Ethical And Authentic Animal Experiences In Africa : 7 Close Wildlife Encounters : There is something remarkable about being very close to the magnificent animals that call this continent home, and many of our guests list close wildlife encounters among their most treasured African memories. We took great care to only include ethical experiences on our list, meaning those that are provided by knowledgeable operators who, in addition to ensuring your safety, also prioritize the welfare of the animals involved.
All of the encounters with wildlife on this list are handled in a way that prevents stress or alarm. By doing this, one can get a little bit closer to and develop a deeper appreciation for the distinctiveness and beauty of Africa wildlife.
Elephant Sanctuary, Zimbabwe
This sanctuary is one of the famous wildlife encounter in Africa and was named after a young elephant that was saved from a dam, recovered, and formed a bond with a herd of elephants that had been rescued from Zimbabwe. The lodge at this sanctuary for orphaned elephants now offers a “soulful safari experience,” which naturally centers around meeting the local elephants and going on an adventure through the bushveld with them. You will have the chance to directly interact with the elephants and learn more about their inspiring tales of hope and survival, in addition to a wide range of other safari activities.
Chimp Trekking
Chimp trekking provides a remarkable amount of insight into the lives (and loves) of these highly social and vocal primates. It is one of Africa’s two iconic great ape encounters. Greystoke Mahale in Tanzania’s Mahale National Park and Ndali Lodge in Uganda’s Kibale National Park are two of the best locations to see chimpanzees up close. A leisurely walk through the woods can quickly become overwhelming in either location because there is so much going on all around you. The skilled guides will interpret all of the chimps’ behaviors, including foraging, fighting, grooming, and playing games. They will also explain who’s related to who, which is crucial in chimpanzee society. Groups of habituated chimps will go about their daily business as if you weren’t there.
Rhino Tracking
Rhinos are arguably the safest and easiest of the Big Five species to track. They are enjoyable and fascinating subjects to study if approached properly. Rhino encounters revolve around understanding the direction of the wind and remaining quiet because rhinos have quite poor eyesight but excellent hearing and smell! Desert Rhino Camp in Namibia’s vast Palmwag Concession, which is home to the extremely rare black rhino with desert adaptations, and Amanlinda Lodge in Zimbabwe’s Matobo Hills National Park, which is home to their larger cousins, the white rhinos, are two of our favorite places to look for rhino footprints. Because both rhino populations have undergone extensive research, the guides and trackers typically know where to look for them. Particularly in Namibia, the adventure may begin with travel by vehicle, followed by walking when you are closer.
Walk Alongside the Great Wildebeest Migration
With literally hundreds of thousands of antelope migrating in a continuous loop between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Kenya’s Masai Mara, the Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the natural wonders of the world. They must navigate treacherous rivers and avoid predators like lions and enormous crocodiles on their journey. You need expert advice on when and where to travel for the best chances of seeing this spectacle because they are constantly moving in search of new grazing. In the southern Serengeti, we offer different Walking safari packages that brings you closer than ever to the enormous herds. This safari is only available between December and March and involves walking 9 to 13 miles per day. The antelope are primarily concerned with grazing and calving during this stage of the journey, providing incredible viewing opportunities.
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is a much more tranquil, almost meditative experience than getting up close to chimpanzees, and it’s one that many people find extraordinarily moving. The trip can also be quite physically demanding—these animals are not called mountain gorillas for nothing! Expect quite steep, occasionally muddy trails, whether you visit them in Rwanda or Uganda, but the hike will be well worth it, we promise! We can advocate for you to be placed with gorilla families that typically reside a little bit lower down in the mountains because we have years of experience organizing gorilla permits (which are essential) and porters (highly recommended) for our visitors. Any family you ‘visit’ will have a serene aura, soulful eyes, a resemblance to our own species, and playful children.
Swim With Whale Sharks
The largest fish in the world, whale sharks can grow to a length of 30 feet, making them about the size of a school bus. Don’t be alarmed by the name; despite being sharks, these gentle giants eat plankton and tiny shrimp. In actuality, they have no teeth at all in their mouths! They travel along Africa’s East Coast, where, fortunately, the waters are frequently warm and clear. This makes swimming with these enormous marine animals while snorkeling in the Indian Ocean a must-do experience. However, it’s important to keep in mind that they only appear at specific times of the year. Our best advice includes:
- Mafia Island, Tanzania (from September to March)
- Nosy Be, Madagascar (September to December)
- Tofo Beach, Madagascar (October to March)
Lemur Spotting
Some of the cutest animals in the world are lemurs, which are only found on the island of Madagascar, which is off the coast of Africa. There are approximately 100 species in total, with sizes ranging from the well-known ring-tailed lemurs to tiny species that weigh no more than five quarters. Due to their appearance as animated film characters, lemurs have gained enormous popularity. However, you must travel to Madagascar, a “living laboratory,” to see them in the wild. Lemurs are highly entertaining to observe as they go about their daily lives in the forest. They are lively and intelligent. The aptly named Ranomafana National Park is one of the best places to see lemurs, where you can also find many other unusual inhabitants of Madagascar and about twenty different kinds of them.
