While Uganda is known for its gorillas and chimpanzees, you’ll find plenty of other animals on a WT Uganda wildlife safari, which includes visits to savannas, rainforests, rivers, and breathtaking destinations like Murchison Falls.

From trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of mountain gorillas to scanning the treetops for playful chimpanzees in Kibale to cruising along the Kazinga Channel near a herd of elephant or a bloat of hippo, you’ll experience incredible animal sightings on a Uganda wildlife safari.

Uganda is one of Africa’s best safari destinations, and The Ultimate Uganda Safari by Wilderness Travel is designed to bring you to the best places on one adventure. On this safari, expect to encounter iconic African species like lions, leopards, giraffes, and hippos, alongside fantastic birding opportunities to search for the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork and the adorable squacco heron.

Wilderness Travel’s Ultimate Uganda Safari Itinerary

Here is a glimpse of my safari experience in Uganda in June 2025.

This safari was 12 days long and very ably led by our Trip Leader, Robert Sunday.  After one night in Uganda’s capital of Entebbe, we began the first of several long drives, this one to Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda’s northwest. Fortunately, the drive was broken up by an hour at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. 

There, we had the privilege of tracking white rhinos on foot. The high point was a standoff between one male and several females. Positions were defended, and several mock charges occurred. These raised some dust but led to no contact or harm.

One of the beauties of Murchison Falls is the variety of activities it offers. We enjoyed two Nile cruises, one to the base of the falls, the other to the Victoria Nile Delta in search of shoebills, large storks prized by birders. For balance, we drove to the top of the falls, where we surrendered our barrels and marveled at the volume of water being forced through the tiny opening in the rock. 

We went on several game drives, during which we managed to tear our eyes off the giraffes for long enough to enjoy the many other lovely animals and birds.

At the end of this exciting introduction to Uganda, we made the long drive south to the Kibale Forest National Park. This park is one of the few in East Africa featuring rainforest rather than savanna. 

And this diverse rainforest shelters a large population of chimpanzees and other forest primates. Over the years, many of the chimps have been habituated to humans, making it possible to visit and view them at close range. My highlight of our time in Kibale was the two hours that we spent alternately crashing through the undergrowth and quietly hanging out with a troop of chimps that seemed to ignore us completely.  Other forest primates are much more difficult to view since they are shy and spend most of their time high in the canopy. 

We were lucky to spot a few individuals or groups alongside the road. Out of the forest completely, we enjoyed a walking tour of Bigodi village which included visits to a coffee farm, a banana-beer brewer, and a native-plants herbalist. Fortified by the coffee, beer, and herbs, we hit the road again for the relatively short drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, perhaps Uganda’s best known savanna park.

We sought grassland animals on our own and along with researchers tracking radio-collared lions and leopards. And we came back to the theme of cruises, as we enjoyed a small-boat ride on the Kazinga Channel, linking Lakes Edward and George. 

Along with the Nile cruises at Murchison Falls, this is among the best places to see water-adapted wildlife in Africa. The hippos were impressive, and a hyena made a surprise appearance, but it was the multitude of lovely birds that stole the show.

Finally, it was time for our last stop, at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, near Uganda’s southwestern corner. Like all visitors to Bwindi, we were there for up-close-and-personal views of mountain gorillas—Uganda gorilla trekking is a must-do when you’re visiting the country. But we were not in a zoo and gorilla treks in an “impenetrable” forest are not sure things. Fortunately, Wilderness Travel anticipated this issue and increased our odds by scheduling two gorilla treks on separate days. The first of these was difficult and culminated in limited views; the distances and slopes were not excessive, but a critical part of the hike took us over vegetation which had been trampled and become very slippery. 

Fortunately, our second trek was short and sweet, providing incredible views at very close range.  It is simply amazing how moving it is to see such majestic animals so completely at ease and just a few feet away.  This experience by itself would have been worth the trip.

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This time, we began the trip on Caprivi Strip in Namibia’s northeast corner just across the river from Chobe National Park in Botswana. Boating up river to Elephant Bay, we saw Cape Buffalo and monitor lizards, fearsome crocs and numerous water birds. We also watched parades of elephants gathering next to the river and a pride of lions eying the calves. Were they waiting to make a kill? Or were the lions thirsty?

We never got the answer because several bull elephants came charging onto the scene and scared the lions away.

