4×4 adventures: the best self-drive safari in Africa

Africa is still a virgin continent for tourism with still a lot of free conserved land that inhabits wildlife. From the giants of Africa that are usually referred to as the big five of Africa. These includes lions, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo and rhinos to some of the biggest water bodies in the world like Lake Victoria.

The continent is the only place in world where you can see gorillas and bonobos in their natural habitats. Beside gorillas, the continent is the home to various primates including different colobus monkeys that call the continent home. The continent is also a home to greatest migration of animals that take place at Serengeti and Masai mara.

The great apes of Africa

Out the 5 great apes of human, Bonobos, Chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. The three of these species (gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos) can only be found in different parts of Africa. Therefore, Africa has the exclusive right for you to meet any of these gentle giants known to be human closest relatives in their natural habitats. Failure to include Africa to your bucket will deny you any chance of meeting these gentle giants in their natural habitats (you can still see some of these species in captivity from other parts of the world).

Where can you see these great apes in their natural habitats on your African 4×4 self drive adventure

The great apes are found from different parts of Africa. Some can be found in eastern part of Africa other in central Africa and others in western African or sharing the different region but let us where you can encounter these giants.

Where to see gorillas on your African self drive safari adventure

Africa is the home to four different gorilla subspecies that can be found from different parts of the continent. These sub species include mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas, western lowland gorillas and cross river gorillas. All the four species are endangered and are limited in number, and these are some of the places where you can find them.

Mountain gorillas- 4×4 adventure

Mountain gorillas are only found in three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda is the country with the most concentration of mountain gorillas with over 50 percent of the total world gorilla population. In Uganda gorillas can be trekked from Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park at a price of 800 dollars per gorilla trekking permit.

In Rwanda, gorillas are trekked from volcanoes national park, the price of trekking gorillas in Rwanda is 1500 dollars. Congo also offers you a chance to trek gorillas at Virunga national park at 400 dollars per gorilla permit. However currently Virunga national park is closed due to political unrest in the area, leaving Uganda and Rwanda as the only two places currently trek mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

The gorilla trekking permit will allow you one hour to spend with gorillas while observing their behaviors. The permits only issued to people above 15 years of age and you can not cancel your permit after the purchase.

Eastern lowland gorillas- 4×4 adventure

Another subspecies of gorillas is lowland gorillas that only found in democratic republic of Congo in Kahuzi Biega national park. This park is open for the tourist and the permit to trek lowland gorillas is 400 dollars. Unlike the mountain gorillas, these great apes live in the lowland forest of Congo, making their trekking less challenging. Lowland eastern gorillas are also believed to be the largest of the four gorilla species.

Western lowland gorillas- 4×4 adventure

The western lowland gorilla is the most numerous and widespread of all gorilla subspecies. Populations can be found in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea as well as in large areas in Gabon and the Republic of Congo. There number is not certain due to them being largely spread but they are less endangered compared to other species. They are the smallest of the four-gorilla subspecies.

Cross river gorillas-4×4 adventure

This is the critically endangers sub species of the western gorillas found at the mountains of Cameron/Nigeria boarder. They are believed to be less than 300 in number and due to their scarcity, there is no standard prices for their trekking. They known to usually constructing their nests in tree during the rainy season.

Where to see chimpanzee on your Africa self drive adventure

Another great apes that call Africa home is the chimpanzees which are found in different parts of Africa. They are believed to be the human closest relative sharing a DNA of over 98 percent with human. Chimpanzees are endemic to African equatorial forests. The prime place palaces to trek chimpanzees include

Kibaale national park of Uganda- 4×4 adventure

The park is located in south wester Uganda and is a home to various primate species, but the highlight of the park are the chimps that can be trekked at a cost of 250 dollars per permit. The park is in close proximity with queen Elizabeth national park, enabling you to combine the trekking with other safari adventures. Beside Kibaale, you can also trek chimpanzees from kyambura gorge of queen Elizabeth national park, budongo forest of Murchison falls national park and Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary.

Nyungwe national park of Rwanda- 4×4 adventure

Another famous place where you can do chimpanzee trekking is Nyungwe forest national park. The park is also a home to the different colobus monkey species that can be trekked within the forest. Beside Nyungwe, chimpanzee can also be trekked at the newly established Gishwati-Mikura national park in Rwanda where you will also have a chance to meet golden monkeys

Gombe stream national park of Tanzania- 4×4 adventure

Another famous home for the chimps is Gombe stream national park which is near Lake Tanganyika. The park is also a home to other primates including l’host monkey, colobus monkey and many different bird species the park home.

