#mount kilimanjaro guy climb and safari tour

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African Animals in Photos - Wildlife Encounters on Safari in Africa

Going on a safari in Africa is one of the most thrilling adventures in the world. There is nothing more exciting than seeing African animals roaming free on the great plains. We have been on safari in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, and Botswana. We are truly lucky people.

African Safari Animals in Photos

Our first time in Africa was in 2008 when we cycled from Cairo to Cape Town. Our trip took us from the north through Sub Sarahan Africa all the way to the southern tip of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. We saw a lot of wildlife on that six-month trip alone and since then, we’ve gone back four times. These are our favorite moments coming face to face with African animals. .

Male Lion

It wasn’t until going on at least three safaris that we actually saw a proper pride of lions. It was while touring Tanzania with Go Ahead Tours that we had our most outstanding lion encounters. One that sticks out is while on a game drive in the Serengeti.

Lion Chasing Lioness

We watched three male lions try to court a female as a herd of elephants kept chasing them away. It was incredible to see how the lions kept watch on the elephants who drove them away whenever they came to close, yet never took their eyes off the female prize.

Lioness And Her Cubs

This memorable moment consisted of 13 cubs following one lone female lion. Our guide George told us that there were probably three other adult female lions lurking in the grass, but the cubs were following her – the Alpha. As they followed along, this little guy broke away from the pack charging at his mom. He brought her down, nipping at her throat and belly before climbing on her back to tell the rest of the cubs to come on down!

Watch our Wildlife on Safari in the Serengetti Video

Watch all the video abovce and at about 1:50 into the video, you’ll see the lion cubs playing with mom.

You can see lions all over Africa: Some of the best places we spotted them were in the Serengeti in Tanzania, Kenya’s Masai Mara, a South African Game Reserve and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Lake Manyara is the place to see lions sleeping in trees. We also saw them in the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park in Botswana.

Lion And Elephant Fighting For Space

We all thought that lions are the kings of Africa, but if elephants are mad at you, you’re in trouble no matter who you are. T his lion and his brothers were way too close to a herd of elephants and their calves. The elephants were having no part of that and a group of big males split off to chase the lions away.

One of the best places to see elephants in Africa is in Amboseli National Park where there is a huge concentration of elephants. Plus, you get a great view of Mount Kilimanjaro. But we also saw elephants in all the usual places in Africa as well including the Serengeti, South Africa, Addo Elephant Nature Park in South Africa, plus Botswana, Malawi, and Zambia.

Leopard in Tree

Leopards seem to be the most elusive animals in Africa. We had waited for days to find a leopard when on safari and we finally heard that one was sitting in a tree at the end of our trip to the Masai Mara in Kenya. We joined the line of safari trucks sitting around the tree to spy on her, but she never showed her face. It wasn’t until everyone left that we waited patiently by ourselves. Sure enough, when the commotion died down, she lifted her head from the branch and looked right at us. It was a breathtaking moment.

Leopard Jumping Into A Tree

Seeing a leopard in Africa is a rare and beautiful thing. Seeing a leopard jump onto a tree and continue to climb it is nearly impossible! It was the end of a long day of our final day in the Serengeti in Tanzania and we knew a leopard had been hanging out in a tree for a couple of days. We never got a great view until driving back to the lodge near sunset. On our way back to the lodge, Dave asked our guide George if we could swing by the leopard tree to see if she had moved. Sure enough, we caught her walking from one tree to another and snapped this shot just as she leaped to her perch.

Three Rhinoceros – The Whole Family

Getting to see a rhinoceros in Africa is rare indeed. They are the most critically endangered famous species of animal in Africa. Sadly, the  Northern White Rhino went extinct in 2019 and the Western Black Rhino went extinct over a decade ago. Why do people think that the fibers from a rhino’s tusk are healing or an aphrodisiac? Leave them, alone people!

Cheetah And Her Cub

One of our favorite moments seeing African safari animals came while leaving Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. We were on our way to the next stop with our safari vehicle’s roofs and windows closed but our guides spotted this cheetah on the hunt with her cub. A herd of gazelles was grazing nearby and she was keeping an eye on them. At one point they made a move to chase one and it seemed like the perfect moment. But the baby jumped the gun bounding ahead giving the gazelle ample warning to getaway.

Keeping Watch Before The Next Hunt

Not to worry though, the mother quickly forgave her child and they cuddled up waiting for the next set of prey to walk by. The cheetah and her cub eye a pack of gazelles. Will they get a kill on the second try? I sure hope so. Mom has a lot of patience, so I think she’ll teach this little fellow how to hunt in no time.

Cheetah In The Grass

Spotting cheetahs on an African safari can be tricky business. Cheetahs are one of the more elusive African animals to see. Our first two safaris we never saw on Cheetah! It was when visiting the Masai Mara in Kenya that we encountered our first cheetah walking through the grass. We followed her for a while in awe. Cheetahs are difficult to spot because they hide well in the long grass, but this beauty was sitting poised and ready as we approached in our trucks.

Baby African Elephants Playing

This little elephant was the leader of his baby posse as he flapped his ears and charged his fellow siblings – Watch the video

Seeing baby elephants will melt your heart. When we happened upon a herd of elephants filled with frisky baby elephants, we had one of our most breathtaking Subsaharan animal encounters. Watching the family unite work together and protect their young filled me with joy. Seeing the baby elephants play and show off made me giggle. They are the most adorable creatures and I cannot believe that people have hunted them to the point of being critically endangered.

African Elephant On The Way To The Watering Hole

I cannot get over how quickly elephants cover vast amounts of land. They seem like they are moving in slow motion, but as you sit and watch them approach from the far distance, they are near you within minutes. We watched a herd of elephants walking to a watering hole while on safari in Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, all the wildlife seemed to be walking to one place. Processions of elephants, zebras, and impalas were all walking in long lines towards the watering hole. This was the perfect African safari scene and what I think of when I dream of Africa.

