Watch packs of wild dogs on the hunt in Gorongosa
Spot lions in remote Liuwa Plain
Suggest a walking safari to someone who has never been to Africa and you will often be met with a look of horror and disbelief. Sleep in a tent? No thank you. Walk amongst wild animals? Are you mad? And yet, something happens once you have been.
The stories and myths, the imagined dangers and apprehensions, begin to dissolve almost as soon as you arrive. In their place comes something entirely different: memories of extraordinary people whose warmth, generosity and infectious smiles seem to find a permanent place in your heart. A healthy respect for the wildlife remains, of course, but under the watchful eye of an exceptional guide, what once seemed alien and intimidating begins to make extraordinary sense.
© John’s Camp
You start to understand the language of the bush: the alarm call of a bird, the sudden silence of an impala herd, the tracks pressed into the dust, the distant roar that carries across the night.
And then there is the landscape. Vast, elemental and constantly changing, it seems almost impossible to tire of it. The plains, rivers, forests and mountains take on entirely different personalities as the light moves across them — from the softest dawn through the fierce brilliance of midday to those extraordinary African sunsets when the entire landscape appears to burn gold.
And somewhere along the way, curiosity takes hold.
You begin to want to return, not simply to see more wildlife, but to understand more deeply this extraordinary continent — one that is, after all, the birthplace of humankind. Perhaps that is why Africa can feel so strangely familiar, even on a first encounter: that inexplicable sensation that, somehow, you have come home.
And this is where a second safari becomes so exciting.
(© John’s Camp)
(@ Chicari Camp)
How to experience Africa differently on a second safari
When you return to this continent, the desire is no longer simply to see Africa, but to experience her differently. To venture beyond the traditional game drive and explore on foot, horseback, by canoe or mountain bike. To slow down and notice the details that can so easily pass unseen from the back of a vehicle. To spend time with communities whose cultures and traditions have endured through generations, while adapting selectively to the modern world around them.
The second safari is less about ticking boxes and more about opening doors.
It is about going deeper. Seeing less, perhaps, but experiencing more. And discovering that the Africa you thought you knew was only the beginning.
(© Jack’s Camp)
And for those who are keen to keep exploring by vehicle, but perhaps including some of the aspects of above, then if your first foray has been East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania (north and south), Uganda, Rwanda, then you may well look to explore further south to southern Africa – Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi or Namibia. And vice versa.
So second time round, it’s not about just ticking off the wildlife, as that desire has been sated. It’s about digging beneath the skin of a country, learning more about wildlife perhaps at closer quarters, maybe even being involved in conservation such as a rhino notching as part of an anti poaching campaign, or undertaking a walking safari led by the local tribe where you learn about their culture. Or perhaps a walking safari, which is far more of an immersive experience as you learn so much more on foot.
Where to Go on Your Second Safari in Africa
Zimbabwe for exclusive wildlife viewing and the best guiding on the continent
Take a walking safari in Gonarezhou for extraordinary sightings (© Chilo Gorge Lodge)
Slow down and notice the finer details from a canoe in Zimbabwe (© John's Camp)
Zimbabwe is a good country for a second safari in southern Africa. A country where the wildlife is unparalleled, the guiding is supreme and incomparable, and the scenery is spectacular but often the accommodation is a little more authentic, or old school, as the focus is on the reason that travellers flocked to Africa in the first place. It’s often about getting closer to wildlife – either by canoe, or on foot or even by vehicle. It’s often about spending much more time with wildlife and it’s about the abundance of incredible knowledge. I highly recommend Gonarezhou, a park generally unheard of by tourists, but good to see rhino and elephant amongst other species. It also has spectacular red cliffs.
Republic of Congo for lowland gorillas
Western lowland gorillas in Odzala forest, Republic of Congo (© Kamba)
The Republic of Congo is a good second safari for those interested in gorilla trekking. This is a safari for those wanting to see gorillas in close proximity or who are particularly interested in the western lowland gorilla. Whilst this is not a big game experience, it is most definitely one of the most pristine, least commercial and most beautiful experiences that Africa can possibly deliver. Not to be confused with the Democratic Republic of Congo, this is about walking and seeing species more akin with west Africa, such as the forest hog, the forest buffalo and the forest elephant. And for those with a serious sense of adventure.
The Republic of Congo is known as the left lung of Africa as it so pure and has almost no deforestation yet has the most wonderful rainforests. I would highly recommend adding on the Central African Republic, a trip I took several years ago, where we went on walks with members of the pygmy tribe, looked for pangolin and saw the largest concentration of forest elephant, at Dzangha Bai.
Chad for Zakouma National Park’s incredible rejuvenation
Rare Kordofan giraffes in Zakouma National Park, Chad
Chad and Zakouma National Park is another great offering, especially for those wanting to discover west/central Africa. The lion population here is superb as well as the elephants whose numbers have increased exponentially.
Mozambique for Gorongosa
Watch wildlife at the wateringhole from Chicari Camp in Gorongosa
Mozambique and Gorongosa National Park would definitely be up there. There is a cohort of individuals who eschew commercialism and tourism, who are always looking out for places which are as pristine and authentic as possible and Gorongosa would definitely be a major contender. The park’s wildlife has been increasing enormously under the jurisdiction of the Greg Carr Foundation. Game drives and walks are on offer here as well as a visit to their pangolin project – the pangolin being the most illegally over traded wildlife in Africa.
Southern Tanzania’s pristine wildlife and exclusivity
Stay at Chada in Katavi National Park for vast swathes of Tanzania all to yourselves
Southern Tanzania also deserves special mention with Katavi National Park. This is a beautiful park with some lovely wildlife but less than a handful of camps. You feel you have this entire area to yourself and game drives and walks are conducted in the area as well as overnight fly camping which is private and is simply magical, sleeping beneath the stars and in the evening watching the birds take roost for the night.
Zambia for Liuwa Plain’s wildebeest migration
Witness the second largest migration of wildebeest in Liuwa Plain, Zambia (© King Lewanika Lodge)
Liuwa Plains in Zambia is another area of special mention which is renowned not only for its beauty, but also the second greatest wildebeest migration in Africa, as well as having good lion and hyaena numbers The piece de resistance of course is the birdlife too, which is spectacular – especially during the months of November when the migrant species return to May. The whole area becomes a watery wilderness which is just breathtaking.
Namibia for desert adapted wildlife, the Skeleton Coast and tribe interactions
Search for desert-adapted wildlife in the Namib Desert (© Wolwedans)
Namibia is yet another country that offers the most awe inspiring scenery, the best, most authentic culture in all of southern Africa and something entirely unique – desert adapted wildlife. It also offers fabulous experiences such as a three day flying safari along the Skeleton Coast. Witnessing desert adapted species is unlike any other experience as their greatest challenge is access to food. You really feel for these animals when you comes across them – from desert rhino, to desert elephant and desert lion. Of course, it also has the oldest living tribe in the world, in the form of the San or Bushmen people and the oldest desert in the world, being the Namib. Namibia contrasts well with Botswana and the Okavango Delta.
Malawi for gentle wildlife and lake escapes
Discover the quiet beauty of Malawi (© Kaya Mawa)
Malawi is yet another country which is off piste. With small parks, the country is pretty and has the warmest of people. From walks on Mount Mulanje, to tea plantations to the beautiful lake with its cichlids, and of course wildlife reserves such as Majete and Mvuu and Liwonde, this is a gentle country with gentle wildlife viewing and adventure, especially suited to families.
Safaris come in many different guises, and being in a vehicle is just one example. The whole continent is waiting to be explored and we are here to guide you! Feel free to get in touch to discuss your next safari to Africa.
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