A quick flight from Vic Falls brought us to Nehimba Lodge, our first camp in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. Here, the waterholes and lodge swimming pool were teeming with elephants.

We also spent a very windy morning at a nearby waterhole with two male lions and some of the Ponies (daughters of the aptly named Horse, the largest female lion anyone has ever seen in the park).

On our final morning at Nehimba, we found ourselves in the middle of an epic “battle.” A group of Cape Buffalo “Dagga boys” had just enjoyed a mud wallow and were on the move across the veld, when the Ponies started stealthily encircling them. From out of nowhere, an impala came charging across the clearing, a wild dog in close pursuit and barking loudly for reinforcements from the pack. And into the middle of all this chaos, a hapless young male lion came sauntering. All the animals scattered in different directions!

We took the famous open-air Elephant Express train along the park boundary south to Camelthorn Lodge. This was another change from the original itinerary. We spent lovely days visiting the regional Ngamo High School where the students welcomed us with singing and dancing.

Afterward, we picnicked at a waterhole while watching elephants come out of the bush to quench their thirst. But for us, the highlight was spending time with Thuza and Kusasa, the two endangered Southern white rhinos at the Community Conservation Rhino Sanctuary right next door to Camelthorn.

A long drive brought us to Jozibanini Camp. We’d spent time at Jozi on our previous visit, but it never gets old. Morning games drives let us see so many animals, especially birds and giraffe. Late in the afternoons and early evenings, we spent in the hide—a shipping container partially buried in the Kalahari sand. To see hundreds of elephants lumbering out of the bush, the babies and juveniles charging past their mothers and aunties was sheer joy! One day we watched as a calf slipped in the mud and landed butt down in one of the boreholes. His screams were heart wrenching, but his mother calmly lifted him out with her foot. He stayed close by her after that but was none the worse for the frightening experience.

We think the sunsets were even more beautiful during this visit, and as photographers, we enjoyed playing with the light.

—Text and photos by 15-time WT adventurers Jeannée Sacken and Michael Briselli, Great Elephant Migration Safari. Read about their first Great Elephant Migration Safari here.

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Join us on the trail of the big cats! Whether you’re seeking the regal beauty of Bengal tigers, the mystique of snow leopards, or the stealth of wild cheetahs, witnessing these big cats in their natural habitats is an extraordinary experience.

Not only do our impeccably designed trips give you the best chance at seeing these elusive creatures, they also support crucial conservation efforts. Get fully immersed in the stunningly beautiful landscapes and phenomenal wildlife of Asia, Africa, and South America while our expert Trip Leaders guide the way.

Check out our trips below and contact our Area Specialists at 1-800-368-2794 or email info@wildernesstravel.com to book your spot.

Snow Leopards & Tigers of India

Seek the elusive snow leopard in the high Himalayas of Ladakh, then venture to the subtropical world of Kanha National Park to track royal Bengal tigers. A portion of your trip funds go to the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust and TOFTigers.

Desert Lions of Namibia

Venture to hauntingly beautiful Namibia, where an amazing story of wildlife conservation unfolds. Go behind the scenes at AfriCat Foundation to track the world’s only population of desert lion while a portion of your trip funds supports the foundation. This trip was featured in AFAR magazine.

Jaguars of Brazil

Journey to the heart of Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetlands, whose open habitats are ideal for viewing the majestic jaguar. As you travel by boat via the Paraguay River, you’ll spot jaguars as they drink, swim, and hunt. We’ll also safari by 4WD vehicle and canoe to see extraordinary birdlife such as macaws and huge jabiru storks, and perhaps catch a glimpse of giant anteaters and giant otters as well.

Pumas of Patagonia

Spend three full days tracking pumas, known as the “ghosts of the Andes,” on this brand-new trip to Chilean Patagonia. Paine National Park is thought to hold a higher concentration of pumas than anywhere else on Earth. You’ll likely see guanacos, native foxes, armadillos, flamingos, and soaring condors too.

Tigers of Central India

This safari-style trip explores four unique reserves run by Project Tiger, an innovative conservation program launched in 1973. Search for fascinating big cats as well as leopard, sloth bear, spotted deer, dhole (Indian wild dog), and the full diversity of Indian wildlife. Rest up in welcoming boutique-style game lodges. Get a glimpse of the adventure in the video below.

