Richard Dickson

If you feel you are ready for an African safari, think again. Even if you are travelling to a country you are familiar with, it is still very important to be aware of the physical conditions and safety. This is very important if you are considering a visit to most of the African countries. Here are tips on what to do before leaving home and while you are abroad.

Before leaving home

Make sure you have enough Information about the country you are visiting, including that on traditions and security concerns. This can be got from the travel guides and Directory. Ensure that you are updated on the current issues and changes in the politics.

Remember to make a computer scan of your passport, write your passport number down and potentially learn it in case you lose it. Its important that you note down the diplomatic mission offices to the country you are going to. This ensures easier processing of your documents in case you lose or misplace them.

Photocopy any official documents you might have with you, scan them and email them to your self so that you can access them wherever you are. The internet cafes are almost in every Major and small centre districts of Africa so you would have no trouble over this.

It is very important to have a medical check up to prepare for a healthy holiday. Remember you are looking forward to having the best time, so you would not like a simple illness to distort every thing you planned. if you have a chronic illness( like diabetes, high blood pressure, sinus problems or even nervous disorder), check with your doctor, who can at the same time give you a letter explaining the same problem in English and the details .

Its important to read the health tips for the traveler. Diseases like Malaria have to be avoided. Some of the things you will eat won’t go down well. Be armed!

Make sure you have seen your dentist recently. And it is also advisable to pack a medical kit with pain killers , repellants , bandages , and an antiseptic cleaners, for your self and children travelling with you If you are on regular medication , take care to pack enough to last the travel time.

Ensure that you’re insurance coverage is valid in case you become sick or injured abroad. Some insurance campanies specialize in overseas travel insurance and may allow you to buy short-term coverage.

It is recommended that you attend practical training courses to equip your self with the skills and state of mind for a safe and productive mind for a safe and productive trip.

Check out the political situation in the country you are to visit and get psychologically prepared. Official web sites on the Internet will provide you with the ideal information. Inform your self on the quality of public transport at your destination.

Set a limit on your credit card, so if it is stolen, thieves will be unable to takeout a large amount of money on it.

Clothing is very important. Please get to know the climate and weather conditions before you take on a safari. If you have hired a safari operator, contact the company for recommendation on clothing during the specified period of your travel. Remember that decency is preferred by all the African countries.

At the destination

After you get to your destination, there are more important points worth considering to avoid illness so as to enjoy your holiday .

To relive symptoms of jetlag, eat lightly, drink a lot of fluids but avoid alcohol and caffeine a few days after your trip.

Try to relax and sleep on your flight so you can be energetic nonce you reach your destination .Try to sleep when locals do in order to get used to the local time.

Watch out for road signs: the most common reasons for death abroad is car accidents. Visitors are not always aware of the driving culture at the place they visit.

Use two wallets. Hide one of them with essential belongings in your jacket pockets. Fill the other with a small amount of money. In case of an assault you can hand this one over.

Do not count your money in public, as you might become a target for thieves

Know what notes you have in your pocket and wallet. Keep larger denominations away from prying eyes.

It is better to book an earlier flight than a later one. It is easier and safer to find your hotel and the people you may need to meet during the day than the night.

Try not to stand out in the crowd and if you have an expensive laptop, cover it so it is not apparent.Do not use or take an expensive mobile phone; an older one, reliable model will do.

Learn to identify what the uniforms of the local police look like.

Do not take any taxi you find – check to see if it belongs to an official company . Ask the hotel reception about rates you can expect to pay when you use a taxi.

Always set a price before getting in the taxi or ask for a meter to be used . Pick up the hotel’s business card. You can always present this to a taxi driver if you cannot find way back especially in the local language.

This presents a just a few tips on Travelling to Africa. If you are planning a Safari, some countries not to miss out include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana and Rwanda.

About the Author: Richard Dickson is a free lance journalist in Africa. More of his articles can be found at the website, http://www.aboutuganda.com Source: www.isnare.com

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Low Jeremy

Africa, a place that is naturally endowed with species that it exclusively owns.

The mere sound of the name rings bells of adventure, exploration, realization and hunting. Because of the diversity of hunting safari, it offers as much opportunities for hunting fanatics to explore a range of ecological areas that have their own specialties.

Well, it’s hard to imagine how we can exactly describe the purity of Africa. It is safe though to tell you that it is filled with rich resources of plain animals suited for game, predators that follow after their kill, animals grazing on fertile and unspoiled lands and others.

The game aside, Africa gathers the largest, most dense and extreme concentration of plant species and strange animals that seem to have come directly from the sixth day of the creation.

Now going to the bird, at any given time of the year, a single national park can contain an average of 300 to 500 bird species, which make Africa not only a haven of species but also a paradise for naturalists and ornithologists.

