning and considering these factors, you can create a budget that allows you to experience an unforgettable African safari without overspending.

A Modern Time African Safari: What is It Like?

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Modern African Safari

An African Safari is not what you see in the movies, wildlife here is seen in its natural state. Animals are dispersed in shrubs, open plains, valleys, trees and even sometimes in forests if they exist. These safaris are offered as a package and will usually include airfare to the destination country, but this is sometimes sold separately. Packages of such safaris sometimes have got specific days of departure, groups you can join or independent tours depending on what really one would wish to choose.

African safaris are far unique from other safaris or trips because you have to make pre arrangement, this may include lodging or accommodation types, the safari vehicle you opt to use, places you would like to visit because some places you still need to book permits for entrance. Take a look at gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda, permits are based on availability because the apes are few and you visit a group once and in limited numbers.

Generally, all packages will have hotel accommodations along with transportation to and from the airport. All common amenities will be included in the package including meals. Most importantly, there will be a tour program that is provided for the visitor. This is the heart of the package. Sometimes there will be a short charter flight if you don’t want to take long hours on the road, but this is also rewarding. Take an example when you move from Kampala to Kidepo National Park in the North Eastern Uganda a 800 km drive taking two days.

Before you get to your destination, you will visit the Nyero Rock paintings, dating to before 1250 AD and were first documented in 1913 and later described by researchers as largely of geometric nature. These rock art is part of a homogeneous tradition often depicted in red pigment, spreading across east, central and parts of southern Africa, matching the distribution of the Late Stone Age hunter-gatherer culture. This art is generally attributed to Batwa hunter-gatherers who are of Pygmy origin, and are today, in Eastern Africa, only found in small groups near the Rwanda/Uganda border and eastern Congo. It is likely that Twa hunter-gatherer communities once lived in the general area of these rock art sites, probably moving on due to the arrival of the present inhabitants.

These paintings enrich the cultural identity of the people of Iteso, Uganda, and Africa as a whole. Here a guide will take you into the heart of African wildlife to observe animals as they live. There are different types of safari’s available and vary according to the type of animals that are seen and also the way in which they are observed. Certain countries in Africa are more well know for the quality of their safaris.

Night Experience in Rwanda

How many of you here who are interested in taking a safari to Rwanda? And what are your interests on this Safari? Are you there people from you who would like to go to the city and enjoy every little bit of the city? Well if you are there, Kigali is the only place for you can go to. Kigali is a very safe place when it comes to night life and so many people have had a life experience from here. Some of the hang outs used are based in the city center which is located on the foot hills of Remera, Cyangungu and Kanombe. There are normally buses that go on picking night warriors and some of the clubs in this city. Never worry even if you got drunk and you got your own car! Just call the police they will drive you back home at no cost.

The African People are generally so friendly especially to foreigners, they always want to make you their friend so never mind when everyone says hello to you. The temperatures in Rwanda are generally fair to any foreigner because they are between 20 to 26 degrees in Kigali and the surrounding areas but when you move far in the west they drop to 12 degrees, this is because the altitude rises further when you close to the Congo boarder.

6 Less Known National Parks to Enjoy Wildlife Safaris in Africa

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Liuwa National Park

Travelers who have visited Africa already know some of the famous destinations. It is true many love places like Maasai-Mara, Serengeti, and Kruger due to their superb wildlife viewing opportunities. Thus, you’ll have to bear with many visitors and their vehicles which flock those places. If you want to get away from the crowds, you could plan a safari to some of the less visited national parks but still experience wildlife and real African culture.

  1. Liuwa National Park -Zambia

Liuwa National Park in western Zambia is for the blue wildebeest migration: its home to the second largest migration of wildebeests and zebras. With Kenyan Maasai-mara reserve and Tanzania’s Serengeti facing overcrowding, Liuwa National Park could be the best option to for travelers who want to witness the migration of wildebeest in solitude.

With the back country roads being improved, it’s easier to access the park from Kalabo the nearest small town and Mongu the capital city of western Zambian province. The best way is to stop at African parks office. From there you can arrange entrance to the park and get all information.

Due to long drives in between, visitors stay within the park. It’s suggested among the most popular accommodation include Matoya fishing lodge, mobile safari company and Liuwa community campsites.

In Liuwa national park, thousands of wildebeest mingling with zebra, oribi, roan antelope, steinbuck, migrate from Angola to the park for water and green pasture during rainy season. From August to December visitors can view herds of wildebeest as well predators including prides of lions, packs of African hunting dog, hyenas, wild and serval cats. The park has vast plains of savannah and it takes long game drives to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities.

