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10 Best Wildlife Sanctuaries In Africa
There are various sanctuaries that were set up within Africa with the aim of providing shelter and protection to the orphaned and endangered animals which have now turned into major tourists attractions. The top 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in Africa include the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Sanctuary among others.
Africa is famous for tourism due to its rich biodiversity, iconic wildlife safaris, stunning natural landscapes, cultural diversity, historical sites like the Pyramids, vibrant cities, and a wide range of adventure and recreational opportunities. It offers a unique and diverse travel experience, drawing tourists from around the world.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
In addition to rhinos there are various activities that you can do at the sanctuary for instance birding. The diverse habitat, including swamps and savannas, supports over 300 bird species, making it an excellent spot for birdwatching. For you to have an excellent bird watching experience, you will need to carry drinking water, sunscreen, closed shoes, long pants, insect repellent, and your camera.
Guided nature walks are also available for visitors who want to explore the sanctuary’s flora and fauna. It’s a chance to see various other wildlife species, such as antelopes, monkeys, and reptiles, as well as indigenous plant life
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers accommodations ranging from basic campsites to comfortable lodges. Staying overnight in the sanctuary allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the experience and maximize their time tracking rhinos.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary can be visited year-round. However, it’s recommended to check with the sanctuary in advance to confirm the availability of rhino tracking activities.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Ngamba Island is part of the 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in Africa located on Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria Uganda. It is approximately 23 kilometers (14 miles) southwest of Entebbe, Uganda’s international gateway. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established in 1998 as a collaborative effort between the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), and several other organizations. It is majorly for chimpanzees.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is one of the sanctuaries found in Uganda the pearl of Africa and provides visitors with opportunities to participate in activities-like chimpanzees viewing, nature walks and bird watching as it has a variety of different bird species. The sanctuary also offers educational programs to raise awareness about chimpanzee conservation and wildlife protection, volunteer opportunities for individuals interested in participating in various aspects of chimpanzee care and conservation. additional activities day trips, sunset cruises and fishing.
The sanctuary is open to visitors year-round and can be accessed by boat ride typically takes around 45 minutes to an hour, from Entebbe the weather conditions and the type of boat used. The boats are equipped for passenger comfort and safety.
Ngamba Island offers accommodations for those who wish to stay overnight. These accommodations range from basic tents to more comfortable cottages.
The Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
The Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is also among the 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in Africa situated in Taita-Taveta County, approximately 220 kilometers (136 miles) from Mombasa and about 400 kilometers (248 miles) from Nairobi, Kenya‘s capital. The sanctuary covers an area of about 28,000 acres (approximately 11,300 hectares) within the Taita Hills.
Taita Hills wildlife sanctuary is one of the best sanctuaries in Kenya and is a home to a wide range of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and various species of birds. The Common activities in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary include game drives, guided nature walks, visiting Taita hills museum and birdwatching.
The sanctuary is accessible by road, with various lodges which range from basic tents to more comfortable cottages located in the vicinity and the town of Voi serves as a convenient base for exploring the sanctuary.
Taita Hills wildlife sanctuary offers accommodations to tourists ranging from luxury to mid range for example salt lick safari lodge and Taita hills safari and spa.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust(SWT) Sanctuary
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a well-known and respected among the 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in Africa and is located within Nairobi National Park, making it one of the few wildlife sanctuaries situated within a major city. Nairobi National Park is only about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from Nairobi’s city center in Kenya. The organization was founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick and her husband David Sheldrick.
It is majorly known for elephants and rhinos and offers activities like game drives, guided nature walks, and birdwatching. The diverse ecosystems provide opportunities to encounter a wide range of flora and fauna.
Nairobi offers a wide selection of hotels, lodges, guesthouses, and Airbnb options. Many accommodations provide transportation to and from the sanctuary as part of their safari packages.
The Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is accessed via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which is the largest airport in Kenya and serves international and domestic flights. The sanctuary is also easily accessible by road.
Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary
This is one of the 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in Africa and is located in Taita-Taveta County in southeastern Kenya, near the border with Tanzania. It is part of the larger Tsavo ecosystem and is adjacent to Tsavo West National Park. It covers an area of approximately 125 square kilometers (48 square miles).It basically known for its diverse number of wildlife for example, elephants, leopards, lion, giraffes, zebras, impalas, water bucks, and other smaller animals including a great diversity of birdlife that offer bird watching to the visitors at the sanctuary.
The Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary offers a range of activities that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and wildlife of the area for example game drives, night game drives, guided nature walk, guided birdwatching tours, photography
Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary is accessible by road, and it’s located not far from Voi, a town that serves as a gateway to Tsavo National Park. Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) away.
Overall, the best time for wildlife enthusiasts and those looking to see a wide range of animals is during the dry season, from June to October, however, the green season offers unique opportunities for birdwatchers and those who appreciate lush.