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I love Zimbabwe, especially Hwange National Park, and every few years I need to visit to ensure all is right with the world. This summer, my trip included four days at Camelthorn Lodge on the beautiful Ngamo Plains. This part of the park is teeming with wildlife and is the place where two extraordinary animals, not seen in nearly two decades, are now making their home.

On our first game drive, we see hundreds of antelope, including these two young male waterbuck who pose for the camera.  

Next up: a hippo. Far from posing prettily, he bellows his disapproval of our being there.

Nearby, a saddle-billed stork ignores the commotion and continues trolling for fish and frogs.

Over the radio comes the word every safari-goer yearns to hear: lion!

We race across the railroad tracks to find two young sisters. Their mother, once kicked out of her pride, has now been welcomed back. The sisters, however, have not, so they are on their own to hunt. With a herd of wildebeest in their sights, the girls stealthily make their approach. They silently flank their prey from opposite sides, only to have birds screech a warning to the wildebeest, giving away the lions at the last moment.

In the aftermath, one sister loses track of the other. The sister-in-the-know stalks the other then runs and pounces. All in good fun.

Another game drive features a secretary bird pounding its feet across the ground to churn up grasshoppers and other insects. I’ve waited a long time to photograph this bird, named for 19th-century male secretaries in England who wore light gray coats and dark knee-length pants with quill pens carried behind their ears.

Once again, a call comes over the radio: elephant at Stoffie’s Pan. And we’re off!

We just manage to descend into the half-buried blind when scores of thirsty elephants lumber to the watering hole. The freshest water comes up at the boreholes, and many elephants choose to wait their turn for a drink, including this bull.

One of the best parts of staying at Camelthorn is afternoon tea.

The chef creates the most beautiful pastries!

Then, we’re off on another game drive. We happen upon some bachelor giraffe mock fighting.

Swinging their necks wide, they ram them together. Head Imvelo Guide Sibahle “Sibs” Sibanda assures me that  “they’re just playing. For practice.” But the sound of neck thunking hard again neck seems pretty serious.

One of my favorite Imvelo activities is a morning spent at the nearby village—Ngunyana—where we visit the school.

The children take a break from writing their exams to sing songs for us in Ndebele.

Two more wonderful experiences still await us during our safari in Zimbabwe. In the afternoon, our Guide Mark Butcher arrives to lead us on a walk in a secluded sanctuary now home to Hwange’s newest residents: two white bull rhinos!

These two are the best of buddies, and it is the thrill of a lifetime to share their space with them for a few hours. These rhinos are the first white rhinos to be reintroduced to this area and are carefully guarded by rigorously-trained and well-armed “Cobras”—men from the nearby village who now have jobs. My heroes!

Sadly, the day for us to leave arrives, but first: one more game drive.

And as promised, Sibs finds cheetahs! We race across the plains to see two young males doing their best to impress. And impressive they are.

Yet another wonderful Wilderness Travel adventure that has generated memories to last a lifetime! Many thanks to Sibs, Aubs, Dabs, Harris, Faithy, and Butch.

—Text and photos by 12-time WT adventurer Jeannee Sacken, Wild Zimbabwe.

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By the end of 2020, my wanderlust had gotten the best of me. I had to go somewhere. The world wasn’t exactly the oyster I was used to, but luckily one of the few places I could visit outside the U.S. happens to be my favorite: Namibia. I first visited Namibia in April 2019 during WT’s Namibia: A Vision for Wildlife Symposium and Safari Program, and to say I’ve been obsessed with it ever since would be an understatement. I could think of no better place to dip my toes back into international travel.

Namibia is one of the least densely populated countries in the world, with only 2.5 million people in an area twice the size of California. Social distancing comes naturally in such a vast land. All of the lodges and camps are open to the elements, with large lounge and dining areas designed to keep the fresh air flowing—a feature people take for granted until there’s a pandemic and you’re told that being indoors with strangers is the worst thing you can do.

I had been toying with the idea for a green season itinerary for a couple of years to take advantage of great rates at lodges, see the famous wildflowers and migratory birds, and explore locations that really only shine during this special season. When the opportunity for me to scout these places for our newest Namibia Green Season Safari fell into my lap, I just had to go and see it all for myself.