This park also appeals to nature photographers. The moments when lightening and storms straddle the parts of the park to contract with green and golden savannah plains giving visitors dramatic views.

2. Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania

Just four hours of charter flight from Arusha city or 5 hours by speedboat from kigama town, is this quite wilderness. Mahale National park located in western Tanzania along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, is a 1613 sq km sanctuary of an estimated 1,700 population of chimpanzees.

Sure to please even the most experienced travelers who love nature and outdoor adventures. For a complete primate safari, you need to stay in this park for at least 3 days. Tracking the chimpanzee is the main visitor experience. Chimpanzees have been a focal point of research over the last 4 decades. Mimikere or group “M” of about 60 chimps is well habituated for visitors to track. You start well prepared for challenging steep hiking and dense tropical vegetation.

The best time for up close encounters with chimpanzee is during the dry season June to October when they feed on ground and come around some of the lodges. During the wet season, November to May, the weather may not be favorable and chimpanzees spend much of their time feeding in trees.

Chimpanzee tracking isn’t the only adventure in this park. Visitors will find mountain hiking, snorkeling on calm waters of Lake Tanganyika, sport fishing, safe kayaking expeditions to spot hippo and crocodile attacks. In fact, birds are everywhere even around the lodges, though you’ll need to walk through diverse habitats for fantastic bird watching.

Escape from the hustle of Tanzanian cities when you step in Mahale national park, where you’ll find scenic mountainous views, sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Visitors up for backpacking adventure, head to Mount Nkungwe rising 2,462 meters above sea level.

Camping is available for everyone and must be done with armed ranger. Once you set up an overnight camp for two day mount Nkungwe climbing, take a hike along the eastern slopes where African elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalos, warthogs, roan and sable antelopes, porcupines roam free. You also get to see amazing sunsets and the dark night skies.

Visitors who want luxury, there are three lodges built along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. They include Kungwe beach lodge, the two storey bandas of Greystoke Mahala lodge and flycatcher camp. Guided tours are offered several times a day. The park also has Mango tree camp, the only one for budget travelers.

More determined visitors can arrange to reach the park by a leisure cruise. The MV Liemba takes about 10 hours on water from port of Kigoma the nearest town on the shores to the park. Travelers in Zambia will catch the same cruise but it takes 30 hours to reach the park.

3. Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda

Kidepo valley national park forms an extended ecosystem of semi-arid desert, dry savannah and mountain forests covering about 1,442sqkm and provides home to East Africa’s largest herds of buffalos. In addition to a single herd of buffaloes which are estimated to number over 4,000, Uganda’s most remote park hosts large giraffes, African elephants, lions, cheetahs, Aard wolf, spotted hyena, zebras, reedbucks, Thompson’s gazelle, bulbul, Uganda kobs which have been trans-located, ostrich and more than 500 species of birds.

Kidepo is notable for striking landscape scenery and big game viewing, especially around the great Narus valley where wildlife congregates during the dry seasons. Much of the landscape is undulating with rock kopjes, hilltops and patches of borassus palm trees. The Murongole dry mountains in the northwest border with South Sudan reach over 2,749 meters above sea level and can be climbed with an armed ranger guide. Traversing through the park are several sand rivers including River Kidepo. It does not completely dry up during the dry season with its 50 meter wide beds of white sand lined with borassus palm trees are used as corridors by wildlife especially birds.

Check the list of activities you want to do and plan accordingly your Uganda safari through this remote side of Uganda. You can do game drive for viewing wildlife, bird watching, mountain hiking, nature walks, landscape photography as well as community and cultural tours.

There are few accommodations in the park, most of which need make reservations in advance. You need to a whole day to travel to Kidepo by road, taking up to 10-12 hours drive journey from Kampala via Mbale. If you have less time, air travel is available. Scheduled charter flights take two hours from Entebbe airport or kajjansi in Kampala landing at Lamej airstrip near Uganda wildlife park headquarters.

4. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

For any traveler looking to traverse classic African savannah, Ruaha national park is a natural choice. In fact it is the largest national park in Tanzania covering 20,226 sq km offers big game wildlife viewing adventure. Wildlife is thriving, with 10 percent of the lion populations in Africa as well as many elephants, cheetah, leopard, African hunting dogs, giraffes that rival Serengeti.

With no other tourists in sight, you can experience wildlife and scenic views by a game drive safari along the great Ruaha River in the south from which the park was named.

Bird watchers find plentiful opportunities to test their skills. Over 500 species of birds are recorded and best spotted on nature walks.

Several lodges and camps offer comfortable stay for a night. Ruaha River lodge is the largest and set along the river it offers more relaxed close views of wildlife for budget visitors.

Luxury visitors can find accommodation at Kihala and kigelia camps as well as Jongomero camp. For those visiting the park with less than budget, Mdonya old river camp is a good option.

Need a real Tanzania local cuisine after a game drive, Mwagusi lodge as the oldest in the park offers excellent services.

5. Bawabwata National Park, Namibia

Though deserts and dunes lure many visitors to Namibia, Bwabwata national park combines varied landscapes including sand dunes, woodland forests, savannah, rivers and swamps.

The park is situated between Okavango and Kwando Rivers. This abundant water supports large mammals such as elephants, buffalos, zebras, blue wildebeest, antelopes and big cats including lions, leopards, cheetah, and spotted hyena.

Ecotourism is being established with serious conservation and tourism development. The park is so quite with few tourists on game drive safaris, nature walks or boat cruises which reward with sightings of hippos, crocodiles, sitatunga, water birds and sunsets.

6. Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

Mozambique may not be the list of your safari destinations in Africa, but has changed. Conservation and eco-tourism initiatives are working to restore ecosystems with tree planting, protect diverse wildlife and support local development. Visitors on a safari to Gorongosa not only will be amazed by beautiful terrain and wildlife but will also be part of the eco-tourism and conservation milestone.

The park has diverse landscapes such as flood plains, rift valley, Lakes and rivers, savannah grasslands and palm and tropical forests. Several activities including game drive safari, bird watching, nature walks provide an opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with wildlife. There are lions, large herds of African elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles and many species of birds such as red bishops.

For traditional African cultural experience, join the local guides on a two km walk to Vinho village. It is accessible by a boat cruise or traditional canoe crossing Pungue River. As you walk passed maize, cassava fields, learn about how revenues from tourist visits are important to the lives of local people by supporting agriculture.

Meet the local children, women and participate in local dances and singing. Interact with locals as their share their history and experience their daily lifestyles. These earn from craft and sell of agriculture produce. You can support them by purchasing their handmade crafts and fruits. There a range of accommodations from budget to luxury. Most of them are located in the bush and ideal for relaxation and fine dining.

Best Places to See chimpanzees in Africa

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Chimpanzees are a joy to watch. It is no wonder that seeing these incredible primates in the wild is on so many bucket lists. Spending an hour with a family of chimps can be a truly grounding and life altering experience. Africa is the best continent in the world to see chimpanzees in the wild and there are only a few excellent spots in East Africa which gives tourists from all over the world the best chances of finding them.

Chimpanzees can be found in forests and roam anywhere from sea level to around three thousand metres above it. They are very mobile primates making it hard to predict how far up the mountain they may be when you trek to see them so your trek may be five minutes or five hours! They like savanna woodlands, grassland-forest and tropical thick bush forest and generally move where the food is.

What is chimpanzee trekking?

Chimpanzee trekking, one of the most popular wildlife activities in Uganda, allows you to step into the world of chimpanzees in the wild. Uganda Wildlife Authority Interpretive Rangers lead a small group (maximum of 8) into the realm of the chimps.

The treks last about three hours and include a maximum of one hour with the chimps, during which you can expect to see them from a safe but intimate distance of 8-10 metres. Get up close and personal with the chimpanzees and discover their beauty, intelligence, and social structures.

The best places to see chimpanzees in Africa

Kibale Forest National Park Uganda

Kibale Forest is an undisturbed tract of tropical rain forest, set in a beautiful area of undulating green hills interspersed with volcanic crater lakes.

Within the forest little light filters down to the foot of the massive trunks smothered in lichen, whilst above epiphytes sprout off tree branches and lianas hang from the canopy down to leaf litter. Due to its location at the meeting point of the wet rain forests of West Africa and the drier East African forest, Kibale supports an unusually rich array of tropical plants and animals.

Often visited by tourists who go on Uganda safaris, Kibale is home to the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. There are 13 primate species found within the forest including chimpanzees, red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus and black-and-white colobus. There is also a healthy population of larger mammals including lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo, although the dense vegetation means that these are not commonly sighted.

Nyungwe national park Rwanda

It extends for 970 square kilometres over the mountainous southwest of Rwanda and protects the largest single tract of montane forest remaining anywhere in East Africa. As such, it is a remarkably rich centre of biodiversity, harbouring 75 mammal species, 275 bird species, 120 butterflies and more than 100 varieties of orchid.

