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Top 5 safari adventure hides

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Top 5 safari adventure hides

safari lodge 1 Top 5 safari adventure hides

The safari adventure hide has become very popular as the skills of the amateur photographers who travel to Africa are becoming better and better. This breeds a desire to get as close to the wildlife as possible, without disturbing it. A safari adventure hide is of course the best way of doing this and there are some unbelievable ones popping up in some of Africa’s most scenic and pristine parks and conservancies.
 
You never know what you’re going to see, or what’s going to happen. Recently the tables were famously turned on a keen photographer when a friendly and curious young leopard popped it’s head into the hide, also curious to observe the humans! BUT usually the wildlife around the hide has no idea you’re there and that can make for some extraordinary sightings, which wouldn’t be seen otherwise.
 
Here are our top five hides in Africa (there are many many more):
Ol Donyo Lodge

ol donyo lodge chyulu hills national park kenya 39 safari Top 5 safari adventure hides

Ol Donyo is a beautiful lodge situated in the remote and wild Chyulus, Southern Kenya. The suites themselves have stunning views of open plains, rolling hills and that magical mountain Kilimanjaro. Their elephant hide is just a short walk from the lodge and sits overlooking a small waterhole which is exceptionally popular with the local bull elephants. Raised above the ground this hide can provide an exciting day of watching these awe inspiring males drink, play and generally have a wonderful time.

Manyara Ranch

Lake Manyara Ranch Top 5 safari adventure hides

Manyara Ranch in Northern Tanzania boasts everything that is good about a modern day luxury safari – there are no people, wonderful views, friendly and warm staff, a luxury camp and access to acres of private and pristine game viewing territory, here the emphasis is on freedom so it’s no surprise they have a couple of exceptional hides. The best is that that overlooks a large waterhole which is the hub for every animal passing through the reserve – the large hide has plenty of space and is set just back from the dam so you really can get a good view of everything and anything that happens there.

Encounter Mara

encounter mara camp Top 5 safari adventure hides

Encounter Mara is set in the remote Naboisho Conservancy in the Masai Mara, famous for it’s fantastic game viewing and lack of people. This intimate and relaxed camp is set just above a salt lick in a dry riverbed – as you can imagine this attracts vast numbers of wildlife all day every day and a short stroll down into the camouflaged hide will bring you hours of joy between game drives as you watch everything from zebra to baboon to cheetah come down to use this popular salt lick.

Mashatu

Mashatu lodge Top 5 safari adventure hides

Mashatu in Southern Botswana is a unique haven for those that want a little adventure and they have possibly the best hide of all – it is sunken beneath the earth so you are at the same height as the level of the water in the dam – the shots one can achieve of elephant and other animals are absolutely mind blowing and you also get a real sense of how large some of the wildlife is. A truly magical experience.

Chiawa Camp

chiawa camp Top 5 safari adventure hides

Chiawa Camp in the Lower Zambezi regularly wins awards for it’s fantastic guides, but a day spent in one of their hides on the banks of the Zambezi is equally as thrilling as a game drive or walk – here you will be lucky enough to see elephants swimming and hippos and crocs going about their daily business, as well as whatever else comes down to the waters edge to drink. The elephants here get very close and you can have a truly mesmerising experience as they forage around the hide.

Chyulu Hills Magical Kenya wilderness

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Chyulu Hills Magical Kenya wilderness

chyulu hills national park Chyulu Hills Magical Kenya wilderness

Eat my dust zebras! The Chyulu hills magical Kenya wilderness on horseback with a giraffe around every bush and jackals trotting along beside you

  • Kenya’s Chyulu Hills may not be as well known as the mighty Masaai Mara to the west and the wildlife-packed Tsavo to the east, but it’s no less exciting
  • Easy to get to Chyulu Hills by bush plane from Nairobi and immediately meet majestic beasts
  • Nothing beats getting up close and personal with wildlife from horseback
  • ol Donyo Lodge at Chyulu Hills is a quirky mix of modern cool and Masaai detail
  • Watch local giraffes and elephants from the private pool

 

 

Chyulu Hills

Is a 100km stretch of volcanic mountains bisected by broad, grassy plains studded with thorny acacia trees, the Chyulu Hills might be a national park but they’re barely known compared to the mighty Masaai Mara to the west and the wildlife-packed Tsavo to the east.

