eatours, Author at Exciting African Tours

Moremi Game Reserve

Kavango Delta Oasis:

As part of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve boasts an unparalleled natural setting characterized by meandering waterways, lush floodplains, and dense woodlands. The seasonal ebb and flow of the delta’s waters create a dynamic ecosystem, attracting an abundance of wildlife throughout the year.

Moremi Game Reserve is celebrated for its remarkable biodiversity, encompassing a diverse range of habitats including mopane woodland, acacia forests, savannah grasslands, and permanent water channels. This variety of ecosystems supports a rich tapestry of wildlife, from iconic African mammals to an array of bird species.

Venturing into Moremi Game Reserve offers unparalleled opportunities for wildlife encounters, with the chance to spot Africa’s Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros—alongside other notable species such as giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and hyenas. The reserve is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 500 bird species recorded within its boundaries.

Moremi Game Reserve is committed to conservation and sustainable tourism practices, ensuring the protection of its pristine environment and the welfare of its resident wildlife. By promoting responsible tourism initiatives, the reserve strives to balance conservation efforts with the needs of local communities and visitors alike.

A visit to Moremi Game Reserve offers a glimpse into the untamed beauty of the Okavango Delta and the remarkable diversity of Botswana’s wildlife. Whether seeking close encounters with iconic species or simply basking in the serenity of the African bush, Moremi promises an unforgettable safari experience unlike any other.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary

The Khama Rhino Sanctuary stands as a testament to Botswana’s commitment to wildlife conservation, particularly the protection of its rhinoceros population. Located in the Serowe District, this sanctuary provides a safe haven for both black and white rhinos, allowing them to thrive in their natural habitat.

Dedicated to safeguarding these magnificent creatures, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary implements various conservation initiatives aimed at preserving rhino populations for future generations. Through rigorous anti-poaching measures and habitat restoration efforts, the sanctuary plays a crucial role in ensuring the survival of these endangered species.

Visitors to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary can embark on guided game drives and nature walks, offering unique opportunities to observe rhinos and other wildlife in their natural environment. Knowledgeable guides provide insights into the sanctuary’s conservation efforts and the behaviors of its resident animals, enhancing the visitor experience.

Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the sanctuary as you traverse its diverse landscapes, ranging from open grasslands to wooded areas and rocky outcrops. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of not only rhinos but also other iconic African species such as giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species.

The Khama Rhino Sanctuary also serves as an educational hub, offering visitors the chance to learn about rhino conservation and the broader ecosystem. Interactive exhibits and informative presentations shed light on the challenges facing rhinos and the importance of preserving their natural habitats.

Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, nature lover, or conservation advocate, a visit to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary provides a meaningful and enriching experience. By supporting conservation efforts and promoting environmental awareness, the sanctuary plays a vital role in safeguarding Botswana’s natural heritage for generations to come.

Gaborone

Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana, serves as a vibrant hub blending modern amenities with traditional charm. Nestled in the southern part of the country, Gaborone offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into Botswana’s rich culture and history.

Key Attractions:

Three Dikgosi Monument: This iconic monument pays homage to three revered tribal chiefs – Khama III of the Bangwato, Sebele I of the Bakwena, and Bathoen I of the Bangwaketse – who played pivotal roles in Botswana’s history. The monument stands as a symbol of unity and leadership, commemorating the country’s journey towards independence.

National Museum and Art Gallery: Immerse yourself in Botswana’s diverse heritage at the National Museum and Art Gallery. Explore fascinating exhibits showcasing archaeological artifacts, traditional crafts, and contemporary artworks that highlight the country’s cultural evolution. Gain insights into Botswana’s history, from ancient civilizations to modern-day achievements, through engaging displays and interactive experiences.

Beyond its historical landmarks, Gaborone offers visitors a myriad of experiences to enjoy. Wander through bustling markets, where vendors sell colorful textiles, handmade crafts, and fresh produce, providing a glimpse into daily life in Botswana. Sample traditional cuisine at local eateries, savoring flavorful dishes such as seswaa (slow-cooked beef) and bogobe (maize porridge).

