a wilderness safari in Africa - Travel in Zambia, Botswana, Ethiopia, Gabon, Namibia, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Congo, Sudan, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Sudan and Malawi

a Wilderness safari in Africa presents:

Rivers in Africa

The Mara river
flows through several parks in Kenya and Tanzania, among them the famous Masai Mara reserve and Serengeti National Park. From the origin in the Mau escarpment in Kenya, the Mara river drops almost 1800 m before it ends up in Lake Victoria.

Hippos and nile crocodiles are abundant in the Mara river.

Altitudes high/low: 2932 m/1333 m, Length: 400 km, Tributaries: Talek, Engare, Engito and Longaianiet (Sand) river

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The Zambezi river
is often divided into three sections: The Upper zambezi, the Middle Zambezi and the Lower Zambezi, The river has its source near Mwinilunga, Zambia and flows through 5 other countries (Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique), before it empties into the indian ocean.

During this journey it passes the Barotse Floodplain and the spectacular Mosi oa Tunya (Victoria Falls) near Livingstone.

Altitudes high/low: 1500 m/sea level, apprx. Length: 2600 km, Tributaries: Angola: Chifumage, Luena, Lungwebungu, Luanginga, Cuando; Zambia: Kabompo, Luampa, Luangwa, Kafue, Luia; Zimbabwe: Gwayi, Sengwa, Sanyati, Panhane, Luenha; Malawi: Shire River

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The Limpopo river
The sources of the Limpopo river are in central southern Africa. The river drains in the Indian ocean and is passing Kruger National Park during the journey. Limpopo river serves as the border between Botswana - South Africa and Zimbabwe - South Africa at some locations.

Aside from the Zambezi, Limpopo is the largest river in Africa that empties into the Indian ocean.

Altitudes high/low: ? m/sea level, Length: more than 1600 km, Tributaries: Olifant river, Shashe, Mzingwane, Crocodile River, Mwenezi, Luvuhu

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The Ogooue River
rises in the northwest of the Bateke plateau and is one of the larger rivers in Africa. Ogooue runs into the sea south of Port Gentil, Gabon in the gulf of Guinea.The river basin is mostly rainforest and grassland and has a high biodiversity - even the dwarf corocodile lives here.

Sections of the Ogooue river is navigable.

Altitudes high/low: ?m/sea level, length: 1200 km, Tributaries: Ivindo, Ngounie and Sebe river

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The Grumeti river
The Grumeti river crosses the northern section of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, where it drains the northern and central hills of the park before it flows into Lake Victoria. The water levels in the river fluctuates greatly during the dry and the wet season.

During the annual Great Migration, the crossing of the Grumeti river is one of the highlights.

Altitudes high/low: ? m/? m, Length: ? km, Tributaries: Seronera, Orangi, Nyabogati and Ngare Nanyuki river

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The Okavango/Cubango river
rises in the Angolan highlands, flows through Namibia and ends up in the Kalahari desert in Botswana. In Botswana the river water forms a large inland delta - the Okavango delta.

This Okavango river system is the fourth longest in southern Africa.

Altitudes high/low: 1700 m/940 m, Length: 1600 km, Tributaries: Cuito, Cutato, Cuchi and Cacuchi river

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The Cunene (Kunene) river
The Cunene river has its sources on the Bie plateau in the Angola highland and flows south into the Kalahari desert. It then turns west and flows along the Angola - Namibia border before reaching the atlantic ocean.

The Cunene river is a perennial river, which means it has continous flow in parts of the riverbed all year round. Well, in a normal year that is.

Altitudes high/low: 1800 m/sea level, apprx. Length: apprx 1000 km, Tributaries: Oshigambo, Ekuma, Omuramba Ovambo, Kilui and Calonga River

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The Orange River
forms the border between Namibia and South Africa. It rises at Senqu, Lesotho in the Drakensberg mountains, then flows through South Africa and hits the Alantic ocean at Alexander Bay.

The river is also known as Nu Gariep, Senqu river and Groote River as well as Oranjerivier.

Altitudes high/low: 3800 m/sea level, Length: 2200 km, Tributaries: Caledon, Vaal, Fish river

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The Tana river
The Tana river rises west of Nyeri in the Aberdare Mountains in Kenya and flows through some of the last remaining rainforests of east Africa, before it enters the Indian ocean at Ungwana (Formosa) bay. It flows through or by Meru, North Kitui, Bisanadi, Rahole, Kora and Arawale, which all are game reserves.

The Tana delta is famous for its birdlife and is regarded as an important bird area in Kenya.

Altitudes high/low: ? m/sea level, apprx. Length: 1000 km, Tributaries: Rupingazi, Kapingazi,Ena and Nyanjara River

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The Chambeshi river
is one of the sources of the greater Congo river. It starts as a stream in the Zambian highlands in northern Zambia close to the Tanzania border and ends up in the Bangweulu swamps.

Altitudes high/low: 1760 m/? m, Length: 480 km, Tributaries: ?

