According to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), before the COVID-19, Africa was the second top-growing tourism region globally. The continent has an abundance of breathtaking animals with the easiness of seeing them.
Even though Africa remains one of the regions in the world with few COVID-19 cases, the pandemic affected many sectors of the economy, including Africa safari.
However, almost all African countries are open to Africa safari. Many tour operators have been reporting an increase in interest, with many people already making reservations for next year’s Africa safari.
Read on to discover the ten new ways to rediscover Africa safaris after the pandemic.
1. Explore virtual safari in Africa
As a way of rediscovering and bringing Africa safari closer to its lovers after the pandemic, safari operators brought up the idea of virtual safari.
Notable launch of the virtual safari in Africa
Kenya Tourism Board led the launch of a digital safari tour with the #MagicAwaits campaign in June 2020 to meet the needs of travelers who could not make it to their choicest destinations.
For instance, users can follow social media sites like Magical Kenya to watch live stream videos to showcase wildlife activities at Nairobi National Park, among other attractions.
Visitors to these virtual safari sites can personalize their experiences, ask questions and even book the kind of exploration they want.
Need for the virtual safari in Africa after the pandemic
The idea behind the virtual safari is to help tourists rediscover the safari if they cannot physically visit the destinations.
On the other hand, users appreciate this innovation greatly as they can explore tourist sites and beaches.
Many African safari destinations have empty spaces, hotels, and parks. The digital approach to safari is a welcome idea as people can feel the excitement almost the same way they think it while on physical safari.
Also, about eight million persons who work in the tourism industry lost their jobs.
The industry also lost quite a lot of revenues because of the pandemic, thus prompting interventions like the virtual safari to bring them back to their jobs.
2. Visit the legendary Kruger Safari in South Africa
One of the most thrilling Africa safari destinations you can rediscover after the pandemic is the Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Best ways to rediscover the Kruger National Park after the pandemic
To explore the South African legendary Kruger Safari, you can go on a group or private tour with tour guides.
Nevertheless, international tourists to the park on arrival must present a negative PCR test. Generally, visitors must wear a face mask in public places, wash their hands regularly, and obey other local COVID-19 protocols.
To take a journey of exploration to find the Big Five of Africa among other wildlife like the cheetah, wild dogs, etc., you can visit any of the game reserves in the Kruger National Park in South Africa, including;
- Balule Private Game ReserveSabi Sands Private Game Reserve
- Thornybush Private Game Reserve
- Timbavati Private Game Reserve
- Manyeleti Game Reserve
- Kapama Private Game Reserve
On the other hand, tourists do not need to worry about accommodation as the Kruger National Park has lodging facilities for all kinds of visitors. Among these accommodation options include;
- Self-catering rest camps: the self-catering rest camp is the cheapest accommodation option in the park. The camps range from cottages, safari tents, campsites, guest houses, huts, rondavels, and bungalows.
- Kruger park safari luxury lodge: luxury and hospitality are at their best at this accommodation option in the park. The accommodation has en-suite bathrooms among other facilities.
3. Gorilla trekking safari in Africa
Visiting the rare mountain gorillas across African countries, especially in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is among the new ways of rediscovering African safari after the pandemic.
Update on a gorilla trekking safari in Africa after the pandemic
Even before COVID-19, gorilla trekking has been highlighting all visits to Africa. However, the safari still makes highlights after the pandemic, but tourists must adhere to guidelines and restrictions to the social distance, among others.
Because gorillas are apes and share about 98% of human genes, they can quickly get the coronavirus.
Therefore, visitors must observe these rules must;
- Always wear your face masks
- The only age limit for visiting the safari is 15 years and above
- Observe a distance of 7 meters, not near the gorillas
- Avoid sneezing
- You have only 1 hour to see the gorillas
- Sanitize and observe other SOP guidelines.
Where to go for gorilla trekking in Africa after the pandemic
There are three notable countries in Africa where you can go for mountain gorilla trekking, including Rwanda, DR Congo, and Uganda.
DR Congo has more lowland gorillas, while Uganda and Rwanda have more mountain gorillas.
In Uganda, you can go gorilla trekking safari across Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
In Congo, you can go gorilla trekking at the Virunga National Park, while Volcanoes National Park is the right place to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
4. Explore Kenya Safari at Masai Mara
Another new way of rediscovering Africa safari is to visit Masai Mara in Kenya.
Maasai Mara is open for Kenya Safari, but all visitors must wear their face masks, observe other COVID-19 restrictions, including the mandatory curfew from 10 pm to 4 am daily.
Highlights on the best ways to rediscover the Kenya safari after the pandemic
Masai Mara in Kenya is a paradise for safari enthusiasts and photographers. Tourists can explore the Masai tribal area and the national reserve.
Africa safari in Kenya’s Masia Mara is the most excellent destination for game viewing.
You can spot animals such as predators like cheetah, leopard, lion, and grazers like elephant, giraffe, and zebra.
Also available are species of birds that will interest bird viewers.
Masai Mara in Kenya is famous for the following;
- African big cats such as cheetahs, leopards, and lions
- Masai Mara landscape, amounting to 1510 square kilometers covering trees, three rivers, and shrubs.
- The great migration; from July to October every year, there is a migration of over 1.5 million wildebeests, antelopes, and zebras that trek from Serengeti to Masai Mara.
- Masai Mara conservancies, including the open Masia Mara National Reserve, where animals graze freely
5. Take a trip to Chobe National Park, Botswana
Chobe National Park, Botswana, is another destination open for a safari after the pandemic. It holds varieties of wildlife, luxury accommodation, and lots of unexplored nature magnificence.
