1.      Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Tanzania – This lodge is perched on one of the most unlikely spots, at the edge of a collapsed volcano, which gives its guests an amazing view of the floor of the crater and the animals that inhabit it.  The Ngongoro Crater is a world heritage site which acts as home to herds of zebra, buffalo, and other must-see African wildlife.  Since it’s on the eastern rim, you’ll also get a fantastic view of the sunset, perfect for relaxing and enjoying a drink in the rosy evening glow.  The lodge itself is gorgeous, with large ensuite bedrooms and private lounges and balconies.  They also play host to weddings and have a lovely restaurant.  There are regular game drives from the lodge to go see the animals up close.

2.      Chobe Game Lodge, Botswana – This lodge has the distinct privilege of being the only game lodge permanently located within Chobe National Park.  The park is famous for having one of the largest game concentrations on the African continent.  It’s actually the third largest park in the country, but it’s the most diverse.  The lodge is located on the banks of the Chobe River with excellent views of the rushing water as well as the floodplains from all of the lodge’s rooms.  You should be able to spot herds of animals right from your window and the animals you’ll spot on your game drives can be more varied than anywhere else in the world.  Chobe National Park is most famous for its elephants; if you get one stampeding in your direction it will be an exhilarating experience you’ll never forget!

3.      If you’re looking for absolute luxury for a bit more, the Singita Lebombo Lodge in South Africa can deliver what you need.  It’s located in the Kruger National Park, another famous park full of the kind of wildlife you go on safari to see.  There are frequent sightings of lion, leopard, and wild dogs in the area.  The hotel and suites are designed in the best of contemporary luxury, with glass, wood, and steel highlights in the architecture but the utmost comfort in the furnishings.  You can even sleep under the stars on your own private terrace; of course, beds come equipped with a mosquito net to protect you from the discomfort and danger of mosquito bites.  Your deck is the perfect vantage from which to view some of the park’s elusive wildlife during the day, and there are also frequent game drives to get you up and out.

If those three lodges don’t tempt you to get out in the African wild, I’m not sure what will! Come back next week for the next instalment of my favourite lodges.

There is little doubt a Southern African safari will probably be one of the highlights of your life and if you follow the advice of seasoned operators and abide by the rules enforced to protect you and your family, there is little to no risk involved.

Crime not an issue

The remote areas of Southern Africa, be it the Kingdom of Swaziland, Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa Namibia or Zambia, are arguably a whole lot safer than some of the dubious areas in any large cosmopolitan city and crime plays little to no part in Southern African safaris.

The one area of concern for visitors to Southern Africa is the relatively high incidence of malaria in certain parts of the region. Over a million deaths occur each year from this disease carried by mosquitoes but there are a number of precautions you and your family can take to protect you from this debilitating and sometimes fatal illness.

Malaria can easily be avoided

Mosquitoes are particularly prevalent after rain and are generally at their most active at night.

One of the simplest precautions is to wear long trousers, long-sleeved tops and thick socks during the danger times.

Thankfully there are a number of lotions, potions and creams that can be applied directly to the skin that will prevent mosquitoes from biting you but it is also wise to take a course of prophylactics before and during your safari.

Attacks by wild animals are rare and can be avoided

Wild animals are exactly that – wild – and it is important to remember to treat all animals with the greatest respect. In a decade, only 7 tourists have died due to attacks by wild animals.

•    Three of four deaths accredited to lions occurred when tourists carelessly approached the pride on foot.

•    In the 2 fatalities involving hippos, both victims flagrantly disregarded the rules and were out of their vehicles at the time.

Statistics reveal that these attacks are highly uncommon and as long as you take sensible precautions and adhere to the rules, you will be perfectly safe.

If you are a novice in African safaris, you probably might find yourself overwhelmed with the array of choices that will arrest your sight. If you have already gone there, you might as well know how to plan a tour so as to delve into the deeper wonders of the African safaris. Remember, some solitary locations are far more marvelous than those, which already became traditional destinations.

The safaris, though more famous for the games and wild animals, were not created solely to do just that. You might be busy collecting stones while discarding wonders such as sightings of intriguing insects, varieties of smaller animals and multitudes of panoramic sights.

One of the more indispensable equipments in any African safari vacation is the binoculars as they allow you to see visions even from afar. Though travel companies normally provide binoculars, you might as well bring your own sets as you may prove them more convenient than risking your chance of sharing the tool with another person.

Your exposure to mosquitoes in African safaris can cause you myriad of mosquito diseases which in most cases, deprive you from more enjoyable experiences. To ward off uninvited guests during the night, make it a point to apply mosquito repellants and expose parts of your body as little as possible.

