african safari

  • Six Ways an African Safari Will Change Your Life

    Vika
    October 10, 2022

    African nature is an incredibly powerful force. It leaves a profound impression on everyone who sets foot on these lands.

    The pure and exhilarating natural beauty of the African landscape and all of its inhabitants is not something you easily forget. The experiences you have here will live on in your memory, but also in your spirit.

    There are many ways an African safari can have a life-changing effect on you!

    #1: You’ll reconnect with Mother Nature 🌍

    You’ll get a glimpse at what it means to be truly wild. Seeing animals roam free as Mother Nature intended and without human interference is something special, and Africa may be the best place in the world to find that experience.

    The best way to open your eyes to the full wonder of this planet is to fully immerse yourself in its nature: feel the breeze on your skin as it blows across the savannah, your hair waving like the grass; watch the sun set behind the Kilimanjaro, birds flying overhead; fall asleep to the sounds of nocturnal animals singing out through the jungle; wake up to the smell of fresh morning dew on the greenery around you.

    Even simply standing in the broad plains, just being among everything that makes Africa so special is enough to feel changed. It reminds you of the fact that the human race is part of something much larger than itself.

    You’ll feel a kind of reset in your body, and this can have a profound effect on a person. An African safari is good for the mind, body, and spirit. It opens your eyes to the true wonder of this planet, and makes you feel more connected to everything around you.

    Elephants in the Great Ruaha River

    #2: You’ll learn to appreciate new things 🐘

    It is hard to fully grasp the size and majesty of the African landscape from watching nature documentaries. Nothing compares to being here in person. Seeing these scenes in real life will definitely exceed your expectations.

    You may come for the elephants, but you will leave with a deep appreciation for much more than that. These experiences will live in your memories and conversations for a lifetime.

    Whatever expectations you had going into your first African safari, when it comes time to plan your next adventure, you won’t settle for anything less than spectacular. Your local zoo will never be the same again. 😉

    #3: You’ll reassess your priorities 🌱

    See the world in a new way. You’ll ponder this planet and your place in it while bearing witness to its wonders.

    Stepping outside of your comfort zone always leaves you changed on a spiritual level. Whether it is realizing that the material things you once valued are not actually so important, or realizing that you need to make a change in the direction of your life, Africa has the power to make people really think about their lives on a profound level.

    The peace you find by slowing down to the pace of Africa, watching herds of animals calmly drinking from a watering hole in the early hours of the day, will be a welcome break from your life at home.

    You may just find that life makes sense again after your African safari…

    #4: You’ll address your fears 🐍

    Being in a totally new environment with totally new creatures can be a real shock to the psyche. The best place to address your fears is outside of your comfort zone.

    By spending time with unfamiliar animals and in unfamiliar environments, you will get more comfortable, and suddenly you’ll realize that you understand these things better.

    Your fear of snakes, spiders, or big cats will disappear when you see how they live, and you learn to appreciate their lives and their important place in the habitat. They won’t seem so scary any more after that!

    Overcoming these fears comes with a great feeling of accomplishment, and one that lasts forever!

    #5: You’ll contribute to wildlife conservation 🏞️

    Making a positive difference to the planet makes a positive difference in your life (since you also live on this planet!).

    Most safaris actively contribute to local conservation initiatives. The funds gained from these safaris go towards protecting the precious nature that we are lucky enough to enjoy on this continent. Many local communities rely on funding from international travelers to support conservation efforts.

    African safaris are good to help you understand the natural world and the role of humanity in protecting and maintaining it. Ethical ecotourism is a great way to support conservation efforts, all while giving you the trip of a lifetime!


    And finally…

    #6: You’ll want to come back 🧳

    You will never forget this experience. It’s something you can’t quite get anywhere else.

    You will miss the friends you make on safari, whether the local people or the wildlife. You will miss the African sun on your skin. You will miss the incredible experiences you had here. You will long to return, to revisit your experiences, but also to discover new ones.

