Safaris are a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. A lot of the time, you spend as much of the trip as possible trying to see and experience as much of the landscape and its wildlife as possible, with game drives, excursions to local settlements, and opportunities to get up close and personal with the animals in the wild.
Slow travel safaris are an alternative way to experience the game reserves and national parks in Africa, focusing on mindful encounters and a relaxing pace throughout the trip. This article highlights some of the best destinations for a slow travel safari in Africa, perfect for if you’re planning a trip with a difference.
What is a Slow Travel Safari?
A slow travel safari offers everything you’d expect from a traditional safari experience, but at a much slower pace. Instead of scheduling two game drives a day that require an early start and very little time for relaxation, a slow travel safari gives you time to settle into your surroundings and form a deeper connection with them, through the free time you’re given and the activities involved in your trip.
The very nature of a slow travel safari means that you spend more time on your trip, typically at least a week, which allows you to properly disconnect from the pace of modern life and feel closer to the nature that surrounds you. Traditional game drives might be part of your itinerary, but things like bush walks, conservation activities, and encounters with local communities will also be prioritised to help create a deeper sense of place and culture.
You don’t have to choose a safari experience specially marketed as ‘slow travel’ in order to enjoy the experience; you just have to plan your trip with a sense of mindfulness, patience and curiosity. The following destinations are ideal for safaris that don’t feel rushed and allow you to experience the full scope of Africa’s beauty and diversity.
Kenya
Kenya is a quintessential safari destination and is top of our list of recommendations because of the breadth of different offerings available around the country. Home to the iconic Masai Mara nature reserve, the range of different wildlife here is vast and the tribes of Maasai people living here offer fascinating insight into the country’s indigenous culture.
Kenya safari holidays can take you all around the country, from the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru or Turkana to Mount Kenya and cosmopolitan Nairobi for a city break at the end of your trip. It has a reputation as a leading safari destination for good reason, and with experiences ranging from luxurious breaks to trips that go off-the-beaten-track, it’s a great choice for enjoying slow travel.
Tanzania
Tanzania is another classic place for a safari, with almost one-third of the whole landscape protected for game viewing. It’s one of the most popular places to witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti National Park, but is also home to Mount Kilimanjaro and the island of Zanzibar, providing a really diverse range of experiences to plan for your slow travel trip.
Whilst some areas of Tanzania can get busy during the peak season for safaris, you can visit places like the Selous National Park and other areas in the south, which still feel undisturbed and are perfect for safaris with a more authentic atmosphere. Lions and elephants are common across the plains, but you can also enjoy chimpanzee trekking safaris in Tanzania and get incredibly close to these intelligent creatures in their natural habitat.
South Africa
South Africa has a plethora of travel experiences to offer its visitors, from the vibrant culture of Cape Town to the idyllic scenery of the Garden Route. It’s also home to the Kruger National Park, a great place for a safari holiday with a slow travel twist.
Some of the best luxury safaris can be enjoyed in South Africa, which is perfect if you’re looking for an experience that will really allow you to unwind as well as embrace the beauty of the plains and bush. Giraffes, rhinos, elephants, buffalo and leopards are all in abundance in South Africa, so if you’ve got game viewing at the top of your wishlist, you’ll be very happy with what’s in store. In addition, discover the unique culture.
Namibia
Namibia is a country that is often characterised by the vast, red desert plains that make up around eighty percent of the landscape. But it’s also a wonderful part of Africa for a slow travel safari that offers an experience different to anything you’ll find elsewhere, making it ideal for travellers looking for a unique kind of trip.
Damaraland in Namibia offers unspoiled scenery that is home to all kinds of animals and birds, with the added bonus that tourism here is controlled which means that the area retains a ‘wild’ and much more authentic feeling. Etosha National Park is famous for its vast salt pan that also provides the perfect spot for wildlife sightings and photography opportunities, and is a great place to explore with a guide on foot.
Zambia
Zambia is an excellent choice for a slow travel trip because the country is the home of the walking safari, which was pioneered by the conservationist Norman Carr in the 1960s. The whole point of these treks was to provide a much more intimate and meaningful experience of the African landscape, which is a key part of what slow travel aims to achieve.
As well as wonderful walking safaris in Zambia, the country has some of the least visited national parks on the continent which are ideal for game drives that don’t feel rushed or crowded. You can also witness the spectacular Victoria Falls on the edge of the country, offering beautiful scenery and more adrenaline-fuelled experiences if you fancy something like white water rafting.
Next, the Ethiopian wildlife.
Summary
Whichever destination you decide on, slow travel safaris are available all over Africa. Whether you’ve already tried a traditional safari and are looking for something different, or just prefer your travel experiences to be more meaningful and relaxed, this type of trip promises truly remarkable memories and a new way to encounter some of the most popular travel destinations in this part of the world.
Next, the best Safaris in Kenya.
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