The Lone Bull Elephant

When male elephants are too old to be a part of the herd (or when male elephants grow out of their adolescence) they are sent off on their own to either find another herd or spend the rest of their days in solitude. This giant elephant was definitely an old man and he took notice when our safari jeep came near.

While watching this bull elephant from the safety of our truck, he suddenly charged. Elephants are the most unpredictable animals when on safari (in our opinion). They look so relaxed one minute, but they can quickly turn the next. We were enjoying a quiet moment, but the truck next to us suddenly laughed loudly. This guy didn’t like that at all and charged at our truck. Luckily it was just a warning.

Giraffes On Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara is one of the most interesting places to see African safari animals. It’s one thing to see giraffes on the Serengeti, but to see them standing on the beach with water reflecting their long necks is mesmerizing. We counted 18 giraffes standing like statues on the shores of Lake Manyara; an alkaline lake known for its flamingoes and baboon population. It’s not an easy life for the “Ladies of the Serengeti.”

Sadly, we have heard that giraffes are quickly becoming critically endangered in silence. We can believe it, we have always had a difficult time seeing giraffes on an African safari. Other than at Lake Manyara, we have only seen the odd one or pair on our outings.

Necking Giraffes

When you are lucky enough to spot giraffes in Africa, make sure to stop to watch them. They are the most elegant of creatures. Watching giraffes intertwine their long necks while swaying back and forth is like watching a ballet. They swing from side to side in perfect unison coming together for a few moments before beginning the dance again. The movements mesmerize you into a trance as you watch the moment unfold.

You can watch it in our video: The Best Things to do in Tanzania

If you love African animals you will love visiting Tanzania. There are so many animal encounters to be had here. Our video above also highlights all of the other things you can do in Tanzania.

Black Rhino

Lake Nakuru is home to one of the largest number of black rhinos in Africa. This sanctuary is under strict guard keeping an eye for poachers and is one of the best places in Africa to see rhinos. More than 100 rhinos inhabit Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya with several different species of rhino living under protection. You’ll find black rhinos and white rhinos in Lake Nakuru.

Yawning Hippos

Hippos are pretty boring to watch. Most of the time they lay in pools of water with only their nostrils and ears sticking out. However, don’t take that mellow feeling for granted, the hippopotamus is one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.

They kill more people than lions or elephants. They may be herbivores but just look at those giant mouths. They are very territorial and defend fiercely defend their area. Hippos all pack together protecting one another from the sun as they stay covered in mud. But every once in a while a hippo yawns and it’s the most exciting moment of the day!

Warthog

I must admit, the warthog is my favorite of African animals. Honestly! they are so odd-looking they’re cute! They also never stop. It’s very difficult to get a photo of a warthog because they never stop moving. They are always scurrying about looking terrified that they are going to be eaten any second. I am always rooting for the warthog to survive. There are two species of warthogs found in Africa and they are related to the pig family. I can see the resemblance, they definitely look like a wild boar.

Flamingoes

Flamingoes are found on the salt lakes of African nations. One of the best places to see them is Lake Manyara in Tanzania. We also had an incredible view of flamingoes in Lake Nakuru in Kenya. You will not only see flamingoes at these lakes, but also storks, cranes, pelicans, and eagles all flying and floating on an incredible lake surrounded by rolling hills.

Flamingo Reflections

Did we tell you we were excited about the flamingoes? We love this reflection. It literally looks like the flamingo is checking out its reflection. Lake Manyara that we finally saw the thousands of different species of birds and flamingoes gracing its coast.

Flamingos Flying

Okay, one more flamingo photo before we move on. It was spectacular to see flamingoes take flight. Did we mention we were really excited about the flamingos of Lake Manyara and Lake Nakuru?

Morning Light On A Hyena

The poor hyena isn’t the most famous of African safari animals, but seeing one is pretty rare. I think they are cute. Just because they are scavengers doesn’t mean they aren’t fierce. When cycling Africa we often had hyenas circling our camp. We didn’t stray too far from our circle at night with these guys hanging around.

Ostrich

Male ostrich in his mating dance

There are two species of ostrich in Africa. The common ostrich and the Somali ostrich. Contrary to popular belief, the Ostrich isn’t the world’s largest bird, that belongs to the albatross. However, they are the largest flightless bird in Africa and they lay the largest eggs of any living land animal. Want some more ostrich facts? They are also the fastest birds on land who can run up to a whopping 70 km/h (43.5 mph)

African Crocodile

While cycling Africa, we camped along the Nile and I must admit, I was terrified of an encounter with a Nile Crocodile. Luckily we never encountered one while camping, but we did see them when on safari.

The Nile crocodile is the largest reptile in Africa and they are pretty dangerous too. They kill more people than lions as they lurk in shallow waters on river banks. We were silly enough to go kayaking with crocodiles in South Africa. What were we thinkings? Check it out to see.

Cape Buffalo (African Buffalo)

The African buffalo is one of the big 5 African animals. The Big five were named so because back in the day, hunters shot these beautiful creatures for their trophy heads. The big 5 are buffalo, rhino, elephant, lion, and leopards. (we remember it by using the acronym BRELL) Sadly, many species of animals in Africa are critically endangered today because of hunting. I have an idea, let’s shoot them with our camera lens instead of with a gun.

Plains Zebras

One of the most common animals you’ll see in Africa are the Plains Zebra. We saw a lot of of zebras in Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa. We even went horseback riding with zebras on a safari in South Africa. Our horses were surrounded by wildebeest and zebras and I could feel that the horses wanted to join in the run. When you see them up close, they look as if they’ve been painted with thick chalky makeup.

Hartebeest

We saw quite a few hartebeests on safari in Africa. This large African antelope was often hanging out with zebras and gazelles. Their face totally looks like an elongated heart. Sadly, like many African animals, the hartebeest numbers are declining due to human encroachment, hunting and habitat destruction.

Impala

Another African antelope is the Impala. Impalas are graceful and beautiful antelopes that I always thought were gazelles. They are fast and can actually run up to 60 km per hour. (37 miles). Only male impalas have horns.