    Unfortunately, you can’t see everything Africa has to offer in one trip, nor even in one lifetime. But the good news is: this means there will always be something new and exciting to greet you every time you return! There’s still so much to do and see!

    Africa is waiting for you!

    We know from traveler reviews that we have already helped many people have a life-changing experience in Africa.

    Everyone who is lucky enough to come to this great continent forms a connection to the land. It engages all the senses in ways that you cannot find elsewhere. The wild teaches us how to coexist with the world and everything in it.

    It affects everyone in a different way. The moment your food touches the ground for the first time, you feel something new and refreshing. As you experience life here, in all its many diverse beauties, that new feeling becomes clearer, and by the end of your trip you will understand something you didn’t before.

    That feeling is forever.

  • What a Big Baby! What an Amazing Safari Experience!

    AdminSoa
    August 13, 2019

    Sightings like this in Ngorongoro just confirm that in Tanzania you are in the centre of the best safari experience in the world!

    With just two nights on safari, Damaris had chosen Bougainvillea’s two properties; their lodge in Karatu in easy access of the Ngorongoro Crater, and their Thorn Tree camp in Serengeti.

    Guided by Lomayani, they had the most incredible 3 day safari, sighting lion, leopard and leopard cub and cheetah in the Serengeti, and this wonderful large baby elephant demanded some milk from its mother, despite being too large to fit anywhere nearly underneath her!

    Two nights in the right place can be all that you need for the safari of a lifetime. Don’t make it complicated, just book with Shadows of Africa.

  • Celebrating the Lion King

    AdminSoa
    July 24, 2019

    With so many reliving, or seeing for the first time, the fantastic story of the Lion King, it’s time to celebrate some of its characters.

    We reckon, from the landscapes, that the Lion King story was based in the Serengeti/Ngorongoro ecosystem and even in the famous Ol Karien Gorge.

    Why not come and experience Lion King country for yourself and see some of the films best characters really up close and personal with Shadows of Africa.

    The lions, obviously, are a must; Simba, Nala, Mufasa, Sarabi and Scar. Interestingly, and what you might not realise when watching them laze in the sun, is that male lions are highly competitive, and are well known to practice infanticide if they take over a pride of females that have young cubs, ensuring that their genes, and not another’s, are passed onto the next generation.

    And then there’s those terrible cackling hyena. Wonderful to see in the wild and additionally one of the most fascinating species, spotted hyena are the most social of all the carnivores. They are also matriarchal, meaning that the females are bigger and are more dominant than the males.

    Pumbaa, that plump joker, full of life and laughs, is everywhere when you’re on safari. Tossing his head and running along with his tail held high like an antenna behind him. Warthogs live in burrows in the ground and the mother usually push their piglets in first and then reverse in behind them, able to charge out and protect them from any signs of danger. They really do love to wallow in mud, cooling themselves down from the heat of the sun.

    We think the Lion King is fantastic, but the real thing is unforgettable!

     

     

  • Get Out and Take a Walk – Ngorongoro Crater, Empakai, Lengai to Natron

    AdminSoa
    July 5, 2019

    Tired of sitting in a safari vehicle? Take a hike, stretch your legs, enjoy the smells and sounds of your surrounds and the most incredible scenery.

    One of the most incredible adventures offered by the Shadows of Africa team is walking from the Empakai Crater in the Ngorongoro Highlands down to the soda lake of Natron, passing the classic volcano of Ol Donyo Lengai.

    Ngorongoro Highlands Ngorongoro Highlands

     

    Before you start to walk you have to visit the Ngorongoro crater and take in a chance to see the Big 5. The next day you move onto the neighboring crater of Empakai with its forested slopes, flamingo encrusted lake floor and your first chance to get those legs working.

    Refreshed by the beauty of this lovely cultural area you’re now ready to walk a little further. With donkeys to carry your kit, expertly guided by local Maasai, you are freed up to shake your shoulders and skip down the highlands, and out of the chill, to the drylands below.