Our first stop was Onguma, a private game reserve across the road from the eastern boundary of Etosha National Park. While the central and eastern part of the park is best known due to the ancient salt pan, most people enter through the southern gate because it’s closer to Windhoek and makes more logistical sense for most safari circuits. During the green season, however, east is where you want to be, as wildlife migrates here when the rains come. Fischer’s Pan, a hotspot for migrant waterbirds—including bubblegum pink flamingos!—as well as cheetah, was a short 25-minute game drive from Onguma Tented Camp, our home for three nights.

On our first game drive of the trip on the Onguma property, we came across a lioness stalking a giraffe. I’d seen the footage of lions hunting giraffe before, but I never imagined I would get to see it in person. She charged and ran off into the distance after the fleeing giraffe (who would not be dinner that night), and we continued five minutes up the road to our sundowner spot. Only six of those glasses are mine, in case you were wondering.

The next morning we headed into Etosha and were greeted with giraffe, zebra, baby black-backed jackal, elephant (with babies!), and a rhino with her calf. It really is an exciting time to safari, as each new baby you encounter is a sign of a thriving ecosystem full of life in what most people would assume would be a barren landscape.

After these three days of what feels more like a classic southern Africa safari, we turned west and delved further into the heart of what makes Namibia spectacularly unique. One of my favorite parts of driving from this point forward in our itinerary is seeing the landscape change throughout the day. To start the day in the savannas and salt pans of Etosha, and end it among the cathedral-like granite inselbergs of Damaraland, for example, is a real trip.

Onduli Ridge, our home in Damaraland, is named after the resident giraffe of the area, and we spent our days here looking not only for giraffe, but other desert adapted wildlife such as rhino and elephant. A drive down the Aba Huab riverbed will almost always reveal a herd of elephant. The herd is usually flanked by two males, so when we came across this fella having a snack of seeds pods from an ana tree, we knew we’d find the rest of the herd behind him.

From Damaraland the scenery changes yet again as we push deeper into the rugged northwest. The drive from Onduli to Hoanib Valley Camp during this time of year is a feast for the senses, with fragrant Namibian sage, varied shades of green, purple, and pink, and geology so ancient and diverse it’s almost hard to get your bearings. Mountain? Desert? Savanna? All of the above. This was single-handedly the most memorable day I’ve spent in Africa—and we only saw two elephants!

The Hoanib River is also home to the desert lion, and it’s in this remote northwest corner of Namibia that our friend Dr. Flip Stander makes his home researching this iconic population. I am pretty good about managing my own expectations while on safari, and maybe it’s for this reason that I seem to always be rewarded. On this morning, not 10 minutes into our game drive, we came across evidence of a gruesome scene; claw marks, lion prints, blood-stained sand, and a zebra ear. We followed the path of the dragged-away carcass to the bushes where it lay, and from there tracked the lions to their post-feast resting place. I’ve never been more excited to see a collar on a wild animal, as I knew that these were the famous desert lions, and the data collection their collars enable is what’s keeping them alive.

We continued west through the Hoarusib River to the ends of the earth, Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. This drive was extra special, as Dr. Stander was escorting a pride of lions west and away from human settlements, and could never have guessed our “group of beautiful women” would surprise him at his office in the middle of nowhere. After a brief chat, we let him get back to work and continued our journey west through the riverbed as it twisted and turned through steep canyon walls of black and red volcanic rock before gradually being replaced with the towering dunes of the Skeleton Coast.

Our final stop was the relatively new (as of 2018) Shipwreck Lodge, the first and only lodge along the coastal dunes of Skeleton Coast National Park. I was particularly excited to stay here because I was excited to witness the union of my longest love, the ocean, with my newest, the desert.

Days at Shipwreck Lodge are filled with game drives in the Hoarusib, quad biking over the dunes, sand-boarding (if you dare), and swimming in the Atlantic (if you’re equipped). I was fortunate to be able to do all of the above.

The drive back to Windhoek came too soon and didn’t drag on as long as I’d hoped, but luckily I got to wait for my COVID test results at the lovely Omaanda, just one hour outside of Windhoek. The expansive view from the heated pool, bar, dining, and lounge areas was the perfect send-off.

There’s no doubt I love Namibia. I love it when it’s seven-year drought-stricken, but I bless the rains when they come, and the green season may just be my favorite time to visit my favorite place on earth.

—Text and photos by WT Africa Specialist Jenny Gowan, Namibia Green Season Safari.

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A trip to the Serengeti during January and February meant we could see the wildlife with very few other people around.

Tanzania boasts the crowned crane as its national bird. Its magnificent plumage attracts much attention.