The plant and tree species are also diverse that it is impossible to record them all. Some species are as old as several thousand years ago, which again seemed to be the direct link to the Creator.

Al these combined (and the mixture of other components), Africa is one big paradise for man and the creations to enjoy. To flourish and to experience the circle of life. The dance that plays with each organism and specie. And the life that sets the balance between the created and the wardens.

As for the hunting safari, Africa boasts the most excellent sites and species that fuel man’s passion for hunting animals in their natural habitats. Though hunting is restricted in some national parks, local governments still assigned African hunting safaris where varieties of games are enjoyed but in accordance with ethical restrictions.

Some common hunting safari animals in Africa are: black wildebeest, gemsbuck, red hartebeest, springbuck, waterbuck, bushbuck, zebras, antelopes, eland, steenbuck, rhebuck, impala, blue wildebeest, warthog, kudu and many other species.

In African hunting safaris, the most common method used is the rifle hunting. However, although it is popular enough there are still unsettled issues concerning the caliber of the rifle. Please check on the guidelines as suggested by you tour operator.

Next to the rifle hunting is the bow hunting, which for the present is not as customarily used as the rifle hunting. Experts see the future of bow hunting though as the standard to restrict any other issues that must be dealt with the more common form of hunting.

About the Author:

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on safari & other useful information, please visit http://safari.articlekeep.com

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

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Andrew Muigai

The popular image of safari, especially in the west, is inseparable from Kenya. Earlier in the last century, gifted writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Karen Blixen brought to life the vivid images and uplifting life experience that constitutes a Kenyan safari. It is at this time that leading celebrities of the day such as Teddy Roosevelt and Prince Edward traveled to Kenya on safari. And so the safari gained a certain snob appeal. The famous went because it was expected of them. And those on the make because the safari was part of the certification they needed on the way up. If you want to take a peek into the mood and character of the players at that time, read Hemingway’s intriguing short story “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber”.

In our day however, a Kenya safari is accessible to many more people. Despite competition from other destinations, Kenya remains the heart of the African safari experience. The magnificence and diversity of the wildlife and landscape is unsurpassed. You are guaranteed to tick off the full roster of the big five -lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino and elephant. Other less well-known but essential and chartered members of the savannah ecosystem are also abundant. The landscape kaleidoscope rolls out the magnificent rift valley, the central highlands, the savannah grasslands, snow capped Mount Kenya and the desolate moonscape of the north. This is perhaps why the experts advise all those faithful lovers of wildlife and nature that at least once in their lifetime they must partake of a Kenyan safari.

Kenya has over 50 national parks and game reserves where wildlife is protected. But as you already suspect, on the average safari you cannot hope to cover all of them. It is therefore a good thing that you get very good value by visiting only a few of them. This is unless of course you have a lot of time and can afford to take off the beaten track. The most popular and from which those with limited time and budget need to pick from are- Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Aberdares, Samburu and Tsavo. Top in the off-the-beaten track category for either wildlife or back to nature activities are- Kakamega Forest, Marsabit, Meru, Mount Kenya, Mount Elgon and Shimba Hills.

Maasai Mara is the big one. This is where you must go even when all the time you can spare is two nights. This is mostly where all those wildlife videos on Kenya are filmed. The Mara, as the Maasai Mara Game Reserve is commonly known, is part of the ecosystem that includes the equally famous Serengeti of Tanzania. Covering 320 square kilometers, it is nested in the southwestern corner of the country. The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe. On a two-night visit, I saw lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, nine kinds of antelopes and elephant. The birds are also in plenty -secretary birds, cranes, stork, vultures and ostriches.

It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place. I refer to the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti in search of water and pasture. The timing of the phenomena is conditional on the rains and occurs between June and August. The reverse journey is usually taken in October. With or without the migration the Mara has abundant numbers of resident animals and you are sure to have a good wildlife viewing experience whatever time of the year you visit. If you have sufficient funds, consider taking a balloon trip over the reserve. This popular and thoroughly memorable ride usually commences before dawn and includes a champagne breakfast. The Mara is 5 hours from Nairobi by road and 45 minutes by light aircraft.

Amboseli National Park sits on the lower slopes of mighty Kilimanjaro whose peak is across the border in Tanzania. It is quite an experience to see the Kilimanjaro hovering above the clouds in an early morning. As the keen photography enthusiast can already imagine, the mountain gives a dramatic backdrop for animal pictures. Amboseli is renowned for its huge elephant herds. You will also see buffalo, black rhino, zebra, wildebeest and other plain animals. Lions and other cats can be seen but are less plentiful here than in the Mara. The park is 3 hours from Nairobi by road and can be approached through Namanga, the border post between Kenya and Tanzania.