Wildebeest

Many people know of the wildebeest because of the famous wildebeest migration in Tanzania and Kenya. It has always been our dream to see the millions of wildebeest cross the African plains. We haven’t been to Africa for the migration, but we have seen many wildebeests. Wildebeests are also calle a gnu. Believe it or not, they are also part of the antelope family.

Springbok

Another member of the African antelope family is the Springbok.

I started to really fall in love with the zebras of Africa. If you look closely at the picture above, you’ll see a little bird on this foal’s back. Read more: iSimangaliso Wetlands – Horse Safari

A Chillin’ Baboon

Sitting atop this termite mount, a baboon looks like royalty. A group of elephants had just left the area and this baboon wasted no time jumping on top this mound after they left. You could tell that he was itching to get his spot back.

Sikes Monkey

The Sikes monkey was named after Colonel William Henry Sykes an English naturalist from the 1800s. It’s known for its white throat and we saw this handsome devil in Kenya.

Vervet Monkey

Vervet Monkeys are so cute and are found around lakes and streams in acacia forests and woodlands. We saw this little fellow at Lake Nakuru in Kenya. We also saw a lot of monkeys at Mayanara in Tanzania.

Colourful Birds Of Africa

Dave and I are normally not into bird watching, but our safari mates in our truck were very big birders. Their excitement over birds was contagious and by the end of the trip, I started to know the names of the birds of Africa like this colorful cutie the Lilac Breasted Roller.

Penguins of South Africa

Did you know that southern Africa has penguins? It does! The penguins of South Africa can be found just south of Cape Town near Simon’s town. There is a colony that swims in the cool waters of Southern Africa and they are adorable to see.

Penguin

If you make your way out to boulders bay beach, you’ll see a colony of cute African penguins frolicking in the sand on the beach

Stork

I was very excited to see a stork in Africa. When we were cycling through Ethiopia we saw a lot of them. When I was young I thought storks were made up birds because people always said that a baby was brought in by a stork. However, they are real! There are 8 species of storks in Africa. We saw them in The Rift Valley, in South Africa near St. Lucia, at lakes in Tanzania and in Kenya.

Heron

More Birds

At first, we weren’t too excited about the bird species in Africa, but then on one of our safaris in Tanzania, a truck mate was a full-on bird watcher. She pointed out birds for us to see and we started getting excited whenever we saw a new species. I can see why birding is so popular!

A Late Evening Yawn

The sun was setting and this lion knew it. Almost time for a nap and time for us to head back to the lodge. This was on safari in South Africa at Kariega Game Reserve on the Garden Route.

Lion Looking At Me Licking its Chops

This is the brother of our first lion photograph in the Serengeti. He walked so close to our truck that George told us to get our hands inside. He was licking his chops, so you knew he was ready for lunch!

Lioness On A Rock

One of our favorite African animal encounters was certainly seeing this female lion perched on Lion King Rock. When entering the Serengeti, the first thing we spotted was this lioness relaxing on a rock beside the famous Lion King Rock. And this scene was fitting. This is exactly what we expected to see on the African savanna and the moment didn’t disappoint.

Watch the Big 5 of Africa in Kenya

We can’t wait to go back to Africa to go on more safaris. We haven’t seen the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo yet and we still. haveto see the Chimpanzees at Jane Goodalls sanctuary. But isn’t that what makes travel exciting. We are always adding more encounters and adventures to our list!

More African Animals in Photos

Lions napping in a tree

I’ve always wanted to see lions sleeping in trees. It was a first for us on our Tanzania safari. Lake Manyara claims to be famous for sleeping lions, but we saw lions sleeping in trees in the Ngorongoro Crater and here at Tarangire National Park. Aren’t they beautiful?

Lioness With Her Kill

Watching this female lion carry her recent kill along the African savanna showed just how harsh conditions are for animals. She may have caught dinner but getting it back to her cubs took a lot of hard work. She walked for a few minutes and then dropped the gazelle taking heavy breathes as she caught her breath.

All the while she had to keep an eye out for other predators that could challenge her to take her kill. At one point she saw a lone gazelle and dropped her kill to try for another. It managed to outrun her, but she exerted a lot of energy. I wonder how she would have carried two kills at a time?

Cheetah Cub

When visiting the Masai Mara in Kenya, we only saw one cheetah our entire safari. While on safari in Tanzania, we saw a half a dozen cheetahs including moms, cubs and this adolescent.

At the game reserves in South Africa, they cut off the rhino’s horn so that poachers don’t kill them for it. It is sad to see that this needs to be done, but at least it keeps them safe. I don’t think these two felt too bad about it, they seem to be enjoying life pretty well!

Male Lion In The Ngorogoro Crater

We didn’t expect to see male lions at the Ngorongoro Crater but sure enough, after spending time watching the wildebeest and zebras, we came across two male lions walking steadily to find some shade. We followed them for a bit before they changed course towards a very big and shady baobab tree.

Staring Into The Breeze

Something tells me this lion smells tonight’s dinner.

Close Up Of A Giraffe

Giraffes have a strange mix of being beautiful and dopy looking at the same time. This captures the beauty of the giraffe.

A lioness and Her Cubs

Being on an African safari in August lets you see all the cubs at their cutest. It seemed that every turn in the Serengeti found us at another squad of cubs with mother.

Watch our Safari Tips for Tanzania

Africa is close to our hearts and we were so excited to finally go on Safari in Tanzania. We’ve been fortunate enough to safari in Kenya, South Africa and Botswana.

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Last updated on May 28th, 2018 at 09:25 am

1. Can I Backpack Africa? Is Traveling Africa Possible?

Yes! Definitely! I backpacked Africa for 7 months. It was my first time backpacking ever! (So much for starting small

). I did it using public transportation only.

2. I’m Freaking Out About Backpacking Africa! I’ve traveled other places, but backpacking Africa still makes me nervous.

I totally get this! I was terrified before my trip. Literally, I cried in the fetal position in the German airport during my layover. (So embarrassing, I know.