The giraffe is the nation’s national animal.

Graceful of movement and tranquil of temperament, the giraffe represents Tanzanian acceptance in a culturally and religiously diverse environment.

During the early wet season, we were able to spot the Kori bustard in its mating plumage.

…and we also got to see other wildlife with their young, including this hippo calf.

Elephants are known to have strong relationships. We enjoyed watching them care for their young.

This gnu calf stayed with its mother, but many others got separated and wandered alone. Gnus are less concerned with their young than elephants.

Even the predators take it easy. In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we were surprised to find hyenas lounging around the water hole like tourists at a hotel swimming pool. Even the nearby zebras were unconcerned.

In the south Serengeti, rock formations known as “simba kopjes” (lion heads) are a favorite hideout for lion. We spotted this male lion gazing over a rock during a game drive.

Leopards hunt at night and sleep during the day, so it takes a trained eye to find them after sunrise. We were lucky to see this one lounging in a tree.

Normally this tree is the site for our sundowner, however, this lion took the staff by surprise; they had to move our sundowner to a different tree! This is why you always look up before you get out of the vehicle!

While the meat-eaters are in no danger of extinction, we were pleased that the “law of the jungle” seems to rely primarily on peaceful co-existence.

— Text and photos by 20-time WT adventurers Keith and Nancy Price, Tanzania: The Great Migration Safari.

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When the coronavirus COVID-19 struck Tanzania and tourism, we decided to keep two of our staff at each of our Serengeti and Ngorongoro luxury camps. After a couple months, our group of six took a trip out there to check on the staff and the camp.

With glorious weather above us and cameras in hand, we set off from our home in Arusha. Passing through the villages and small towns as we crossed the Rift Valley, we were struck with how “normal” everything felt—farmers were out tilling their fields, red-robed Maasai were herding their cattle, shops were open, and brightly dressed people were walking the streets—around half of them were wearing masks, but that was the only sign of the upheaval shaking the world.

It was at the Park Gate that we first noticed the change. Normally, a bustling hive of activity with vehicles brimming of safari-goers checking in and out, trucks and busses entering and everyone taking advantage of the toilets, but now it was eerily silent. No other vehicles and just a couple of rangers rather than the usual dozen or more.

We wound our way up the steep road to the crater rim and popped out onto the viewpoint overlooking the vast Ngorongoro Crater spread out 2,000 feet below us—we had the place all to ourselves. We spent 15 minutes staring through our binoculars, easily spotting herds of buffalo and zebra and a few elephants—the challenge became to spot any vehicles! Even on a quiet day, there will normally be 50 or more safari vehicles in the crater, but not today. We couldn’t spot even a single vehicle. Even more eery.

We cruised around the crater rim until we could look out over the vast Serengeti plains far below us and found a beautiful spot to enjoy the perfect picnic lunch, with amazing views and a curious giraffe nearby.

Heading down, down, down (several thousand feet!) to the edge of the Serengeti plains, we began to see more and more wildebeest, a bit of a surprise as it was the end of the rainy season.

These herds should’ve been heading west a few weeks earlier, but it seems about 10,000 wildebeest “forgot” to migrate! And now they face the challenge of crossing 50 or so miles of drying plains to meet up with the rest of the herds.

The entrance to the Serengeti from Naabi Gate was another ghost station–no other cars there and just a couple of rangers manning the desks. Chatting to them revealed this was the new normal and they could count the number of vehicles entering each day on one hand.

Coming through the Seronera area at the center of the park, we stumbled upon a herd of elephants browsing. All still very relaxed about vehicles despite not having seen one for months. They munched their way around the car–sometimes no more than 5-10 feet away–totally ignoring our presence.

One of the fascinating things about sitting quietly with elephants is the variety of different noises they make, from the ripping sound as they tear off branches and shrubs to the thrashing to get the soil off the roots and then the loud chewing (they definitely don’t keep their lips together when they eat!) and then the stomach rumbles that are actually a form of communication–these low-frequency rumbles can travel through the soil and be heard by other elephants up to six miles away!

We sat for a long time enjoying the company of the elephants and the playful antics of the juveniles, and of course, watching the spectacular sunset, but that also meant we arrived in camp after dark! But the crew, Nelson and Robert, were still delighted to see us and had a great campfire waiting.