Lake Nakuru’s claim to fame is anchored on its flamingo’s and the over 400 species of birds found here. The lake itself is a soda lake on the floor of the rift valley. The sight of the at times millions of flamingos is quite spectacular. From a distance the lake appears ringed in pink. Lake Nakuru is also host to a sanctuary for the endangered black and white rhino. Lions, Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo and baboons are all residents here. The park is the most accessible of Kenya’s bigger parks and is only two hours from Nairobi by road.

At the same distance from Nairobi as Lake Nakuru is the Aberdares National Park. The park has a diverse topography that includes waterfalls, rain forests and the rivers that supply water to Nairobi’s millions. The flora and fauna is quite unique and is not found elsewhere in the country, expect on Mount Kenya. Leopard, elephant, rhino and the rare bongo can all be found here. But dense vegetation and inclement weather makes it difficult to spot animals. You are however guaranteed to see some animals especially elephants and buffalos at the floodlit waterholes of the two famous tree hotels, The Ark and Treetops.

Students of the history of the British royal family will recall that it was at the Treetops in 1952, where the then Princess Elizabeth was staying on honeymoon when her father, King George VI, died. She descended from Treetops to assume the backbreaking role of presiding over the far-flung dominions and colonies of the empire. If you stay at the Treetops you are bound to meet with some of her fans.

Though not as famous as the Mara, Samburu National Park is another wildlife haven. Here you will spot lions, elephants, cheetahs and the elusive leopard. Some animals are unique to this northern park: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, kudu and gerenuk. You will find the semiarid landscape quite dramatic. On your trip to Samburu, you may also want to take in the nearby Shaba and Buffalo Springs game reserves. In addition, this is the place to take a camel safari. Samburu is three hours from Nairobi by road.

Tsavo is so huge, all of 20,000 sq km, that it is administered as two units: Tsavo West and Tsavo East. This is the park that is closest to Mombasa at the coast. The park is three and a half hours away from Nairobi by road. You will find large herds of elephant, especially in Tsavo East. Tsavo West is filled with crocodiles, vervet monkeys, antelope, baboons, giraffes and hippos. It is in Tsavo that poachers were most successful in their bloody racket and this saw a dramatic fall in elephant population. The good guys have in recent years gained the upper hand and numbers are recovering.

But Kenyan authorities are still extremely wary of the future of the elephant in Tsavo. The country is very active in seeking a permanent ban on the international ivory trade. I wish at this point to declare to all that I am a great fan of the African elephant. I believe this to be the true king of the jungle and not that overrated pretender, the lion. You may recall from the movie “The Man-eaters of Tsavo” how cowardly lions disrupted the building of the railway in the Tsavo area by feeding on the workforce. Would true royalty be involved in such a disgraceful affair?

Kenya is a year round safari destination. The rains come around April- May and November-December. This does not however, much affect the travelers’ ability to get around. This is except for the heavily forested Aberdares. In the wet season the roads in the Aberdares are extremely slippery and the park is at times actually closed down. Generally the best time to go on safari is over the drier months when the grass is short and sighting animals is so much easier. But in areas such as the Mara, the animals are so plentiful that you are going to see lots of them regardless of the season. The peak tourist season falls around January to February and July to August. April to June is the low season and prices for accommodation in the lodges can be as much as 40% lower than in the high season.

Accommodation on safari varies from basic camping to luxury lodges and tented camps. Out there in the bush, you will be pleasantly surprised that all the trimmings of 5 star accommodations are available. But if you want to rough it out, you will find campsites in almost all the game reserves and national parks. Info on Kenya hotels, lodges & resorts accommodation options is available online.

It is generally recommended to take an escorted Kenya safari tour package that includes transport, park fees and accommodation. The reason for this is that the tour guides are usually well versed about the animals, where to find them and how to get there and have other such useful local knowledge. Have a look at some offers of various durations and budgets.

But if you have a lot of time and need more freedom as you get around, then hire a vehicle in either Nairobi or Mombasa. For Kenya car rental there is a choice between self-drive and chauffer driven vehicles. On safari, wear light cottons and linen. Warmer clothing is needed for the evenings and for your early morning game drive. Some rainwear is advisable between March and June and October and December.

You should bring along a decent pair of sunglasses. The glare you experience in bright tropical light is a new and uncomfortable experience for most. It is also a good idea to carry a pair of binoculars. They are very useful for spotting animals and will earn you the envy of your less knowledgeable traveling companions.

Copyright © Africa Point

About the Author

Andrew Muigai is editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter. It is part of AfricaPoint.com- the Africa travel website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa. You can view more info on Kenya safari and tours at the website.

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