    Flamingoes on Lake Natron Flamingoes on Lake Natron

     

    Spending a night camping en route you walk on with the most astounding of views ahead. It is hard to concentrate on the walking with such a distraction.

    Ol Donyo Lengai volcano Ol Donyo Lengai volcano

     

    With choices of climbing Lengai at night to reach the active top and its molten lava by dawn, cooling off in the nearby waterfalls, or taking a drive to get close to the flamingoes at the lake’s edge, there’s plenty to entertain you at your destination.

    Waterfalls alongside Lake Natron Waterfalls alongside Lake Natron

     

    Lakeside Natron Lakeside Natron

     

    Chill out another day, staying at one of Natron’s many options of accommodation, before heading back into Arusha.

    Come take a walk with us and book your safari now!

  • Disney’s The Lion King and Conservation

    AdminSoa
    July 2, 2019

    Since Disney’s The Lion King’s first release 25 years ago, half of Africa’s lions have disappeared.

    With the much anticipated new ‘live’ version of the Lion King out of the 19th July 2019, Disney have initiated a global conservation campaign, Protect the Pride, working primarily with The Lion Recovery Fund to double the number of lions in the wild by 2050.

    The Lion Recovery Fund currently support 9 different projects in Tanzania alone, including KopeLion in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Honeyguide Foundation south east of Tarangire National Park.

    Make the most of your safari with Shadows of Africa and learn about some of the work that is happening to protect lion in the areas that you visit.

    See how you can help support this significant action https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VdOSE8pb7i8

    Follow "The Lion King," Disney Conservation Fund, and the Lion Recovery Fund on social media to stay up to date on #TheLionKing #ProtectThePride campaign and share information with your friends and family about how they can help Protect the Pride.

    Come and see a lion in the wild for yourself. Book your safari now with Shadows of Africa.

     

     

  • Ngorongoro Crater East – Lemala Camp

    AdminSoa
    June 28, 2019

    Is the drive around the crater worth staying on the eastern side?

    Ngorongoro crater Ngorongoro crater

     

    We think so…..especially if you get to stay somewhere as refreshing as Lemala’s lovely camp on the rim, like Shadows of Africa recent safari guests, Robert Humphreys and friends.

    Sundowners under the Lahai – Ngorongoro crater east side at Lemala camp Sundowners under the Lahai – Ngorongoro crater east side at Lemala camp

     

    The east side of Ngorongoro Crater is blessed with the exquisite Acacia Lahai trees – magical and reminiscent of shapes from a Tolkien novel, looming out of the mist. Beneath these majestic trees the camp is welcoming and warm and comfortable – all that you need after a long day of game drives and excitement.

    Warmth on the east side of the Ngorongoro Crater in Lemala camp Warmth on the east side of the Ngorongoro Crater in Lemala camp

     

    The east of the crater also ‘own’ the Olmoti and Empakai craters where you can walk and take in the flora and fauna as well as wander amongst the Maasai and their cattle in the grasslands that abound. A welcome diversion after a few days driving around the Serengeti, these walks in the Ngorongoro highlands get you up close and personal.

    It’s a bit different, slightly off the beaten track, and a whole lot more interesting.

    Take the time to explore……book your safari now!

  • Big Cats in the Serengeti

    AdminSoa
    June 21, 2019

    This month our Shadows of Africa safari guests have encountered amazing big cats and cubs. They are delighted and the photos rolling in from our guides are incredible.

    Here’s just a few to samples to share with you and give you a taster of what Shadows of Africa can offer.

    Big Cat Serengeti.Lion Big cat Serengeti. Lion - Yen Yu Li safari with Edwin Diah - June 2019
    Big Cat Serengeti - Leopard on rock Big cat Serengeti – leopard on rock - Michael Morris safari with Edwin Diah, June 2019
    Big Cat Serengeti - Older Lion Cub Big cat Serengeti – older lion cub – Robert Humphrey & friends with Moody Kabongo, June 2019
    Big cat Serengeti – lions mating Big cat Serengeti – lions mating – Robert Humphrey & friends with Moody Kabongo, June 2019
    Big cat Serengeti – cheetah Big cat Serengeti – cheetah - Robert Humphrey & friends with Moody Kabongo, June 2019
    Big cat Serengeti – huge scarred male lion Big cat Serengeti – huge scarred male lion - Robert Humphrey & friends with Moody Kabongo, June 2019

    Impressed yet?

    Take a trip with Shadows of Africa and you will be.

    Contact us now!

  • Mt Meru - Kilimanjaro’s Stunning Little Sister!

    AdminSoa
    May 16, 2019

    Shadowed by the size of Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru, despite being an impressive 4,562m, does not get the attention it deserves.

    ROUTE TO THE TOP

    This scenic volcanic shell of a mountain, the surrounding Arusha National Park, the beautifully kept route and mountain huts are awesome!

    Starting our climb we walked, like a dream, into a grassy meadow and ambled past giraffe and cape buffalo, peacefully watching us at close quarters, bemused by our enthusiasm and sprightly pace. The back drop was the spectacular (active but dormant) volcano we were aiming to summit, bust open at its centre, with only the ash cone left as evidence of its majestic past.

     

    WATERFALL REFRESHMENT.

    The walk to Miriakamba, through giant cedar trees and olives, is truly lovely. Paths are well maintained and the climb was surprisingly pleasant with sightings of bush buck and red duiker en route. Although out of breath, we managed just fine arriving, in the sunshine, at the inviting wooden chalets that would host us for the night.

    Fuelled with steaming soup, hot porridge, pancakes and bananas we set off upwards and onwards, climbing high up out of the montane forests and into the Afroalpine heath zone. Stopping for lunch on the way, again we reached our next port of call, Saddle hut, feeling strong.

    THE ELEPHANTS BACK – A WELCOME STOP

    Well informed by our guide we ate lots and rested early and woke at midnight. Armed with torches we struck out, determined to summit. The climb is long, its challenging but my goodness its rewarding.

    TRICKY, BUT STILL SMILING

    SUMMIT OF MT MERU AT DAWN

    Reaching the top at dawn was stunning, and tripping back down the knife edge that we had climbed in the dark, with the views of the crags and caldera and its cone were breathtaking. Absolutely unbeatable

    Shadows of Africa, you surpassed our expectations with Mt Meru. Kilimanjaro bring it on!

     

     

  • The Magnificently Located New ‘Mpingo Ridge - Tarangire’, By Lemala

    AdminSoa
    May 10, 2019

    A visit by our Shadows of Africa Safari Consultant Inge Olde Rikkert

    The saying ‘beautiful things don’t ask for attention’ is true of Mpingo Ridge. It’s just there in itself, understated, turning the spotlight onto its surroundings and guests.

    This new Lemala property has been placed with the views as its top priority. High up amongst the ebony of Tarangire it gives perspective to the vastness below and an insight into the significance of nature.

    MPINGO RIDGE LEMALA_VIEW OVER TARANGIRE

    Set back from the main tourist tracks of Tarangire, Mpingo Ridge is a little more interesting and a lot more peaceful. Forget the lions, buffalo, elephant, zebra and masses of antelope we had just seen, this was impressive!

    LOUNGE AREA MPINGO RIDGE

    BEDROOM TENT MPINGO RIDGE

    BUBBLE BATH WITH NATURE

    The 15 tents are modern in design, spacious and give the privacy desired to absorb the panorama around you, as well as to luxuriate in a bath or shower inside or out, under a canopy of stars. Just what I needed with the rains having started and after a muddy and adventurous game drive!

    ADVENTURE IN TARANGIRE

    Aside from the décor and the surroundings Mpingo Ridge delivered service and food beyond expectation. The picnic lunch was especially worth a mention.

    DINING AREA MPINGO RIDGE

    Thanks, Mpingo Ridge, for being so thoughtful and for making me feel beautiful too.

     

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