Escape to East Africa
SHAYSTA SIDDIQUI HAVE YOU EVER
seen a land so unadulterated with modern day theatrics, ever breathed air so pure that you felt instantly happy? Ever held a gaze of a gazelle and simply enjoyed the space you shared? If these are the moments you look forward to on a holiday then East Africa is your answer to a dream Safari!
If the above still does not convince you then picture this, that moment during an afternoon game drive when your safari guide, after a long moment of silence suddenly leads you up to a whole pride of lions, probably 3 males, 6 females and over 8 playful cubs, all lying by the roadside. As if that was not enough, the cubs amused by the arrival of a single safari vehicle will try to inspect it by scent and even walk across it from below, going around it for over 10 minutes before returning to their mothers and taking a pose for yet another photo?
Someone rightly said, “There is language going on out there - the language of the wild. Roars, snorts, trumpets, squeals, whoops, and chirps all have meaning derived over eons of expression... We have yet to become fluent in the language - and music - of the wild.” - Boyd Norton
Still not convinced?? Then read further.
These are the imaginary moments that are more likely to come true during the low season when there is less human interference to the wildlife. In Africa, rains are a blessing and not a curse. Rare, pristine wilderness moments have happened in the past during this season, and it will be going down again this year. April and May are in Kenya and Tanzania a time of incredible beauty; dramatic skies meet endless horizons. The plains are brimming with more wildlife and less people.
Travelling to East Africa in the low season is often the best way to experience the wild exclusively and at a reduced price. Safari lodges, camps and local airlines offer up to 50% reduc- most roads are impassable, driving tion off the peak season prices is quite manageable especially if which are charged from July to you are using a 4 x 4 WD safari cus- October. These are just but some tomised jeep or even a van. Those of the reasons as to why the green who do not prefer to drive can fly to season months are the best for a most parks using local safari carriers Kenyan safari. Did you know that like Safari Link, Air Kenya, Fly most special interest tourists like Sax and Governors Aviation. ornithologists, wildlife photographers Accommodation wise, this is and researchers prefer the also the time when most lodges period between April and June for and tented camps are less occupied their visit to East African national meaning that you get highly parks and reserves? personalised services and attention
The period between July and from the staff. This must be October is normally the busiest one reason why most elderly tourists for safaris. This is not only because just love to be in East Africa it coincides with the summer during this season as they get that when most people go on holiday, minute by minute attention that but also because of the rare they rarely get back home or at wildlife spectacle of millions of any other destination. The most wildebeest making that annual important aspect of a Kenyan safari pilgrimage between the Serengeti is that authentic, wildlife safari and Maasai Mara National Reserve. experience, and it never gets However, there is a rising eroded during this season, if anything, number of both seasoned and first it gets even better. time tourists who have discovered One of the main reasons for the secret of travelling during the wildlife movement is search for green season. Kenya experiences food, whether prey or greener her long rains in April and May but pastures. After the dry spell this never degrades the ultimate that drives animals for miles in safari experience that Kenya is famous search of food, April brings rains for in any way. If anything, that replenish the vegetation, it only adds to the adventure and leading to fewer movements of thrill of an Africa safari. herbivores as they have enough to
Contrary to common belief that feed on. The search for vegetation cover and privacy from human interference are other reasons that lead to wildlife movement. However, with the growth of vegetation, especially the tall grass and with only a few tourist vehicles in the parks, animals tend to stay very close to main park areas without much movement.
Once again I urge you to simply let go off the traditional and commercial holiday schemes to Disneyland or jump on a coach touring 20 countries in 10 days! Relax unwind and imagine an afternoon in mid-May when the sky darkens as towering thunder clouds brew up a storm that shuts out the sunlight and transforms the landscape into a brooding sweep of ink grey. A herd of buffalos, 200 plus strong, march towards a sculpted Balanite tree - the desert date that looks like an Acacia with its flat topped crown neatly trimmed below by elephants and giraffes.
“Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on earth. Once you have been there, you will never be the same. But how do you begin to describe its magic to someone who has never felt it?”
(The writer is a blogger and the business development manager at Travel City – Travel Point)