Pulses Safaris | African Safaris

AfricaNature

AfricaNature currently organises safaris in Kenya, in an attempt to offer our clients variety in location we are always exploring new areas to run our safaris. As a result of our 2009 journey we are currently developing photographic safaris to Namibia. For more information on the Namibian safari please email us for a rough outline of the itinerary.

Capetown to Kenya > 2009

- August 2009 - We arrived in Capetown where we pick up our 4wd for the three month journey. After stocking up on supplies we headed north, following the coast to Springbok then heading inland to Augrabies Falls National Park. Augrabies NP is where the Orange River spills over a 56 metre rock face creating a spectacular waterfall; this arid rocky landscape makes the perfect environment for the abundant hyrax population and the rock climbing antelope, the klipspringer.

Kgalagadi Transfontier National Park was our next destination; this vast sandy landscape is the amalgamation of two parks - the Kalahari Gemsbok NP in South Africa and the Gemsbok NP in Botswana. Due to the arid conditions here in the desert the wildlife is best viewed at the waterholes that have been placed along the dry sandy riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob rivers. The waterholes are frequented by gemsbok, springbok and wildebeest, while ground squirrels, meerkats and bat eared fox are commonly seen between the waterholes.

Entering Namibia on route to Sossusvlei we drove through breathtaking mountain passes. Arriving at the spectacular dunes of Sossusvlei we were overcome by the beauty of this photographer's paradise, as the sun moved across the sky the sands seemed to come alive, the light shimmered across each facet of every grain of sand. Like children in a candy store we couldn't wait to breach the summit of the sand dunes to enjoy the vista that unfolded before us. Seeing wildlife among the massive sand dunes is an amazing experience, out on the open sands the animals feel quiet vulnerable and are constantly on alert. The animals venture into the vast openness of the dunes in search of the sparse vegetation that sustains them in the harsh environment. Gemsbok, springbok and ostrich are the most common of the larger animals to be seen here but many reptiles and insects also call this extraordinary ecosystem home.

From Sossusvlei we drove North West to Swakopmund on the west coast, and then followed the coast for a short time until we turned inland heading for the salt pans of Etosha. We marvelled at the transformation of the landscape from the sands of the desert and Sossusvlei to the environmental diversity of Etosha. The landscape in Etosha ranges from the vast flat desert like salt pan through to thick vegetation of the bush lands, this diversity in habitat sustains the varied wildlife population. Night game viewing at the waterholes is a major attraction in Etosha; as herds of elephant come to drink from the floodlight waters, the waterhole also provides the opportunity for a magical sighting of the recluse black rhino. Giraffe sentinels patrol the edge of the lights perimeter, coming into the waterhole for a refreshing drink before resuming their patrol after hearing a lion's roar pierce through the darkness.

Leaving Etosha we bid a sad farewell to Namibia and crossed the boarder into Botswana, heading southeast to Maun. Skirting the Okavango Delta we then travelled northeast to Moremi Game Reserve. Moremi is southeast of the Okavango Delta and consists of swamplands, mopane woodlands and acacia forests, depending on the season the animals migrate through the park to and from the delta. Travelling northeast we pressed on to Chobe National Park, here we stayed at Savute an area famed for herds of elephants. The highlight of our stay at Savute was watching the interactions of the elephants as they jostle for position at the waterhole.

Now the time had come to cross the Chobe River into Zambia and travel northeast to the mighty 'Mosi oa Tunya (The Smoke that Thunders)' Victoria Falls. Nothing can quiet prepares you for the emotions of Victoria Falls, the sound of the water leaping from the rocks of the great Zambezi and plunging down the basalt rock face then thundering through the Boiling Pot, the sight of the mist billowing through the air, rising on the winds, turning to gold as it catches the afternoon sun, the tug at your heart as you think of the thrill that forged through David Livingstone as he cast his eyes on this wonder of the world and named it for his queen.

Northeast from the majestic Victoria Falls we travelled to South Luangwa National Park, the Luangwa River flows through the park making a picturesque backdrop for the abundant bird life that migrates here. The massive sand flats created by the meandering river make the perfect platform for the herds of elephants that come to bath and drink from its waters.

The surreal sights of the ocean like shores of Lake Malawi are our next marvel to encounter, then travelling through Tanzania until finally reaching Kenya and our final destination for this journey, the Masai Mara. The Mara is a wonder that has to be experienced to be believed, the undulating hills of the Savannah, the tree lined rivers and most of all the ever abundant wildlife. The highlight of our safari in the Mara this year was the frequent sighting of the elusive caracal, a female and her two sub-adult cubs uncharacteristically allowed us to spend time with them for several days. After years of dreaming of a caracal sighting we couldn't believe it had finally happened. Seeing one caracal is rare so to see caracals together and out in the open (even one up a tree) was more that we could have possibly wished for. Another amazing encounter this year was with a den of bat eared fox, the den housed five adults and six gorgeous fluffy pups. Each afternoon as the golden sun searched for the horizon these mischievous pups played outside of the den until the adults rounded them up and tucked them safety into the den for the night.

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, we bid farewell to the Mara and headed to Nairobi. From Nairobi we flew back to Australia were we are busily working, organising our 2010 safaris to the Mara.