)

Coming to Africa is scary. But actually being in Africa & traveling isn’t that scary. It’s our off-based perceptions, our friends and family’s good-intentioned but misguided beliefs, and the “what if……” game that is causing all the anxiety.

Over 64 million travelers visited Africa last year. If they can do it, so can you. Keep reading below to get more safety tips, advice for solo travelers, and how-to info which will hopefully calm your nerves down. And remember, “Life begins outside your comfort zone.”

This is a Japanese guy I met in Zimbabwe. He was traveling the whole continent by bike. He barely spoke English, but was still managing to travel & have a great time.

3. How Do I Get Around? Can I rent a Car? Is there Public Transport?

My grandma literally thought I was going to walk around Africa, aimlessly, with lions trying to eat me at any moment. I laughed. But then I came to Africa, and met people who were indeed, using walking as their mode of transport. I also met people traveling by bicycle, motorcycle, hitchhiking, & buying a car and just driving.

But the easiest & most popular way of backpacking Africa is taking buses. That’s mostly what I used. Although I did take a couple cargo boats, hopped aboard one train, and hitched rides with strangers when needed.

Buses are everywhere though. It’s the main way locals get around. You can take them around town. They also cover longer distances that are 1 -10 hours away.

4. How Do I Get From One African Country to the Next?  From Place A to Place B?

When I traveled to Italy, I knew the exact trains I was going to take and what time they left. I also pre-booked where I was going to stay. I planned the entire trip, down to the last detail.

Backpacking Africa isn’t like that. You’re not going to know anything exact before you come. Because nothing is online. Also, many buses don’t leave until they’re full. You could be sitting on one for hours before it takes off. But I promise you, a bus goes to every town you’ll want to go. They’re all connected. And locals will help you figure it out.

My route traveling Africa for 7 months

5. Backpacking Africa Route? Backpacking Africa Itinerary?

Have you seen my route traveling Africa? I personally loved that I did, “Cape to Cairo.” Ummm because it sounds awesome, right? But actually, I loved always knowing which direction I was heading (north), while still having some wiggle room in for spontaneity. It also allowed me to see multiple countries and different regions (southern, eastern, and northern Africa vary tremendously!).

Your backpacking Africa route will probably change as you move. Because the continent is full of surprises. Before my trip, I didn’t comprehend how much there is to do. I also didn’t know how easy traveling the countries can be. So I ended up going to a lot of places I never expected (Zimbabwe and Sudan for starters…).

But as far as planning a backpacking Africa itinerary… think sloowwwww. Because travel here is not fast. I’d estimate it takes a solid 3-7x longer than back home. And that’s when the bus driver shows up.

If possible, I’d recommend staying in each country for at least 2-3 weeks. I did some shorter (Burundi was only 3 days because I could only get a transit visa at the border) and some longer (I stayed in Ethiopia a couple of months. After my trip I moved here and married an Ethiopian. I guess I’m really staying here a while…

6. Backpacking Africa Solo?  Can I Travel Africa Alone? How Do I Find a Travel Partner for Africa?

One of my most popular blogs, Travel Africa Solo (even as a girl), details some of the precautions to take with credit cards, packing, etc. But if you just want to know, backpacking Africa alone is totally possible & fun.

I was actually supposed to start my trip with my aunt. She bailed. But I decided to go anyways. It was the best decision because I met so many people along the way.

In popular spots like, South Africa, Mozambique, Victoria Falls, Lake Malawi, Zanzibar, and Mount Kilimanjaro, you’ll meet a lot of people!

Other times, you’ll be alone. An American backpacker named Brian just texted me because he arrived in Kenya and was feeling lonely (my Backpacking Africa Book Complete Edition comes with my email & phone number so I get a lot of messages from travelers which is fun). A few weeks later he was in Zanzibar and introducing me on WhatsApp chats with other travelers. That’s how it goes. One week you’re alone. The next you’re surrounded by 30+ backpackers.

I think it’s a really good mix. I can be slightly introverted so I definitely cherished the alone times. But even for the super social person, if there aren’t travelers around, locals will love meeting you. Plus, being alone can also make for some good reflective time.

This is me with some backpackers I met while staying at Mayoka Village in Nkhata Bay, Lake Malawi. You can meet dozens of travelers here!

7. Backpacking Africa Cost? Backpacking Africa On a Budget? Is Africa Expensive?

How much does Backpacking Africa Cost? Is it expensive?  Yes and No.

The super touristy experiences (climbing Kili, trekking Gorillas) can put a huge dent in your wallet. Even if you try and do a cheap African safari, you’ll still spend hundreds of dollars. But if you travel like a local, you’ll spend next to nothing. In Malawi, my tent cost $3 a night. I spent less than $1 per beer. And eating street food was just a couple of bucks.

I wrote about my entire trip cost in my book with tons of ways to save money (ex: less time in expensive countries like South Africa, more time in cheaper ones like Mozambique). But it can be done cheap. I even met a guy who had been robbed in Israel on his way to Egypt. He showed up with nothing. Managed to still buy me dinner (because so many locals were giving him money), and was already to Sudan with still– no money!

So don’t let the cost of traveling Africa stop you. You might even be able to make money while backpacking Africa too.

8. Backpacking Africa Packing List? What do I pack for Africa?

I overpacked. So much so, that years later this British backpacker named Robby still makes fun of me. A few weeks into my trip, I sold half of my stuff in a Mozambican market just to lighten my load.

Which is why I now promote backpacking light.

But I am a super huggggeeee fan of these anti-theft clothes which I review in detail in my backpacking Africa gear post. I also made a list of my favorite backpacking Africa resources that includes what NOT to waste your money on. Besides that, I do recommend a tent & a sturdy backpack (seriously, get a quality one. Africa is rough on stuff).

My kid size tent

I didn’t even like camping before my trip. Now, I’m obsessed.

