At least once, you should go wild in Africa
You’ve never really seen the world if you’ve never seen it at its wildest. And you’ve never seen the world if you’ve never before driven through the most untamed parts of Africa at least once in your life. I mean it. Africa is the world at its most unruly. At its purest.
Which is exactly why an African safari holiday is a necessary life experience for all of us who’ve never witnessed the striking visuals of a giraffe or a zebra in the wild. Forget the digital screens. Travelling to different destinations in Africa, you will see how wide, colourful, and varied the world really can be.
Because you can do the Pilanesberg game drive safari and then do one at the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Both mind-melting, but two immersive experiences on the same continent that feel completely different. Especially if you’re travelling between July and October. That’s when you’ll get to see the Great Wildebeest Migration: the annual movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles travelling across Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. An annual earth event that will actually be the memory of a lifetime. See what I mean? Africa just is that girl.
So yeah, it’s time you drop everything you’re doing, right now, because we need to get on that plane to Africa. The world is waiting for you there. Feeling lost about where to start? Well, we’ve got you. This list covers four essential destinations across the continent and all their various attractions that’ll leave you breathless and wiser than you were before. And you can do it all in 16 days.
Nairobi
Hell’s Gate National Park — This is a unique, unique experience that you just must try. Imagine a wildlife park where you can hike, cycle, or rock climb past free-roaming zebras, giraffes, and warthogs. That’s exactly what Hell’s Gate National Park is. A natural treasure where you’re allowed to have an immersive experience in the wild. That’s what we call a golden opportunity for a real cinematic adventure.
Lake Naivasha — If you’re into large bodies of water frequented and lived in by thousands of different animals daily. I’m not even exaggerating. Over 1,500 hippos live in the lake. More than 400 bird species are also around the lake, including African fish eagles, pelicans, cormorants, and sometimes flamingos. And when I say they’re a sight! Hundreds of colourful birds scattered in the water- you’ll be gagged. Lots of giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, and impalas also visit and roam its shores daily, adding to the experience.
Maasai Mara National Reserve — This will be one of the biggest highlights of your safari holiday. In this world-famous wildlife sanctuary in western Kenya, you’ll find lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and African buffalo openly roaming the savanna. It’s also highly populated by predatory wildlife like hyenas, cheetahs, and jackals.
But the biggest attraction here is the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle cross the Mara River from Tanzania’s Serengeti between July and October. If there is anything you definitely shouldn’t miss during your trip to Africa, it’s this majestic event of nature. There are guided safaris, or you can take a hot air balloon at sunrise offering aerial views of the landscape and wildlife.
Johannesburg
Pilanesberg Game Reserve — Another great option to witness the Big 5 (lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes), cheetahs, and over 360 bird species in South Africa, the Pilanesberg National Park and Game Reserve is a favourite of wildlife and nature enthusiasts. You can go on a safari here, exploring South Africa’s 55,000-hectare volcanic game reserve, where you can spot wildlife moving freely inside this ancient, extinct volcanic crater. It’s extraordinary. And want to know the best part? It’s incredibly budget-friendly too. How cool and accessible is that?
Explore Johannesburg (aka Joburg) — This city is electric, and if you love exploring different urban cultures, you must definitely take a day to explore Joburg. The city is a delicious blend of South African history and a modern creative arts and dining scene. The cherry on top? It’s also one of the world’s greenest cities, with over 10 million trees. This urban forest is, ,a sight for sore eyes. It’s also full of things to do. You can bungee jump off the colourful Orlando Towers, visit the Apartheid Museum, and explore the mining district.
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And if you enjoy the arts, you can listen to live music in Melville and explore the city’s numerous art galleries, which include displays of contemporary art, traditional artefacts, and even ceramic works. Visit the Maboneng Precinct, an inner-city neighbourhood filled with street art, independent art galleries, cafes, and rooftop bars. Then, spend some quality time shopping and trying out the culinary scene because no other city does it like Joburg.
Cape Town
The Bo-Kaap neighbourhood — Famous for its brightly-coloured houses, cobblestone streets, and central role in Cape Malay culture, the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood is one of the prettiest places you’ll visit. Make sure you wear the outfit you feel most photogenic in, because all the hundreds of pictures you’ll take will be totally worth it.
Cape Point — Well, you’ll want your camera for this one too. Cape Point is a rugged and scenic promontory located at the southeastern tip of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa. The dramatic sea cliffs and the secluded beaches, the two iconic lighthouses, and the raging sea below will make for some crazy good pictures. Not to forget, the area is also rich in its fauna, with baboons, ostriches, eland, zebras, and over 250 species of birds roaming the coastal landscape.
See penguins up close at Boulders Beach — Part of the Table Mountain National Park, Boulders Beach is a unique experience where you can watch endangered African penguins waddle, nest, and swim among large granite boulders and clear turquoise waters. This is another highlight that you’ll regret missing, especially if you’re an animal lover.
Table Mountain Cable Car round-trip journey — This aerial cableway offers a fast 5-minute ride to the mountain summit inside a modern cabin with a slowly rotating floor so you get gorgeous, 360-degree views of Cape Town, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding mountains.
Livingstone
Victoria Falls — A proper African safari holiday won’t be complete without Victoria Falls. I mean, it is the world’s biggest sheet of falling water. From Livingstone, you’ll get an immersive, close-up experience of the waterfall. You can walk through the rainforest paths right up to the edge of the cascading water, visit the Knife-Edge Bridge, and experience the heavy mist and roaring power of the Eastern Cataract. Yeah, this is a vision that will showcase to you the immense power and beauty of Earth.
Cruise to Livingstone Island by boat — A trip to Livingstone Island starts with an exhilarating short speedboat ride through the river currents toward the rising mist and rainbows of the falls. Then, you can experience the guided historical walk on the rocky island where Dr. Davi Livingstone first viewed the waterfall in 1855. If you’re feeling adventurous and the season is also just right, you can take a swim in the Devil’s or Angel’s Pool, a natural rock pool right on the precipice of the 103-metre drop.
Chobe National Park — If you crave more of the wild during your trip, you can also visit the Chobe National Park. Wait, don’t make it optional. Make this one a must-do as well because a safari in Botswana’s Chobe National Park is a world-class experience which is renowned for its massive elephant herds, stunning river landscapes, and much more wildlife, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, Nile crocodiles, and over 500 species of birds.
More than 120,000 elephants gather in large numbers along the riverfront, especially during the dry season (May to October). If you’re a lover of elephants and animals in general, then this one is definitely for you.
A 2-hour Zambezi River cruise — The perfect ending to your safari holiday is to experience Africa’s wild wildlife while relaxing on a 2-hour Zambezi River cruise. You’ll cruise near Victoria Falls, and the experience includes wildlife viewing, complimentary drinks, and stunning sunset or midday views. Just beautiful.
…Ready For It?
An African safari holiday will be one of the greatest experiences of your life. You’ll get to see how immense and magnificent the world really is. The wildlife, the landscapes, all the large water bodies, and the brilliant colours of Africa will inspi0000re you for life. You could write a book about your adventures. So, yes. Jump into it and go wild in Africa. Your memoir deserves it.
If you’re ready for it, then consider the 15-night Wild Adventures in Africa safari package by Blue Lotus Vacations UK. You will love it.
