Africa's National Parks

Africa is covered in incredible national parks, from South Luangwa to Etosha. Each park has its own unique features. In Africa, they call animals that you see in a national park “game”, but that does not mean they're playing rummy!

I have seen game in six different ways:

1. Self-driven safari, (driven by my parents, I am only 10.)
2. Boat safari.
3. Guided safari.
4. From a train.
5. From a bike.
6. Relaxing at the lodge watching game walk by.

National parks are the best way to see wild animals in their natural habitat. I have had some amazing moments in national parks. You will find some national parks are just to see amazing natural beauty. Others let you see four of the big five in a day and then have a traditional African sunset, driving through a herd of elephants with rhinos charging across the road and giraffes grazing in the distance. My favourite national park experiences have been:

1. Climbing towering sand dunes in Sossusvlei
2.sunset at Etosha with the elephants, rhinos and giraffes.
3. Watching hyenas steal and eat a dead buffalo from a pride of lions in South Luangwa.

My top tips for spotting game are:

• Decide what you are looking for.
• Do you want to see a certain animal or just have a good time?
• Ask other drivers where game has recently been sighted.
• Go to more quiet parts of the park to find more interesting game.
• In the dry season, animals will be at the watering holes.
• Know were different animals live. For example, look for leopards in trees.
• Look for poo and animal footprints; this is a good time to talk about poo and not be rude.
• Get an animal identification guide; it is really useful to know what the poo looks like before you see it. It also will tell you their habitat and range.

 Elephants at sunset.

 A rare white rhino.

 A pride of lions.

 A lion defending a recently killed Buffalo from hungry hyenas.

 A rewarding sight of the critically endangered painted wolves after tracking them through the impenetrable landscapes of south luangwa.

 Hyenas on a stolen kill from a pack of lions the Vultures waiting their turn.

 Elephants wading there way through the river.

 A well earned leopard sighting after charging through the bush at top speed hitting tree branches and getting bounced around!