Safari Life Part Two.....

For many years Africa was the professional hunters and their wealthy clients playground, but not everybody wanted to look at Africa's wildlife over the barrel of a rifle. People soon realized that they could sell the same style of safaris with the same comforts and luxury's, private guides to guide you through Africa's wonders and secrets and shoot Africa's wildlife with a camera instead of a rifle and so Photographic safaris was born.


Today there are many styles of safari camps of the photographic version and an important part of the economy for country's like South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania and even Uganda. All these country's offer photographic safaris of all kinds and all of them have unique and beautiful wildlife areas and national parks, all kinds of different animal species, abundant and beautiful bird life, insects, reptiles you name it. It is sometimes difficult to decide where to go on a African Safari, but no matter where you end up going it will be a unforgettable experience and you will leave going home only with the thoughts of how soon you can come back again.


Wildlife in Africa can be viewed in many different ways, keeping your safari interesting and fun, special safari vehicles, walks, boat, canoe, horse, and in some places even on the back of an Elephant are all different  ways to explore the African bush, it all just depends on where you are and what you are interested in doing. All of these activities are also normally joined and led by an expert professional safari guide who plays a crucial role in keeping you safe and showing you all the bush has to offer. Most safari guides undergo extensive training on how to guide people in the African bush and they have many years of experience under their belt, their knowledge and skills are simply amazing and often life long friendships are formed with your safari guide.

Accommodation types on safari is many to many to even try and mention all of them. There is a style of camp for almost everybody, from more rustic for those who want to rough it a bit and really get close to nature like it was in the early days of safari, to super luxury where you can get all the bells and whistles of a modern luxury five star hotel. Probably the most popular type of safari camp and my favorite is a tented camp, now bare in mind this is not a small two man tent that you used when you camped with your brother or sister in your back yard, no these tents are spacious, specifically designed and made from very strong canvas, and have an equally strong canvas roof and fly sheet. Inside they are tastefully decorated with carefully chosen furniture and super comfortable beds and en suite bathrooms all the luxury's you will ever need. The camp also normally comes with an equally tasteful lounge/sitting area and a separate dining area all tents and made from canvas. The most important aspect of any camp in Africa is the staff that comes with it, Managers, Guides, Chefs, Room Attendants, Waiters, Laundry Man they all are very well trained and ready to welcome you in their bush home and give you an unforgettable safari with personalized service.


Now another thing we do on safari is we eat well and so will you, it is amazing what these "bush" kitchens can produce baring in mind how remote they are and the basic equipment they use and also how far supplies travel to them either by road or air. You will be surprised with the standard and creativity of the meals prepared so get yourself ready to pick up a few pounds, if you were worried that you are going to starve to death on safari then don't, the food is delicious and in a bush camp you can sometimes even be surprised by having something that you normally have in your favorite restaurant in Europe. 


So now you have a bit of background as to how safari's came about, if you are thinking of going on an African safari then do it sooner than later, it will be one of the greatest journeys you will ever make. In the words of Gary Clark (The Old Dagga Boy) who personally guided and led over a hundred photographic safaris, "Life is short eat desert first".