If you live in S.A. there is no excuse not to get out there and go!! For those of us with friends overseas, we know that taking a safari in Africa is, for some, a-once-in-a-lifetime experience. So for us, with Africa just outside our doorstep, we need to take every opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the things we have easy access to!
So here are 2 nuggets to get you thinking about your next trip out into the wild….. Watch this space for information on Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Madagascar!
Botswana
Arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world, Botswana is known to be hot and dry (with the exception of the lush oasis of the Okavango Delta). Interesting fact: Diamonds were “discovered” in Botswana, shortly after independence – and now diamonds make up over 75% of all exports. Largely off-the-beaten track, Botswana is a haven for wildlife – and although teeming with elephants, the national animal is….. The Zebra!
Best Game Viewing Months for Botswana Safaris: Of the four main parks in Botswana, we suggest:Chobe National Park safari game viewing is fair from November to April, good in May, June and October and excellent from July to September. Moremi game reserve is fair for game viewing from November to April, good in May and June and excellent from July to October. In the Okavango Delta game viewing is fair from January to April, good from October to December and excellent from May to September. In the last of the four parks – Savuti, game viewing is fair from November to February, good from March to June and excellent from July to September.
Namibia
Unique history, interesting towns, beautiful deserts, and the Himba tribe are some of the many reasons to visit Namibia. The sandy city of Swakopmund has some of the prettiest and best-preserved colonial buildings on the African continent. Home to Africa’s tallest elephants and the endangered black rhino, Namibia also has the largest free-roaming cheetah population in the world, estimated at about 2,500.
Best game viewing months in Namibia: Namibia offers wonderful safari game viewing throughout the year, due to very little rainfall throughout the year. The heat of the main summer months is extreme but at least it has minimal humidity in the months of December to February. Namibia’s main national park is Etosha National Park, offering fair game viewing from November to May, good game viewing in June and July and excellent game viewing in August and September.