From Sky to River to Road: My Ultimate Safari Experience
I would imagine an African safari to be a jeep tour through an open grass field. But it was far more when I was doing it myself. Africa has some of the most amazing wildlife sightings in their natural habitats anywhere on our planet.
From wild lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos – also known as the “Big Five”- a plethora of unique creatures that includes the Dik Dik, hyenas, giraffes, and a biodiversity of birds, a safari will not only wow you but humble you as well.
Trying to see something Surprising
One of the least expected experiences during my trip was the aerial view of Africa. I had taken a brief air safari, and it reformed my opinion about the earth. Everything seemed endless, as seen above. I could distinctly observe rivers, deserts, and animals moving around. This made me realize the size of the place.
Slowing Down on the Water
I was also very different with water safaris. When I was in the boat on the Chobe River, I noticed the animals going near the water. I later experienced a conventional canoe, and it was much slower and calmer. I learned to observe tiny aspects of things, such as insects and plants, that I had overlooked.
It was then that I realized the reason why East West News Service and Global Travel and Cultural Analysis are constantly discussing perspective. The manner in which you move can make a difference in the things you see and how you feel.
The Raw Experience of Land Safaris
Land safaris also remained the primary element of the experience. Passing through such locations as the Serengeti and Maasai Mara was erratic. Everything was still at one time, and there was motion at another. I recall one of the stops where it took the guide a moment to make us wait before we got out as a precaution. It made me remember that we were within animal territory.
Different Countries and Landscapes
Each place I had visited was new. Botswana had water and dry land as a unique case. I observed great populations of elephants at the Chobe River and the Okavango Delta. Also visited the big plains and wildlife in Kenya and Tanzania, which were over a vast distance. Namibia was quiet and sterile, and the desolate-looking scenery was both ugly and beautiful simultaneously. Traveling in South Africa was simpler, and it also provided intimate wildlife experiences.
Timing, Cost, and Small Learnings
I realized that it is all about timing. The most suitable season to observe animals is the dry season that takes place in May to October because the animals gather in water. But more people and more expenses accompany this time, too.
Bottom Line
By the time I got through my trip, I had ceased to consider a safari as a single form of experience. It does not only concern animals and places. It is also concerning the way you prefer to look at it-by air, water, or land.
East West News Service and Global Travel and Cultural Analysis are more significant to me now. Such traveling is not all about long distances. It is seeing more, moving slower, and having new eyes on the same place.
For a deeper exploration of this journey, read the full article: