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Where To Go On A Safari In The U.S.

An African safari might be high on your animal-loving kids’ bucket list, but for wildlife adventures closer to home, consider a safari right here in the United States. That’s right — a handful of state parks and private attractions make it possible to see giraffes and cheetahs from a safari vehicle. Whether you’re hoping to spot animals on your own or with a guide, here are 10 safaris that are sure to bring a thrill for the whole family.

Safari West | Sonoma, California

Although Sonoma is best known for its vineyards, you’d be surprised to learn that it’s also home to a 400-acre wildlife reservation. Safari West sets out to conserve animals like wildebeast, cheetahs, giraffes and gazelle — all of which are allowed to roam freely. Visitors can observe from an open-air vehicle and “glamp” in a tent for overnight stays.

Lion Country Safari | West Palm Beach, Florida

This drive-through safari has been thrilling families since 1967. The 900-animal park also serves up amusement park rides, boat cruises, water play splash zones and mini golf. There’s even an award-winning adjacent campground for a rustic stay.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park | Escondido, California

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park immerses visitors in an active, hands-on safari experience where herds of animals roam natural habitats in a vast reserve. Choose from a variety of safari expeditions by caravan truck, cart, zip line — there’s even an overnight option. There are amazing views of lions lounging in the grasslands, antelope and giraffes mingling, rhinos wallowing in waterholes and more.

The Wilds | Cumberland, Ohio

This non-profit conservation park (90 miles east of Columbus) sits on 10,000 acres of reclaimed mine land. The park combines cutting-edge conservation science and education programs with hands-on experiences and one-of-a-kind adventures. The Zipline Safari takes guests soaring on ten zip lines above more than 350 animals, or kids can giddy-up on a horseback safari.

Wild Animal Safari | Pine Mountain, Georgia

This drive-thru safari park boasts 65 types of exotic animals. Visitors can travel the 3.5 miles of adventure in their own vehicle, take a ride on the park’s complimentary bus tour or rent a Zebra Van. A ride through the park in the bus tour is led by a Wild Animal Safari tour guide.

Lamar Valley | Yellowstone National Park

Located in the northeastern corner of Yellowstone, the Lamar Valley is often called America’s Serengeti for its large and easy-to-see populations of large animals. Among its most famous inhabitants are the Junction Butte and Lamar Canyon wolf packs. In addition to wolves, other animals roaming the Lamar Valley include large herds of bison, pronghorn, badgers, grizzly bears, bald eagles, osprey, deer and coyotes.

Safari Wilderness Ranch | Lakeland, Florida

An easy drive from Orlando, this park covers 260 acres. Guests can hop in a canopied safari vehicle to cross wetlands and grasslands. The animals roaming here include zebra, kudu, springbok and water buffalo.

Point Reyes Safaris | Point Reyes, California

Head to the west coast for a wildlife safari to see bobcats, coyotes, badgers, grey fox, the famous tule elk, elephant seals, raptors, owls, shorebirds and whales. You’ll also enjoy seeing some of the most beautiful California coast the state has to offer. Safaris are customized to meet the goals and desires of each family.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center | Glen Rose, Texas

This facility is an endangered species research and conservation center with over 1,000 animals from 50 species. Guided and self-guided tours are the main attraction. If hand-feeding a giraffe is on your bucket list, guests can buy a bag of animal feed and head out on the drive-through safari or take a guided tour.

Love wildlife adventures? Find more animal encounters here.

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How to Create a Safari Style Living Room

by Jeanne Caldwell 11/21/2021

Safari style in interior design describes the harmony of rich and earthy elements of African design combined with the clean comfort of traditional European style. If you’re looking to try out this design style for your next living room makeover, this is a great place to start. Here we’ll go over some ideas to create a beautiful and comfortable safari-style living room design.

Focus On Natural Materials

A simple way to create a foundation for your safari design is to emphasize natural materials found in traditional African lifestyles. Choose materials like real wood, leather and rattan for furniture and decorative accents. Of these materials wood is the most important to the aesthetic, especially hand-carved pieces in dark stains. Mixing textures will make the space feel comfortable and eclectic while still on-theme.

Go for Light & Airy Window Treatments

Window treatments are another way to bring the African safari style into a room. Go for shades of white or cream in sturdy but comfortable fabrics like linen and hemp. These light-colored drapes are evocative of the European colonial style tent walls and also come with the added benefit of keeping the room cool while blocking out harsh sunlight.

Use the Right Amount of Animal Print

Animal prints might seem like an obvious suggestion in creating a safari style interior, but it’s important to use this element carefully to avoid creating visual clutter. Opt for animal prints in neutrals rather than bold colors—the more natural and close to the original animal’s coloring the better. You can mix animal prints, but be aware of scale. For example, a tiny cheetah print will go well with a larger-striped zebra print without clashing.

Pair Earthy Neutrals & Vivid Patterns

Earthy tones like brown, sandy beige and muted greens are perfect for safari style design. However, don’t be afraid to add in some more vivid color as well. Traditional African tribal textiles and patterns come in a rainbow of colors that you can mix in with soft neutrals to achieve a balanced but exciting aesthetic. You can also add in color with decor like wall art, throw blankets and lamps.

Create a Sense of Adventure

If you’re struggling to not go overboard with bold prints and animal motifs, another direction to go with your decorating is to evoke aspects of an adventurous lifestyle. Antique suitcases or travel packs, binoculars, globes and vintage maps all make excellent decorative options in a safari living room. You also can’t go wrong with hand-carved animal figurines, tribal masks and wooden beadwork. Picking a specific native animal as your inspiration can be a fun way to create a theme in your decorating, too.

Don’t Forget the Foliage

Many popular houseplants are actually native to Africa, which means you can enhance the aesthetic in an authentic way. Snake plants are classic low-maintenance options that purify the air, as are ZZ plants and the bountiful spider plant. If your living room gets a lot of direct sunlight, jade is another native African plant that will add dynamic live greenery to the space.

These are only basic guidelines for achieving this exciting and comfortable design style. The details are all up to your preference and will ultimately help you build the style to fit your specific needs. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating your own unique safari style living room.

About the Author

Jeanne Caldwell

I am in the business of learning, and when you are buying a home, learning what the "perfect" beach dream home looks like to you is the starting point for finding it. When you are selling your family's home, hearing about what you have enjoyed while you lived there helps me find the next happy owners. It is a new frontier with targeting your message these days. Digital Platforms allow marketing to a targeted homebuyer who is looking for your home! As a Realtor, I use the North East Florida Association of Realtors MLS, and the many platforms included with it. Also used is Social Media, Digital Advertising, as well as good ole Print, Open Houses, and Signage in front of your house. Thinking about buying or selling? I am ready to hear what you have to say. Call Anytime. 904-699-4991

Foster a Love of Wildlife With These Family-Friendly Safaris

If recently released “the lion king” has you and your brood yearning to witness savannah animals up close, or if you have always dreamed of an all-ages african adventure, these outfitters can make that dream a reality..

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Make the Topi House your family’s base camp in Kenya’s Maasai Mara with Asilia Africa.

Courtesy of Asilia Africa

The visual effects in the new Lion King movie have been touted for their awe-inspiring ability to bring a digitally-animated animal kingdom to life in a way that has never been done before. If the movie’s African animals and landscapes have inspired you and your family to see the real-life versions, or if you are intent on motivating the next generation of travelers to be more engaged with and educated about wildlife, there’s no better way than to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitats.

Thankfully, more safari outfitters than ever are creating itineraries designed to engage animal lovers of all ages. From a family-friendly safari with a strong focus on spotting beautiful beasts, to a more active adventure that will get everyone in your crew moving, there is an African safari that is right for you and your band of intrepid explorers.

Support lion conservation with andBeyond

A portion of andBeyond’s Kings of the Jungle bookings go to the Lion Recovery Fund.

Courtesy of andBeyond

Africa expert andBeyond has developed a new Kings of the Jungle itinerary that aligns with Disney’s Protect the Pride campaign in support of the Lion Recovery Fund, a global initiative dedicated to the future of Africa’s lions. For every Kings of the Jungle booking, a donation will be made to the Lion Recovery Fund.

Africa’s lion population has decreased by nearly half over the past 21 years, according to the African Wildlife Foundation , and the lion is regionally extinct in 15 African countries. To help raise awareness about this issue and about African wildlife in general, andBeyond’s 10-day journey takes travelers old and young through the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater where they will experience daily game drives.

Guests will stay at andBeyond’s Bateleur Camp in the Maasai Mara plains. The exploration then continues in the western corridor of the Serengeti, known for its dense lion population and for its hippos, where travelers will stay at andBeyond’s Serengeti Under Canvas, a mobile tented camp. During a stay at andBeyond’s Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in Tanzania, travelers will be on the lookout for elephants and rhinos.

Prices start at $10,095 per person, based on double occupancy. Rates for children between the ages of six and 16 start at $5,265 per child, based on double occupancy. Children aged five years and younger will be charged adult rates.

Stay in your own bush house in the Mara with Asilia Africa

Familes can set their own schedule when they stay in a six-person bush house with Asilia Africa.

Create a customized family safari with a stay in one of three bush houses with Asilia Africa . This intimate experience in Kenya’s Maasai Mara comes complete with a full staff that helps families design their own itinerary at their own pace. Asilia offers three homes —the Mara House, Acacia House, and Topi House (pictured)—that can each accommodate up to six people in three double rooms. The homes have a pool where the whole family can relax and take a dip, and the added privacy allows families to enjoy their stay without worrying about disturbing other travelers. Families of six or more will have their own private vehicle and guide for their morning and evening game drives (and private vehicles can be requested for smaller groups as well). Asilia recommends its family safaris for children aged five and up, although younger children can be accommodated by special arrangement.

For those eager to embark on a more active safari with the family, there is a series of Asilia Adventures , which include multi-day walks across wildlife areas. While these would be too difficult for smaller children, older kids and teens might be up for the challenge, and the Maasailand Walking adventure is a cultural immersion option that is suitable for the whole gang.

Fun Lion King fact: Members of the movie’s crew stayed with Asilia during filming in Kenya.

Asilia’s bush homes are priced from $322 to $895 per person per night, including meals and activities.

Tanzania with Tauck

A father and son on a game drive with Tauck

Courtesy of Tauck

Tour outfitter Tauck has an entire portfolio of trips devoted to family travel called Tauck Bridges . Within that portfolio is the 10-day Tauck Bridges Tanzania: A Grand Family Safari trip, intended to immerse safari-going clans in life in the African bush. Families go out on morning and afternoon game drives in open-air safari vehicles for the chance to spot lions, wildebeest, gazelles, and elephants, among other native animals. For an exciting overhead view, the trip includes a private hot air balloon ride over Serengeti National Park. Families will also visit a Maasai community and a local primary school. Accommodations range from cottage-style lodges to the posh Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti.

The recommended age range for children on Tauck’s family tours is between eight and 18, although travelers as young as five can participate in the safari trip. (Kids must be at least eight, however, for the balloon ride.)

Prices start at $7,740 per person, based on double occupancy. Children age 12 and younger get a $500 discount off the adult fare.

Cycle, hike, and soar on Zicasso’s East Africa safari

Zicasso offers families the option to take an early morning hot air balloon ride above the Serengeti.