You can also trek chimpanzee from Mahale national park on your Tanzania self drive safari adventure. The is also a must visit for the primate enthusiasts

Where to see bonobos on a self-drive safari adventure

Known to be the closest human relatives, bonobos are sharing almost 99 percent of their DNA with the humans, these endangered great apes can only be found in democratic republic of Congo near Congo river basin. This makes Congo the only in the whole world where you can encounter 4 of the 5 remaining great apes and this will make your Congo adventure a one to remember.

However, the tourism activities in Congo are hugely affected by political unrest that has been on going in this central Africa country since the early 1980s. Therefore, visiting Congo you must extra care about your well being and be ready for poor roads that are characterising the remote parts of the country.

The great migration of the wildebeest- 4×4 adventure

If you are interested in thrilling event of the greatest animal migration all over the world then Africa in general and Tanzania and Kenya in particular are the places to be visited. This once in a lifetime experience can also be enjoyed from Zambia. Even though that of Zambia is less popular and famous. However, let us have a look at these two great African events.

The wildebeest migration: Masai mara- Serengeti circuit

The wildebeest great migration is a year-round event that start from Serengeti national park of Tanzania and end in Masai mara national reserve of Kenya. The migration starts with calving season of wildebeest at the beginning of the year in southern Serengeti national park in Ndutu conservation area and the nearby park. This takes place between January and march of every year. The movement continues through the park to the central part of seromata conservation area where the mating season takes place. As dry season kicks in, the wildebeest will move to the northern part of Serengeti in kogatende area.

In the process of heading to the northern part of the park, the wildebeest will have to overcome the challenge of crossing Grumeti river.

Between July and September, this is the highlight of the wildebeest migration. During this time the wildebeest will attempt to cross the crocodile feasted river mara, some will be eaten by the hungry crocodiles, other will be washed away by the running water. And the big cats will be waiting patiently across the rive to also feast on these herbivores. The experience will surely be unique and a one to remember for the lifetime.

The Serengeti -mara circuit wildebeest migration is the biggest animal migration all over the world and witnessing will give you a thrilling experience that will never be forgotten.

Wildebeest migration at Liuwa Plain national park

The second biggest migration after the one for the Serengeti national park and Masai mara national reserve takes place at liuwa plain national park in Zambia. The beauty with witnessing the migration from liuwa is that you will be in a less congested place unlike when you go for the Serengeti-mara migration which draws hundreds of thousands of viewers every year.

The big five of Africa

Another thrilling activity that draws hundred of thousands of revelers from all over the world to come to Africa for a self drive is to see the big five of lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo and rhinos. These big five animals are found mostly in African savanna parks that are distributed all over Africa. Let us look at the top places where you will meet these giants of Africa.

Top places to see the big five on an African 4×4 self drive adventure

Kruger national park of south Africa- 4×4 adventure

Kruger national park is the home to all the big five of Africa including lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo and rhinos. Kruger is pinnacle of tourism of south Africa tourism and of the topmost tour destination on African continent. There fore ensure to add to your bucket on your 4×4 self drive adventure.

Queen Elizabeth national park of Uganda- 4×4 adventure

The most visited national park in Uganda is queen Elizabeth national park found in the southwestern Uganda. The park is the home to the four out of the big five and they can be encountered during your game drive. The park is also a home to the tree climbing lions found at Ishasha sector of the park. Another place where you can see tree climbing lions is lake Manyara national park in Tanzania. The park also offers you an opportunity to do chimpanzee trekking from kyambura gorge. You will also be able to witness the salt mining at lake Katwe where the activity is done using traditional methods.

Akagera national park of Rwanda

The only savanna park that is found in Rwanda is Akagera national park. The park is the home to all the big five of Africa, making it a prime destination for all the wildlife lovers. The park is just three-hour drive away from Kigali city, which is the capital city of Rwanda, making it easily accessible for visitors with limited time.

Serengeti national park of Tanzania

The most famous national park in Tanzania is Serengeti national park the home to the wildebeest migration which is believed to be the biggest migration of animals in the world. Together with Masai mara, Serengeti is one of the most popular tour destinations as it is also a home to different big cats and other herbivores which can be visited throughout the years. All big five of African can be encountered in Serengeti on your visit to the park.

Masai mara national reserve of Kenya

Another massive and popular destination that will lead you to an encounter with the big five of Africa is Masai mara national reserve of Kenya. Beside the wildebeest, the park is also a home to all the big five of Africa making a must visit park on your 4×4 self drive adventure of Africa.

Africa is a prime destination to several tour activities, depending on what activity you want to participate in on your 4×4 self drive adventure of Africa, free to choose your preferred destination to ensure that you get what you will be telling the gland children out of the many things that makes Africa a unique continent.

Popular self drive safaris in Tanzania

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