"Safari" is the Swahili word for journey. It originally comes from the Arabic word "safara" meaning to travel. More accurately, as a noun, safari means a journey, and as a verb, to travel.
In common usage, safari is tied to Africa and refers to an overland journey in remote country in order to see, photograph or hunt wild animals in their natursl environment.
Safari is one of the great experiences a family can share. Where else can a grandfather and his grandson, a mother and a teenage son, or a father and daughter share the joy and wonder of an experience that is novel for both?
Here, in the world's largest inland delta, the waters of the Okavango River disappear into the sands of the Kalahari Desert. This remote area is increasingly accessible to high-end travelers and, in my experience, you can see lion, leopard and cheetah each and every day, as well as a steady supply of hyena, elephant, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and baboon. And, if you’re lucky, you may just get a rare glimpse of Africa’s most endangered large carnivore, wild dogs, also known as the “painted dogs of the Kalahari”.
Where is the new safari frontier? For my money, it's in Zambia, the Selous of southern Tanzania, and perhaps most tantalizingly, in Gabon in West Africa.
And these new parks represent the frontier of African safaris because of the vital habitat and animal life they will eventually make available to travelers, offering everything from sea turtles and whales to forest elephants, rhinos, gorillas, buffalo, and numerous plant and bird species found only in Gabon. And up near Mvadi, and in other reaches of northeastern Gabon, there is the chance to develop gorilla safaris.
Today, the word safari is used to refer to any kind of journey, in Africa or elsewhere. We speak of hunting safaris, or photo safaris, river safaris, mountain safaris, gorilla safaris and so on. In many ways, it now is synonymous with an exotic vacation in a remote, wild place.
Of course there is so much more to see on safari than just the Big Five. There's my favorite, the cheetah. And so many others. Like the elusive and nocturnal striped hyena, or the rare wild cat that I saw in the rocky "kopjes" at Kusini in the western Serengeti, or chimpanzee in the Kanyawara Reserve in the Kibale Forest near Fort Portal in Uganda. And let’s not forget the Mountain Gorilla found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda along the borders of Rwanda and Congo.
Zimbabwe used to be home to some of the most exciting safaris in the world, but recent troubles there have kept all but the most seasoned adventurers away. One of the classic safaris there is a raft or canoe trip down the Zambezi River to Mano Pools.
And if you can’t go on safari to Africa, you might consider a wildlife safari to America’s incomparable wildlife reserve, Yellowstone National park. Here you can see wolf and bison, elk, moose and so many other North American wildlife in their natural habitats.
The great difference in my mind between a hunting safari and a photo safari is that a hunter takes a shot, and the animal is gone forever. A photographer, on the other hand, takes a shot, and the animal is there tomorrow for someone else to discover in all its glory.
Why is Gabon such a fresh and exciting safari destination? Because Gabon is home to some of the wildest, most unspoiled wildlife habitat in all of Africa. Though threatened by logging and mining, there are still large tracts of land that are untouched by modern man. That’s why many a traveler there comes back entranced, saying parts of Gabon are what Africa must have looked like before the first white man got there. I agree with that estimation, and I say that from experience, having lived two years in the remote reaches of northeastern Gabon, some 300 miles from the country’s capital.
1. safariparty If you're having the safari theme party in the evening, you can place ... The Petting Zoo offers animals of the US - Bunnies of various breeds, ...
3. Zoo Party Visit a local petting zoo or full-size zoo for an animal adventure. ... Fun Favors for a Zoo Party include: safari favor box. plastic toy animals. animal finger ...
5. San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium - Where you experience Real ... Safari Party at the San Antonio Zoo - Frequently Asked Questions ... Zoo passes are good for entrance into the Zoo but not for a program. If you are a member, your party price ...
6. Animal Safari Birthday Party - Jungle Animal Party Animal Safari Birthday Party - Zoo Animals Party. Have a birthday party adventure with ... Then order a Safari Deluxe Party box from Birthday in a Box. ...
7. Farm Party Invitations, Zoo Birthday Party Invitations If you have an animal lover for a birthday child, he or she will love a Farm Birthday Party, or perhaps a Zoo Birthday party From tractor designs to farm animal ...
8. Jungle Safari Party Fun ideas for a jungle safari party, including party invitations, party decorations, party games, party food, and party favors.
11. SAFARI-JUNGLE-ZOO Theme Baby Shower or Kids Party Create a Safari-Jungle-Zoo theme kids party or baby shower. Invitations, favors, cakes, decorations, party supplies, confections, crafts, gifts and jewelry.
