Wildlife Safari in India and Africa

Wildlife safaris

"One of the World's biggest spectacles". Many have so described it. Many have come back time and again. They have witnessed this mass movement of wild animals roaming free through unspoiled and savage wilderness. The air fills with the click- click of the cameras tirelessly. You have not seen something like this before.

Africa is changing at a quick pace and human encroachment into the wildlife reserves has continued to erase the traditional routes. In association with development and changes of the way of life, the image of wildlife roaming free is slowly getting erased. Fortunately, Masai Mara National reserve holds on to its charisma of an open, limitless land. It is one of the places in Africa that still prides in wildlife concentration.

Masai Mara is located in the South-western of Kenya, 290 kilometers from Nairobi. The abundance of wildlife and the remoteness of the reserve implants memories that no money can buy.

The Migration is a recent phenomenon (60's and 70's was the biggest boom) with about 250,000 individuals. Gradually, with time the number has risen to the current population of over 3,000,000 individuals. Add to it an estimated 1,500,000 Zebras and the result is one of the most magnificent scenes in the world. The massive display attracts hundreds of big cats as the populations provide abundant prey. The giant African crocodiles lie in wait, patiently, as the big herds come to cross the river or to drink.

It is the masai community who are not so pleased with the whole phenomenon. The wildebeests compete with their huge herds of boran cattle for the grasslands. To them, it is a big calamity especially because the wildebeests transmit diseases to their herds and poison the waters with their fetal sacs.

This world famous migration is a circle of life which, in simple terms, means that there isn't a start or an end. Only where the herds are located at a particular time. The big determinant is the availability of pastures. The plains of Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Serengeti are a favored spot as grass abounds and the wildebeest find a safe place to graze. It is also here that over 500,000 new calves are born and many are taken by the nearby waiting Jackals or Hyenas.

New borns have little time to strengthen their legs. As soon after birth, the “pilgrim" continues.

By April, the rains are over in southern Serengeti and the plains have dried up. The great herds then gather and face the long march northwards and westwards. The natural lawn mowers abandon the exhausted grasslands of southern Serengeti to head for the already tall grass of the Western corridor, near the shores of Lake Victoria.

The pioneers of the migration movement are the majestic herds of zebras. They prefer the long stems of the coarse grass. This way, they leave behind shorter grass which is favored by the wildebeests.

In late June to July the mass start pouring into the Kenya Masai Mara reserve where fresh, tender and mineral-rich grass is already waiting. Here they meet the resident Mara populations which add up to about 150,000. Also commonly referred to as the Loita plains herds, they spend most of the season northeast of the Mara. When it gets dry, they pour into the interior of the Mara in search of greener pastures.

The migrating herds spend roughly 3 to 31/2 months in the Mara crossing through Sand River, which is a tributary of the Mara along the boundary of Kenya and Tanzania. They trek westwards and cross the Mara river and sometimes the Talek river. Usually around this time heavy rains on the Mau Escarpment (origin of Mara River) fill the Mara river to the brim.

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 Established in the world-famous Kruger National Park, wilderness trails allow adventurous visitors a close personal encounter with nature by traversing large areas of unspoiled wilderness on foot, under the guidance of armed and experienced trail rangers.

 The Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in the Republic of South Africa and boasts the world's greatest concentration of species. It covers an area of 21 500 square kilometres and is bigger than Wales or Israel. Being 380km long, it is bordered by Mozambique and the Lebombo Mountains in the east, the Limpopo River in the north and the Crocoldile River in the south.

Established in this world-famous park are 7 wilderness trails that allow adventurous visitors to explore large areas of unspoiled wilderness on foot, under the guidance of a professional game ranger. A wilderness trail, which unlike a hiking trail is not a set path, provides a unique encounter with nature.

In keeping with the wilderness atmosphere, sites for the trail camps are carefully selected for their scenic beauty and diverse plant and animal life. Groups spend three nights in four rustic two-bed huts. Ablution facilities comprise reed-walled showers and flush toilets. A covered lapa serves as a dining/socialising area where the campfire's flickering shadows encourage stories of adventures in the African bush. Simple, wholesome meals are provided.

