In one of last week’s blog posts, How to Get Closer to Your Favorite African Animals than Ever Before, I discussed some activities and accommodations that enable travelers to get closer to their favorite animals in Africa than ever before. Specifically, I spotlighted Giraffe Manor—a boutique property that’s perfect for giraffe lovers—and ConservAfrica and African Impact—two organizations working to conserve the cats of Africa.

Today, I spotlight some of the best activities to get up close and personal to elephants and primates:

If you love elephants . . .

Then you’ll love a visit to the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage and The Elephant Sanctuary!

In a tireless effort to help orphaned elephants find the strength to continue their journey in the wild, the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage works to rescue and rehabilitate baby elephants and rhinos. Each day the elephants enjoy bathing, feeding, and playing, as visitors watch in awe.

The feeding takes place at different times of the day with orphanage team members feeding the elephants a unique milk formula that David’s wife, Daphne, created to provide rhinos and elephants with nutrients they need to grow and remain healthy.

Located in Kenya’s Tsavo National Park, the elephant orphanage allows elephants to enjoy the beauty and openness of nature, while still assuring their safety before being completely released into the wild.

The Elephant Sanctuary, on the other hand, has three locations in South Africa, which include Hartbeespoort Dam, Plettenberg Bay, and Hazyview. All of these locations work to rescue and lend assistance to orphaned and injured elephants. Each of the three sanctuaries offers guests different activities to choose from that enable them to interact with the beautiful residential elephants.

The sanctuary at Plettenberg Bay, for example, offers elephant brush downs—which allow guests to lend a hand in grooming the elephants—and one-hour trunk-in-hand programs—which educate guests about elephant behavior and lifestyle, and allow guests to touch the elephants.

If you love primates . . .

Then you’ll love a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and a visit to Monkeyland in South Africa!

Covered in lush green vegetation and thick rainforests abundant with exotic wildlife, Uganda is a nature-seeker’s sanctuary. With a variety of primates to witness, including gorilla, chimpanzee, black-and-white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, and baboon, Uganda is one of the most celebrated destinations by primate lovers.

A Golden Monkey

On a gorilla trekking safari, you’ll travel to these lush rainforests in search of the elusive gorilla. Once your party has arrived at a gorilla group, you’ll have one hour to watch and admire their movements, behavior, and unique social and eating skills.

For even more primates, visit Monkeyland in South Africa. Internationally known for their free-roaming atmosphere, Monkeyland does not cage its various primate residents; therefore they are free to move wherever they wish throughout the sanctuary. Some of the primate species that live in Monkeyland include lemurs, squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, gibbons, and more! Visitors to Monkeyland can enjoy an interactive guided walk through the sanctuary.

Do you love being in the midst of nature, exploring unique wildlife, and natural formations in a quiet environment secluded from civilization? Do you love to explore nature as you walk, hike, canoe, or kayak? Do you find sheer joy in immersing yourself into the unexplored and discovering what few on earth have ever seen? If so, you probably consider yourself somewhat of an adventure craver. And Africa is arguably the leading continent when it comes to adventure.

Africa has been welcoming adventurists with open arms since the rise of many of our great explorers, including the famous pioneer, David Livingston.

Fortunately for travelers visiting Africa today, they can still experience the same untouched Africa that Livingstone witnessed over a century ago. How many continents can you think of that have kept their natural frontier intact?

If you are an adventure craver, here are just a few things you might have on your Africa travel itinerary:

Gorilla trekking in Uganda: Arguably the most adventurous excursion in the world, a gorilla trekking safari takes you deep within Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where a vast array of primates awaits you. Starting early in the morning, the trek through the Impenetrable Forest is by no means for the faint hearted. Inside the forest, you’ll venture up hills through dense towering trees, often coming upon smaller primate species and stunning birds. During your walk, your guide will introduce you to signs left by gorillas, and other species that you may come in contact with while on your journey up the mountains.

As soon as you come across the group of gorillas, it’s impossible not to feel overwhelmed with various emotions. As one of the few people in the world to witness these magnificent creatures it would be an understatement to call the experience unforgettable. In fact, many would consider it to be life changing.

Following the Great Migration: If you’re an adventurist at heart and the Great Migration isn’t on your bucket list, I urge you to revise your list. The Great Migration is by far one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring natural phenomena on this planet. In fact, as soon as you venture into the Serengeti plains and lay your eyes on the horizon, you won’t see anything but the setting sun and thousands of wildebeest and zebra. The sight is mesmerizing, to say the least.