 

 

What you will find at Chyulu Hills, however, are animals and plenty of them. Within seconds of stepping off the little bush plane that will ferry you to Chyulu Hills from Nairobi’s international airport, You will spot a couple of honking wildebeest, a twitchy group of oryx and a dazzle – yes, that is the proper name – of peacefully grazing zebra.

 

But much in Kenya is incredible. From the bright pink flamingos of Lake Nakuru to the gorgeous Indian Ocean beaches of the coast where you end up your trip, it’s hard not to fall in love with the place.

 

Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Kenya

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Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Kenya

%name Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Kenya

Are your balloons safe?

Hot Air Balloon Safaris balloons are manufactured to the highest safety standards possible. Conventional hot air balloons also have the best safety record by far of all forms of aviation.

Is there a minimum age or maximum weight limit?

Hot Air Balloon Safaris does not fly children under the age of 3 years. While they do not have a weight limit, they do request that you let them know in advance if you weigh over 250 pounds, so that we can adjust the weight distribution in the basket if necessary.

How does the pilot control the balloon?

The balloon goes with the wind, but at different altitudes the wind often flows in different directions; by expertly navigating this vertical landscape the pilot finds some directional control. In order to gain or lose altitude, the pilot manipulates the temperature of the air inside the balloon envelope using burners fueled by butane gas.

When heat is added, the balloon rises: add more heat and it rises more quickly. In order to descend, the pilot allows the balloon to cool naturally. The cooler the air inside the balloon becomes the more quickly it descends. Sometimes when the balloon is descending for landing the pilot actually adds some heat to slow down the rate of descent.

Are take-off and landing rough?

Take-off is generally quite gentle, although it may be a bit fast in windy conditions. If the wind is above 15 knots at the take-off site, we will not fly due to safety concerns. About 50% of our landings are what we call a “tip over” landing, where the balloon basket drags along the ground for about 20 meters before coming to a stop lying on its side. There can be a few bumps; however most of our guests experience a much rougher ride in their safari vehicles!

How long is the flight?

Hot Air Balloon Safaris typically fly between 15 to 25 kilometers and the flight lasts about one hour, depending on wind conditions. The entire experience (link to The experience), including transfer to the launch site, flight, breakfast, and game drive back to your lodge or camp, starts at about 5:00AM and finishes at about 10:30AM.

What should I bring with me?

Hot Air Balloon Safaris encourage all guests to carry binoculars and cameras. Hot Air Balloon Safarissuggest closed shoes in case we need to walk through some grass after landing, and dressing in layers is best for the transition from the cool, dark early morning to the relatively hot late morning sun.

Do you ever cancel a flight? What happens if my flight is canceled?

Hot Air Balloon Safaris rarely cancel flights (~5 times per year), and only do so due to high winds, rain, or extremely poor visibility. If your flight is canceled you will receive a 100% refund. Or, if your safari schedule allows and there is available space in the balloons, we can attempt to fly you the following day.

How many people fit in the basket?

Hot Air Balloon Safaris balloons can hold a maximum of 16 people in a basket.

What will I see?

Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve is the ultimate ballooning destination. The landscape is stunning and free, and the abundant wildlife can make for spectacular viewing’s from above. As this is a wilderness area contiguous with the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania, with free-ranging wildlife that is not fenced in, we of course cannot guarantee what we will fly over and what we will see during a particular flight.

However, we typically see a good diversity of animals, and it is likely you will spot elephants, giraffes, various antelope species, and ostriches from the balloon. Many of our guests also see hyenas, lions, and cheetahs, and ballooning is one of the best ways to search for the elusive black rhino, of which there are less than 40 in the Mara.

Depending on the day’s flight path, you may also drift along one of the rivers and see hippos and crocodiles. We have had some truly amazing sightings over the years, including leopards in trees, lions on kills, and active hyena dens. If you visit the Mara between July and October, you will probably see the “Great Migration” of over a million wildebeest, along with large numbers of zebras and gazelles.

