Safari

Top 5 Game Reserves In Africa

Game Reserves in Africa

Africa offers a plethora of game reserves, each having something unique to show off. Simply no two game drives are ever alike, even just in the same reserve, with different geographical locations giving totally different experiences. No matter whether you’re a fan of birds, wish to see the Great Migration or simply want to see numerous different kinds of animals, Africa has game reserves to fulfill any safari fanatic.

From the biggest reserve in Africa to the oldest, and everything in between, here’s our roundup of the top 5 best game reserves.

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Situated in Narok County, Maasai Mara National Reserve is termed following the local Mara tribe famous for its hospitality and hard work to preserve the gorgeous land and its valuable wildlife. Maasai Mara is the densest out of all the game reserves of Africa and it is famous for its yearly phenomena called the Great Migration. An enormous number of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras migrate back and forth the nearby Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards stalk the herds and assault the weakest link in the chains, usually offering a sensational encounter to the vacationers.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti shares a continuous boundary with Maasai Mara and it is deemed as one of the least disrupted ecosystems of the continent. The big area of grassland loaded with rocky outcrops, streams and woods, makes it perfect for game drives and it is among the best spots to see the unique hunting by the “Big Cats” of the jungle. The park is the starting place of the yearly event of the Great Migration in which millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move to the nearby Maasai Mara in Kenya offering enough hunting opportunities for cheetahs, hyenas, lions and leopards chasing after the herd.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park famous for its “Big Five” (specifically lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and buffaloes) is among the biggest National Parks worldwide and contains the largest amount of these animals around the continent. The park is extremely well-maintained, enabling travellers to experience self-drive game safaris with no trouble. Aside from the typical Big Five, travellers could also see crocodiles, cheetahs, gorillas, giraffes, zebras and much more valuable wildlife. This enormous national park has 9 designated gates letting visitors to enter in various camps and wilderness trails.

 

Top 5 Places to See a Leopard in Africa

The Leopard is one of the most beautiful animals on the planet. These majestic cousins of the lion, tiger, and jaguar are unique with their varying color that ranges from a light yellow to stunning gold-often times with black spots called rosettes. The large cats live all over the world, including Africa. If you are visiting Africa and are looking to see Leopards be aware they are not the most social animals making them tricky to spot. Luckily, there are safaris and reserves throughout Africa that have large leopard populations. Below are the five top places to see a leopard in Africa.

1. Kruger Area, South Africa

This park is not only one of the most beautiful places in the world it also gives one of the best shots to see a leopard in its natural habitat.

It is the most exciting safari locations in Africa. It is home to lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos. Safari guides recommend looking up when trying to catch sight of a leopard. Leopards love to climb trees and even carry their prey into trees to avoid it getting stolen.

2. South Luangwa, Zambia

South Luangwa is one of the grandest animal sanctuaries in the world. This is due to the beautiful Luangwa river which attracts animals in hoards. South Luangwa is also known as the Valley of the Leopard. It is estimated that there is one leopard for every 1.5 miles! The leopards can often be seen resting, drinking, or stalking its prey. Leopards are strong swimmers and are very comfortable in the water. They love to eat fish or crabs.

3. Samburu Reserve, Kenya

This self-drive safari is a fan favorite. Its arid conditions with breathtaking rivers make it ideal for wildlife. It is recommended to employ an African guide to help spot a leopard. African guides often have what is called African Eye. They are experts at seeing animals visitors normally miss. The bushy landscape and the leopard’s spotted coat make the leopard as elusive as it gets. Make sure to head over to Leopard Gorge and look in the surrounding caves to see leopards resting with their young. Leopard cubs live with their mothers for about 2 years and then they are on their own. They live a very solitary life.

4. Londolozi

Londolozi has been voted one of the most family friendly safaris in the world. It is also an excellent place to spot leopards. These secretive creatures are studied arduously. Therefore the safari guides are very knowledgeable and helpful in your leopard quest. Here you can learn that these nocturnal beasts enjoy stalking all types of animals including hyenas, antelope, deer, and pigs. Research has also shown that Leopards will attack dogs and even humans when provoked.

5. Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Moremi Game Reserve is home to some of the most majestic landscapes in the world. It is home to very dense, wooded areas that the leopard loves to make its home in. The trees in this reserve are not suitable for climbing so most likely the leopards will be on the ground hunting their prey. After spending time in Moremi and the Okavango Delta why don’t you pop into Zimbabwe and stay in one of the amazing Victoria Falls Hotels over looking the majestic Zambezi. The leopard is endangered in many parts of the world including Russia and Korea. In Africa leopards were widely hunted for their coats. But because of booming tourism leopards have been preserved as visitors come to Reserves with the goal to see a leopard.

Leopards are truly unlike any other animal. The leopard’s beautiful coat, elusive lifestyle, and fierce attitude make spotting a leopard truly a magical experience. If seeing a leopard in the wild is your goal Africa gives a great chance of making your dream a reality.