Afrian Safaris

African Safris. The very words evoke excitement for anybody who has been on one or intends to, and ones imagination and sense of adventure are stirred at the thought of getting close to many of the birds and animals whose home is the wide grasslands of Africa. Safaris vary greatly in terms of price and itinerary and those looking for the big five are sometimes just as interested in the African safari as a vacation with fine food and swimming pool time.

Knowing where to look and more importantly what to look for among the countless safari offers can be daunting as one is tempted to book a safari that visits several locations in the hope of seeing the greatest variety of animals, but visiting one park at a time means less time travelling and more time safari-ing. Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania are premiere wildlife locations in Africa and the Masai Mara with its wet season from March to May can offer a true African safari experience with all the thrills and tenuous excitement, as one holds on desperately as the 4x4 attempts to cross a swollen river or tries to drive along game tracks that have virtually disappeared under the force of a tropical thunderstorm that is such an integral part of Africa. Maun is a colourful village in Botswana that is known for the hunters and rangers congregating there to trade heroic stories of encounters in the bush, and to stock up on a few supplies before becoming part of an African safari. Maun is a stepping stone to the Okavango Swamps, almost 15 000 sq kilometers of twisting crystal clear waterways and islands. After meeting up with one of the tour guides one can board a charter flight to Deception Valley in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

Cardinal Lodges and Leisure are able to link you to any of these great Game Reserves Africa has to offer as well as assist in setting up accommodation at the luxury lodges to secure a unforgettable safari; and ifs its pampering and all out luxury for you, then don't be deceived, Deception Valley is for you. Who knows, you might even spot the famous black maned kalahari lions. The next morning after breakfast you can fly by light aircraft into the Okavango Swamps and stay at the Jao Safari Camp where one can explore the waters with a mokoro or dug out canoe captained skillfully by one of the lanky locals. The interior of the islands are covered mainly in salt tolerant grasses, while the fringes offer food and shelter for all the wild creatures. As soon as the sun sinks the night skies are given over to the bats. After breakfast one can fly out to Savuti which is world renowned for its large concentrations of game as well as a strong predator population.

Accommodation for the night will be a luxury lodge overlooking the Savuti channel. In spite of the profusion of wildlife, it is the large lion prides that capture the interest of the safari parties. From the Savuti a charter flight takes one to the Victoria falls where apart from viewing the absolute majesty, one can persue any of the extreme sports on offer here. Try the action-packed 45 minute jet-boating experiences where one literally shoots up the rapids of the Zambezi River, and if that is not enough try bungi jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge. If you heart has not stopped beating after that, then there are a hundred and one other thrills to be tried out, if you are not too exhausted!

African safaris, taken in any of the magnificent game reserves of Africa, still holds its original magic and allure

Please contact Cardinal Leisure and Lodges for more information at
viviene@cardinalleisure.com
or give us a call at 011-478-2420 (SA)