The main attraction of Nyungwe is the primates. Chimpanzee tracking can be arranged and several other monkeys are readily seen, including the Ruwenzori colobus in troops of up to 400 strong (the largest arboreal troops in Africa) and the beautiful and highly localised L’Hoest’s monkey. In addition to these there are silver monkeys, golden monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and more.

Nyungwe is also highly alluring to birders, the forest home to 26 Albertine Rift and endemic bird species. The stunning blue turaco is often seen gliding through the trees and forest hornbills can be heard wailing through the canopy.

Mahale Mountains national park Tanzania

The Mahale Mountains are the best place in Africa to track and observe wild chimpanzees. There is a population of around 1,000, one troop of which, the Mimikire clan, have been habituated to humans. Totally wild, this clan of 70-100 individuals can be tracked and observed from close quarters. Climbing up the leafy tracks in the misty morning and hearing your first shriek of a chimpanzee is a sound you will never forget. Crouching low, you can watch them grooming, drinking and playing. It is possibly one of the most intimate wildlife experiences known to man.

After a morning of chimpanzee-tracking you return to the shores of Lake Tanganyika, where sugar white beaches slope into gin-clear waters. There are over 500 species of cichlid fish in the lake in every colour of the rainbow and snorkelling and floating among them is the ultimate relaxation.

Kyambura Gorge Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda

A delightfully secret cleft in the surface of the otherwise flat savannah bordering Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge is the third most popular chimp trekking destination in Uganda.

Situated in the far east of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge is nicknamed ‘the valley of the apes. The product of centuries of erosion by the Kyambura River, the dense forest which covers the gorge sides is a prime habitat for chimpanzees.

As an experienced Ugandan Wildlife Authority guide leads you into this secret forest, you will feel like you have entered another world. Only 17 chimps inhabit the gorge and the chances of seeing them are about 60%. The sights and sounds of the forest generate suspense and make a sighting even more rewarding.

Taï National Park Ivory Coast

Taï National Park in Ivory Coast boasts a thriving population of chimpanzees. The park’s pristine rainforest provides an enchanting backdrop for chimpanzee tracking, offering a chance to witness their social dynamics and natural behaviours in a protected environment.

Embarking on a chimpanzee safari in Africa is a thrilling adventure that combines the wonders of nature with a profound understanding of our closest relatives. Whether in the dense forests of Tanzania, Uganda, or the Ivory Coast, these destinations promise an unforgettable and responsible experience, allowing visitors to connect with chimpanzees while contributing to their conservation. So, gear up for an extraordinary wildlife expedition and witness the magic of chimpanzees in their natural habitats.

Gombe Stream National Park Tanzania

Spanning just over 14 square miles on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, Gombe Stream is Tanzania’s smallest national park. It is one of three places where you can see chimpanzees in Tanzania.

The park’s diverse topography comprises vast grasslands, dense woodland areas and tropical rain forest, bisected by steep valleys, rivers and streams of water. Famously, this is the site where Jane Goodall completed most of her pioneering chimpanzee research.

The resident primatologist spent many years in Gombe observing the behaviour of Chimpanzees, an endangered species. Gombe is home to many rare primates alongside chimpanzees. There are olive baboons, red colobus, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and vervet monkeys.

Birds, butterflies, and a wide variety of rare forest flora can be spotted during forest walks and chimpanzee treks. There are no large predators in Gombe Stream, apart from the occasional leopard sighting.

Virunga national park Democratic Republic of Congo

Virunga National Park, located on the eastern edge of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the African continent’s first national park established in 1925.This biodiverse rainforest spans an area a little larger than the size of Delaware and is a sanctuary for gorillas, forest and savannah elephants, hippos, lions and chimpanzees.

Chimpanzee habituation started in 1987 but decades of civil unrest closed Virunga to tourism until 2014 when the park officially reopened. Habituation efforts supported by the Frankfurt Zoological Society endure. Chimpanzee treks to the communities approximately 32 habituated members are limited to just four persons, departing each morning at 6:00 a.m.

Budongo Forest Uganda

Depending on where you are in the forest, the landscape can change drastically, morphing between savannah, riverine marshlands, and woodland. The forest sits at a medium altitude of 1,100 metres, and the land slopes from southeast to northwest.

The Budongo Forest is famous for its population of chimpanzees. Chimp trekking is possible here, and sightings are around 80%.

Budongo Forest Reserve is on the southern edge of Murchison Falls National Park and is just under a 4-hour drive from Kampala. The nearest town to the forest is Masindi, and much of the surrounding area is occupied with houses, schools, and markets.

Semuliki Wildlife Reserve Uganda

In the western corner of Uganda, the Semuliki Valley is home to a small population of chimpanzees. Don’t expect it to be easy to find the chimps in Semliki. The dry and sparse forest environment means they have to roam far and wide to secure enough food.