9. Backpacking Africa as a Solo Female? Is it Safe to Travel As a Girl in Africa? Are Girls Backpacking Africa?

I didn’t have any problems traveling Africa as a girl by myself. Everyone helped me. I found most men to be super respectful. “This is how I would want someone to help my sister…” they’d say.

It’s not just me. During my trip, I met a lot of other girls backpacking Africa solo too. I also get tons of emails from girls who downloaded my book and message me afterwards about their awesome (and safe!) trip.

The top message is the last thing I heard from a girl named Daniela before she took off on her trip. Read her next message to me… she loved it!!

I teamed up with Girl vs Globe to make this video that goes over this travel myth (along with some practical safety tips). We also decided that we’re kind of twins. It’s seriously weird how much we have in common. Leave a comment below if you see what I mean.

But yes, GIRLS— I promise you, with some basic safety tips, you can TOTALLY travel Africa alone. And you’ll love it. It will be one of the most life-changing, empowering experiences of your life.

10. Backpacking Africa Safety? Is Africa Safe? How Do I Backpack Africa safely?

In my book, I ask this, “Would you travel a country that reports a rape every 6.2 minutes?” Or “Would you travel through a country where 1 murder happens every 35.6 minutes?”

No way, right?

Those are statistics from The United States! Ironic that most Americans are too scared to come to Africa.

Every country can be dangerous. But I personally experienced most African countries to be just as safe as the US (if not slightly safer in some respects… I hitchhiked across the continent, but I would never do that in America!).

Use common sense. Do the safety tips I recommend in my book. Read the scams I describe and follow how to avoid them. Trust your intuition. And ask locals and other backpackers for advice along the way.

Every hitchhiker needs a great sign

But seriously, I would never do this in the US. But I did it in almost every African country I went.

11. Backpacking Africa Tours? Should I Do an Overland Tour in Africa? Travel Tours for Africa?

I don’t like them. I even made a video why I don’t like Overland Tours in Africa. They’re way more expensive. (Even though, you’ll often stay in hostels like the rest of us). You’re on a tight schedule that can’t be changed. It kills the adventure part a bit. You might also get stuck with people you don’t like.

But with that being said, I know that some travelers really do enjoy them. If this is the only way you feel comfortable coming, then book one. You will probably love it. Just don’t think you have to do an overland tour. Because thousands of backpackers are in Africa right now without one.

This is Daniel from the Sunflower Stop Hostel in South Africa. He was soo nice! I found all hostel staff are as helpful & nice as him

12. Are there Backpacking Africa Blogs?

Some of my favorite blogs I’ve written are Ethiopia Travel: 7 Reasons You Must Go, Bucket List Ideas: 21 Things to Do in Africa Before you Die, and my bio which gives you a good background on my story in Africa.

But there are some others you’re going to love! See some of my favorite works they did on Africa below:

Kenyan Backpacker HandZaround GirlvsGlobe Helen in Wonderlust

13. Is There a Backpacking Africa Forum? How Do I Connect with Other Travelers?

If you have more specific questions, you can ask them on Thorn Tree. The Backpacking Africa Facebook group is really popular too. There’s also some really cool Israelis who started, Mzungu.Org, which has lots of tips & travel buddy options. (Random fact, you’ll meet a lot of backpackers from Israel in Africa).

14. Is There a Backpacking Africa Book or Guide? Backpacking Africa Book for Newbies?

I’m obviously biased, but you should definitely download my Backpacking Africa for Beginners ebook. It’s literally everything you want to know, in step by step detail, about backpacking Africa (visas, crossing borders, costs, vaccines, safety tips, things to do, extra helpful stuff for girls, etc)

I actually just got a message from two travelers who met and started dating in Malawi. One day, they realized they both came to Africa by using my book! I feel like such a matchmaker. If they get married, I better be invited to the wedding.

But in all seriousness, most travelers also come with Lonely Planet Books. They are filled with lots of handy travel information about where to stay, how to get around, etc. I prefer the ones on a specific country or two (rather than a region) because you get even more detailed information (example: Get both the Kenyan book & the Tanzania book rather than the East Africa book or Africa book). In lieu of backpacking light, an ebook form might be more handy. But it is Africa, and power will go out…. So hardcopy isn’t a bad option either.

15. Backpacking Africa Destinations? Best Countries in Africa to Travel To? Where Should I Visit in Africa?

African countries are extremely different from each other (despite how we were all brought up in the West to believe “Africa” is a giant glob of safari animals and that’s it). That’s why in my route traveling travel Africa I recommend including a few countries so you can really feel the difference.

I already listed some of my favorite African travel destinations. If I had to choose my favorite country is Malawi. Hands down, include it on your trip. But I also really loved Uganda. Actually I loved every country on my journey for its own reason.

For example, Sudan blew all my stereotypes away and deepened my knowledge about the Islamic culture. I even loved their pyramids more than the ones in Egypt because they are so non-touristy.

I loved Mozambique for it seafood (except I’m now vegan) and beaches. Burundi was a fascinating, but somewhat a sad to see country. Rwanda, personally inspired me. The speed at which the country transformed itself (and side note– is one of the cleanest countries in the world) amazes me.

I could go on and on…. But if you aren’t sure where to start, backpack South Africa first. It’s the easiest to travel and filled with backpackers. Which is good, if you’re a newbie.

16. Does Africa Have Internet? How do I find Wifi in Africa? Can I backpack Africa if I need internet for my work?

You can find wifi in Africa. Your hostels will offer it (but it will be slow or not working a lot). You can also buy a local sim card, buy pre-paid phone cards locally, and then use cell data. (In Ethiopia, make sure you buy the credit & then get an internet package by dialing *999# in your phone first to save money.)  Or you can use an internet center which is full of super old computers. You’ll pay a cheap price per minute. (They’re good for checking Facebook & writing emails, but not good enough for Skype). But if you’re really worried about internet because you need it for work, you can go to any nice hotel, order a coffee, and use internet there.

I also recommend downloading a free VPN on your phone or computer. I use Betternet (although they’re pretty much the same. I don’t think it’s worth it to get the paid version). Most places you won’t need one, but once in while some African governments block certain sites. If you turn your VPN on, it will still allow you to access them.