The migration is a natural occurrence that works in response to the moving rain systems; therefore it is a continual migration that occurs year round. Although you can view the Great Migration throughout the year, one of the best times to immerse yourself into the movement is in June and July in the Grumeti. During this time of year, thousands of wildebeest must pass over the Grumeti River where predators lurk in the waters and lie low in the surrounding grasslands. These traveling wildebeest must dodge Nile crocodiles and trek through the deep waters in the river to make it to safety.

Walking safari in South Luangwa National Park: As one of the most wildlife-dense regions on the planet, South Luangwa National Park has been attracting adventurists at heart for decades. Within South Luangwa National Park lies the Luangwa River, which is home to 60 species of animals and over 400 species of birds. Some of the most abundantly spotted creatures in the park include crocodiles, hippos, crowned cranes, baboons, bush babies, leopards, lions, antelopes, elephants, buffalos, zebras, and much more. Can you see why South Luangwa National Park is the perfect place to enjoy a privately guided walking safari? With virtually no signs of civilization, except for the residential wildlife, and a true sense of authenticity, you’ll have no trouble discovering a deep connection with the tranquility of nature and its creatures.

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It’s no wonder southern and eastern Africa are known for having some of the most majestic National Parks in the world. With contrasting landscapes and various ecosystems, each and every National Park in southern and eastern Africa is famous for its rich biodiversity.

But today, I’ve decided to spotlight the astonishing Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in Uganda.

So what makes Queen Elizabeth National Park so unique? For starters, its landscape is synonymous with diverse. From volcanic craters to thick tropical forests, and lush grasslands to enchanting lakes and swamps, Queen Elizabeth is a vast sanctuary for nearly 100 different species of mammals and more than 600 bird species.

Crested Crane

Two of the most wildlife-abundant regions in the Park include Kyambura Gorge and the Kazinga Channel.

Kyambura Gorge is a dense forested area, famous for its chimp communities and other primate species, including the red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, vervet monkeys, and even baboons. Aside from primates, you’ll also find a nearly endless array of unique bird species, including the stunning Africa fish eagle, shoebill stork, the lesser and great flamingo, the blue-headed bee-eater, the African finfoot, and a variety of owl species, to name just a few.

The Kazinga Channel, on the other hand, is known for its huge population of hippos. Embark on a boat ride down the Channel and you’ll not only witness large concentrations of hippo, but you’ll also witness warthogs, kob, elephant, waterbuck, giraffe, zebra, and the occasional rhino.

Kazinga Channel

And for one of the most unique sightings in the world, visit the nearby Ishasha region, which is home to the elusive tree climbing lions! This is one of the very few places on earth where lions actually climb and lounge in trees.

If you plan on visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park, here are some activities we suggest:

• Birding safaris
• Morning and evening game drives
• Chimpanzee tracking safaris
• A boat ride on the Kazinga Channel
• A cultural tour
• Walking safaris / hikes

tree climbing lion

Mongoose

Kazinga Channel

Uganda Kobs

The Warthog

Want an even deeper insight into Uganda? View our Uganda video on YouTube.

As part of our blog series, Q&A with Professional Safari Guide, Mark Homann, we interviewed Mark Homann (seen in the image to the left)—Hills of Africa Travel safari guide, safari consultant, and private safari guide—on what it’s like to explore the forests of Uganda and Rwanda on a gorilla trekking safari.

See below for the interview:

1. Describe a typical day on a gorilla trekking safari.

A Gorilla trek starts with an early wakeup call and a drive to the National Park head quarters; here you are organized in to groups. You will meet your guides who will give you a detailed briefing on safety, how to behave, and what to expect. From here, you will proceed to your starting point from where your trek begins. The length of your walk will depend on how far the group of gorillas is from where you happen to be. The walk can be a great opportunity to take in the life of the forest, which, hopefully, your guide will share with you, as well as show you signs left by the gorillas themselves.

Once the moment comes and you find the gorilla group you are following, you have an hour to spend in the company of some of our closet relatives. Gorillas share over 95% of our DNA. Little can be said to describe the many emotions that you will experience, being one of the privileged few to have shared such precious moments with these fascinating and very rare creatures.

2. Are there any physical prerequisites to going gorilla trekking? In other words, is it a strenuous activity that makes it difficult for certain individuals to take part in?