The research programme here is on the cutting edge as they try to work out the relationship between the chimps walking on two legs and the evolution of our own species.

When is the best time to go for Chimpanzee tracking?

Chimpanzee habitats largely straddle the equator and operate year-round, so when we speak about the best time to go trekking, the conversation should centre on wet and dry seasons rather than temperature.

During the dry season, chimpanzee communities are more mobile, traveling deeper into the jungle in pursuit of sustenance. This means that while trails will be less mud-caked and hiking will be comfortably less humid, you may have to trek further to locate them. Dry season also tends to align with peak tourist season when the demand for permits increases. Dry season along equatorial African countries generally runs from June to October.

What is a typical day chimpanzee trekking?

Your scouts will go out at dawn to locate the chimps and then you will follow. Obviously, however, the chimpanzees are wild and so are free to roam around at will over a large area. This means that your trek can last from under an hour to several hours, depending on how far the chimps have ranged within the park or reserve.

As the terrain passes over slippery, muddy slopes and through thick vegetation, the trek itself has the potential to be fairly strenuous. Therefore, a certain level of fitness is required to cope although you do not need to be ‘very’ fit. Our specialists can advise you if you are unsure. In terms of clothing lightweight long trousers and a lightweight long-sleeved shirt are recommended.

Due to the risks of passing on human colds or other illnesses to the chimpanzees, it is essential that you are in good health if you want to see them. You are allowed to spend an hour with these fascinating creatures before you return to your camp.

What to pack for the chimpanzee tracking?

These are some of the things you need to carry for your chimpanzee tracking trip. These include A small day pack, Snacks, Water, A camera, Durable, lightweight water-resistant hiking boots with grippy soles, A water-repelling but ventilated jacket, layered clothing, long sleeves and long pants are recommended thanks to prickly foliage you may trek through, Insect repellents and gloves.

Visit Rwanda for An Unforgettable Safari Experience

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Rwanda offers a secure and welcoming environment for those seeking an unforgettable safari experience. From the dense, misty forests of Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas, to the expansive savannahs of Akagera National Park, Rwanda promises an unparalleled safari adventure with peace of mind. In this detailed exploration, we will delve into the factors that contribute to Rwanda’s reputation as the safest East African country for safari, highlighting its attractions, safety measures, and the overall visitor experience.

  1. Political Stability and Governance

Consistent Leadership: Rwanda is widely regarded as one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. Since the tragic events of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, the country has made remarkable strides in achieving peace and stability under the leadership of President Paul Kagame and his government. This consistent leadership has fostered an environment conducive to economic growth and tourism development.

Effective Governance: The Rwandan government has implemented effective governance policies that prioritize safety, transparency, and development. These policies have contributed to a low crime rate and a strong sense of public security, making Rwanda a safe destination for tourists. 

  1. Safety and Security Measures

Tourist Police: Rwanda has established a dedicated Tourist Police unit to ensure the safety of visitors. These officers are strategically stationed in major tourist areas, including national parks, airports, and popular attractions, providing assistance and maintaining security.

Strict Anti-Poaching Efforts: The country’s commitment to wildlife conservation includes stringent anti-poaching measures, which not only protect wildlife but also enhance the safety of tourists. Well-trained Park rangers and anti-poaching units patrol the national parks, ensuring a secure environment for both wildlife and visitors.

Health and Sanitation: Rwanda’s focus on health and sanitation is another critical factor contributing to its safety. The country has robust healthcare systems and is proactive in addressing public health concerns. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rwanda implemented strict protocols to safeguard both residents and visitors, including mandatory testing and quarantine measures. 

  1. Infrastructure and Accessibility

Road Networks: Rwanda boasts some of the best road networks in East Africa, facilitating safe and convenient travel between major cities and tourist destinations. Paved roads and well-maintained highways connect Kigali, the capital city, with national parks and other attractions, ensuring a smooth journey for visitors.

Air Travel: Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir, offers reliable and safe air travel within the country and to international destinations. The airline is known for its punctuality, safety standards, and excellent service. Kigali International Airport, the main gateway for international travelers, adheres to high safety and security standards, providing a hassle-free entry point.

Accommodation: The country offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury lodges to eco-friendly campsites, all adhering to stringent safety and hygiene protocols. Many lodges are situated within or near national parks, providing secure and comfortable bases for safari activities. 