(Side note– in Ethiopia the best places for internet are The Monarch, Jupiter, and Sheraton Hotels. Just buy coffee, and they’ll give you the password).

17. Will I find enough electricity in Africa? How often will power go out? How do I charge my electronics in Africa?

It will go out. A lot. I hope you like campfires. But actually, it’s pretty awesome to disconnect from the world. Especially when you’re surrounded by so much natural beauty, it’s really healthy to put your phone a way for a while.

Now that I’ve started a social impact snack company, Dirkosh Crunch, that relies on an oven, the electricity issues are a lot less cute. But as a backpacker, the lack of power can cause you to really bond with the people around you.

For those super worried about it though, I love this solar powered USB charger. To be fair, any device that is solar powered is helpful to have with you. But most hostels know how dependent travelers are on electricity. They do their best to find ways to get your stuff charged.

Horse back riding in South Africa is so pretty! (Except half way through this, I realized I HATE horse back riding. I was terrified the whole way! Haha

)

18. Is there Clean Water in Africa? What kind of water do I drink while backpacking Africa? Can I drink tap water in Africa?

Tap water will you get seriously sick. Besides South Africa, you’ll need to buy bottled water. It is everywhere. Also, Coca Cola is everywhere too. But that probably won’t help hydrate you.

I personally wouldn’t travel without a Life Straw or some water purification tablets in case of an emergency (I met a backpacker whose bus broke down in Somaliland for a couple days. He had nothing to drink! He was about to drink out of a nearby, dirty creek, when help finally arrived. I love Africa, but be prepared for an emergency too.)

19. Is There Hot Water in Africa? Will I Find a Hot Shower?

It’s a 50/50. Some hostels have it. My favorite one, Liwonde Safari Camp, has ads that literally boast “piping hot showers”. The owner is a crazy, but cool Dutch guy who lets the whole place run on solar power. The water was definitely hot! But I’d brace yourself in other places– especially in Ethiopia. The only good thing is that being dirty is somewhat acceptable as a backpacker.

20. Should I come to Africa Now? Should I Wait until I Have More Money? Best time To Backpack Africa?

In this order: Yes, No, & Anytime.

There’s never a convenient time to backpack Africa. You’re bound to miss a friend’s wedding, screw up a new dating relationship, or run into a rainy season somewhere along the way. But if you let these excuses get in the way, you’ll never come.

So I’d block out some time, and come now.

If there are one or two big activities you want to do (like shark diving or touching a whale shark), plan around the season. If not, you’ll miss it. But if you’re traveling a continent this big & diverse, it’s not possible to always arrive in the best weather. Even if you arrive in the off season, you’ll find other advantages like lower prices. You can’t go wrong.

This is me and another backpacker getting ready to jump in a cage & go shark diving! It was freakinggg scary! But so cool getting that close! Shark cage diving in South Africa is based on seasons.

21. How has backpacking Africa changed you? Is Africa really worth the costs, the vaccines, the time?

Yes! A thousand times yes! Backpacking Africa, especially as a solo female, was the most empowering experience of my life. Even when I face a challenge now, I think, “Okay, I literally backpacked across Africa. I can figure this out.” I also was introduced to so many new cultures, religions, and people that I’m more open minded ( I was before too, but there is a better depth to it). I learned that I’m capable of so much more than I knew. I had crazy, adventure filled, experiences that I will be telling to my grandchildren some day. I also learned what African countries are really like, and they blow my mined!

After living here for a few years & getting really into the Ethiopian culture, I’ve also learned new values. I’m much more community oriented (I’m naturally prone to being almost too independent/lone wolf-ish). I value relationships more. My patience has increased. I go with the flow more. I help others better. I’m less focused on my looks. I’m more grateful for life. I’m able to stay more in the present.

Backpacking Africa also set off a weird chain of events I never expected. I ended up moving to Addis Ababa after my trip. I got married to an Ethiopian (I thought I wanted to stay single for life). I started my own snack company. I have become a huge advocate for African agri-business. I am also really passionate about supporting Ethiopian women with disabilities.

Maybe your experience won’t be as dramatic. But everyone I meet who comes to Africa gets touched to their core in someway or another. So yes, backpacking Africa is worth it.

Swimming with sea turtles in Zanzibar. So much fun! And only $8!

What Other Questions Do You Have?? How Can I Better Help You Decide to Come to Africa? Leave it in a comment below!!

The post Backpacking Africa: Solo Traveler Answers Your 21 Questions! appeared first on Backpacking Africa for Beginners.

[adventuretravelkenya-blog]

Amazing Kenya wildlife safari packages & Holiday tours in Kenya for Tourist

Opting out for a holiday is quite nice and its welcome breaks from the mundane daily life.Safari packages are becoming more prevalent routing as they offer some of the finest excitements ever. The Kenya wildlife safari packages are one of the very best as it will help you escalate the area as it was initially before transformation. It is a great way to unwind. Kenya is one of the most widespread safari endpoints as it has a plentiful flora and fauna. It is also a land of inordinate sceneries thus an ideal place for that amazing safari experience. Whatever holds your fancy, be it animals plants or even landscapes, Kenya is the best place for the explorations of these and more. One of the very best places to enjoy these kinds of safaris is in Kenya.

Safaris will comprise the best tours to numerous game parks and game reserves. You will escapade into the exotic beauty of the landscapes, the extensive variety of animals, excellent beaches along the Indian Ocean and also an assortment of birds. The safaris also take in the Kenya-Tanzania escapades, budget camping safaris, luxury holiday beaches, Luxuries lodge safaris, Mount Kilimanjaro hiking and trekking, Mountain climbing adventures safaris, Kenya flying package, and much more. A safari to Kenya is also about meeting the local people and learning their way of life. There are 42 tribes in Kenya who have different cultures.