Sitting around the fire later we heard some movement and with our torches spotted a couple of hippo grazing on the lush short grass of the firebreak around camp. We don’t usually get hippo in the area around camp so they must have come upstream in the swollen river after all the rain.

The next day dawned bright and clear. After our long drive out we had a relaxed start with some coffee around the campfire with a bit of bird spotting. We challenged ourselves to see how many different bird and animal species we could identify on the safari and ticked off a few of the easier and more common ones on the drive in, but now the challenge was to keep the momentum going.

We explored the western part of the park to see if we could find how far the migration had moved on its journey. We came across literally thousands and thousands of wildebeest milling and dashing through the woodlands of Seronera, charging wildly across the road in columns hundreds strong.

Where there is a lot of wildebeest there is always a lot of lion! We managed to spot one pride stalking, and sat and watched them for some time—the way they communicate and coordinate their attack is quite unbelievable—it sometimes seems as if they must have walkie-talkies the way they move as one!

After another great day of game viewing, we got suckered into watching yet another stunning sunset, this time with a few thousand wildebeest in the foreground.

Heading South towards the stunningly beautiful Moru Kopjes area, with a few stops along the way, most notably a delightful half-hour coffee break watching the antics of a “delegation” (yes, that really is the collective noun!) of dwarf mongeese.

As we approached the Moru area we could see towering plumes of smoke, the grassland was burning! The national park actually burns the grass on the plains each year at about this time. The key is to burn just after the rains have stopped so the fire passes through quickly and doesn’t burn too hot. Fires occur naturally in this ecosystem, and over the millennia the plants and wildlife have learned to adapt and thrive on the regeneration that the fire leaves in its wake. The trees can survive the “cool” burns early in the dry season and the grasses sprout with a fresh green flush of sweet succulent shoots that the wildlife loves and needs.

Across the front of the fire, rollers and other birds swoop to grab crickets and insects fleeing the fire and behind the fire—often very close—follow maribu storks and others eating the bugs, small reptiles, frogs, and more that couldn’t outrun the fire. As always, nothing goes to waste in the Serengeti!

Passing through Moru, we came upon another huge herd of wildebeest, but this time there were signs of the beginning of the annual “rut,” or mating fest! Male wildebeest try to round up as many females as they can—running round and round them—but the females are not particularly interested at this stage and keep wandering off so other males are constantly trying to “poach” females for their own harem. The result—nonstop drama!With males dashing hither and thither, great clashes of horns as they challenge other males and frustration as every time they turn their back another female wanders off. It’s a breathtaking scene and we sat mesmerized at the ebb and flow of the harems and the boundless energy of the males.

The next day we left the car behind and set out on a walking safari, my favorite thing to do in the Serengeti. There are vast areas set aside where you just never see another soul, and there is so much out there still to explore. We chose an area of towering rock kopjes close to a river.

The wonderful thing about walking safaris is that you feel part of the ecosystem—you use all your senses, not just your sight—you hear things you wouldn’t normally hear, you smell things you wouldn’t normally smell (buffalo are particularly pungent!). All your senses are heightened and your heart races a little.

Wandering through the rocks and clambering up we reached a fantastic viewpoint and could see a large group of wildebeest heading our way along with some herds of impala and zebra. Climbing down we made our way forward to try and get closer, finally stopping on a low kopje to watch the herds stampede past us, oblivious of our presence.

It was about then that we realized we weren’t the only ones with an interest in the wildebeest. About 100 yards away, we spied six lions on a neighboring kopje. Hearts beating a little faster we crept closer to the wildebeest, while keeping a wary eye on the lions, and managed to get within about 30 yards of them—so thrilling!

On the way back out of the wilderness area towards camp we just had to stop and get this shot. It had been such an amazing day and all of us we hyped about the things we had seen walking, then driving back cross country towards camp we came over a rise to see this flaming African sunset and simply had to stop!

That night, we enjoyed sitting around a campfire listening to the competing roar of the prides of lion around camp or the call of hyena echoing across the plains, looking up and seeing so many stars with the absence of any light pollution–a wonderful way to slow down and revel in the company of our group.

Leaving camp the next morning having bid farewell to Nelson and Robert we set off back across the plains—not sad but happy to have had such a unique opportunity to see the Serengeti as it once was–with few people and brimming with wildlife—we even spotted a pair of huge male lions and eight females flopped down close to the road on our way back to Naabi Gate, they really couldn’t have cared less that we were there—this was their land and they knew it.