Photo by hongissi/Shutterstock

Luxury travel agency Zicasso has created a Lion King– inspired 11-day family safari called Pride of Africa . The itinerary brings travelers through Tanzania and Kenya in search of lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and Cape buffalo. But it also offers some less typical experiences, including cycling and walking safaris in Hells Gate National Park in Kenya. Travelers will journey to Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge, the site where fossilized bones have provided the earliest evidence of human life, and to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa. Families will also have the option to fly high above the Serengeti on a hot air balloon ride. The recommended minimum age for these trips is 12 years old. Prices start at $5,625 per person, based on six people traveling together, with two per room. Children ages 12 to 15, sharing a room with an adult, can expect to be quoted about 30 percent below the adult rate, according to Zicasso.

>> Next: Where to Go in Africa After a Safari

Protect Your Trip »

12 Top African Safari Tours

Cross this must-do activity off your bucket list.

Courtesy of Micato Safaris

Spot the big five on your safari adventure.

Safari tours in Africa are just as diverse as the continent itself, though these types of trips typically require a large sum of money. Whether you want to spend a few days gorilla trekking in Uganda or a couple weeks spotting the "big five" – lions, leopards, African elephants, rhinos and Cape buffalos – in South Africa, you'll find an array of tours to best suit your needs. To help you narrow down your options, U.S. News compiled a list of 12 can't-miss African safari tours. Read on to find your once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Note: Some of the African countries in this article may require travelers to get an entry visa and certain vaccinations in order to visit. Jump to the list of visa and vaccination requirements by country at the bottom of this page for more information.

&Beyond

Courtesy of &Beyond

Visitors who don't want to sacrifice creature comforts while on safari will appreciate &Beyond's offerings. During the tour operator's 10-day Kings of the Jungle safari – which starts at $11,340 per person – travelers will see breathtaking natural wonders like the Ngorongoro Crater and the Maasai Mara savanna. But the highlight of this journey is its four-night stay at Tanzania's Serengeti National Park . After watching animals like wildebeest and zebras partake in the great migration while also spotting lions, giraffes and more, vacationers retreat to high-end tents and lodges with private bathrooms.

[See more of Serengeti National Park: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Wilderness Safaris

Courtesy of Wilderness Safaris

For some of Africa's most jaw-dropping scenery, opt for the seven-night Namibian Adventure Safari tour offered by Wilderness Safaris. This weeklong trip features visits to the Namib Desert's dune-filled Sossusvlei region (which you may recognize from the film "Mad Max: Fury Road") and the mountainous Palmwag Concession – a protected area with springboks, giraffes, black rhinos and more. The package's per person fee starts at $6,725, which covers most meals, park entrance fees, and transfers from Namibia's capital Windhoek and between the safari destinations. It also covers your stay at properties like the fully solar-powered Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp and the five-star Little Kulala lodge amid the stunning desert.

Wild Rwanda Safaris

Courtesy of Wild Rwanda Safaris)

Adventurous travelers sticking to a more conservative budget should consider Wild Rwanda Safaris' Bwindi Gorilla Safari. The three-day package features a full day in southwestern Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (a haven for silverback gorillas) and an adjacent Batwa Pygmy community. Wild Rwanda Safaris allows guests to choose between midrange, luxury and super luxury accommodation, which can help keep costs down if necessary. The company's packages include the $700 permit required to visit the gorilla park. The round-trip journey by safari vehicle to and from Kigali, Rwanda, and English-speaking guide services are also covered in all rates. The tour can begin from Kampala, Uganda, as well, although you'll spend longer on the road to the park.

Nomad Tanzania

Courtesy of nomad-tanzania.com

Sign up for Nomad Tanzania's Southern Tanzania safari and you're bound to get an up-close look at Tanzania's diverse wildlife. Offering eight days of activities, including game drives and boat trips in Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park, this safari gives you prime opportunities to spot lions, cheetahs, leopards and elephants, among other species. What's more, lodging at the company's campsites, select meals, and flights to and from Dar es Salaam are factored into the package's prices. Expect to pay a minimum of $5,700 per person; prices vary depending on the time of year, and the tour isn't offered in April and May.

Micato Safaris

If you want to explore multiple destinations while on safari with plenty of comfort (but a price tag to match), book the 15-day Micato Grand Safari. This outing by Micato Safaris starts with a two-day visit to Nairobi, Kenya, before continuing to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Maasai Mara National Reserve, and the Amboseli and Serengeti national parks for wildlife-viewing excursions. During your trip, you'll see Mount Kilimanjaro as zebras, gazelles and more roam in the foreground. The package costs at least $22,450 per person (based on double occupancy rates) and includes a hot air balloon ride, a camel tour led by members of the Samburu tribe, and lodging at upscale properties like Serengeti's Four Seasons outpost. The company also offers various extensions allowing you to explore other parts of Africa, from the island paradise of Zanzibar to the deserts of Namibia.

Rothschild Safaris

Courtesy of Rothschild Safaris

If your ideal safari vacation consists of customizing your trip from start to finish, consider an outing with Rothschild Safaris. The company offers itineraries in locales like Zambia and Madagascar , but if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the big five animals, the Essence of Tanzania safari is a good bet. This nine-day experience, which embarks from Arusha and returns there by plane, includes game-viewing drives in Tarangire National Park and accommodations like canvas tents and farmhouse lodges. Elephants, zebras and lions are just some of the animals you may spot during your journey. You'll also have the opportunity to go on a nighttime safari to spot nocturnal wildlife.

Lion World Travel

Courtesy of Lion World Travel

As the trip name implies, Lion World Travel's 10-day Best of Cape Town & Botswana vacation package combines sightseeing in Cape Town, South Africa , with a classic safari in Botswana. During the latter half of the itinerary, visitors will explore Botswana's Okavango Delta (home to cheetahs, crocodiles, hippos and more) and Chobe National Park, which is believed to have Africa's largest elephant population. Prices start at $4,299 per person and cover game drives; many of your meals; and stays at luxury hotels, camps and lodges. You'll need to pay an extra charge for the flights within the tour (Cape Town to Botswana as well as Botswana to Johannesburg ).

