Close encounters
with Wildlife
- Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
- A visit to the orphaned elephant nursery
- Breakfast with giraffes at the legendary Giraffe Manor
Why it’s worth
a closer conversation?
Everyone dreams of getting up close and personal with animals. Plenty of places promise tourists this kind of interaction, but only a select few deliver it safely, both for people and for the animals themselves. Engaging with wildlife is always a journey inward, a connection to your primal self, your roots, your instincts. It’s a blend of pleasure, adrenaline, wonder, awe, affection, exhilaration, and an unforgettable experience. On your African adventure, you can immerse yourself in these sensations through intimate encounters with cheetahs, enjoy a lavish breakfast alongside giraffes, observe a gorilla family in their natural habitat in exquisite detail, and witness the lives of orphaned baby elephants.
It’s no wonder that “Giraffe Manor” in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, enjoys such immense popularity. It’s the only place on the planet where you can have breakfast with these velvety giants, and in such a luxurious setting, no less. The authenticity, the atmosphere, the echoes of the colonial era, the gentle, big-eyed giraffes peering into your windows! Close interaction with the giraffes is for overnight guests. Despite the hefty price tag, this small estate remains booked solid, requiring reservations six months to a year in advance, even outside of peak season.
The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is an extraordinary sanctuary for orphaned baby elephants, located just outside Nairobi. It’s a haven where these youngsters, who have lost their parents, receive dedicated care. Without human intervention, these calves would perish. Each elephant has its own enclosure, marked with their name, gender, and age. Baby elephants, similar to human children, show deep attachment to their keepers, seeking affection and sometimes squabbling over food. Keepers heartwarmingly feed the elephants milk formula from enormous baby bottles with teats. There are three visiting options for the orphanage: 11 am with a $5 entrance fee, 3 pm for $500, and 5 pm for $50. The most expensive option offers the most intimate interaction with the elephants, even allowing you to feed them from a bottle.
Gorillas are breathtakingly beautiful animals facing imminent extinction. Witnessing these great primate giants in their natural environment is an incredible privilege and an unforgettable experience. Observing their playful interactions, their relationships, their squabbles, their feeding habits, and their care for their young is special. You can embark on a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda or Congo. Gorilla trekking permits cost $1500 per person, and people book them well in advance. These excursions are often tacked onto trips during the Christmas holidays or the Great Migration season in Kenya, as they make an excellent addition to a safari. You can find gorillas in both highland and lowland regions. Regardless, your quest to find a gorilla family will be an enthralling journey through the stunning African vegetation.
It’s hard to put into words feeling a purring cheetah right beside you. As humans have expanded their presence on the planet, wildlife has been significantly pushed into smaller areas. Big cats, particularly cheetahs, being more fragile and requiring easier prey, have increasingly preyed on livestock in villages and farms. Initially, people would kill these predators, but over time, they began to tame cheetahs and introduce them to tourists. Given that cheetahs are remarkably amenable to domestication, much like dogs, this has developed into a viable business. Cheetahs need plenty of space to run, so they live in vast, multi-hectare enclosures where the fencing is barely visible. Many dream of petting a big cat, but it’s crucial to remember the inherent risks. Just ask your guide, Alexander, and he’ll show you the scars from teeth and claws.
On South Africa’s coast, not far from Cape Town, lies Boulders Beach – a truly unique spot where you can stroll right on the white sands among African penguins. These endearing creatures are unfazed by human presence, calmly waddling between the boulders and the turquoise water. Specially constructed boardwalks allow you to observe them from a comfortable distance, ensuring their daily rhythm remains undisturbed. This isn’t a zoo; it’s a genuine natural habitat where humans and wildlife coexist harmoniously. Meeting the penguins at Boulders Beach is an absolute must for anyone dreaming of encountering animals in their natural environment.
At the Elephant Café, nestled on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, you can do more than just enjoy dinner in a wild African ambiance; you can also spend your morning in the company of rescued elephants. These magnificent animals reside on a private property under the watchful eye of specialists and genuinely enjoy interacting with guests. You can feed them, gently stroke them, and observe them without any rush or fuss. Every interaction is conducted with the utmost respect for the animals, free from coercion or showmanship. Following your encounter, prepare for a gastronomic delight: the restaurant is listed among the best in Zambia. The Elephant Café perfectly blends a commitment to nature conservation, exceptional service, and the rare opportunity for a close, respectful encounter with elephants.
Swimming with whale sharks off the coast of Mafia Island in Tanzania is one of Africa’s most exhilarating marine adventures. These colossal yet entirely docile fish grace the waters around the island from October to March. During the excursion, you’ll venture into the open sea by boat, don a mask, and… find yourself alongside a creature up to 10 meters long. This isn’t scuba diving; it’s snorkeling, as the whale sharks glide serenely near the surface, allowing for intimate observation. There’s no fear, only pure exhilaration and an overwhelming sense of connection to something truly magnificent and authentic.
It is pleasure, adrenaline, surprise, amazement, delight, elation, elation and an unforgettable experience.
Better then a thousand words,
our photo reports
This is not a place to take pictures – it’s a place to create memories.
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get closer to wildlife
We fell in love with Africa for its unique nature and people. The emotions we have experienced here are hard to convey but can be given, that’s why we have dedicated our lives to it. Each point of the route has already been tried by us personally, it remains to make an individual program for you personally.
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