A gorilla trek can be quite short or it can take quite some time. Depending on where you look for the gorillas you can be in very dense forest or a more welcoming environment. One does not need to be superfit, but you should expect to spend a number of hours walking at a comfortable pace. If you have the flu or a cold you will not be allowed to trek for fear of passing on the virus to the gorillas.

Also, you must be at least 15 years old. Be aware of feeling light headed as you climb higher into the mountains. You can request to search for a group that is known to be closer but there are no guarantees.

3. What types of activities and behaviors do safari-goers witness the gorillas performing while on a gorilla trekking safari?

Viewing gorillas is like all other safari experiences; you never know what you are going to get. You may find the gorillas busy, feeding and moving through the forest. Or, you may be fortunate to spend time with them as they interact with one another (in some cases even with you!). I have never met anyone who has not had a life-changing experience with these fantastic primates. I would suggest doing two days of trekking, when feasible, to make sure that you have the best experience possible.

4. For travelers who are concerned about the safety of gorilla trekking safaris, what would you say to them?

Gorillas aren’t the scary, aggressive animals that early Hollywood portrayed them to be; they are vegetarians who are just as happy to absorb us as we are them, but, I am sure they find us less interesting. If you follow the instructions of your guide you will be very safe and so enthralled you will not even have time to feel afraid. Uganda and Rwanda offer the best opportunities to see gorillas today. Both are safe and stable countries (Today, Rwanda is billed as one of the safest countries in Africa!). Tourism is the best chance Gorillas and other African primates, such as golden monkeys and chimpanzees, have to survive in their natural habits. The rainforests of Central and West Africa are viewed as a resource to a mass of impoverished humanity. Tourism is the only chance for these countries to utilize this very rare and none renewable resource in a sustainable manner.

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Below is our list of the top five things to see and do while visiting Uganda:

1. Hike through Murchison Falls National Park: As Uganda’s largest national park, Murchison Falls is bursting with assorted wildlife that includes elephant, buffalo, giraffe, antelope, hippo, and crocodile, as well as hundreds of bird species such as African pigmy geese, shoebill storks, and saddle billed stock. And what’s even more captivating about this astonishing savannah and grassland region is that it’s home to one of the world’s most mighty rivers, the Nile.

Hike to the base of the Murchison Falls to witness one of the world’s most impressive and natural spectacles before exploring the rest of the national park on a game drive.

Where to stay: Nile Safari Lodge

2. Observe the Bush Babies of Lake Mburo National Park: Experience an exciting nighttime adventure as you go in search of the adorable thick-tailed galago—also known as the greater bush baby. With big brown eyes, bushy tails, and furry bodies, the thick-tailed galago will melt your heart in an instant! As social and nocturnal primates, the thick-tailed galagos interact in groups, feeding on fruit, small birds, and reptiles.

Where to stay: Mihingo Lodge (the thick-tailed galagos have been known to get quite cozy with guests in the bar area!)

3. Track the Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha: Located in Queen Elizabeth National Park lies the Ishasha sector where tree climbing lions the elusive tree climbing lions stealthily observe the ground below from the comfort of towering fig trees. There are only two regions in the world where these lions are found, which include Uganda and Tanzania’s southern Serengeti, making these lions a prized vision to witness in the wild. While observing the tree climbing lions, you’ll also see elephants, Uganda kob, waterbuck, warthog, Cape buffalo, and topi.

Where to stay: Mweya Safari Lodge

4. Tour the Kaweri Coffee Plantation: Well-known for its coffee and tea exports, Uganda offers visitors a chance to observe how coffee and tea are grown and how southern Uganda’s temperate climate plays a role in crop production. One of the most unique coffee plantations to visit is Kaweri Coffee Plantation. Founded in 2001 by the Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, Kaweri Coffee Plantation utilizes sustainable farming practices to create gourmet coffees.

While visiting the plantation you’ll have the opportunity to tour the rainforest bio-corridors while observing turaco and colobus monkeys.

Where to stay: The plantation’s guest houses.

5. Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: A trip to Uganda wouldn’t be complete without an exhilarating gorilla tracking safari. On this safari, you’ll hike through the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to witness black-and-white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, baboon, and of course, the silverback gorilla. As you observe the gorillas at close-range, you’ll have the rare opportunity to watch as they interact, eat, and go about day to day activities.

