Page 168 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

164 6 MORE SAFARI PARKS TO RIVAL KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

NATURAL WONDERS

Gerenuks feeding in Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
Black rhino, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa Samburu
Hluhluwe- A bare-branched baobab tree drenched in evening sunlight, Ruaha

National Park, Tanzania National Reserve
Imfolozi Game Ruaha National
Reserve NEED TO KNOW
Park LOCATION Samburu National -BLF &5)*01*"
Reserve flanks the Ewaso
5VSLBOB
NEED TO KNOW Nyiro River in north-central
Kenya, about 1 hour by
NEED TO KNOW 6("/%" 4".#636
LOCATION Hluhluwe-Imfolozi #0548"/" (appallingly rutted) /"5*0/"-
Game Reserve is in the north ,AKE road from Isiolo ,JTVNV 3&4&37&
/".*#*" LOCATION Ruaha National Park 6ICTORIA ,&/:" ,&/:"
of South Africa’s KwaZulu- 1SFUPSJB is in central Tanzania, bounded AREA -BLF
Natal province, about by the Great Ruaha River, 150 sq miles (390 sq km) 7JDUPSJB /BJSPCJ
30 miles (50 km) inland )-6)-68& *.'0-0;* about 60 miles (100 km) KEY WILDLIFE
of St. Lucia Village (".& 3&4&37& 5"/;"/*"
east of Iringa ,JHPNB Gerenuks, Grevy’s zebras, *OEJBO
#MPFNGPOUFJO 5"/;"/*" .PNCBTB
AREA 385 sq miles %VSCBO AREA 3,975 sq miles reticulated giraffes, Beisa oryxes 0DFBO
(960 sq km) 4065) "'3*$" %PEPNB
(10,300 sq km) %BS FT
KEY WILDLIFE $BQF 5PXO KEY WILDLIFE 25!(! 4BMBBN
Black rhinos, white rhinos, Lions, leopards, elephants, .!4)/.!, 0!2+
nyalas, elephants Samburu lies in the parched badlands that divide
and greater kudu, roan ;".#*" -JOEJ
and sable antelopes ,AKE Kenya’s central highlands from the Ethiopian
.YASA
border, and protects the most unusual fauna of
The largest and most alluring of several under- any African savanna preserve. Here lives the
rated game preserves in the Zululand region of Tanzania’s second-largest national park has a gerenuk, an extraordinary gazelle-like creature
South Africa, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is a key strong- rugged, remote, and austere character. Baobab distinguished by its long neck, freakishly small
hold for Africa’s endangered rhino. More than trees litter the landscape, their bare branches head, and habit of standing on its hind legs to
1,000 white rhinos and 500 black rhinos roam reaching skyward from the semi-arid plains. This feed on leaves. Other oddities include the
these rolling green slopes, alongside elephants, is the sort of place where you can drive for hours densely striped Grevy’s zebra, the geometrically
buffalos, nyala antelopes, and a varied cast of without seeing another vehicle. Game viewing can marked reticulated giraffe, and the regal Beisa
predators, including lions, leopards, and endan- be exceptional and cat-lovers are in for a treat, with oryx. All of these make the preserve attractive to
gered African wild dogs. The legendary four-day a good chance of spotting cheetahs, leopards, and regular safari-goers, but first-timers have plenty
wilderness trails that run during winter are once- large lion prides. More than 12,000 elephants and to enjoy too – elephants and lions abound, and
in-a-lifetime experiences, but for those with less a diverse selection of antelopes, including the the forest fringing the Ewaso Nyiro River is one of
time, the guided game walks are a great option. majestically horned greater kudu, also roam here. the best places in East Africa for spotting leopards.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION PRACTICAL INFORMATION PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Getting There A good road network makes Hluhluwe-Imfolozi ideal for Getting There Most visitors book an all-inclusive package with a camp, and Getting There The best way to visit Samburu is with a recognized safari
self-drive safaris. St. Lucia village is the nearest place to rent a car, and fly in from Dar es Salaam or Selous Game Reserve. Most safaris start from Dar operator or in a private 4WD. These can be rented in Nairobi, which is
local operators also offer organized day trips into the preserve. es Salaam, and are best broken by a night in Mikumi National Park. about 155 miles (250 km) to the south.
When to Go The dry winter (May–Sep) is the best time for game viewing, When to Go Any time, though the dry season (May–Dec) is best for When to Go It is good all year round, but wildlife concentrations along the
since vegetation thins and wildlife tends to congregate around water. mammal spotting and the wet season (Jan–Apr) is best for bird-watching. river are highest in the late dry season (Jun–Oct).
Website www.kznwildlife.com Website www.tanzaniaparks.com Website www.samburucouncil.com

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