Take Holiday tours in Kenya and adventure the Great Rift Valley. Take an enjoyable journey to Lake Naivasha, which is a freshwater lake with different types of fish. Lake Nakuru is alkaline water making it an ideal home for millions pink and white flamingo birds. Lake Bogolia with its unique hot water perspective where one can boil an egg within a minute when placed in the geyser. You will have a wonderful time with the indigenous Masai, Pokot and Samburu communities who strongly keep their cultures. There are many activities in Kenya creating employment to the majority of the people. Overall, we may state that the holiday tours taken in Kenya can be more remarkable when you travel with your family and friends. Jesus, it’s the best place you can ever go for. So, guys what are you waiting for? Hurry up, and book the holiday tour at the earliest.

[maydienthoaisky]

BestPlaceforaSafariinAfrica – an Outline

BestPlaceforaSafariinAfrica - an Outline

What Does Best Place for a Safari in Africa Mean?

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The two of those males have proven which will you like it enough you may accomplish your aims along with summiting Mount Kilimanjaro is certainly an outstanding goal to get. Whenever you're finished searching, you can want to go to nearby Addo Elephant Park for a day and hunt for that resident lions and elephants. One of the absolute most intriguing details is it is irrelevant how old or young you're, it's possible to summit Mount Kilimanjaro.

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Though it doesn't take an entire day it's fun especially for younger kids. It's a bunkhouse for kids. Climbing this mountain twice is a feet by itself, but if you add into equation the simple fact that Goosen has cerebral palsy and takes a wheelchair it becomes that a lot more inspirational.

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Tham khảo bài viết: BestPlaceforaSafariinAfrica – an Outline Được viết tại trang web này tindoanuong.com

[travelling-trooper-blog]

There were four things I knew I wanted to do during my time in Africa:

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

See lions, elephants, and giraffes on a safari

Work with the beautiful women of Living Positive Kenya

Bungee jump over Victoria Falls

Yesterday, I managed to check number four off of that list.

However, for a while there, I wasn’t sure I was even going to be able to get into the country.

Two weeks ago, a friend instructed me to make sure to withdraw American money before leaving for Zimbabwe. The country is literally strapped for cash. People sleep outside the banks here, waiting desperately until the next time the bank has access to more money. People may have money in their accounts, but the bank doesn’t have money to give them.

The reason? For several years, the country ran a trade deficit, importing more than twice of what it exports. The result is that there’s just not enough physical money to go around.

To solve this problem, last year Cairo’s African Export-Import Bank, provided $200 million so that Zimbabwe could print $200 million worth of its own bond notes, which are equivalent to US dollars.

The government also limited the amount of money one can take out of the country to $1000.

The whole reason Zimbabwe uses the US dollar is because Mugabe destroyed their own currency in 2009. Mugabe had 100-trillion-dollar notes printed, the economy went down the crapper, and by 2009, one US dollar was equal to 2.6 decimillion dollars. (That’s ten to the power of 33.)

Note: I got this information from a 2016 article from The Atlantic. Several locals, on the other hand, seem to think that Mugabe quite literally had $8 billion hidden under his mattress.

One thing President Mnangangwa has promised to do to help remedy this situation is bring money back into the country. According to an article in the Gazette, many wealthy individuals and corporations have externalized $3 billion to other countries over the last three years. He’s given them from December 1, 2017 to February of next year to return that money. After that, people will face legal consequences.

Why am I telling you this? BECAUSE I’M AN IDIOT AND I FORGOT TO WITHDRAW MONEY IN UGANDA, SO I CAME HERE WITH NO MONEY AND NO CERTAINTY THAT I’D BE ABLE TO PAY FOR MY ENTRY VISA, LET ALONE SURVIVE FOR 9 DAYS!

The realization hit me as soon as I walked into the airport in Uganda. My first thought was to ask for the nearest ATM. Apparently the airport in Entebbe doesn’t have ATMs.

What the what?

Whatever, I’ll just take money out in Ethiopia while I wait for my connecting flight.

Nope.

ATMs only give out local currency, and for some reason, there was no currency exchange place in sight.

Crap!

So I boarded my flight to Victoria Falls uncertain as to how I was going to pay for my entry Visa, since the e-mail I got from my hostel explicityly said that they only accept cash payments for Visas at the airport.

It was a long flight.

I anticipated being stuck at the airport for at least a day. Of course, my bungee reservation was for the next day, so I figured I wouldn’t be able to make it on time.

Crap!

Miraculously, the Visa desk had a card machine and I was able to pay by credit card. Hallelujah!

Next problem: Get American dollars. I didn’t want to pay for EVERYTHING by credit card for the next week.

I had thankfully e-mailed my hostel from Ethiopia and told them of my situation, and they had sent a taxi to the airport to pick me up.

At the hostel, the guy at the desk informed me that since I had gotten the Kaza Visa (thank you Liz from Zambezi Safari & Tours!), I’d be able to walk over to Zambia after my bungee jump and take out some American money. Hallelujah!

Had I gotten the normal Visa like most bungee jumpers, I would have had to pay another $50 to enter Zambia.

The Victoria Falls Bridge is right at the Zambia-Zimbabwe border, so I could literally get my passport stamped, walk across the border to the nearest hotel, and take out money.

With that settled, I was ready for my jump!

The plummet

The view from the plummet

I had purchased what they call the “Big Air Experience.” That means that I was booked for bungee jumping, the gorge swing, and the zipline.

Now I have gone skydiving in Toronto, paragliding in Korea, and ziplining in both Canada and Nicaragua; but I can say without a doubt, that bungee jumping is the most terrifying thing I have ever done.

With skydiving, the fear is only anticipatory. Once you take that leap out of the plane, all of your fears disappear. You don’t feel the rush of a bajillion butterflies fluttering in your stomach; it’s just a blissful freefall.

And with paragliding, sure, your life flashes before your eyes as you run for everything you’re worth towards the edge of the cliff to take that leap, but once your feet leave the ground, your gaze rises to the clouds, and those fears once again disappear.

With bungee jumping, however, I felt like the ratio of crippling fear to joyful adrenaline rush was reversed.