Where to stay: Gorilla Forest Camp

Which Uganda activity sounds the most appealing to you?

Below we’ve highlighted 5 of our favorite adventurous destinations in Africa:

1. Victoria Falls: Aptly named Mosi-oa-Tunya or The Smoke that Thunders by locals, Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and rightly so. This 5,600 ft. wide by 360 ft. tall waterfall is an adrenaline-lover’s paradise. From white water rafting to bungee jumping, and helicopter tours to challenging hiking excursions, visitors to Victoria Falls can choose from a handful of adrenaline-pumping adventures that are guaranteed to create lifelong memories and epic stories.

For free-falling-fiends, plunge 360 ft. into the Batoka Gorge with your only safety line snuggly fastened to your feet. Another popular adventure to embark on is a white water rafting tour at the base of this thundering waterfall.

2. Uganda: Home to one of the world’s most powerful and mysterious creatures, Uganda has been attracting adventure-addicts for decades. Deep within Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest lives a group of one of the most remarkable primates, the gorilla. As you hike through this thick, wildlife-clad forest, you’ll experience close encounters with various gorilla civilizations that will leave you speechless. The mere sight of these 500 lb. creatures will be one of the most memorable moments in your life. During your trek through this enchanting forest, you’ll also come across various other primates including the black-and-white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, baboon, and others.

3. Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park: As the host of The Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth, the Serengeti National Park is a wildlife-lover’s heaven. During this spectacle, also known as The Great Migration, nearly 1.3 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, 250,000 Thompson gazelle, and thousands of lurking predators migrate through the Serengeti plains to follow the rains. This annual wildlife movement is one of Mother Nature’s most astonishing works of art, and for that, visitors from all around the world visit Tanzania to witness this breath-taking phenomenon. We suggest upping the adventure by planning a horseback safari through herds of fast-moving zebra, swarms of wildebeest, and towering groups of elephants and other large game.

4. Kruger National Park: Arguably South Africa’s best national park, Kruger is a melting pot of wildlife diversity. Game drives yield sightings of awe-inspiring animals including The Big Five, hyena, wild dog, antelope, giraffe, vibrant birds, and much more. Although one game drive through Kruger National Park is enough to get your heart pounding, there is nothing like the sheer adrenaline rush of taking flight over this sprawling national park via hot air balloon.

Your hot air balloon adventure begins at dawn when the sun is just peaking over the horizon. During your tranquil flight, you’ll travel over rolling hills, quaint countryside, orchards, mountain tops, thick forests, bushveld, and the famous Blyde River Canyon to witness a new kind of game viewing.

5. Sossusvlei, Namibia: The sand is your playground in Sossusvlei, Namibia. With miles upon miles of vast desert plains, Sossusvlei is the perfect place to satisfy your wild side. Whether you want to go quad biking over rolling sand dunes, sandboarding down steep sand slopes, or sky dive over vast plains, Namibia is famous for fast-paced adventures. But don’t underestimate Sossusvlei’s terrain. With the highest sand dunes in the entire world, this destination never falls short of challenging adventures for the adrenaline-junky. While visiting Namibia, you’ll also witness fascinating creatures such as vibrantly painted lizards, geckos, spiders, scorpions, snakes, and chameleons.

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According to a recent newsletter from Volcanoes Safaris, a Uganda newspaper, New Vision, claims that the population of mountain gorillas in Virunga Massif has increased 26.3% in the past seven years. This is a spectacular feat for these endangered mountain gorillas—one that will hopefully continue to produce positive results for this remarkable species.

Famous for being the largest primate, the gorilla is often killed for the bush meat trade and trophy poaching. The gorilla’s habitat has also steadily decreased over the past years due to deforestation.

Today, you have the rare chance to witness these riveting creatures in their natural habitat on a gorilla tracking safari in Uganda and Rwanda. And I assure you, there is nothing more riveting and glorious than the sight of a 500 lb. silverback, male gorilla beating his chest with the force of ten men.

What can you expect while on a gorilla tracking safari?