Khama Rhino Sanctuary
This is also part of the 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in Africa. Located near the town of Serowe, approximately 320 kilometers (200 miles) northeast of the capital city, Gaborone and covers an area of approximately 4,300 hectares (10,600 acres).
It is majorly known for endangered white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) populations. The sanctuary also serves as a habitat for various other wildlife species and offers opportunities for tourists to observe these animals in their natural surroundings.
The sanctuary offers a range of activities for visitors, including guided game drives, guided bush walks, birdwatching, and rhino tracking.
The sanctuary can be visited year-round though dry season (May to October) is generally the best time for wildlife viewing, as animals congregate around water sources during this period. However, birdwatching is excellent during the green season (November to April).
The sanctuary provides accommodations for visitors, including campsites and self-catering chalets. Staying within the sanctuary allows guests to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings and enjoy wildlife viewing opportunities.
Elephant Sanctuary at Hartbeespoort Dam
This is one of the 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in Africa and is situated in South Africa the scenic Hartbeespoort Dam area, approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles) northwest of Johannesburg and Pretoria. It’s easily accessible from both cities, making it a popular day-trip destination
Elephant Sanctuary at Hartbeespoort Dam Sanctuary is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in South Africa and is majorly known for African Elephants and offers range of activities, including guided educational elephant encounters, elephant walks, and elephant-back rides. These activities provide opportunities for up-close encounters with elephants while promoting their well-being and natural behavior
The sanctuary is easily accessible by road from major cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria. It’s a popular destination for both local and international tourists.
The sanctuary offers accommodation facilities for example the Tuskers Bush Lodge that offers Bed and Breakfast to its clients which is of high standard and quality.
Mount Meru Game lodge and Sanctuary,
This is also known among 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in Africa located in northern Tanzania, in the town of Arusha. The sanctuary covers a substantial area of natural wilderness, offering a serene and scenic environment.
Mount Meru Game lodge and Sanctuary is one of the lesser-known national parks in Tanzania and is majorly known for having a diverse range of wildlife for example the Elephants, Leopards, Lions, Giraffe, Zebras, Impalas and Waterbucks. It is also known for having a stunning landscapes which enables it to offers a range of activities such as game drives, nature walks, canoeing on the Momella Lakes, guided hikes up Mount Meru.
The lodge offers comfortable accommodations, including guest rooms and cottages, surrounded by lush gardens and wildlife. Some rooms provide stunning views of Mount Meru.
Arusha, where the Mount Meru Game Lodge & Sanctuary is located, is easily accessible by road and has its own airport, Arusha Airport (ARK). This makes it a convenient gateway to the northern safari circuit of Tanzania.
The best time to visit the lodge and sanctuary depends on your preferences. The dry season, from June to October, is ideal for wildlife viewing, as animals are more concentrated around water sources. The green season, from November to May, offers lush landscapes and excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Bambelela Wildlife Sanctuary is also well-known among the 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in Africa located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. It is situated near the town of Bela-Bela (formerly Warm baths) in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. The sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of various primate species, particularly vervet monkeys and baboons.
The sanctuary offers guided tours and educational programs for visitors and internship for vet students, nature tours and field guide training providing insights into the lives of rescued primates and the challenges they face. Visitors can observe the animals and learn about their stories.
Bambelela offers accommodations for volunteers or individuals interested in participating in their programs. These accommodations provide an immersive experience for those interested in contributing to the sanctuary’s mission. It also has or offers self catering services to guests by renting them with space.
Wild Is Life Sanctuary
This is one of the 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in Africa located in Zimbabwe near the capital city Harare . Its basically for elephants. It was founded in 1998 by Roxy Danckwerts after seeing the need to look after the injured and abandoned animals. It has a variety of animals ranging from Elephants, monkeys, bush babies, cheetahs, lions, giraffes, warthogs, impala and wildebeests.
Wild Is Life sanctuary offers activities like meeting and learning about pangolin, feeding giraffes, watching plain game graze, lion and cheetah viewing which give tourists a memorable experience.
The sanctuary is easily accessible with the road from Harare international Airport.
Accommodation facilities are also available ranging from luxury to budget and are particularly found in the near by town of Harare
SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary
SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary is is one of the 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in Africa located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. It was founded by Louise Joubert in 1997 to rehabilitate and release animals back into the wild when possible.
SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the prominent sanctuaries in South Africa and is a home to a diverse array of wildlife species, including big cats (such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards), elephants, rhinos, various antelope species, and numerous bird species. They often receive animals that have been injured or confiscated due to illegal wildlife trade or habitat destruction.
- Maintain a safe distance from the animals as specified by the sanctuary.
- Stay within designated viewing areas and paths. Avoid going off-trail, as this can disturb wildlife and increase the risk of encounters with dangerous animals.
- Maintain a low noise level to avoid startling or disturbing animals.
2.Can I participate in conservation efforts or volunteer at the sanctuary?
- Start by researching the specific sanctuary you’re interested in.
- Look for information or contact them directly to inquire about volunteer opportunities and conservation programs.