The following wilderness trails are available:

The Bushman Trail is located in the southwestern section of the park, an area rich in Bushman rock art. The base camp is situated in a secluded valley near Berg-en-dal restcamp. Hikers meet at the Berg-an-dal reception office and travel by Land Drover to the permanent hutted bush camp, attractively constructed in wood and thatch. The landscape is characterised by awe-inspiring granite hills, reminiscent of the Zimbabwean Motopos, which provide splendid vantage points in the surrounding bush. White rhino, elephant and buffalo are some of the animals encountered on the trail.

The Metsi-Metsi Trail runs through the area east of the Nwarmuriwa Mountain near Tshokwane. The base camp nestles at the foot of the mountain and overlooks a small waterhole. A hide provides the ideal place to view many species of birds and mammals at close range. The landscape varies from undulating savannah to rocky gorges and ravines. The Nwaswitsontso River, being one of the few permanent sources of water during the dry winter months, attracts an abundance of game – especially elephant. A great variety of wildlife, including black rhino and large predators, can be found here. Hikers assemble at Skukuza for transportation to the base camp.

Pretoriuskop forms the meeting place for hikers of The Napi Trial, which is located approximately midway between Skukuza and Pretoriuskop. The base camp is situated on the banks of the Napi Spruit. It is cool and shady, and the sounds of riverine birdlife can be heard. The area offers varied landscapes: from undulating plains and granite hills to riverine habitat. There is a large population of white rhino in the area. Black rhino, elephant, lion and buffalo also frequent the area. Birdlife is prolific.

The trail camp for The Olifants Trail is situated on the southern bank of the Olifants River, west of the Olifants/Letaba confluence. It offers a magnificent view of a beautiful stretch of this perennial river which ultimately flows through Mozambique and into the sea. The landscape varies from riverine bush and gorges to the foothills of the Lebombos. It supports a variety of wildlife, including large predators, elephant and buffalo. The Olifants River is home to crocodile, hippo and many bird species. The call of the African fish eagle is almost synonymous with this trail and the rare Pels fishing owl can sometimes be seen along the riverine vegetation.

The Sweni Trail is situated in the wilderness area near Nwanetzi. Hikers are transported from Orpen to the base camp, which overlooks the Sweni Spruit, and which provides a view of the surrounding marula and knobthorn savannah. This area is known for its large herds of zebra, wildebeest and buffalo, and accordingly, predators such as lion and spotted hyaena are never far away. Black and white rhino have also been sighted in the area.

The Wolhuter Trail is named in honour of the legendary Harry Wolhuter and his son, Henry, who, for many years, were in charge of the southern Kruger Park. The trail was the park’s first wilderness trail. It operates in the far southern section of the park, an area characterized by granite outcrops and lowveld savannah. The trail camp is situated midway between the Berg-en-dal and Pretoriuskop restcamps - the heart of white rhino country. Larger predators, such as lion. Cheetah, leopard and wild dog also occur here. A good cross-section of the birds of the park may be spotted on this trail.

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Wild Life Africa

The Knysna Elephants

In the deep-green depths of the Knysna forest lives the last, tiny remnant of the once great herds of Cape bush elephant. Of the original group just one female remains, though three elephants where recently brought in from the Kruger National park.

Elephants are the largest land mammals, second to the great whales as the largest living creature. A big male can stand up to four meters tall and weigh six or seven tons.

The Knysna Elephants are the last of the most southern elephants on the African continent. They represent a remnant of large populations, which occupied the Cape in the 17th century. The elephants were confined to an area of roughly 150 square km in the forest of Diepwalle, Gouna and Buffelsnek.

In 1876 it was estimated that between 400 and 500 giants roamed the forests of Knysna. The numbers declined partly due to poaching and ivory smuggling. In 1908 when the elephants were declared royal game only 20 were counted.