[See more of Cape Town: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Bearded Heron Safaris

Neil Heron | Courtesy of Bearded Heron Safaris

Travelers keen on seeing South Africa's Kruger National Park through the eyes of a local naturalist will appreciate the 15-day safari with Bearded Heron Safaris. Led by Neil Heron, a nature guide and wildlife photographer and writer, Bearded Heron Safaris' longest option features small game drives that may include lion, rhino, zebra and leopard sightings throughout all corners of Kruger. Rates are inclusive of in-park cottage accommodations and all breakfasts, dinners, snacks and drinks. Flights and park fees are not included. For a 15-day safari, expect to pay 76,900 South African rand (about $4,500) per person.

[See more of Kruger National Park: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Discover Africa

Getty Images

For an inside-out trip through the natural wonders of Botswana, Discover Africa's nine-day Epic Botswana Adventure is a formidable option. You'll start out at a riverside lodge on the Chobe River – a great location for elephant spotting – before moving onto the marshy Okavango Delta, a wildlife-rich area where you can spot a huge range of animals from leopards to rhinos. The safari ends at the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, a good place to admire wildlife like zebras and buffalo on the savanna as well as salt pans from a former lake. You'll stay in upscale lodges and campsites within close reach of the wilderness. All meals and transport along the tour are included in the price tag (which starts at $4,800 per person), but international flights are excluded.

Wild Wings Safaris

If you're looking to have a broader experience that mixes in some history and beach time, consider Wild Wings Safaris' eight-day Battlefields, Bush and Beach Safari. You'll start off visiting some of South Africa's historic sites from the Boer wars, before moving on to the Phinda Private Game Reserve, which doesn't allow day visitors, so you should be able to look out for the big five without too many crowds. The tour wraps up at Thonga Beach Lodge, where you can snorkel or scuba dive near coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. As far as safaris go, this one is an affordable option, starting at about $2,795 per person with all meals included as well as a rental car; for the cheapest price, you will need to drive yourself between the destinations, but it's possible to pay an additional fee for a driver to guide you instead.

Cuckoo Safaris

This tour company kicks off its tours from the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, with a host of safaris that range from two days to nine, across Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, including some family-friendly choices. For an affordable option, there's the four-day Discover Victoria Falls, Chobe and Hwange Park safari, which will take you on two full-day tours to Chobe National Park (across the border in Botswana) and to Hwange, Zimbabwe's largest national park, where you should keep your eyes peeled for lions, elephants and more. This safari also includes a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. The price starts at $900 per person, which includes the tours plus breakfast, lunch and lodging in Victoria Falls; travelers will need to pay for entrance fees to the parks and dinner.

Compass Odyssey

Courtesy of Compass Odyssey

Explore the savanna and deserts of southwest Africa with Compass Odyssey's eight-day Namibia Wildlife Safari. You'll visit a community-based conservation area in Damaraland – known for its desert-adapted elephants, oryx, giraffes and other wildlife – while staying in the rustic-chic Doro Nawas Camp. You'll also spend two days in Etosha National Park, seeking wildlife at the park's bustling waterholes by day and embarking on an evening game drive as well. Starting at $3,750 per person, the tour includes most meals and all park entry fees, but not flights; the company does allow the tour to be customized on request.

Vaccination and visa requirements for African countries

Some popular safari destinations may require you to have received certain vaccinations in order to enter the country as a tourist. Inoculation requirements can include vaccination against COVID-19 and yellow fever, and you'll need to get these vaccines before departing on your trip. Be sure to bring proof of vaccinations with you. If you are transiting through another country en route to your safari tour, you must check that you also meet immunization requirements for the stopover location.

Note that, outside of what's required, there are a number of other vaccinations that are recommended, so ensure you're up to date and fully protected before you travel. In addition, many safari locations are prone to malaria; you should consult with your doctor to see if you need to bring anti-malaria medication on your trip.

Safari countries have varying visa requirements for travelers from the U.S. – these are detailed below. Depending on your itinerary, you may need a single- or multiple-entry visa, and some visas require you to apply in advance of traveling and/or have a certain number of blank pages in your passport. Regardless of your destination, your passport should be valid for at least six months before you leave for your trip.

Here are the vaccine and visa requirements for major safari destinations as of November 2022:

Botswana: If you have recently visited a country where yellow fever is common, you will need to be vaccinated against this illness. This does not include the U.S. but does include a number of countries in Africa, Central and South America. Consult the World Health Organization's website for a list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, including Kenya and Uganda.

U.S. citizens and nationals can stay in Botswana for 90 days without a visa.

Kenya: Travelers to Kenya must have been vaccinated against COVID-19 with the last shot administered more than 14 days before arrival in the country. Unvaccinated visitors can enter with a negative PCR test, conducted no more than 72 hours before departure. Proof of COVID-19 tests or vaccines must be uploaded to an online system called Panabios. Kenya is a country where you'll be at risk of yellow fever transmission; it also requires those traveling from other places with yellow fever or cholera outbreaks to be vaccinated against these illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you protect yourself against yellow fever before your trip here.

Americans need an e-visa to enter Kenya. You should apply online at the eVisa government website no more than eight weeks before your trip, as visas are not available upon arrival in Kenya. See more on the U.S. Department of State's website .

Namibia: Those traveling from a country where yellow fever is common need to be vaccinated against it. No visa is required as long as you're staying for 90 days or less.

Rwanda: If you're coming from a country where yellow fever is endemic, a yellow fever vaccination is required before departure.

U.S. citizens and nationals can be issued a 30-day visitor visa on arrival in Rwanda or through the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, D.C. A single-entry visa costs $50, and it's recommended you bring sufficient cash in U.S. dollars to pay for this (although credit card payment may be accepted at Kigali International Airport). Consult the State Department website for more information.

South Africa: A yellow fever vaccination is required if you're traveling from a country with a risk of transmission. No visa is required for stays of 90 days or less.