We stopped a bit further on in a grove of acacia trees for lunch and again had a curious giraffe come and watch us eat, and a flock of cheeky iridescent shimmering superb starlings hopping around us stealing crumbs. I am sure we will be back out in the Serengeti again before too long, after all someone needs to go and keep Robert and Nelson company out there in the wilderness.

—Text and photos by Richard Beatty, Ngorongroro Crater and Serengeti Extension.

The post Serengeti Safari During Lockdown appeared first on Wilderness Travel.

The dry season is the most popular season to go on safari for good reason. During this time, wildlife gathers near the few water sources available, making animals easier to spot. The lack of vegetation allows for excellent visibility, and you can see for miles out over the barren plains and open savannas. The climate during the dry season is usually very pleasant, with mild days and cooler evenings. Plus, lower humidity means fewer bugs. The dry season, overall, is a fantastic time to visit Africa.

The green season, however, which falls between or after the rains, is what we call Africa’s “secret season.” This is the season of new life, colorful wildflowers, gorgeous skies, and lush landscapes. During the green season, wildlife takes advantage of new vegetation that turns the dry savanna into lush grasslands. Waterholes and rivers fill up, allowing animals to spread out across the land. During the green season, new births fill the landscape with baby fawns, foals, calves, and cubs. At the same time, predators take advantage of vulnerable new babies, so dramatic hunting scenes often transpire in front of safari-goers. Migrant birds arrive by the thousands to take up residence among the full lakes and lagoons. For photographers, the green season offers the best light and incredibly colorful photo opportunities. Skies are filled with golden rays, there are eye-popping colors created by rain-washed air, and cloud-dappled sunsets accompany day’s end. But, possibly the biggest draw of the green season? Fewer visitors and better deals!

In summary, here’s what you can expect from each season.

Dry Season

• Excellent, unobstructed wildlife viewing
• Pleasant, mild climates with fewer bugs and less humidity
• Larger crowds and potentially higher prices

Green Season

• Colorful landscapes bursting with flowers, baby animals, and migratory birds
• Dramatic skies and lighting—perfect for photography
• More dispersed wildlife viewing, but with fewer crowds and better deals

Overall, you can’t go wrong! Each season in Africa offers something spectacular. So grab your camera and get ready to be wowed, no matter when you go.

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Lion cub

The king of the jungle—though actually found in the savannas or grasslands—begin their journey at the top of the food chain by first looking quite cuddly. Lions are the most “social” of all big cats, and group together in prides of 10-15. Lion cubs are hidden in the tall grasses for the first two months of their life before joining the rest of the pride. By three years, they are fully grown. Did you know that the Swahili word for lion is “simba,” the same name used in Disney’s Lion King?

Cheetah cub

Cheetahs are the masters of disguise, not only for their uniquely spotted coats, but also for their amazing speed—they are the fastest land mammal, reaching speeds of more than 60 miles per hour! Female cheetahs are solitary, living only with their cubs. Males, however, form coalitions of two to three brothers. Typically, two to eight cubs are born in a litter. After six weeks, they will join their mother during hunts and stay with the mother for one to two years. Fun fact: cheetahs have anywhere between 2,000-3,000 spots that keep them camouflaged.

Hippo calf

Hippos spend the majority of their time wading in rivers and lagoons, though they actually can’t swim, nor can they float very well! At birth, a hippo can weigh anywhere from 40 to 100 pounds. There are two different types of hippo: the common hippopotamus and the pygmy hippopotamus (pictured above). Although they can’t swim, hippos can hold their breath for up to five minutes underwater.

Zebra colt

The unique black-and-white striped patterns of zebras have been known to confuse predators and help regulate their body temperature. Much like their close relative, horses, zebra colts are quick to stand and run shortly after birth to keep up with their migrating herds—zebras are known for migrating thousands of miles. There are three different types of zebras found in Africa: Grevy’s, plain, and mountain. Did you know that every zebra has a unique striped pattern at their shoulder so young colts can identify their mother?

Giraffe calf

When people first saw giraffes, they thought they were a cross between a leopard and a camel, hence their scientific name, Giraffa camelopardalis. At birth, giraffes are nearly six feet tall and can weigh up to 150 pounds. There are four distinct species of giraffe: northern, southern, reticulated, and Masai. Fun fact: an adult giraffe’s tongue is up to 18 inches long!