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The Cuando river
or Kwando river, originates in Angola and flows south-east and forms the border between Zambia and Angola and further down the border between Namibia and Botswana. In lower sections of the river it change name to Chobe river and to Linyanti river. The river is a tributary of the Zambezi river and joins above the Victoria Falls.

The Cuando river flows through Caprivi and passes Bwabwata (Caprivi game reserve) and Mudumu Narional parks. Along the river there are flodplains, riverine forest and papyrus beds.

Altitudes high/low: ? m/? m, Length: 730 km, Tributaries: ?

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The Congo river
or Zaire river is the largest river measured in flow in Africa. In length it is the second longest after the Nile and flows through the largest rainforest in Africa.

Large sections of the Congo is navigable and river steamers used to pass up and down the river with cargo and passengers.

Altitudes high/low: 1760 m/sea level, Length: 4670 km, Tributaries: Luvua, Lomami, Ubangi, Sangha, Likouala, Kasai, Bombo, Nsele and Inkisi river

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The Luangwa River
is special in that it is not regulated. It flows through or by several parks and reserves (south luangwa National park is one) on its way through Luangwa valley before it merges with the Zambezi river. The Luangwa rises in north-east Zambia near the Malawi border.

The area along the river hosts a rich wildlife and is popular by visitors.

Altitudes high/low: 1500m/?m, length: 800 km, Tributaries: Lukusashi River, Manzi river.

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The Rufiji river
is the largest river in Tanzania. The river rises in south-western Tanzania and flows through several lakes and the well known Selous game reserve before it reach the Indian ocean.

The location of the Rufiji river delta is at the mainland, not far from Mafia island and the mangrove forest in this area is quite large - about 530 sq km

Altitudes high/low: ? m/sea level, Length: 600 km, Tributaries: Kilombero, Luwegu and Ruaha river

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The Kafue river
is along with the Luangwa river, one of the larger tributaries to the Zambezi river and merges with the Zambezi close to Chirundu. It flows through the Kafue national park, one of the larger parks in Africa.

The Kafue river also flows through the Kafue Flats which is an important bird area in Zambia.

Altitudes high/low: 1350 m/? m, apprx. Length: 1000 km, Tributaries: Lunga, Lufupa and Kafubu river, all located in Zambia.

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The Nile river
The Nile river is the longest river in Africa. The river and its tributaries flows through several countries, among them Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Congo and Uganda, from the source in Nyungwe forest in Rwnada.

Finally the Nile ends the journey when it flows into the Mediterranean Sea on the coast of Egypt.

Altitudes high/low: ? m/sea level, Length: at least 6600 km, Tributaries: The blue Nile, Ethiopia, The Whtie Nile and the Atbara river, Ethiopia.

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The Tekeze River
rises in the highlands of northern ethiopia and flows through the Tekeze canyon before the confluence with the Atbarah river in eastern Sudan.

The Tekeze canyon is a nearly 400 km long and at places 2100 m deep canyon.

Altitudes high/low: 3500 m/550 m, Length: 600 km, Tributaries: Tahali, Nili, Meri, Menna, Sellare, Sullo, Arecua, Gheoa, Ware, Firafira, Tocoro, Gumalo Balasa, Balagas, Saha, Bembea, Ataba, Zarema, and Kwalema river.

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a Wilderness safari in Africa presents:

Places of interest

Liuwa Plains, Zambia, Africa
is a pristine wilderness in Zambia where an unusual event take place every year: Africas second largest wildebeest migration.

Every may/june 35 000 animals start migratiog northward and then, 5 months later, the massive herds of blue wildebeest returns back to Liuwa Plains.

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Gods window, South Africa.
A dramatic lookout point on the escarpment just before entering the Blyde River Canyon.

This place offers a magnificent view across the Blyde River Canyon and the lowveld wilderness almost 1000 m below.

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Epupa Falls, Namibia, Africa.
Water falls in the north-western wilderness of Namibia.

The Kunene river drops here more than 60 m.

These impressive falls are about 500 m wide and surrounded by lush vegetation.

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Kalendulo Falls, Angola, Africa
Although said to be the third largest waterfall in Africa, Kalendulo Falls are more or less untouched by tourism.

The lack of tourist infrastructure gives an impression of what met Livingstone when he first visited Victora Falls, Zambia in 1855.

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The Amphitheatre, South Africa.
A huge rock wall 1 km high and 5 km in length, stretched out between the Sentinel and the Eastern Buttress.

The mighty Tugela River slips itself over the escarpment into the gorge below - almost a 1000 m drop.

From the summit there is a breathtaking view of the amphitheatre and the wilderness below.

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Tugela Falls, South Africa.
A total drop of 947 meters make these falls the highest in africa and the second highest water falls in the world.

Tugela Falls are located in the wilderness of the Drakensberg mountains, in KwaZulu-Natal, where the water cascades down from the top of the escarpment called the Amphitheatre.

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Namaqualand, Northern Cape, South Africa
Every spring, if there is enough rain, a most spectacular display of wildflowers appears in this part of Africa.