Tanzania: Travelers must be able to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination with a QR code to enter Tanzania. Unvaccinated travelers must take a PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure, and the test results should be accessible by QR code. Yellow fever vaccines are mandatory if you're traveling from a location where yellow fever is present – including if you spend more than 12 hours in transit in such a country.

Visas are required for tourism in Tanzania. You can apply for a single-entry, 90-day visa online for $50 – and be sure to print a copy of the approval to bring with you. The processing period takes up to 10 days. You can also obtain a visa on arrival for a $100 fee; it's recommended you bring cash to cover this. Find more Tanzanian visa information on the State Department website .

Uganda: To enter Uganda, you must either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or present a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Like Kenya, Uganda is a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. All visitors must show proof of vaccination against yellow fever to enter Uganda, regardless of where you're traveling from.

American visitors to Uganda must apply online for an electronic visa before departure; arriving in Uganda without completing this process could result in your detainment. Visit the State Department website to learn more.

Zambia: Visitors who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must show proof of vaccination but do not need a test to enter Zambia; unvaccinated travelers must undergo a PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure. Yellow fever vaccines are only required if you're coming from an area considered at risk.

Visas are required to visit Zambia, but these can be obtained online before your departure or at a port of entry. Check the State Department website for more details.

Zimbabwe: To enter Zimbabwe, travelers must either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or must take a negative PCR test no more than 48 hours before your departure. As with other countries on this list, visitors from countries with yellow fever outbreaks also require a vaccine against this illness.

U.S. visitors can obtain a 30-day, single-entry visa upon arrival in Zimbabwe for $30. If you're taking a tour that requires you to leave and reenter Zimbabwe, be sure to get a double-entry visa for $45. You can learn more from the State Department website .

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Passport Wallets (That Also Hold Vaccine Cards)
• The Best COVID-19 Travel Insurance Options
• The Best International Travel Insurance Plans
• The Best Zoos in the U.S.
• The World's Best Places to Visit

Tags: Travel , Vacation Ideas

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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How a Safari Trip Brought Me Back to My Late Grandmother

By Nick Remsen

My Zambian safari –with an outfitter called The Bushcamp Company , and my first such trip, anywhere–started on November 11, 2023. Before going, I’d been told by a few unrelated people that a safari can be “emotional” and “life-changing.” I was dismissive of these sentiments. I expected that safari would be memorable , but “emotional” seemed a bit… grand.

So, it wasn’t without some mild dissonance that, on day one, while standing in a golden-red river valley awash in reddish rainbow light, I felt kind of sad.

If my paternal grandmother (Anne, nicknamed Andy) had still been alive, November 11, 2023, would have been her 94th birthday. I think about her often, but especially so on every November 11. She and I were close. I was her first grandchild; eventually, she’d have six. Her work earlier in life had been in early childhood education, and she, sometimes to my own mother’s chagrin, applied this role to her grandmothering. She had strong opinions on how things should be and what her grandkids should learn, and the thing that stands out in my memory, foremost, was her love (and then my love) of nature. She emphasized a curiosity around it, and this was especially true of birds. She nurtured this shared interest, and she protected it.

She died over a decade ago, but even so, out there on the rift, as blush-pink birds called carmines dove to catch bees in the twilight, all I could think about was the two of us taking a golf cart down to the pond by her Florida house to look for herons and egrets and geese.

I told this backstory to Suzyo Zimba, my host for the trip and a senior guide for The Bushcamp Company, which is the leading operator in this part of Zambia. The area we were in is part of South Luangwa National Park , a 3,500-square-mile zone founded in 1972 that’s known for having some of the most concentrated game in all of Africa. The Bushcamp Company is one of the only groups with permission to function deep within the park itself. Which means, on days like my day one, you’re pretty much alone in the savannah—an isolation that’s conducive, all the more, to kicking up the emotions I’d rebuffed.

“Okay,” said Suzyo, mild-mannered. He stayed quiet for an extended pause, then: “We’ll look for birds, in honor of her. We’ll get to 94 species. We might even do it tomorrow. There are hundreds of bird species here.”

And so, the mission started. The entire trip became framed around birdwatching—birds in complement to the big game, which I appreciated seeing but that somehow took on a lesser urgency with this new purpose, and birds in complement to the wonderful, warm people of the Company. I put something about it on my Instagram feed, and it struck a chord—I received dozens of DMs asking after the progress of the 94, and how, for the people who knew my grandmother, “this felt very right.”

It’s difficult to convey the breadth and beauty and specialness of these birds in writing, but I’ll try with some, across the order in which they were spotted:

1: We saw a Pennant-Winged Nightjar, dashing between low scrub with long trails from both its wings, making the animal look like a stunt kite. Suzyo said it was a somewhat rare bird to begin with. We were off to an auspicious beginning.

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12 and 13: We saw a Bateleur and an African Fish Eagle, both perched high on branches scanning for prey. Both are striking raptors; the latter bird is depicted on Zambia’s flag.

23: We saw Ground Hornbills, which bounced along the mud, cooing eerily in the sunlight.

38: We saw a tawny-hued Pell’s Fishing Owl, blinking off disorientation as the noise of our Defender disrupted its calm. Suzyo told me it was highly unusual to see one in broad daylight in this setting. The most unusual of all the birds we’d see. The pseudo-spiritual side of me can’t help but think that this was my grandmother paying a visit and checking in as the search progressed. I know that can’t be true, but I like the thought.

70: We saw Marabou Storks standing grimly, way up in the trees, leaving no mystery as to their reputation for being nature’s undertakers (they have a gloomy, rattling, no-fuss way about them).

And number 94, three days in, arrived in the form of a nondescript bird called a Village Weaver.

I’d been worrying about what 94 would be, hoping originally that it would alight as something dramatic and endangered, a sign, maybe, that the momentousness of the search was valid. Yet the Village Weaver is plain—yellow and cute, but not super interesting. But, very quickly, it made sense: it reminded me of looking at finches, brown and boring, in their birdbath with my grandmother at her other home, on Long Island. She was just as happy to see them as any other animal that stopped by.