There were so many different emotions going through me in these shots.

So this is how it works:

You step into the harness, and some dude hopefully clips all the right clips and secures all of the straps properly. You’re just watching his every move, thinking, “What does that do? What is that connecting to? Are you sure that goes there? Did you tie that tightly enough?

Then you step through the gate to the platform area and more clips are clipped and more straps are secured.

Then things get weird.

You sit down, and a guy wraps a pair of thick towels around each of your ankles and secures them together with a sling that is attached to your bungee rope. As the sling takes the load, everything is supposed to get tighter. Supposed to…

You then have to waddle over to the edge of the platform, with your feet tied tightly together, and stand with your toes hanging over the edge and your eyes looking straight at the horizon.

Your jump master counts down from five WAAAAY faster than you’d like, and you’re expected to jump as far out as possible with your arms stretched outwards. You’re supposed to jump outwards because if you just fall straight down, you’re likely to tangle and spin.

So here’s why bungee jumping was far scarier than skydiving:

First off, that Dead Man’s Walk to the edge of the platform with your feet tied together was brutal. I half expected myself to lose my balance and just tumble over the edge. I held on to those handles as tightly as possible.

Now, once my mind processed what was happening as the ground came rushing towards me, those three seconds of freefalling were actually the best part of the whole ride. Those butterflies were screaming in my stomach, and I laughed hysterically the entire way down.

Then I bounced back up and began to spin, and I had no idea what was up and what was down anymore. It was really dizzying and completely disorienting. I’m pretty sure if the rope had snapped at this point, I wouldn’t have noticed until it was too late because my head was spinning at a speed of 200 km/hour. To be honest, it was actually kinda fun.

BUT THEN IT STOPPED BEING FUN AGAIN!

As I hung in the air and I noticed for the first time just how shallow the water was directly below me, I couldn’t help but feel like the towels were slipping off from around my ankles. Now, sure, there was a harness around my ankles that was holding me safely in place; and sure, it was probably just all in my head; but holy crap, that was when it really stopped being fun.

I had so many action movies flash through my head. But these weren’t the ones where the hero grabs somebody’s hand or wrist just in time and saves them from falling to their death; no it was the scenes where the hero just can’t hold on. It was the scenes where their fingers are slipping. It was the scenes where the rope snaps just a second too soon. With every bounce, I felt like the towels were slipping further and further down my ankles. I wanted those guys to pull me up IMMEDIATELY!

They started pulling me up, and soon enough, there was a sitting in a harness in mid-air, waiting to grab me. I’m pretty sure I told him to not let me go. I’m also pretty sure he knew that already.

There was a platform directly underneath the bridge. We were pulled up to the platform, and then I was clipped onto a cable that extended all the way to the end of the bridge so I could walk safely back to the surface…AND DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!

This time, I was to do the gorge swing.

Round 2

I’d met a Zimbabwean girl in Ngong, Kenya, and she had said that, as a huge thrill seeker, she loved the gorge swing much more than the bungee jump; so I was curious to see what this experience had in store.

Once again, harnesses, straps, and clips were involved.

Once again, the countdown was far quicker than I was comfortable with.

This time, though, I was instructed to just step off the edge and let gravity do the rest.

Sounds easy enough, right?

Nope.

I somehow managed to screw that up.

Rather than falling straight down like a pencil, I felt my body start to lean forwards as I plummeted. Not sure how this would affect my fall, I started kicking my feet like an idiot in a desperate attempt to straighten myself out.

Once again, the butterflies screamed in my stomach like there was a Slayer concert going on inside there.

This time, though, I, too, screamed. Oh, how I did scream. I don’t know if you’ve ever screamed so loud and intensely that you actually wondered if it was even you making that noise, but I sure have. It’s a bizarre and terrifying feeling.

Once the rope tightened and I became a human pendulum, though, everything became right in the world again–except for the fact that the harness was crushing me in a very uncomortable and sensitive area. I’ll leave it at that.

Nonetheless, what a view. I could’ve hung there all day.

Last up was the zipline. That was a piece of cake.

Once back at the hotel, I had just enough time to order lunch before my safari group arrived.

I had signed up for a rhino game drive, since the rhino had eluded me on my Tanzanian safaris. The guy at the desk at my hotel had told me that this tour specifically goes to a certain area known for rhinos. However this turned out to be another regular safari through Zambezi National Park. If I didn’t see rhinos, I was going to be pissed.

The guide asked us which animals we were hoping to see. The two couples in my group were desperate to see lions before leaving Africa, but I made it clear that I wanted to see a blasted rhino.

As you can see, there was certainly plenty of natural beauty to behold, but no signs of rhinos.

Our guide pointed out rhino poop, but I wanted to see a freakin’ rhino, not his excrement!

Thankfully, my fellow tour mates were two retired couples from the UK. They made the tour a lot of fun. I have to say, I hope that when I grow up, I become an old Englishman. They just have the best sense of humour. It was like going on a safari with John Cleese and company.

I perked up when we stopped for a snack break. Our driver got out of the vehicle and popped a grill out from under the hood. He then pulled out a delicious plate of deviled eggs, perogies, sausages, and skeweres of something called kudu.

One of the British guys turned to his friend and said, “You’re going to eat that after just seeing one and commenting on how beautiful it was?!”

His friend replied, “I also saw a cow earlier, but I’m still going to eat my steak for dinner!”

To top it all off, our guide also offered us a cooler of wine and beers! I had three glasses of wine and a beer. Needless to say, we were all in great spirits after our snack break, despite not having seen either a lion or a rhino.

AND THEN WE SAW A RHINO!

Everybody was just tipsy enough that we couldn’t keep our mouths shut. They were all happy for me. Our guide had to shut us up before we scared the momma and baby rhino away.

And with that, the sun went down, and our safari was over. But I saw a rhino! Two, even!

Huzzah!

The Travelling Trooper Goes Bungee Jumping There were four things I knew I wanted to do during my time in Africa: Climb Mount Kilimanjaro…