By Emily Hancock, Safari Specialist
We are lucky to have many travelers who continue to return on our safaris time and time again. If you are a seasoned pro of safari and looking for a new, adventurous destination to explore, read on.
If you like the Okavango Delta in Botswana, try the Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park, Zambia...
A herd of lechwe carefully observe a departing lioness in Kafue National Park. (photo credit: Phil West/Safari Portal)
The Busanga Plains, located in Kafue National Park in Zambia, flood during the same season as the iconic Okavango Delta, and offer a similarly diverse and pristine wetlands ecosystem. This remote and little traveled safari destination offers an untouched feeling like the Delta, along with a great spread of many of the same incredible species, from packs of African wild dogs, prides of lions and even cheetahs, to red lechwe, roan antelope, buffalo, waterbuck, hippo, zebra and more. There are nearly 500 species of birds recorded and 55 large mammal species, including 20 ungulate and 6 cat species. Kafue is a little visited but highly worthwhile destination for the experienced safari traveler looking to explore a new area.
If you like the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, try Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo…
There are more than 25,000 Western Lowland Gorillas in Odzala in the Republic of Congo. (photo credit: Kamba)
Mountain gorilla trekking is an unforgettable adventure and the longtime favorite wildlife experience of many of our travelers; if you’re looking for more gorilla magic in an up and coming destination, we recommend Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo. Here you can trek to see an entirely different species, the Western Lowland Gorilla, of which there are more than 25,000 in this park and over 100,000 in the wild. They are found in tropical lowland forest areas and prefer a more heavily forested, flatter habitat as compared to mountain gorillas.
The maximum number of tourist trekkers in a year is less than 3,000 (compared to almost 30,000 in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda to see mountain gorillas), and groups are limited to 4 trekkers at a time (compared to 8 in Rwanda and Uganda), so you can expect a highly exclusive experience when trekking and traveling on an Odzala journey. There are also opportunities to interact with the research team, and additional activities in the Odzala region include bai walks, local village visits, kayaking on the Lekoli River, viewing bird life and additional species such as forest elephant, buffalo and other primates. Seeking another (or first) intimate wildlife experience on foot with one of humankind’s closest relatives? Odzala is for you.
If you like the Masai Mara in Kenya, try the Pantanal in Brazil…
A giant anteater browses in the Pantanal. (photo credit: Clara Moore)
The Masai Mara in Kenya offers one of the world’s best destinations for viewing charismatic megafauna, a huge diversity of birdlife, and plenty of action at the famous Mara River. For similar attributes on a unique, out-of-Africa safari, check out the Pantanal in Brazil. Much like the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya is fabled for big cats, the Pantanal is South America’s unsurpassed jaguar viewing area and offers an incredible diversity of wildlife (The Pantanal is home to 656 bird species, 135 mammals, 260 fish species and 50 reptiles.)
The big draw for most safari travelers to the Pantanal is the iconic jaguar – our group itineraries cover the Realm of the Jaguar, splitting time on the rivers and in a superior land viewing area. Other standout species on a Pantanal journey include the ocelot, giant anteater, giant otter, capybara and caiman. We also prioritize meeting with researchers and participating in hands-on conservation activities. Our Pantanal itineraries also offer the unique opportunity to view wildlife along the river from the home base of a comfortable houseboat for several days – so you might also like this destination if you have enjoyed a houseboat safari along the Chobe River in Botswana.