In writing this now, a few months later, it’s almost harder to recall spotting the lions or listening to the hippos at night than it is the fleeting, searing, peripheral instances otherwise: bright red beetles on the ground, their wings fuzzy with a velvet-like coat; 200-year-old African Ebony trees warping and wiggling in a pond-fed thicket; butterflies flitting with the wind through a firescape, like momentary ghosts in a field of singed bones.

I’d like to think my grandmother instilled this love of it all , not just the postcard stuff.

Back in Mfuwe, a town at the edge of South Luangwa, I visited a local school that The Bushcamp Company sometimes tours if guests are interested. There, they have a gallery of student artwork. The pieces are for sale.

Most of the artworks showed various illustrations of the game people travel great lengths to see. Only one, just one, featured a bird. It was a collage of melted beads and rather subdued–wine red and chestnut and black, by a student named Charles. I brought it back to my apartment in Miami, and it’s now in my kitchen. The species? The same that stood out in our goal, the unlikeliest of the 94: a Pell’s Fishing Owl.

Maybe my grandmother really was watching.

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Women-led ‘safari’ programme helps combat workplace stress

By  Anganile Mwakyanjala

What you need to know:

The trip targeting Dar es Salaam dwellers will see the employees driven from Dar to Arusha and spend a night in a hotel; the next day they start their safari; and the first day will be spent drying around national parks but sleeping in a camping site as a group.

There is something magical about stepping away from the everyday norm and getting in a safari truck or dipping your feet in the white sand beaches that seems to take away the stress and rejuvenate one’s body and soul.

Tourism is a billion-dollar business as earthlings keep seeking their time away from their office desks.

As crucial as the holiday is to an employee, a group of four young Tanzanian women has discovered that vacation is not only a time to relax and enjoy but a great way to strengthen one’s mental health, pleading a case for employers to not only allow their employees to go on safari but also foot the bill on behalf of their staff.

PRIME Alice Manupa, young Tanzanian female running a tour company

A group of four girls; Anne Babirye, Evelyne Saitoti, Anna Kimambo, and Waida Msangi, united under the programme for Women Entrepreneurs for Africa, initiated by a German corporation (GIZ), that aims to amplify women’s voices in business. They consolidated their efforts to launch what they call African Jungles, which caters to tourists on a budget.

“Not all people have millions at their disposal for a safari, so we target those who want to go on safari but have a small budget,” Ann said.

Their current drive is to persuade bosses in the corporate world to take their employees on a safari, as it will not only boost office morale but also be good for their mental health.

The idea was formed when Ms Babirye was listening to a radio programme that was discussing research done on mental health in Tanzania that found an alarming rate of mental health issues at workplaces. “The challenge is that in Tanzania, people don’t talk about it; it’s embarrassing to do so,” Anne said. “Most people do open up when it’s at the end of the cliff, when it’s too late,” she added.

With that in mind, the four ladies came up with an initiative to create awareness aimed at demystifying mental health but introducing vacation as one of the remedies that will guarantee improved mental health for the employees and better productivity for the benefit of the employers.

“When people relax, their mental health will be better,” she added. “Some employees have only two weeks out of the whole year for vacation,” she observed.

Most employees would just spend those two weeks at home and not leave their familiar surroundings, thus not providing the body and mind with a new, refreshing environment to refresh.

So the ladies are proposing that the top management in the corporate world pay for their employees to go on safari for at least a week, all expenses paid by the office, arguing that, in the long run, it will be beneficial for the company.

“With them being in a group, they can do team-building activities and improve communication among workmates,” she said.

Team activities tend to create and build a stronger bond or settle squabbles that might have arisen at the workplace, and doing so while on safari can prove to be easier and more enjoyable.

Their current focus is to have their work retreats in Serengeti, with the possibility of adding other national parks along the way. For the four-day trips, the employees can also visit Ngorongoro National Park, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire.

“Towards the end of the trip, we aim to go for a day in Moshi for more team-building activities; they will be going to the hot springs for a swim, hiking on Mt Kilimanjaro or going to the waterfalls, whichever they prefer,” Ann said.

After that, it’s a trip back to the concrete jungles of Dar es Salaam. To minimise the costs of safaris, they opt for budget safaris, where they will sleep in hotels in Arusha and in comfortable tents while in the national parks.

As the subject of mental health is receiving more limelight and discussion in Tanzania, organisations that deal with it are cropping up, and the ladies have reached out to their organisations with expertise, who would partner with them so that they can reach out to the workers in the corporate world, make psychologists more accessible to employees even after they are done with their safari, Evelyn Saitoti, one of the four ladies in this group, is a certified counsellor with four years of experience, “so it’s easier for us to get employees to unload the stress that comes from ork.” Everine said, “The moment you speak about it, you have halfway solved it.”

She added: “With an opportunity to speak about what one is going through, an employee can go back to work with a better attitude and the weight of stress, worries, and anger unloaded.”

The ladies have already knocked on the doors of some of the biggest corporations in Dar es Salaam and introduced the idea.

They hope not only the private sector will see the need for employee group safaris but also government sectors and even small-scale organisations, for employees’ mental health is vital for productivity and growth.

“We are still seeking partnerships and funders to see this initiative through; we are expecting funding from GIZ, but if that doesn’t come on time, we are still committed to the success of this initiative,” said Ann Babirye.

With a large group of employees going together on safari, the obvious concern is how one satisfies everyone’s need and desire for a safari experience.

“We always say that the bigger the group, the lesser the expense, and the more flexible we get, we can always meet their needs and arrange for different activities,” Ann said.

Though the topic of the expenses being paid by the employer for the employees’ safari can seem extravagant, it is viable. The mental well-being of an employee can have a great impact on the productivity of a company.