Elephant calf

Elephants are the largest of all land mammals. At birth, they already stand up to three feet tall and weigh as much as 250 pounds! There are two different types of species in Africa: the African savanna elephant and the African forest elephant. For the first couple of months, they stay very close to their mothers, and you can often see them playing in a waterhole. One of our clients snapped this photo on our Great Elephant Migration.

Grey Crowned Crane chick

The only bird on our list is the elegant grey crowned crane. Much like other African birds, after a chick hatches it is almost instantly ready for life in the savanna. Within hours, they are swimming and floating. By three days, they are following their mother to help find food. It takes a few years for them to be fully grown. Did you know the grey crowned crane is Uganda’s national bird and is featured on their flag and coat of arms?

Gorilla infant

At birth, infant gorillas weigh about four pounds, though they grow twice as fast as human infants, and are often able to crawl and play within months. Mountain gorillas spend the majority of their time on the ground, either grooming or resting. There is nothing quite like seeing the interaction between a mother and an infant. Our Mountains Gorilla Safari and Ultimate Uganda Safari adventures venture into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda to admire gorilla families in the wild.

Rhino calf

Two of the five species of rhino live in Africa, the black and white rhino. A mother will give birth to one and sometimes two calves at a time. They can weigh up to 140 pounds at birth and will stay with the mother until it is three to four years old. The white rhino (pictured above) can grow to weigh 5,100 pounds! Both rhino species in Africa are on the threatened and endangered lists, but we have good chances of spotting them on our Namibia Expedition. Fun fact: the group name for rhinoceros is a “crash”.

The post Young Wildlife in Africa appeared first on Wilderness Travel.

Earlier this year my wife and I encouraged two other couples to join us on Tanzania: The Great Migration Safari with Wilderness Travel. The Wilderness team certainly delivered what we were looking for in every respect.

My wife and I have been privileged to travel extensively, and on previous trips, I have occasionally kept a sketch diary in which I have attempted to capture some of the highlights of our trips in pen, ink, and/or watercolor. I should point out that I am very much an amateur, and sketch and paint for my own enjoyment. Recently, I was introduced to the iPad Pro and a clever App called Adobe Sketch. The accompanying sketches and paintings were rendered on the iPad Pro. The process is much the same as using any of the typical mediums, including charcoal, pen, watercolor, pastel, and oils. However, for me, it came with a steep learning curve. These are my first attempts. I concentrated on the vibrant clothing and ornamentation of the wonderful Maasai people, especially of our Maasai guide, Lekoko. The final painting in this series is a scene of an elephant family at a waterhole—I now appreciate the challenge all artists face in capturing the realism and spirit of these wonderful creatures.

A Maasai mother with a child. Although this sketch is in black and white, I tried to capture the textures of the colorful clothing… each layer a different pattern and hue. I was also surprised to see that almost all of Maasai cloths have a plaid weave.

This black and white sketch of Lekoko, our Maasai guide, again shows off the wonderful textures of the Maasai clothing and the exquisitely designed armbands and necklaces.

This watercolor painting of Lekoko really shows the vibrancy of the colors of the Maasai clothing. Maasai men predominately appear to wear shades of red.

This watercolor is of an old lady I photographed in one of the towns we drove through. I wasn’t certain if she was a Maasai or not. Again I was struck by the vivid color in her plaid shawl and the intricate pattern in her head scarf.

In one of the Maasai villages we visited, these two ladies caught my eye because of their neck rings, intricate earrings and, in one of the paintings, the extended ear lobes.

This watercolor is of an elephant family at a waterhole. When I took the photograph I was taken by how serene the scene was with the mother elephant, baby, and juvenile in the foreground and the other elephants in the background.

Like so many of us in this digital age who have been fortunate enough to adventure travel, we find ourselves culling through many hundreds, or even thousands, of wonderful photos trying to pair them down to a realistic number for a portfolio or slide show. This is extremely difficult to do as each one of our images takes us back to that special moment.

This has been a rewarding journey for me in my recent retirement, to reconnect with an artistic passion that I have always had, but never had the opportunity to fully develop. The stimulation of the whole African experience makes it that much easier. Thank you to Wilderness Travel for delivering an unforgettable experience.

—Text and artwork by 3-time WT adventurer W. Larry Roberts, Tanzania: The Great Migration Safari.

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