  1. Unique Safari Experiences

Volcanoes National Park: This park is perhaps Rwanda’s most famous attraction, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is a highlight for many visitors, offering a rare and intimate wildlife encounter. The safety of these treks is ensured through well-trained guides and strict regulations that limit the number of daily visitors to minimize impact on the gorillas and their habitat.

Nyungwe National Park: Known for its rich biodiversity, Nyungwe National Park offers a different safari experience with its lush montane rainforest. The park is home to 13 primate species, including chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. The Canopy Walkway, suspended above the forest floor, provides a unique vantage point for observing the park’s wildlife and is constructed and maintained with rigorous safety standards.

Akagera National Park: Offering a classic savannah safari experience, Akagera National Park is home to the “Big Five” – lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos. The park has undergone significant restoration and conservation efforts, making it a thriving ecosystem for wildlife. Guided game drives, boat safaris on Lake Ihema, and well-marked trails ensure safe and enjoyable wildlife viewing experiences. 

  1. Community Engagement and Cultural Experiences

Community-Based Tourism: Rwanda’s approach to tourism emphasizes community involvement and benefits. Many tourism initiatives are designed to support local communities, ensuring that they reap the economic benefits of tourism. This community-based approach not only enhances the visitor experience but also contributes to the overall safety and well-being of the regions around tourist attractions.

Cultural Tours: Visitors have the opportunity to engage in cultural tours that provide insights into Rwanda’s rich history and traditions. These tours are conducted in safe environments, often in collaboration with local communities. Visits to traditional villages, craft markets, and cultural centres offer a deeper understanding of Rwandan culture and heritage. 

  1. Conservation and Sustainable Tourism

Conservation Success Stories: Rwanda’s commitment to conservation is evident in its national parks and wildlife management practices. The country’s conservation efforts have been internationally recognized, particularly the successful reintroduction of black rhinos and the growing population of mountain gorillas. These initiatives not only protect wildlife but also create safe and sustainable tourism opportunities.

Eco-Friendly Practices: Rwanda is dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices that minimize environmental impact. Many lodges and campsites in national parks follow eco-friendly principles, such as using solar power, recycling waste, and supporting conservation projects. This focus on sustainability ensures that tourism activities do not compromise the safety and integrity of natural habitats. 

Practical Tips for Exploring Rwanda

Travel Insurance: It is advisable for visitors to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen events. This provides an added layer of security and peace of mind during the safari.

Health Precautions: Travelers should take necessary health precautions, such as vaccinations and anti-malaria prophylaxis, as recommended by health authorities. It is also important to stay hydrated and protect against sun exposure during outdoor activities.

Respect Park Regulations: Adhering to park regulations and guidelines is crucial for ensuring safety. This includes following the instructions of guides and rangers, maintaining a safe distance from wildlife, and not leaving designated trails.

Local Customs and Etiquette: Respecting local customs and etiquette enhances the visitor experience and fosters positive interactions with local communities. Learning a few phrases in Kinyarwanda, the local language, and understanding cultural norms can go a long way in building rapport with residents.

In conclusion, Rwanda stands out as the safest East African country for a safari, offering a unique blend of wildlife diversity, conservation success stories, and cultural richness within a secure and welcoming environment. The country’s political stability, effective governance, and robust safety measures ensure that visitors can enjoy their safari adventures with peace of mind. Whether trekking to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, exploring the primate-rich forests of Nyungwe, or embarking on a classic savannah safari in Akagera, travellers are treated to unforgettable experiences that highlight Rwanda’s natural beauty and commitment to sustainable tourism.

Essential Tips for Traveling With Kids in Africa

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Road Trip with Kids

Undertaking a family Vacation is similar to setting sail on a monumental adventure, promising respite from the usual and creating unforgettable bonds and experiences. The idea of venturing into new Safari destinations like Uganda and Rwanda, as well as sharing tales of these travel experiences with your loved ones is undeniably thrilling. However, when the passionate chitchat of young travelers is added to the mix, the safari is likely to take a new dimension that needs heedful planning as well as a touch of creative problem-solving.

If you’re a parent, you will attest that Vacations to Africa or anywhere in the World with kids can be a double-edged sword, but it doesn’t have to be a challenge. There is always the joy is witnessing their delight and wonder yet also the emerging concern of possible meltdowns as well as logistical challenges. However, fear not because with a little planning and some important tips, you can ensure that your Vacation is a memorable experience for the entire family. Mum and Dad Uganda Tours delve into the comprehensive guide to turning your Vacation with kids into a seamless, stress-free and memorable escapade. Therefore, here are the important tips for a fantastic Vacation with kids;

Plan in advance

Your safari doesn’t begin from the moment you leave home to take a flight to Uganda or Rwanda, but instead with meticulous planning. In so doing, anticipation will be met with preparedness. Planning ranges from securing the best and child-friendly accommodations that will ensure easy and smooth transportation to/from activities for the entire family, and also makes it easy to foresee possible obstacles. This makes it easy to address them before they even become stress factors. Whether you are looking to a guided safari or self drive in Uganda, it is always important to plan your journey well in advance.