“Trust me, I have been employed in a place where I was constantly exhausted, and sometimes I would lock myself in the restroom just to take a break. It was draining and frustrating,” Ann remembers.

“I had to find a place to calm down; that won’t happen in a workplace that is stress-free, and employees can make better use of their time,” she emphasised.

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American tourist killed after elephant rammed truck on African safari seen smiling in photos before attack

T he American tourist killed by a charging bull elephant that flipped over their safari vehicle in Zambia over the weekend has been identified as an adventurous 79-year-old woman who wanted the trip to be her “last big adventure.”

Mattson, who was visiting from Minnesota, was pictured the day she was killed on the safari vehicle holding a flower, her grieving family told KSTP.

She was one of six tourists with the group Wilderness Zambia who were out on a game drive Saturday in Kafue National Park when they came under attack by the incensed animal.

Terrifying video footage shows the elephant chasing after the safari vehicle moments before it charged the group, tipping the truck over as the guide repeatedly yelled at the creature. 

The passenger continues to record as the elephant flips the vehicle over. 

Family told the outlet that the US Embassy contacted them about her death.

Loved ones described the 79-year-old as kind, adventurous and very active in her community.

“She had told us that this safari was going to be her last big adventure,” said  her friend  John Longabauth. “Because her birthday is in the summer — I think she was going to be 80, and she felt like she would start slowing down. To be honest, I don’t know if she’d slow down or not. But at least you wouldn’t be traveling as far, probably.”

Mattson split time between living in Minnesota and Arizona, her family said.

Her friends in Arizona held a memorial for her following her sudden death. 

According to the Safari company, one other guest was hurt and taken to a private medical facility.

The four other tourists on the trip were treated for minor injuries after the violent outburst.

The horrifying incident unfolded at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday during a game drive through Kafue National Park, Wilderness Zambia CEO Keith Vincent said in a statement. 

Kafue National Park’s management sent a helicopter to evacuate the victims. 

“This is a tragic event and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died. We are also, naturally, supporting those guests and the guide involved in this distressing incident,” Vincent said.

The group of tourists had been staying at the luxurious Lufupa Camp in the Kafue National Park, the largest game reserve in Africa. 

The tour group is making arrangements for Mattson’s body to be returned to the US. 

Police and other authorities are investigating the incident. 

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Breaking news, harrowing video shows elephant charging truck during african safari, killing american tourist.

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Shocking video captured the moment a 5-ton bull elephant in Zambia charged at a safari vehicle — flipping it over several times and killing an 80-year-old American woman during an expedition.

The unidentified woman was among six tourists with the group Wilderness Zambia who were out on a photography tour Saturday when they came under attack by the crazed beast, the Telegraph reported.

“At around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning the six guests were on the game drive when the vehicle was unexpectedly charged by the bull elephant,” Wilderness Zambia CEO Keith Vincent said in a statement.

One international client killed by elephant in Kafue National Park from lufupa Lodge during Safari. Two injured and being evacuated to Lusaka. Full details being awaited from the operator through the Senior Warden Kafue Region. Very unfortunate indeed. pic.twitter.com/4ntbyhec1G — Gina (@ginnydmm) April 2, 2024

Distressing footage captured by a passenger shows the elephant barreling toward the vehicle as it cruises along a bush-lined road before suddenly stopping when its path was blocked.

The passenger continues to record as the animal lunges at the vehicle and flips it over.

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The elderly woman later died of her injuries while another woman remains hospitalized.

The other four guests were treated for minor injuries after the violent attack.

“Our guides are all extremely well-trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough,” Vincent said.

Kafue National Park’s management sent a helicopter to the scene to evacuate the victims.

 “This is a tragic event and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died. We are also, naturally, supporting those guests and the guide involved in this distressing incident,” Vincent added.

The group was reportedly staying at the luxurious Lufupa Camp in the Kafue National Park, the largest game reserve in Africa.

African Parks, which manages the park, also controls 22 other wildlife sanctuaries in Africa.

The tour group was making arrangements to return the woman’s body to the US, the Nigerian Bulletin reported.

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School Safaris

Journey out into the field for an unforgettable hands-on learning experience. 

Length of Session : 6 to 12+ hours (varies with topic)

Number of Students : Varies depending on program type

Fee : $35 per student ($700 minimum per program) 

Fuel surcharge may apply. ALL safari bookings will be required to provide their own transportation to the site.

For more information or to make a reservation, call the Reservations office at 757-534-7410 Monday-Friday, 9am – 4:30pm or complete the online request form .

Funded in part by BayPort Credit Union.

Cave Ecology

Grades 7-12

Science SOLs: LS.1 , LS.5, LS.7, LS.8, LS.9, LS.11, ES.1, ES.4, ES.5, ES.7, ES.8, ES.9, BIO.1, BIO.8, ENV.1, ENV.2, ENV.3, ENV.4, ENV.5, ENV.6, ENV.9, ENV.10, ESII.1, ESII.3, ESII.4, ESII.8, ECO.1, ECO.3

Cave Ecology – Traverse the rocky trail through Fountain Cave in Grottoes, Virginia using only headlights to guide your way. On this adventure through a geologically old cave, you will learn about cave formations and cave ecology.  (Note: This is a strenuous trip. Participants must be able to walk easily without assistance on uneven ground including some steep slopes and be able to navigate in low light conditions.)

Estuarine Ecology, a “Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience” Program

Science SOLs: LS. 1, LS.5, LS.6, LS.7, LS.8, LS.9, LS.11, ES.1, ES.10, ES.12, BIO.1, BIO.2, BIO.7, BIO.8, ENV.1, ENV.2, ENV.3, ENV.5, ENV.6, ENV.8, ENV.9, ENV.10, ENV.11, ESII.1, ESII.8, Ocean.1, Ocean.2, Ocean.9, Ocean.11, Ocean.12, Ocean.13, ECO.1, ECO.2, ECO.3, ECO.4, ECO.5, ECO.6, BIOII.1, BIOII.6, BIOII.7

Explore the shores and water of the Chesapeake Bay as you collect water quality data and learn about the role of different living and nonliving factors in the ecology of the Bay. Collect evidence of marine life and explore ways we can better protect these amazing creatures.

