EXPLORing WITH EARTH ARK SAFARIS
"If you only visit two continents in your lifetime, visit Africa twice." ~ R. Elliott ~
Southern Africa
Southern and central Africa has much to offer the intrepid traveler. While most people will visit Cape Town and Victoria Falls there is much more to see. You can photograph both whales and elephants in one safari if you wish. Some of Africa’s most famous National Parks and Game Reserves lie in this region, from the stunning Luangwa Valleys in Zambia, to Botswana’s beautiful and pristine Okavango Delta. Kayak the middle Zambezi, photograph the highest sand dunes in the world, hang out with the Khoisan or track the famous black-maned lions of the Kalahari.
Southern and central Africa has much to offer the intrepid traveler. While most people will visit Cape Town and Victoria Falls there is much more to see. You can photograph both whales and elephants in one safari if you wish. Some of Africa’s most famous National Parks and Game Reserves lie in this region, from the stunning Luangwa Valleys in Zambia, to Botswana’s beautiful and pristine Okavango Delta. Kayak the middle Zambezi, photograph the highest sand dunes in the world, hang out with the Khoisan or track the famous black-maned lions of the Kalahari.
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Botswana
Botswana is home to Earth Ark Safaris. The unique northern part of the country has abundant wildlife and Southern Africa’s largest intact eco-system – the world renowned Okavango Delta. It also boasts the biggest intact migration of Zebra and one of the largest salt pan systems on Earth – the Makgadikgadi Pans. The country is also home to the largest continuous Elephant population in Africa and the highest concentration of Elephant on Earth today. Botswana is also an excellent destination to photograph large predators. With healthy populations of Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Hyena and African Wild Dog and differing landscapes of the Okavango, Savute Marsh, Chobe River and the semi-arid zones of Nxai Pan, Makgadikgadi Pans and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, it is a must-do country for safari! |
Lions hunting on the Okavango Delta's Khwai River.
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A young Himba girl in the far north of Namibia.
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Namibia
Wedged between the Kalahari and the South Atlantic, Namibia enjoys vast potential as one of the youngest countries in Africa. In addition to having a striking diversity of cultures and national origins, Namibia is a photographer’s dream – it boasts wild seascapes, rugged mountains, lonely deserts, stunning wildlife, colonial cities and nearly unlimited elbow room. Namibia is one of those dreamlike places that make you question whether something so visually orgasmic could actually exist. Time and space are less defined here. Landscapes collide. Experiences pile up. Watch a lion stalking its prey on a never-ending plain in Etosha. Fly down a giant dune on a sandboard. Spend a night alone in the desert under a sky so thick with stars you can’t differentiate between constellations. |
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South Africa
South Africa is rich tapestry of landscapes and people and the most famous South African of all times is none other than Nelson Mandela – one of the many who believed in the creation the Rainbow Nation. Indeed, with more than 11 official languages, South Africa is both diverse in people and culture but also boasts beautiful and rugged landscapes and interesting wildlife. Many travelers to South Africa will certainly spend some time exploring one of the most picturesque cities in the world – Cape Town. A week there will fill your senses to the brim and with so much to see keep you busy most of the time. Exploring the many vineyards is probably top of the list but a two hour drive up the dramatic coastline will have you photographing Southern right whales from shore and boat. You can also visit a penguin colony, a seal colony, photograph dolphins or take walks through vegetation unique in the world – the fynbos. For the adventurous – a shark dive might get your adrenalin going. |
A tail of a Southern Right Whale in Walker Bay Hermanus near Cape Town.
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Mozambique offers pristine coast lines with great diving opportunities.
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Mozambique
Mozambique is intriguing to say the least. With a coast line of over 3000 km and bordering South Africa and Tanzania, the country has much to offer by way of culture, adventure and beaches. Hundreds of dialects make it linguistically rich and marine life is rich and diverse. One can swim with whale sharks, watch hump-backed whales migrating, search for big tuskers in the Niassa Game Reserve or dive the Bazaruto and Quirimbas Archipelago. One can also explore Portugal’s colonial past on Mozambique Island on foot or on a dhow safaris. Lake Niassa is quiet getaway too where one can explore the lake away from the crowds. Birding is outstanding with a number of endemics. |
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Zambia
Zambia can be described as the interface between southern and east Africa and has long been one of the best safari destinations on the continent. Bird life is prolific and the Luangwa Valleys offer brilliant wildlife viewing in safari vehicles and on foot. The parks allow limited night drives to spot nocturnal animals. Check out the lesser known sub-species of Cookson’s Wildebeest, Crawshay’s Zebra and Thornicroft Giraffe – endemics to the Luangwa Valleys. The country boasts an intact wildebeest migration in the west. Cultural diversity is rich and a worthwhile visit to the Lozi of the Barotse floodplains is worthy of mention and a visit. |
 Shoebill Storks are a much sort after tick for birders.