Vast scenic beauty: Uganda and Rwanda are comprised of mountainous terrain, thick bamboo forests, majestic swamplands, volcanoes, lakes, and stunning national parks, which all offer a unique insight into the region’s awe-inspiring wildlife. Some places to be sure to visit include: Bwindi National Park in Uganda and Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda—perfect for gorilla tracking and photographing wildlife; Ishasha—home to the tree climbing lions; Kasenyi plains—ideal for game drives; Lake Nyinambuga—a volcano crater that filled with water ages ago; and the Kyambura Gorge—famous for exceptional chimpanzee tracking safaris.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Sunset in Rwanda

Riveting primates: Explore the enchanting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Parc National des Volcans in search of the elusive silverback gorilla, as well as a wide spectrum of other primate species including the black-and-white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, baboon, and others. Home to nearly half of the world’s population of gorillas, Bwindi is the only place on earth where chimpanzees and mountain gorillas live amongst each other.

During these safaris, you’ll witness gorillas interacting with each other, noisy chimps, and branch-dangling monkeys without the constraints of a controlled environment or gates. You’ll truly feel alive as your heart simultaneously pounds and melts as you stare into the eyes of these intricate creatures.

For those who want to endure more strenuous physical activity, you may want to consider full-day gorilla tracking safaris, while individuals who prefer a more relaxed vacation might opt for the half-day gorilla tracking safari. Since these safaris do require physical activity and lots of walking up the lush mountainsides of Uganda and Rwanda, it’s important to plan only a few days for gorilla tracking so that you’re not tired for the rest of your trip.

A Golden Monkey

An abundance of diverse wildlife: While on game drives and walking safaris, you’ll have the opportunity to witness nearly 350 species of bird and 80 species of mammal, including elephant, lion, buffalo, and bush duiker.

And one of the most spectacular creatures in this area is the mysterious tree climbing lion. These rare lions have been found climbing trees in Uganda and Tanzania and can often be seen resting on a tree limb, high above the ground. So don’t forget to look up while on your game drives.

Lavish accommodations: Celebrated for opulent accommodations, Uganda and Rwanda offer the discerning traveler a wide selection of sensational lodges and hotels, built with relaxation and seclusion in mind. Whether you want to stay near the city center of Uganda or retreat to vast natural surroundings, these countries have luxury accommodations to suite your specific preferences.

Some of our preferred accommodations include Volcanoes Safaris’ lodges—Virunga Safari Lodge in Rwanda and Bwindi Lodge in Uganda; the Emin Pasha Hotel—a luxurious hotel located near Uganda’s city center; the Ndali Lodge—situated on the edge of a volcano crater; and the Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge—located on the Great Rift Valley.

Adventurous activities: Although Uganda and Rwanda are famous for their exceptional gorilla tracking safaris, these areas also offer excellent game drive, hiking, climbing, and boating opportunities. With such a diverse terrain, Uganda and Rwanda are an adventurist’s paradise. These areas are also celebrated for their banana plantations and legendary tea plantations—perfect for exploring on a guided tour. And you can’t visit Uganda without hiking the Muhavura and Gahinga Volcanoes.

Would you love to take a trip to Uganda or Rwanda?

As one of Africa’s most unique cultures, the Samburu people are often recognized for their riveting beauty and decorative appearance. Samburu, which translates to mean “butterflies,” was given to the Samburu tribe by other tribes because of their layers and layers of bead-covered jewelry, fascinating face painting, and colorful dress.

The Samburu’s cloth dressing is called shukkas, which is accented with bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and colorful beads. Although the women make the jewelry, both men and women wear these gorgeous, decorative pieces.

Born from the Plains Nilotic movement in the Sudan, the Samburu tribe speaks a dialect of the Maa (Nilotic) language, which is a language spoken in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and parts of the Sudan. This derived dialect is now called the Samburu language.

Today, the Samburu tribe’s settlement spans nearly 80,000 square miles, which the tribe moves throughout in search of food and water for their cattle, goats, and camels. As nomadic-pastoralists, the Samburu tribe lives in groups of five to ten families and does not settle in one particular area for a long period of time. This mobile nature makes it difficult to build permanent residency; therefore, their huts are built from mud, hide, and grass, and are supported by large rods. This settlement of huts is referred to as manyattas.

The Samburu’s nomadic nature also limits their dietary staples, which predominantly consists of gathered roots and vegetables, and a mixture of milk and cow blood. Meat is only eaten on special occasions.

Below are several highlights from the Samburu culture:

The Role of Men and Women

With definitive gender roles, the Samburu tribe separates men and women in all aspects of their lifestyle. Traditionally, men are responsible for protecting their tribe and defending their cattle. While the men act as warriors and cattle care-givers, the women gather vegetables and roots from the area for their families. The women also cook, milk the cows, gather water, tend to the huts, and raise the children.