Involve children in the planning process.

You won’t be sure your kids will love the activities selected for the Vacation until you involve them in the planning process. Therefore, let them be part of the Vacation planning process by asking them which activities/adventures or attractions they would love to visit. You can also allow them choose some of the safari destinations or even activities hence providing a sense of ownership as well as increasing their enthusiasm and engagement.

Pack wisely (pack light).

One of the most important packing tips we give travelers is to “pack everything that is required in the carry-on luggage”. The last thing anyone wants to do during a vacation is always worrying about managing and carrying everyone’s huge suitcase. Instead of checking luggage, trying to imagine what to do if luggage gets lost or is misplaced, and waiting for it on the other side of the luggage carousel, it is recommended to pack only what you need and can move around with much faster. Additionally, light luggage is easier to carry when changing Hotels/Lodges, and destinations. One way to prepare for your Vacation with Kids is packing healthy snacks, a first aid kit, engaging toys, and appropriate clothing. Don’t always overlook essential medications, extra clothing to cater for unforeseen accidents and spills. Packing essentials incredibly reduces stress throughout your Vacation.

Always keep your kids’ ages in mind while planning and packing, For instance, you will need extra blankets, pacifiers, few toys and others when traveling with younger children. Older children will prefer card games, music, books and electronic devices, but also remember safety should be top of mind.

Don’t stuff too many activities into the itinerary

Many travelers operate with the “fear of missing out” which we can abbreviate as “FOMO”, hence stuffing too much into their safari itinerary. This isn’t a good idea when going on Vacation with kids. In the realm of a Vacation, where the unexpected usually becomes the highlight of the trip, a well-thought-out itinerary that includes flexibility will serve as a road map instead of a strict set of instructions.

It’s okay to have a full itinerary with many activities and little downtime when traveling solo, as it will be possible to make the most of your experience. But here’s the fact: Children need breaks. In fact lots of breaks, otherwise they will get irritated and you end up running you’re a Vacation which you had planned for a long time. Therefore, leave enough space for their interests or needs to avoid mood shift. Always include relaxing day/s at the Lodge/Hotel, a cozy day with movies and games in the rooms, as a way of finding balance between activities and relaxation.

You can also add entertainment to the program to ensure a smooth and enjoyable safari experience. These include electronic devices, games, diverse books and others that will keep children engaged and happy throughout the Vacation.

Choose children-friendly safari destinations

Selecting the perfect safari destination for a Vacation with kids involves several considerations, and one of them is choosing places that specifically cater for the needs of families with children. While planning for your Vacation with your loved ones, choose Safari Lodges and Hotels that provide several children-friendly amenities as well as activities to elevate your Vacation experience to a new level. This will become a trip perfectly tailored to your outstanding needs as well as interests.

Savor every moment

Always remember to savor every moment during the Vacation with kids. That is the time to make memories and be present in the moment. For this reason, take your time to treasure the little smiles and see the World through the eyes of kids.

Wildly Magical Workplace Weddings

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Not many people would choose to get married at work. But when your office is Ant’s Hill, it’s a different story.

Ants employees (and happy lovebirds) Lara and Adam, as well as Rosie and Nick, recently experienced the romance of Ants first-hand when they opted to have their weddings at the lodge!

We chatted with the two separate blushing brides to find out a little more about what it took to plan their two weddings in the bush and why it is all completely worth it…

What is your position at Ants?

Lara: Adam works as head of guides and assistant to Fred, the general manager. He is also taking care of the sable breeding project. I work as relief lodge manageress and assist the stable manager, as well as a horseback guide and trainer.

Rosie: I started as a volunteer and was a guide. Nick started as a guide and worked his way up to head guide and stable manager.

Why did you decide to get married at Ants?

Lara: When Adam and I were looking for a venue, we simply realized that nowhere else is as beautiful as Ants!

Rosie: Both Nick and I had always wanted to get married on horseback. After our time as lodge managers in Malawi, Nick asked me to marry him and we thought where better than the place we fell in love – Ants!

How much planning and prep did the big day take?

Lara: It was not stressful to plan the wedding. The Worldsview sundowner spot at Ant’s Hill is so breath-takingly beautiful, we didn’t even need to worry about décor!