To rediscover the Chobe National Park, Botswana, you need to present a negative COVID-19 viral test after the pandemic, frequently sanitize, maintain social distance, and always wear a mask.
Experiences at the Chobe National Park, Botswana
As the first national park and third largest park in Botswana, Chobe National Park, Botswana holds many experiences that you will enjoy rediscovering, especially now that the pandemic is easing.
Botswana, Chobe National Park is truly a place for everyone, especially safari fanatics.
Among the many experiences at the Africa safari destination is;
- The enormous population of elephants (about 50,000, which are mostly Kalahari elephants)
- Large herds of buffalos
- Massive birdlife (507 birds)
- The infinite broadleaf forest (336 trees)
- Bottomless blue Chobe River
- Little towns
- Big lion prides
- Varieties of lodges
You can come to Chobe National Park, Botswana, alone or in a group and be ready to have a lifetime memory of the many experiences the destination holds.
6. Visit Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Visiting the 1.5 million hectares of savannah Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, is another way to rediscover Africa’s safari after the pandemic.
Why is the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, worth visiting after the pandemic?
There are many reasons why the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, is worth your visit after the pandemic. Some of the reasons include;
- The Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Centres.
- It is famous for the largest annual migration of animals, including about 2 million wildebeests, 300,000 zebras, and 900,000 Thomson’s gazelles.
- You have the opportunity of seeing species of wildlife in a large population such as 4,000 lions, 2,700 elephants, 3,500 spotted hyenas, 500 hippopotamuses, 7,000 elands, 70,000 buffalos, 27,000 topis, 3,000 waterbucks, 18,000 hartebeests, 4,000 giraffes, among others.
7. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda Tour
Much of the wealth the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, holds makes it one of the most intriguing ways of rediscovering Africa safari after the pandemic.
Located at the rim of the Rift Valley, southwest of Uganda, the park has existed for over 25,000 years.
Safari visitors to this destination should ensure they observe the park’s Coronavirus guidelines, including the compulsory wearing of face masks, social distancing, and more.
What to expect at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, holds a lot of attractions for safari visitors that will make them want more. You will find below some of what to expect at the impenetrable forest;
- More than 300 mountain gorillas (and possibly go for gorilla trekking)
- 400 varied plant species
- 350 species of bird
- 324 tree species
- 200 species of butterfly
- 120 mammals (including monkeys and chimpanzees)
If it’s your first time visiting the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, it’s better to go on a guided tour because they know their ways around the park. With their help, you can have the best fun.
8. Go safari at Etosha National Park, Namibia
Exploring the abundant wildlife on waterholes at Etosha National Park, Namibia, is a new way of rediscovering Africa’s safari after the pandemic.
While visiting the park, ensure you obey their COVID-19 guidelines, including providing a negative COVID-19 result and wearing face masks.
The most excellent way to rediscover the Etosha National Park, Namibia, after the pandemic
You can rediscover the most accessible game reserves in Southern Africa and Namibia – Etosha National Park, Namibia on a sedan car or any time of the vehicle.
The park is home to endangered black rhinoceros. It also houses species of mammals, reptiles, and birds.
The park has many rest camps that offer accommodation, petrol stations, eateries, shops, and viewing decks.
Accommodations at the park include;
- Dolomite Camp
- Koshi Camp
- Halali Camp
- Olifantsrus Camp
- Namutoni Camp
- Okaukuejo Camp
With 5,000 kilometers square salt pan, excellent game viewing, vegetations, habitats, and floodlit waterholes at night, you can best enjoy these attractions with the help of guides.
9. Discover Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Hwange National Park, previously called Wankie Game Reserve, is the largest national park in Zimbabwe, covering 5,863 square miles with over 500 bird species and over 107 animal species.
With the many attractions in the park, it is an interesting new way of rediscovering Africa’s safari after the pandemic. Just ensure you adhere to the coronavirus guidelines.
Emphasis on other ways to rediscover the Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, after the pandemic
As a top national park in Africa, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, holds a lot of sites that you can rediscover. The park is home to the following;
- Over 50,000 elephants
- Africa Big Five (including African buffalo, lion, elephant, leopard, and rhino)
- Four small permanent camps
- Three large rest camps
- Eight big carnivorous animals
- 19 big herbivorous animals
These fauna, birds, and flora are almost everywhere in the park. However, the best time to visit the Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, is from July to October to see the animals come out to drink and eat.
10. Explore South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Located along the Luangwa River Valley in east Zambia, exploring the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia is another new way of rediscovering Africa’s safari after the pandemic.
If you plan on visiting the park, you need to first go for the COVID-19 test and present a negative result upon arrival, observe local restrictions, maintain social distancing, and wear a face mask.
Things to do at South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, after the pandemic
Among the many things you can do at the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, to rediscover Africa safari after the pandemic include;
- Herds of elephants
- Crowds of hippopotamus
- Numerous Rhodesian giraffes
- Tented bush camps
- Crowds of crocodiles
- Luxurious lodges
Additionally, the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, has an abundance of well-preserved vegetation, abundant wildlife available for your discovery.
Conclusion
Tourism, especially Africa safari, is the best way for people and countries to overcome the pandemic as it promotes trust, solidarity while conveying people together.
So, it is safe to follow the new ways mentioned above to rediscover Africa safari after the pandemic, but you need to adhere to guidelines.
Generally, Africa safari involves sitting in an open safari vehicle watching wildlife, relaxing, going for another drive for game-viewing before relaxing for the day to continue another time.