Discover the city’s modern side with its sleek shopping malls, trendy cafes, and lively entertainment venues. Stroll along the Gaborone Dam, a scenic reservoir perfect for picnics and leisurely walks, or venture into nearby nature reserves to observe Botswana’s abundant wildlife.

Whether you’re drawn to its historic landmarks, cultural attractions, or contemporary offerings, Gaborone invites you to explore its dynamic blend of past and present, making it a captivating destination in Botswana.

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is one of the best game reserves in Africa, and one of the oldest in South Africa. If you’re a wildlife lover, this famous park definitely needs to be on your South Africa itinerary.

The park lies about a 3.5- to 4.5-hour drive from Johannesburg and offers visitors the chance to see the “Big Five”: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino, as well as an astounding diversity of other wildlife. It’s also home to San (bushman) rock paintings and archaeological sites.

You can explore Kruger National Park on the large network of sealed roads; organize a walking safari; or soar over the vast grasslands, gallery forests, and river systems in a hot air balloon.

One of the best things about Kruger National Park is that the accommodation caters to all budgets – you can stay in basic campsites, book a thatched bungalow, or relax in a luxury lodge.

Nosy Be

The small island of Nosy Be is one of Madagascar’s premier tourist spots attracting thousands of tourists from across the globe year round. Although Nosy Be’s beaches don’t look as picture perfect as some other tropical beaches, they do win points for tranquility, clear turquoise water and excellent seafood restaurants serving seafood diner on the sand.

Timket Festival

King Fasiladas officially founded Gondar in 1632. It was this Gondarine period that is considered to be the third major dynasty after the Axumite and Zagwe dynasties. The dynasty is historically important for the introduction of a permanent capital. Gondar’s 17th century castles reflect the strong dynasty and the power of progressive rulers. Seven of the dynasty’s kings had their own castles built to show their power and independent, efficient ruling styles. The city’s main imperial precinct, known as the Royal Enclosure, covers an area of 7.7 hectares and contains five castles raised walkways and connecting tunnels surrounded by high stone walls. The oldest of these is the Castle of Fasiledes, built of stone in the mid-17th century. His castle reflects a number of influences, mainly Axumite, Portuguese and Indian. The tower offers divine panoramic views, even Lake Tana is visible on a clear day. Gondar is especially significant to the Ethiopian Orthodox community and considered a pinnacle of religious centers across the country. Among the churches in town, Debre Berhan Selassie is famous for its typical Gondarine style and extraordinary ceiling. Timket Festival Timket Festival is celebrated on the 19th or 20th of January. It is an Ethiopian Orthodox ceremony that celebrates the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. It is most commonly celebrated in Gondar and Lalibela. During the ceremonies of Timket, the Tabot, a model of the Ark of the Covenant, which is present on every Ethiopian altar (somewhat like the Western altarstone), is reverently wrapped in rich cloth and born in procession on the head of the priest. The Tabot, which is otherwise rarely seen by the laity, represents the manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah when he came to the Jordan for baptism. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated near a stream or pool early in the morning (around 2 a.m.). Then the nearby body of water is blessed towards dawn and sprinkled on the participants, some of whom enter the water and immerse themselves, symbolically renewing their baptismal vows. But the festival does not end there; Donald Levine describes a typical celebration of the early 1960s.

Dallol and Erta Ale

Dallol is situated in the very north of the Great Rift Valley. It is well below sea level at -155m, which is the lowest point in Africa. It acts almost like a cauldron, trapping all the heat with in the one area. It is known for being THE hottest place on the face of the earth.

The time to visit would either be between the months of March and September where temperatures reach 48 degrees. Or maybe consider the ‘rainy’ season (which really isn’t very rainy at all) between September and March, will be at an average of about 25 degrees.