Children

At a young age, the boys of the Samburu are taught to hunt and raise cattle and are instilled with a warrior mindset. Their rite of passage into manhood involves a circumcision ritual, which occurs in their early teen years and involves the attendance of the entire village.

Once circumcised, the young man enters the stages of becoming a warrior and lives with the other adult males of the village. He then grows out his hair, braids it, and dyes it with red ocher, until he reaches his early twenties.

The young girls of the village help their mothers with chores and gathering food, and they too must pass through a rite of passage to womanhood.

Each of the Samburu girls is given necklaces by the young warriors and, eventually, the necklaces accumulate to create a large, thick necklace. During this beading stage, the young females hope to be given necklaces by their most admired warrior. By the age of 16, women should have enough necklaces to support the structure of their neck. This symbolizes that they are ready for marriage.

When a young man and woman marry, there is a series of elaborate rituals including an intense final ritual that involves the killing of a bull that enters the hut that is guarded by the bride’s mother. There is also much importance placed on the groom’s gifts to the family, which include two goatskins, two copper earrings, a container of milk, and a sheep. As a dowry, the male provides the bride’s family with cattle and sheep.

Samburu men often marry numerous times, especially if they are wealthy. Each of his wives will have her own hut with her children and these huts will form a circle.

Did you know nearly 20% of mammal species currently are endangered or threatened? Several factors have contributed to the decreasing populations of certain mammal species, including poaching and environmental factors.

With a rapid increase in endangered species in Africa, Hills of Africa Travel is dedicated to the conservation of these decreasing populations. We work closely with African reserves, parks, lodges, hotels, camps, and eco-tourism companies committed to the conservation of wildlife in Africa.

One of our most respected eco-tourism companies is Wilderness Safaris. Devoted to saving the environment, as well as the community, Wilderness Safaris created the Wilderness Safaris Wildlife Trust, which was established 20 years ago. According to the Wilderness Wildlife Trust website, the Trust “has supported a wide variety of wildlife management, research and education projects in southern Africa. These projects address the needs of existing wildlife populations, seek solutions to save endangered species, and provide education and training for local people and their communities.”

Some of the Wilderness Safaris’ ongoing and upcoming projects include: the Hwange Anti-Poaching Project, Botswana Rhino Ecology Project, Makuleke Large Mammal Reintroduction Project, and many other projects with similar causes.

Observing the endangered species of Africa in their natural environment on African safari tours is one of the most rewarding and rare experiences one could have because years from now, these creatures may be vanished from the earth forever.

Some endangered species in Africa include:

• The African Wild Ass: These gorgeous creatures are critically endangered largely because of habitat loss and hunting. They greatly resemble their relatives, the zebra and the horse.

• The African Wild Dog: The African wild dog population has dramatically decreased, primarily because they are shot by farmers. African wild dogs are killed because they are known to frequently feed on livestock. It is now illegal to kill an African wild dog.

• The Black Rhinoceros: Killed primarily by poachers for their horns, the black rhinoceros is critically endangered. Horns are frequently sold in the black market for more than $20,000 each!

• The Bonobo (Pygmy Chimpanzee): The bonobo is slightly smaller than the chimpanzee and can be found in the tropical and subtropical Central African forests. The main threats to their existence include habitat loss and hunting.

• The Cheetah: This creature, found in Sub-Saharan Africa, is the world’s fastest land animal and can run more than 60 mph. High infant mortality, decreased food sources, and habitat loss are large factors that have caused this species to be endangered.

• The Gorilla: Famous for being the largest primate, the gorilla is often killed for bush meat trade and trophy poaching. The gorilla’s habitat is also steadily decreasing from forest clearing. These stunning creatures can be seen on an African family safari or honeymoon safari in the hills of Uganda and Rwanda.

• The Mountain Zebra: Threatened by hunting and habitat loss, the mountain zebra is one of South Africa’s most endangered species. The few mountain zebras left can be found on mountainous slopes and plateaus, feeding on grass, bark, fruit, and leaves.

• Pygmy Hippopotamus: Found in the marshlands and forests of West Africa, the pygmy hippo is smaller than other species of hippo and lives mostly on land—unlike their hippo relatives who spend much of their time in the water. They are endangered due to hunting and habitat loss.