Throughout Namaqualand from mid july to september, thousands of square kilometers of wildernesss, which most of the year is a sunburnt and barren semi-desert, are now covered with flowers.

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The migration from Linyanti, Botswana, Africa
With the rain the desert comes alive with new grass. This kicks off an annual migration of huge herds of Zebra, springbok, oryx, buffalo and blue wildebeest.

The animal stays in Savuti for weeks, then they move on into the wilderness of the Mababe depression. Later, around March-April, they reappear in Savuti on their migration northwards to Linyanti river.

The migration of southern Africa is smaller than the migration of eastern Africa, but still an amasing safari experience.

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Sossusvlei, Namibia,
is situated in the Namib Desert. Some of the giant sand dunes here rise to the height of 300 m - the highest sand dunes in Africa, even on earth.

This wilderness is a spectacular sight at sunrise and at sunset, when colours are strong and is constantly changing.

Because of the fantastic photographic opportunities, tourists include Sossusvlei and Namib Naukluft park in their Africa safaris.

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Fish River Canyon, Namibia,
is located in the southern part of Namibia and is the second largest canyon in Africa.

Although plagued by drought, this wilderness in southern africa is the home of small and larger animals.

Daytime temperatures can reach 40�C and beyond, nights can go below 5�C. Despite such harsh conditions, there are several species inhabiting the area, like leopard, baaboon, kudu and others.

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Kapishya hots springs, Zambia.
Sulphur free hot springs in northern Zambia.

Crystal clear sandy basin where hot water bubbles forth from the sand and flows into the nearby Manshya river.

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Mtarazi Falls, Zimbabwe.
Found in the eastern Highlands, and is claimed to be the second highest waterfall in Africa - only next to Tugela Falls, South Africa, with a 761m high drop.

The surrounding area is a park, Mtarazi Falls National Park.

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Blyde River Canyon, South Africa.
The third largest canyon in Africa and an unspoiled wilderness with spectacular views.

The Canyon encompasses some of the most dramatic scenery in South Africa with cliffs rising 800 m from the river bed. The entire canyon extends over twenty kilometres in length.

Several safari companies offers tours to this exciting area in South Africa.

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Skeleton coast, Namibia, Africa
A famous and very much feared stretch of coastline among sailors.

The coast got the name from the numerous shipwrecks and from the pople that died there. The nature at Skeleton coast really fits the description "a wilderness safari in Namibia".

However, it is also an unspoiled, beautiful part of Namibia and safaris are possible in the southern part of the coastline.

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Kalambo Falls, Zambia, Africa.
Very few people know about this 221 m high uninterrupted water fall in northern Zambia, and even fewer have been there.

The fall is claimed to be the second highest in Africa - more than twice the height of Victoria Falls, and is really one of Africas purest untouched sights.

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Yatta plateau, Tsavo National Park, Kenya.
Impressive lava flow that runs along the wilderness of Tsavo, a popular safari destination. The length is nearly 300 km and the altitude varies from 1700 to 700 m.

Yatta plateau is said to be the longest lava flow in Africa.

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The Giants Playground, Namibia.
Scenic area south in Namibia with gigantic dolorite blocks neatly stacked upon each other.

The place is not far from the Garingas Quivertree forest, and is popular to photographers.

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Tekeze River canyon, Ethiopia
is the deepest canyon in Africa with a depth of more than 2100 m, thus bypassing the Grand Canyon.

The Tekeze river cuts through the northern highlands and has carved this magnificent, about 400 km long canyon in the Ethiopian wilderness.

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Okavango, Botswana
Safari destination in Botswana. The worlds largest inland river delta. During the rain season the floodplain might expand to more than 13 000 sq. km.

All the water makes this wilderness a very beautiful place, with grass changing from golden to green and water lilies breaking into blossom.

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Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Giant caldera in the wilderness of Tanzania. Over 22 km wide and more than 600 m deep. Home to tens of thousands of small and large mammals.

There are no safari lodges in the crater, but several on the ridge.

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Beautiful Lake Tanganyika
is the longest fresh water lake in the world and the second largest lake in Africa.

Four countries share the lake - Zambia, Tanzania, Burundi and Congo.

Lake Tanganyika holds more than 350 species of fish and some very large nile crocodiles.

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Kilimanjaro - the summit of Africa.
This mountain is the highest peak in Africa rising 5 895 m of sea level.

From Amboseli National Park in Kenya one get a majestic view of the mountain, well if the weather is good that is.

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The Kalahari
is a vast semi-desert that stretches into Namibia, Botswana and other countries in southern Africa.

This great wilderness can rightly be called the untamed Africa.

Even though beeing a desert, Kalahari support a rich collection of wildlife, especially during the rainy season.

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The Mac Mac Falls, South Africa,
are over 65 m high and named so after the many scottish miners working here during the gold rush in 1873.

Today, the Mac Mac Falls are located within the boundaries of a 350 sq. km large area considered to be a important bird area in South Africa.

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Rivers in Africa

Places of interest

Tropical diseases of Africa