Dallol is a field of phreatic craters in the barren salt plain north north east of the Erta Ale Range. The Dallol craters are the Earth’s lowest known sub aerial volcanic vents. The most recent of these craters, Dallol, was formed during an eruption in 1926. Colorful hot brine springs and fumaroles deposits are found in the Dallol area. There are hot yellow sulfur fields among the sparkling white salt beds. It really is a miraculous sight to see if you can handle the heat! The Afar Triangle is also well known for recent discoveries of remnants of the oldest fossil hominid. ‘Lucy’ the 3.2 million year old partial human skeleton can be seen in the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.

Harar

Located in the East of Ethiopia about 500km from Addis and under 100km from the Djibouti border, Harar, or otherwise known as “the city of saints” is one of the most historical cities to visit in Ethiopia – UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best time to visit would be between October & March, with a daily average temperature of 20 degrees. It has a wonderful hilltop location, and is home to approximately 128,000 people.

Seventy-two successive Imams have ruled Harar since its formation during the 700s to 1900s through which a unique, strong and authentic Muslim tradition was created. UNESCO considers it as being the fourth holist city of Islam. Three out of the 82 mosques were built in the 10th century.

Hara has a vast territory outside of the city with many friendly tribes such as Adare, Somali, Oromo and Argoba. These tribes are the main settlers all of Muslim ethnicity. Hyena night feeding has become quite a popular tourist attraction in a few of these tribes and has turned into a rather exciting night show. You can also visit the Harar Brewery for all of our beer enthusiasts out there, where taste testing and purchasing the local brew is possible.

Surrounding the ancient town, Harar has developed into quite the metropolis & remains the capital city for the Eastern parts of Ethiopia.

Bale Mountains National park

This beautiful national park was first explored in the early 1900’s. The Bale Mountains are situated 400km southeast of Addis Ababa and is the home to 20 Ethiopian endemic mammal species such as the Mountain Nyala, Ethiopian Wolf (Semien Wolf), Bale Monkey, the Giant Molerat and more.

The best time to visit is between the months of November & April when the temperature is perfect and everyday is sunny & clear. The rainy season tends to be between the months of May & November for the Bale Mountain ranges, however the weather can change quite drastically depending on where you are altitude wise.

The park is on an area of about 2150 square kilometers and divided into 5 distinct environments or ecosystems: the Northern Grasslands (Gaysay Valley), Northern Woodlands (Park Headquarters), Afro-alpine Meadows (Sanetti Pleateau), Erica Moorlands, and the Harenna Forest.

The commonly seen Hygiene Abyssinia and juniper trees dominate the park and gives a suitable environment for such endemic bird species such as the thick Billed Raven, Roget’s Rail, Wattled Ibis endemic and more.

Forest belts and escarpments surround the mountain, which is an ideal spot for trekkers and the more physically able adventurists.

The population is about 40,000 within the park boundaries; the majority of people speak the official language of Oromia. They are mainly famers and cattle herders and generally live in circular shaped houses, using materials such as bamboo, mud (to separate rooms) Eucalyptus trees & thatched grass.

Axum

Axum is about 1,000km north of Addis Ababa, just shy of the Eritrea border. This historical site was the name of a kingdom once upon a time. Axum ruled the region from 400BC and was in fact the second capital city of Ethiopia from the 1st through to the 6th century AD. The rulers of Axum (otherwise spelt Aksum) or back then known as the Aksumite Kingdom, controlled their trade through the ports on the Red Sea between Rome and India. UNESCO has added Axum’s archeological sites to its list of World Heritage Sites due to their ancient historical significance.

Axum is famous for its stelaes or obelisks built in memory of the Great Emperor of Axum and the Queen of Sheba. This prominent historical attraction is an open-air exhibition of Ethiopia’s pre and post Axumite civilization. These obelisks are around 1700 years old and have become a symbol of the Ethiopian people’s identity. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church claims that the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion houses the Biblical Ark of the Covenant in which lie the Twin Tablets of Law, which portray the Ten Commandments that Moses received from God on Mt Sinai.

The Axumite kingdom was founded on the northern tip of Ethiopia at a place called Aksum by the native Sabean people. The creation of this kingdom was an indication of a power shift from the capital at Yeha to the fertile lands of Aksum.

Author: eatours