It’s a rare treat to witness these endangered species, as well as other endangered species on an African family safari or honeymoon safari. Their fate appears unfortunate, but with the support of eco-tourism companies, you can lend a hand to wildlife conservation in Africa. Let Hills of Africa Travel create for you a customized itinerary around your every preference, and experience the sheer magic of Africa. Contact us today at (877) 845-4802.  We’re looking forward to making your dreams come true . . .

Are you tired of the same old predictable vacation?  Do you want a travel experience that is unforgettable whilst bonding with your loved ones? These are some of the questions we ask our clients.

Without question, there is magic in Africa. From the magnificent rush of water seen at Victoria Falls, to the fascinating family life found in the elephant herds of Botswana, to the fabulous food and wine in Cape Town.

You will find magic in Africa’s people, wildlife, scenery, and natural resources. It will capture you. When traveling to Africa, you can be a spectator and witness the magic.

Whilst on South African safari vacation of a lifetime, this is what your typical day will be like.

5:30 am: A soft knock on the door serves as morning wake-up call.  The hot beverage of your choice is waiting on your veranda accompanied by something small to fill your tummy.

6:00 am:  Groggy but excited you meet your designated guide and climb into the Land Rover before the sun has risen.

6:05 am:  You bundle up under the blanket provided in the truck, but you still feel warmth from the hot coffee you just finished.  You feel awake, excited and so lucky to be enjoying such a wonderful day.  As you drive, the scenery alone puts you in a trance.  The pink sunrise is growing.  Colors in the sky go from orange-red to a purple-blue.  Light from the sunrise is glowing on the fields in the distance and the scene is magnificent.  You feel like you should be photographing every second.  How else can you capture all of this beauty and bring it home with you?  Suddenly, your driver slows down and you hear something behind the tree.  It’s two teen-aged male elephants giving themselves a bath.  Your driver gets you less than a stone’s throw away.  As you watch in awe, your driver gives you a world of information on the elephants.  Thing like their age, their gender, who is the superior one, personality type, why they are eating from a specific tree and how they bath themselves.

7:00—9:00am:  Game, game and more game.  You see elephant, zebra, impala, buffalo, warthogs, lion, cheetah, hippo and many different species of birds.  You have learned a ton from your encyclopedia book-like.

9:30 am: You and the other guests meet back at the camp dining room for a large, traditional, hot, delicious English breakfast.  Conversation is lively, sparked by tales of each person’s game viewing experience.

10:30 am:  You retire to your tent, where you sit on the verandah that overlooks the bush plains and enjoy the book that you are just getting the chance to read.  If you are staying in a five-star luxurious lodge in South Africa, you will likely have your own plunge pool to keep you cool should it get too warm.  You may also have the option of welcoming a masseuse to give you a full body massage right there on your outdoor verandah.

1:00 pm:  After a relaxing, luxurious and exhilarating morning, all guests meet again for a wonderful, hot lunch.  Everybody is cheerful and friendly and you strike up interesting conversation with the person sitting next to you.  Your guides manage to keep a sense of humor about things and proceed to tell an embarrassing story about their newest recruit.

3:00pm:  Automobiles are set to go. You are off again for a mid afternoon game drive.
You had the option to go on a guided walk, but decided to do that tomorrow.

3:30 pm:  The game is less active at this time of day, and you manage to see some lazy lions.  It is here that your interest in wild birds develops.  An interest you never knew you had!  Your guide makes the game driving just as interesting as the morning with his stories and facts, despite not seeing as much big game.

5:30 pm:  You stop to have a cocktail and just take in the beautiful scenery as the sun sets.

6:30 pm:  You are back at camp and all guests go back to their rooms to freshen up before dinner.  You are pleasantly surprised (and amazed) that the clothes you left in your laundry basket this morning have been washed and ironed and smell wonderfully fresh.

7:30pm:  All guests meet in the main dining room, which is open-air.  Your cocktail of choice is served to you without asking.  People are talking, laughing, and enjoying the scenery.  It strikes you as odd but wonderful that people from such different backgrounds can get along so happily due to the common interest in watching and learning about wild animals.

10:30pm:  After a delicious, hot dinner and hours of lively conversation you retire to your tent.  As you drift off to sleep, you listen to the sound of the crickets and you hear some faint sounds of lion in the bush.  Rather than being scared, you are comforted by these beautiful sounds knowing that you are safe and assured of a wonderful day when you wake.

Contact us today, and utilize our detailed destination-planning services and expert advice to send you on a life-altering experience like none other.