13. safari/zoo party supplies Save $$ here and buy more safari/zoo party supplies at http://www.birthdaydirect.com/alphabet-zoo-birthday-party-supplies-c-33_2980.html?view_all ...
14. Binder Park Zoo Celebrate your birthday at Binder Park Zoo. We offer many packages through out the year which include a carousel, safari, & zoo boo themed party.
15. Safari's Interactive Animal Sanctuary The Zoo is open to the PUBLIC every Saturday & Sunday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm. ... party, corporate or family gathering an exciting and memorable experience! Safari's ...
16. Zoological Society of Milwaukee County Supporting the Milwaukee County Zoo, educating the community about wildlife and the environment, and conserving endangered animals.
17. Birmingham Zoo - Events - Zoolight Safari Members of the Birmingham Zoo receive this benefit and more, including camp and birthday party discounts, ZooLight Safari admission, and special members' only events. ...
18. Photo Cards by Scrapless Press " zoo Jungle / zoo / safari inspired photo birthday party invitations by Scrapless Press. ... Jungle Safari Zoo safari / jungle photo birth announcements by Scrapless Press. ...
19. Swingin' Safari Party Theme Swingin' Safari Party Theme ... Zoo Animal Character Bubble Bottles. These 3" plastic bottles of bubbles come in fun lion, tiger, elephant, zebra, giraffe and monkey designs! ...
20. Birthday Party Ideas - Zoo Parties Birthday Party Ideas - Zoo Party - Party planning ideas for children's parties with ideas for decorations and activities for a kids Zoo party.
21. Tiger Safari - An Interactive Exotic Zoological Park all types of parties and gatherings, including the Serengeti Birthday party room. ... Jungle Zoo Brought To You & Birthday Parties !!! Tiger Safari Conservation Ambassadors ...
22. Jungle Zoo To You further Tiger Safari Zoo Ambassadors are here to serve you ,check out ... See More Party Pictures! Tiger Safari has the biggest cages for big cats in the state of ...
23. Zoo Animals Birthday Party Ideas Celebrate your child's birthday with A fun zoo animal party games, animal activities and a trip to the zoo!
24. Birmingham Zoo - Events Enjoy the Zoo by taking a memorable camel ride (additional charge) or ... and birthday party discounts, ZooLight Safari admission, and special members' only events. ...
26. Safari Party at the Party Mall Safari Party: Monkeys, lions, tigers, elephants are some of the common zoo animals that might be seen while on a safari in a jungle.
27. Safari and Jungle Party Supplies from Windy City Novelties Online store featuring a huge selection of Safari and Jungle Party Supplies, glow products, glow sticks, glow necklaces, body lights and other glow novelties for all ...
29. Serpent Safari | Celebrations Party Experiences Serpent Safari: See you later, alligator! Meet reptiles great and small on an exciting serpent safari. Explore first hand the amazing world of snakes, ...
30. Browse Great Safari Party Ideas Looking for Safari party ideas? We've collected lots of great articles on the Safari party theme you can use for your kid's Safari birthday party.
31. Partymakers Party guests meet initially at the Zoo School (64th & 5th Ave.) where ... After the Safari through the zoo, the children return to base camp for party refreshments. ...
32. Survivor Safari Party Plan Purchase an 8' x 10' safari setting backdrop and use thumbtacks or non-permanent adhesive ... Try to set this theme party at a local zoo so the big game hunters ...
33. Zoo Theme Party Zoo and Safari Animals. Sort By: Page: 1 2 Show All. Item #S08150. 12 Safari Animal Magic ... of Four Zoo Animal Crayons. Our Price: $1.39. Item #J09780. 12 Animal ...
35. Bargains on zoo jungle and related items! Safari Jungle Zoo Party Supplies Deco Favors LOT 60+pcs ... Jungle Safari Leopard Tiger Zoo Curtain Valance NEW. JUNGLE ZOO BABY APE T-SHIRT MILO FROM JAPAN-NEW YORK L ...
36. Party World - Zoo Party Personalize jungle and safari invitations, decorate your zoo party with our instructions ... pin the tail on the zebra. Fun Arts & Crafts for a Zoo Party include: ...
38. Chester Zoo - Safari Evenings Safari Evenings. On summer evenings, when the zoo is closed to the general public, we ... Your safari guide will meet the party at the Oakfield Manor and escort them on an ...
39. Jungle & Zoo Animal Pinatas - Pinatas.com Jungle & Zoo Animal Pinatas at Pinatas.com, the largest online party supplies store, specializing in party games, party costumes and party supplies online.