Freshwater Aquatics

Science SO Ls: LS.1, LS.5, LS.6, LS.7, LS.8, LS.9, LS.11, ES.1, ES.6, ES.8, BIO.1, BIO.2, BIO.7, BIO.8, ENV.1, ENV.2, ENV.3, ENV.5, ENV.6, ENV.8, ENV.9, ENV.10, ESII.1, ESII.8, ECO.1, ECO.2, ECO.3, ECO.4, ECO.5, ECO.6, BIOII.1, BIOII.6, BIOII.7

Cruise through a beautiful swamp ecosystem in a canoe. Conduct experiments to understand how the physical and chemical aspects of water quality impact this freshwater environment. Learn about the specialized adaptations plants and animals use to survive in this unique habitat.

Paleontology

Grades 6-12

Science SOLs: LS.1, LS.7, LS.8, LS.11, ES.1, ES.7, ES.9, ES.10, BIO.1, BIO.7, BIO.8, ENV.1, ENV.2, ENV.3, ENV.4, ENV.6, ESII.1, ESII.3, ESII.4, ESII.5, ESII.6, ESII.7, ESII.8, Ocean.1, Ocean.4

Venture into the field to uncover the fossils of aquatic organisms present in Virginia 3-5 million years ago. Learn how fossils are formed and compare these ancient creatures to their modern day relatives as we discuss why they are still significant today.

Surrounded by fragrant lemon and fig trees on Ibiza’s quiet Northern side, La Granja was always more of a philosophy than a hotel. Since its inception, it has been both mothership and inspiration for a design and hospitality company based on the farmhouse hotel's original ideals.

It all began in the mid-2000’s with the opening of a restored 19th-century farmhouse in the hills way above San Antonio. La Granja set itself apart from the mass tourism and notorious party scene by emphasising the working farm as the hotel’s lodestar. Very quickly an informal community of admirers had found their way up its un-sign posted driveway. Many of them were invited by the owner whose specific goal was to draw an engaged, thoughtful and like-minded clientele. That owner was hospitality guru Claus Sendlinger. Speaking at the time, Sendlinger said, "The idea is to invite the most interesting people on the island and make this a place for them to share ideas.”

Thanks to his efforts a loosely knit international community of creatives, thinkers and admirers regularly gathered around the rustic verandah table for farm fare grown on site, deep discussions, and the unfettered exchange of ideas. By 2017 the secret got out when it made CN Traveller’s Hot List for its "monastically chic interiors, chiaroscuro painted walls, nubby Belgian linens, wabi-sabi wooden furniture, and copper sinks completely of the moment in an un-showily luxurious kind of a way.” 

Sendlinger is best known for his achievements in the early 1990s with Design Hotels , the first marketing consortium to specialise in boutique stays. One of the most progressive figures in the industry, he seemed able to tap into the geist before its ziet. For one thing, he spotted the popular wave of rave culture and tribal festival gatherings as a new hospitality trend before the mainstream did. He is credited with later predicting “the farmhouse is the golf course of the future” before farmhouses with farm-to-table meals were travel’s new Big Thing.

What started as a concept at La Granja (meaning simply 'the farm’) is now formalised into a company, Slowness , co-founded by Sendlinger and Peter Conrads. Slowness aspires to be a collective of designers, farmers, writers, artists, artisans and architects. The goal is to engage with conscious living as a way of life, promoting creativity and doing hospitality. For guidance it casts a lingering - and possibly rose-tinted - backward gaze at some of the more successful examples from the 1920s and 1930s, notably the legendary Black Mountain College and Y ama Farms Inn .

Today Slowness works to engage with conscious living as a way of life, promoting creativity and doing hospitality. "It’s about taking the time to reconsider our actions and think more deeply and responsibly about how we live.”

Images courtesy Slowness, Jake Curtis, Steve Herud, Design Hotels

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'golden bachelor' stars gerry turner, wife theresa nist living separately, 'golden bachelor' gerry & theresa living separately but still head over heels.

Gerry Turner and his wife Theresa Nist are currently living in separate states -- but despite the distance, the sun isn't setting on their relationship ... in fact, it's quite the opposite.

Sources close to the 'Golden Bachelor' stars tell TMZ the couple -- who married in a 'Golden Wedding' special on Jan. 4 -- are doing the long-distance thing, with Gerry chilling at his Northern Indiana lake house while Theresa's over in New Jersey.

We're told there are a few reasons why they haven't taken the leap to live together just yet ... and a lot of it has to do with the fact that moving is a complete and total hassle.

For starters ... we're told they've each got their own established homes in their respective states, and moving everything into one pad would be time-consuming.

Not just that ... but Theresa's still working in NJ and has yet to decide what she's going to do about her job as a compliance officer. Also, Gerry and Theresa are super close to their own families, and our sources say moving away from either would be difficult for them.

Another key factor ... they're still mulling over where to plant their love nest, but we're told they're eyeing Charleston, SC as a good middle ground, especially with Theresa's son and grandchildren in that area. That said, they're still undecided.

While it might sound like they're not on the same page here, our sources insist they're still madly in love and want to make the marriage work.

In fact, we're told this current long-distance arrangement works for them. They have seen each other several times ... and they make it a priority to make visits. He's been to Jersey a few times, and Theresa's planning to go to Indiana next month.

At some point, we're told, they're going to get this figured out.

Gerry popped the question to Theresa during the finale of "The Golden Bachelor" last year. It's been a while since that happened, though ... and even now, they're technically apart.

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