| KenyaOne of the best ways of seeing Kenya, on the eastern side of the African continent, is by taking a driving safari. Options to either travel with a group, or to drive in a private vehicle with a personal guide, are available with choices dependent on individual circumstances and preferences. Other options include walking safaris, balloon rides or camel safaris.Kenya is famous for the so-called Big 5: elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions and leopards. It's also in this region that the famous Wildebeest migration takes place, giving safari goers the opportunity to witness huge numbers of the animals as they cross over from the Serengeti. Safaris in Kenya take place all year round, but if you want to avoid the rainy seasons go outside March to June and October to November.Regions you may visit in Kenya include the Masai Mara which is to the south-west and borders the Serengeti National Park. The main difference between the Masai Mara reserve and other safari areas is that the land is still owned and grazed by the Masai Mara tribe. Other areas you may visit include the Rift Valley or Mt Kenya, the highest mountain in the region.MalawiKnown as the Warm Heart of Africa after the welcoming nature of the local peoples, Malawi is relatively new on the tourist safari scene. It offers those seeking an adventure travel experience glimpses into the Africa of generations past due to the relatively low tourist numbers.The World Heritage site of Lake Malawi has sandy beaches and warm, clear waters that are home to a diverse and sometimes unique collection of tropical fish. In the region it's also possible to go kayaking, scuba diving or snorkelling, or stay on dry land and watch antelope, hyras or baboons as well as diverse bird life.Unusual safari opportunities in Malawi include boat safaris along the Shire River where you can see elephant grazing on the banks, or horseback safaris to ride amongst antelope and zebra.Malawi has nine National Parks just waiting to be explored for those who enjoy adventure travel, with the most popular time to visit being between May and October during the dry season. The landscape is at its most beautiful in the early dry season, just after the rains.NamibiaOffering grand opportunities for diverse and exciting safari holidays, Namibia is home to the world's second largest canyon, the Fish River Canyon and the highest sand dunes in the Namib Desert.Vast salt planes in the north of the country at Etosha National Park, offer spectacular sights of game as they stop to drink at the waterholes. See giraffe, cheetah, elephant and lion. Self drive safaris are possible thanks to reasonable roads complete with signposts.With over 300 sunny days through the year, you're not likely to be disappointed with Namibia's weather, but if you wish to avoid most other tourists the rainy season of January to March is good. |
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