An elephant’s tusks or ivory can extend to three meters each and weigh as much as 100 kilogram. This is a very popular item to smugglers. An elephant’s tusks are its only two front teeth, which continue to grow throughout life.

Tusks never grow again when they are lost. Males carry longer and heavier tusks than females. It can reach such a length that they touch the ground when the animal stands at rest.

Apart from fighting, sparring and jousting, an elephant uses its tusks almost continuously while feeding. Using them in conjunction with its trunk to break branches, peeling bark, stripping off thorns and digging for roots. Elephants are usually left or right handed and will use one tusk almost exclusively.

According to forestry records 12 elephants survived by 1920 and in 1962 only 10 were counted. After having remained static for 50 years, the Knysna elephant population decreased rapidly and in 1983 only four were recorded. This population crash was merely the dying out of the old animals.

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Harnas Wildlife Foundation, Namibia

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Garden Route Wildlife

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GILTEDGE TRAVEL (Pty) Limited | Luxury African Safaris and Africa Travel
Giltedge Travel: specialists in exclusive Southern and East African travel, offering fly-in safaris and select game lodge experiences, luxury train travel, up-market accommodation, vehicle hire and itineraries throughout South and Southern Africa.

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Wildlife Africa

African Holiday Destinations and Safari Tours

Welcome to Wildlife Africa and our range of African Safaris and Safari Destinations in Africa Wildlife Africa is a South Africa based tour operator specializing in tailormade African safari holidays and tours. With more than 30 years experience of travelling in Africa, we will take you to spectacular wildlife reserves and pristine wilderness areas, exclusive African Safari Lodges and Camps  where specially trained game rangers and trackers are on standby to take you on day and night safaris on foot and on open safari vehicles. We offer a range of African holiday destinations and tours to suit every taste and budget. Whether it be a guided tour through Namibia, or a luxury safari camp in South Africa, we pride ourselves on providing you with the ultimate African Safari experience The game lodges and safari camps we use for our itineraries are all small and intimate offering you the best African Bush experience, fantastic game viewing, high standards of service and, above all, the African Holiday of a lifetime.

Botswana Safari Camps and Game Lodges Botswana is Southern Africa's largest and authentic wilderness.  With only 1.4 million inhabitants, and a little larger than France, the country spread over an area of approximately 580000 square  kilometres. This is a land of great contrasts and Africa's top Safari Destinations. More than 70% of the country is covered by the vast and waterless Kalahari Desert, while to the north-west the Okavango River, born in Angola where  it is known as "Kavango", flows East into the arid sands of the Kalahari Desert, spreading into a myriad of about 15000 square kilometers of crystal clear water channels, rivers and lagoons, before it disappears beneath the ardent sands of the desert and creating what is known as the World's last greatest wilderness, the Okavango Delta, the ultimate African safari destination. More info on Botswana Safaris Camps and Game Lodges.

South Africa Safaris, Tours and Private Game Reserves South Africa is a country which caters to the most discerning traveler's  comfort needs. The South African temperature is moderate throughout the year and there is a very slim possibility of snow falling in a handful of remote areas. South African roads are the best in  Africa and fuel readily available. Africa's most famous game reserve is the Kruger National Park in the northeast, but a host of other private game reserves and National Parks enables South Africa to offer an African Safari experience making this country one of the top African Safari destinations. More info on South Africa Safaris, Tours and Private Game Reserves. We recomend  CC AFRICA SAFARI LODGES

Mozambique Safaris and Tours The Mozambique coastline is a diving, deep sea fishing and snorkeling paradise. The shallow, crystal clear waters of Mozambique pulse with a myriad of marine life including dazzling soft corals, starfish, anemones, seahorses and a bewildering range of beautiful fish. The  Bazaruto Archipelago is a small group of islands situated approximately 40 kilometers off the Mozambique coast. The diverse ecosystem contained in the archipelago cater for a wide range of interests. The white beaches and protected reefs surrounding the islands make Mozambique a superb African Holiday destination. More info on Mozambique Safaris and Tours.