Observing this phenomenon from the balloon is the best way to grasp just how huge the migrating herds really are, and is an experience not to be missed. Regardless of whether the “Big Five” are seen from the balloon, most people say that the balloon flight was a highlight of their safari.

Where will I fly?

Hot Air Balloon Safaris flies from the area of Talek. Hot Air Balloon Safaris launch site is centrally located on the northern edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Hot Air Balloon Safaris usually flies west-southwest, which first takes us along the Talek River, then out across some wide-open plains towards the Ol Keju Rongai River.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris sometimes land in the vicinity of this river, but if the winds are strong enough, we continue on towards the Mara River and the Tanzanian border.

Most Notable African Tribes

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When most people outside of Africa think about the Continent, there is tendency to lump all of the tribes together. This is unfortunate because the truth is, each tribe in Africa (and there are more than 3,000 of them) has its own rich traditions, language and culture. While modern society has affected their way of life to a significant degree, tribal affiliation still remains a great source of pride for the natives. With that in mind, here is a look at 10 of Africa’s most notable tribes.

1. Zulu
The largest ethnic group in South Africa with around 11 million people, the Zulu tribe is perhaps the most famous in all of Africa. Tourists can even visit the cultural village of Shakaland and get a taste of Zulu tribal life!

african tribes 01 Most Notable African Tribes

2. Maasai
The Maasai are hands-down the most famous tribe in Kenya. While the majority of its people have adopted a modern lifestyle, they haven’t forgotten their roots, often displaying their traditional Shuka plaid sheets and beaded jewels. They also continue to live in Boma huts and herd cattle.

african tribes 021 Most Notable African Tribes

3. Oromo
The Oromo tribe is made up of people who live in southern Ethiopia, northern Kenya and parts of Somalia. It is also the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, comprising 35% of the country’s population.

african tribes 03 Most Notable African Tribes

4. Yoruba
With a population of 35 million people, the Yoruba are by far the largest tribe in all of Africa. Most live in Nigeria with the rest situated in southern Benin.

african tribes 04 Most Notable African Tribes

5. Kalenjin
You might not think you’re familiar with this tribe, but if you follow long-distance running even at a casual level, then you should know that the famous elite Kenyan racers who seem to win every marathon are Kalenjins.

african tribes 05 Most Notable African Tribes

6. Hausa
Another large tribe, what separates the Hausa from the others is just how racially diverse and spread out they are. You can find Hausa tribespeople in Sudan, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Sudan and Ghana. Both men and women adhere to a strict dress code with colorful attire featuring striking embroidery.

african tribes 06 Most Notable African Tribes

7. Himba
The Himba tribe in northern Namibia consists largely of semi-nomadic pastoralists. They are known as the “red people of Africa” due to a red paste made up of clay and butter that they paint themselves with. They are also notable for the holy fire (okuruwo) that burns 24 hours a day in honor of their ancestors.

african tribes 07 Most Notable African Tribes

8. San Bushmen
Probably the hardiest tribe in Africa, the San Bushmen of western Botswana are notable for being featured in the movie The Gods Must Be Crazy. They somehow manage to live in extremely dry and arid climates in which water is scarce.

african tribes 081 Most Notable African Tribes

9. Chagga
Living along the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the Chaga people are believed to have been the first African tribe to embrace Christianity, and as a result they were granted better access to education and healthcare compared to their colonized counterparts in other African countries.

african tribes 09 Most Notable African Tribes

10. Xhosa
The Xhosa live in South Africa and technically consist of several sub tribes. If you have ever heard of tribesmen speaking with the distinctive clicking sounds, then there you go. It’s the language of the Xhosa.

african tribes 010 Most Notable African Tribes

How To Save Money On Your Tanzania Safari Tours 2019?

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Taking Tanzania Safari Tours is an adventure that will keep you captivated and at the edge of your seat. The Tanzania Safari flaunts a remarkable wildlife experience and is seemingly a standout among Africa’s best safari encounters you will ever have. When anybody thinks about the customary African safari, it is dependably the wild scenery and great excellence of Tanzania. With 16 national parks, 29 game reserves, and 40 conservation areas, you will most likely completely drench yourself in the genuine African nature involvement with outstanding Tanzania Tours.

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