Any self-respecting African safari vacation operators knows that guests are susceptible to certain ailments due the natural elements in wild Africa. Therefore, they are well-equipped with treatments, medications and procedures that will create lesser chances of being affected by one. However, you must still bring with you personal medications such as anti-diarrhea medicine and anti-malaria pills in case you might need them.

You surely would want to reserve memories of experiences that you have undergone during your African safari vacation. If you were to bring a camera, your best bet would be the digital ones. However, for types that make use of films, be careful that you have some good reserve of batteries and films.

Go. Plan a different route. Seek places that you haven’t scoured before and experience wonder that you should not miss.

You can’t off course explore the whole of African safaris on a few days of trip. There simply are too many sights to feed your spirit and too many places where you may see the real and seldomly seen creations.

This is what an African safari may look like-

A spot may feature a snow-capped mountain while another site will let you witness the miracle of aquatic reefs. And there are definitely desserts and endless selections of wildlife. On another spot, you may even see a remarkable waterfall that will let you experience African safari the different way. Not to mention the diversity of culture and traditions, people and norms that form Africa.

It simply has got it all! Even the most amazing wonders that you can imagine may be found lingering in its rich and vast African safaris.

East and Central Africa

Mount Kilimanjaro Ngorongoro Crater countless plains animals prides of lion along with other predators are all found in these African safari regions. It is strange how these two regions harbor the diversity of animals that feeds on its earth. Its amazing how animals like impala, hartebeest, cheetah, buffalo and others coexist harmoniously in African safaris.

South Africa

Though southern African safaris lack the famous wonders that east and central Africa offer, it still has other things to present to its guests. This is the sight most films of life in the safaris are made.

Zimbabwe is often deemed to be the most marvelous place in African safaris. Why not? It is the honors the mighty Victoria Falls.

One of the African safari favorites is the Zambia. It harbors wilderness camps that may be found in national parks such as Kafue National Park and South Luangwa.

To finish your African safari trip, you may find pleasure in the Indian Ocean islands, which cover Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius and Seychelles Islands. The waters that cover these places are great havens for marine life.

World Primate Safaris is a very successful specialist tour operator that sends people out ot Africa and Asia to track some of the most endangered primates in the world, and at the end of 2008 their sister company World Big Cat Safaris was launched.

Again, World Big Cat Safaris relies on their expert knowledge of the areas they specialise in to make themselves different to everyone else. The 3 tour consultants in the office are ex tour leaders and guides from the various regions of Africa and so their first hand knowledge is second to none.

World Big Cat Safaris are specialists safaris to track the Big Cats of the world. They tailor adventure or luxury safaris with a selection of mobile camps and luxury lodges in some of the best wildlife areas in the world…Safari Holidays are our speciality whether it be a tiger safari in India or an African Safari to Botswana.

World Big Cat Safaris donates a percentage of each safari sold towards the conservation of endangered Big Cats throughout the world. Holidays can be tailored to meet each specific clients requirements including luxury honeymoon safaris, family African Safaris, walking safaris and much, much, more.

World Big Cat Safaris offers a selection of traditional Kenya Safari Holidays to see the savannah game of the Masai Mara. Kenya is at the forefront of wildlife conservation and community led initiatives and is perfect for a honeymoon safari or family safari and beach relaxation.

Tanzania is a prime wildlife safari destination. Your Tanzania Safari can combine the wonderful Serengeti National Park, the stunning Ngorongoro Crater and the pristine tropical islands of Zanzibar or Pemba. Your Tanzania Safari should make the most of the fantatsic selection of luxury lodges and camps that are now available throughout Tanzania.

Wildlife in Botswana is the highlight. The Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park provide the ultimate locations for your Botswana Safari. An expensive safari destination, Botswana provides luxury safari accommodation with unique access to private concessions providing the ultimate in wildlife safari viewing.

Your South African Safari can consist of a multitude of interesting activities including a wildlife safari in the Kruger National Park or its surrounding private concessions, the winelands of the Cape and some of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. A luxury South African safari is actually very good value for money in comparison to other African Safari destinations.

Zambia Safaris are up and coming as Zambia is new as an African Safari destination. Your Zambia Safari will concentrate primarily on a few areas, including South Luangwa Valley, Lower Zambezi, Kafue National Park and the renowned Victoria Falls. Walking Safaris are also a highlight with some of the best African Safari guides available on the continent.

A Tiger Safari in India is the highlight of any wildlife enthusiast’s career. A typical India safari may consist of the one horned rhinos of Kaziranga, the Asiatic Lions of Sasan Gir National Park and of course the endangered but majestic Bengal Tigers. The best places to visit for your India Tiger Safari include the historic Corbett National Park, Ranthambhore, Bandhavgarh and the tiger park of Kanha.

The large predators are what people want to see when they go on a safari and with World Big Cat Safaris they will put you in the best place to maximize your chances of seeing them………….