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A Leopard surveys its surroundings from a Camel Thorn Acacia - Hwange.
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Zimbabwe
Behind the grim data lies one of southern Africa’s most beautiful countries. And despite being forced to sacrifice so much, Zimbabweans have not lost their humour or resolve. With so few visiting the country, those who do can expect royal treatment. They need you. While the world’s media focuses on the fall of Zimbabwe, visitors will see a very different image of the country. From the absolute wilderness of Mana Pools National Park, the ruins of Great Zimbabwe and the mountains looking over Mozambique in Eastern Zimbabwe, to fine dining in Harare or bungee jumping over Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe offers something for everyone. |
East Africa
East Africa’s stunning landscapes and vistas along with friendly and welcoming people attracts many a traveler from around the world. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, trek through forests in search of critically endangered Mountain Gorillas or join a classic safari in the many wildlife parks, reserves and conservancies. There is much history and culture to explore too both in the interior with the famous Masai and Samburu peoples and along the coast on Zamzibar. Dive opportunities are some of the best in the world!
East Africa’s stunning landscapes and vistas along with friendly and welcoming people attracts many a traveler from around the world. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, trek through forests in search of critically endangered Mountain Gorillas or join a classic safari in the many wildlife parks, reserves and conservancies. There is much history and culture to explore too both in the interior with the famous Masai and Samburu peoples and along the coast on Zamzibar. Dive opportunities are some of the best in the world!
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Tanzania
From the highest concentration of land mammals on Earth, Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains, to the powdery white-sand beaches and turquoise waters of the spice island of Zanzibar, Tanzania is arguably one Africa’s greatest destinations. Explore the highest peak in Africa – Kilimanjaro, do a dive safari off Mafia Island, emerge yourself in Massai culture or take time out to laze on a beach. Step into the footsteps of our ancestors in Olduvai Gorge or trek through forest to spend time with our nearest living relatives – the Chimpanzee. Tanzania is a brilliant starting point for a first time visit to Africa but beware – it’s unparralled diversity will be hard to match when choosing your next journey to Africa. |
Witness one of Earth's great events - Wildebeest migration - Serengeti Plains, Northern Tanzania.
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Meet the colourful and intriguing Masai people of Kenya on safari.
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Kenya
Kenya is located on the east coast of Africa and borders Tanzania. Kenya is famous for its open landscapes with the beautiful back drop of Mount Kenya and is famed for its variety of Game. Known widely as the documentary makers paradise, the shear scale is something to be admired. From the migration of huge herds to the small villages of the Masai Mara, this country promotes conservation and community. |
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Uganda
Uganda is the Pearl of Africa, a country with fantastic natural scenery and a rich mosaic of tribes and cultures. Travelling through Uganda you will be captivated by its beauty, overwhelmed by the friendliness of its people and intrigued by all that Uganda has to offer. Uganda was ranked by Lonely Planet as the world’s most preferred tourism destination for the year 2012. Lonely Planet singles out Uganda as the place where Savannah meets the vast East African lakes and where snow-capped mountains bear down on sprawling jungles, but there is more to this Pearl of Africa. Apart from being home to half to the world’s surviving mountain gorillas, Uganda is also blessed with half of Africa’s bird species, waterfalls, hot springs, forests, national parks and unique climate among others. Uganda’s history is very rich with UNESCO world heritage sites including Nyero rock paintings, Kasubi tombs (currently being reconstructed after the 2010 inferno), Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the newly discovered home of early man in Karamoja. |
Meet our closest relative - Kibale National Park - Uganda
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Mountain Gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda. A must see for people who have already been on safari to other parts of Africa.
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Rwanda
Rwanda is a stunningly beautiful country in the heart of Africa and is known as “the land of a thousand hills”. It is also home to one third of the world’s Mountain Gorilla population. Although this is the country’s main attraction, Rwanda has so much more to offer that it is well worth spending a few extra days to explore. Lake Kivu offers wonderful birdlife and the Nyungwe Forest, a wonderful Chimpanzee population that is well worth seeing. |
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Madagascar
Nicknamed the 8th continent, the island nation of Madagascar lies in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa. It remained part of the Gondwana supercontinent until it broke apart forming Africa, South America, Antarctica and Australasia. After another 20 million years it broke away from mainland Africa and has remained in its current geological location ever since. Isolated, many of the 200,000 species have evolved separately with more than 80% endemic to this very unique island. As of 2010, five families, 15 genera, and 101 species and subspecies of lemur are formally recognized. Lemurs are the most primitive type of primate, prosimians. |
Discover the land time forgot - Ring-tailed Lemur - Madagascar
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