Rosie: It took about 3 months of planning as prepping as getting food and tables out to the bush for 60 people can be quite a challenge! But, thanks to a very helpful team of family and friends, we only took 2 days to set up the wedding and reception venues.

Did you encounter any problems?

Lara: Just before the ceremony, there was dark clouds and a thunderstorm brewing in the distance and I was freaked out by the thought of a rainy wedding! But luckily the clouds stayed away and we had the most amazing sunset.

Rosie: Up until 2 weeks before the wedding we still hadn’t organised the tables and chairs and for a while we thought we might have to get everyone to bring their own chair!

What was your favourite part about your special day?

Lara: Nikki, the lodge manageress of Ants Hill, planned an amazing dinner with delicious game meat! Wiehan and Leann, staff from Ants Hill, got our horses shining and everything worked out so well.

Rosie: For me, it has to be arriving at the wedding spot and seeing everyone going ‘wow!’. Nick and I both arrived at the wedding on horseback. Nick’s favourite moment was seeing me arrive.

There is something wildly magical about being serenaded down the aisle by the sounds of the bushveld and saying your vows under the wide open African sky. With its unspoilt wilderness, spectaculars views and sunsets, and abundance of wildlife, a wedding in the Waterberg is the stuff of safari dreams!

Click here to find out more about the romance of Ant’s Hill.

Crocodile vs Alligator

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Botswana Crocodile

Many people are unaware of the difference between an alligator and a crocodile and will even use the words interchangeably. However, coming from different biological families, there are distinct differences between the two. Also listed here are some great spots within Africa to see Crocodiles (but you’ll find no Alligators on this continent we’re afraid!)

Habitat:

Alligators live only in the south-eastern US and eastern China, whereas crocodiles can be found across the world in Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, North America, South America, and Central America.

A crocodile can better tolerate saltwater due to specialized salt glands for filtering out salt, which are present, but non-functioning, in alligators. This difference explains, for example, why crocodiles have managed to spread across the islands of the Caribbean, and alligators haven’t.

Physical differences:

  • General size
    A full-grown crocodile will likely be several feet longer than an adult alligator.
  • Head
    The most obvious difference is that crocodiles have a narrower and longer head and a more V shaped snout compared to the U shape of the Alligator.

Example of an alligator’s U Shaped head

  • Toothy grin
    The upper and lower jaws of the crocodiles are the same width, and the teeth in the lower jaw fall along the edge or outside the upper jaw when the mouth is closed; therefore, all teeth are visible, unlike an alligator, which possesses in the upper jaw small depressions into which the lower teeth fit.

Lurking toothy crocodile at St Lucia Estuary

  • Toes
    Crocodiles also have more webbing on the toes of the hind feet
  • Colour
    Crocodiles are generally lighter in colour than alligators.

Behaviour:

Alligators, while certainly dangerous, are relatively timid compared to crocodiles. An alligator will generally try to escape if approached by humans, usually heading for the nearest water. Crocodiles, on the other hand, are more bad-tempered and far more likely to attack humans, even unprovoked

On land and in water, crocodiles are usually slower than alligators and as they are a tropical species they are also far more sensitive to the cold.

Some of the places to see wild crocodile in Africa:

1) Zambezi River, Zambia & Botswana
The Nile Crocodile is endemic to the Zambezi River and Tongabezi Lodge sits right on the banks of this fourth largest river in Africa. The lodge offers twice daily boat trips out to spot crocs that sit basking on the shores or in their log-like camouflage in the river itself. You will also see a lot of hippo too! If you want to go further afield then day trips are offered into Chobe National Park in Botswana which is the gateway through to the Okavango Delta – another popular croc hang out.

Crocodile by the Zambezi. Photo credit to Ann Lewinsky Photography

2) Mara River, Northern Serengeti, Tanzania
The migration of nearly two million wildebeest and zebra across the plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara is one of the oldest and last great land migrations on earth. The crossing of the Mara River in the Northern Serengeti has become an iconic safari event with many Nile Crocodiles just waiting in anticipation for their prey to make a run for it. A good place to stay would be Nomad’s Serengeti Safari Camp

3) Kruger National Park, South Africa
Most people focus on the big five when they think of Kruger National Park but it offers so much more. Crocodile Kruger Safari Lodge is aptly situated on the banks of the Crocodile River and with a name like that we needn’t say anymore!

4) St Lucia Estuary, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
This estuary offers an abundance of birdlife, hippo as well as Nile Crocodiles. You can take canoes out or if you are not that brave then a boat trip will probably do. Makakatana Bay Lodge is a great base.

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