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Adventure in Victoria Falls
Birdwatching, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Walking, White-Water Rafting
Why would anyone go to Zimbabwe? One spectacular reason is, “Mosi-oa-Tunya”, translated as the ’smoke that thunders’, and more commonly known as Victoria Falls. Measuring over a kilometer in length, the Zambezi River separates Zimbabwe and Zambia, forming one of the most spectacular border crossings in the world. [...]
An African Safari
The breathtaking African landscape inspires not only a sense of adventure, but romance as well. It’s Out of Africa come to life. Many options abound for those who don’t want to rough it, from luxurious lodges to deluxe camping. Throw in a balloon trip over the plains—they’ll throw in champagne. “In our tent they had [...]
East Africa: Safari & Culture & Climb
In September 1996, I went for one month touring around East Africa with my best friend, Rachel. We were both 28 at the time. The trip was a perfect combination of safari, cultural tourism and activities: climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Our first adventure was arriving in Nairobi, a rather intimidating city, with its aggressive child beggars [...]
Safaris in South Africa and Zimbabwe
In September, my husband and I traveled to South Africa and Zimbabwe for our honeymoon. We began our trip in Cape Town and the surrounding wine region. The town of Stellenbosch is quite like Calistoga or Yountville in Napa Valley. The wines we sampled were wonderful, particularly a meritage from the Warwick vineyard.
We traveled along [...]
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest park, spanning an area of more than 5,000 square miles.
Established in 1929, it offers some of the densest wildlife concentrations in Africa with more than 100 species of animals and 400 species of birds.
Hwange’s main entrance at Dete Gate is about 81 miles south of Victoria Falls [...]
Botswana Safari: Exploring the Okavango part 1
Many an Africa hand will say that Botswana, in southern Africa, is the ultimate safari destination: you get superb wildlife viewing, with opportunities comparable to the best of Tanzania or Kenya, without the crowds. And the heart of any safari to Botswana should be the Okavango Delta. A river delta in the middle of a [...]
Gorilla Safari
The gorillas of central Africa’s Virunga Mountains, made famous by Dian Fossey, can be seen up close by hikers willing to tromp through dense underbrush for several hours in pursuit. The one-day excursions are currently available only in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest, which has recently reopened after an attack by Zairian rebels killed a number of [...]
Hot-Air Balloon Safari
A fun accent to a stay in the Serengeti or Masai Mara is an hour-long float above the vast herds in a hot-air balloon. The balloon has the advantage of being quiet (except for the intermittent roar of the propane burner) and mobile, although you follow the whims of the wind rather than the animals. [...]
Horseback Safari
Not quite as exotic but much more practical is the horseback safari, which combines the advantages of Land Rovers (speed and mobility to search out animals) and walking safaris (immediacy and stealth). An American company, Equitour, runs five to 10-day horseback trips in Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. Day riding is available [...]
Elephant-Back Safari
Once available only in India, Thailand, and Nepal on small Asian elephants, the elephant-back safari was introduced to Africa in the early 1990s by American elephant trainer Randall Moore. Moore opened a luxurious base camp in the Okavango Delta with four adult African elephants that can be ridden, plus a “brat pack” of babies and [...]
