The wildlife of Africa has an almost mystical allure for many of us, from the majesty and awe-inspiring size of the elephant, rhinoceros and giraffe, to the fearsome reputation of the big cats. Getting the chance to interact with some of these special creatures adds an extra layer of excitement to an African holiday, whether you’re camping in the bush or staying at some of the more upmarket luxury game reserves - and of course, the kids will love you for it! Here are some of the unique and ethically managed animal interaction experiences Africa has to offer.
AfriCat Foundation, Namibia – Cheetah, leopard, brown hyena and other predators
Namibia is famous for the towering sand dunes of the Namib desert that stretch as far as the eye can see, the diverse wildlife of areas like the salt pans of Etosha National Park, and charming coastal towns such as Swakopmund.
The AfriCat Foundation is located within the 200 square kilometer private Okonjima Nature Reserve in central Namibia, with another operation along the Etosha National Park boundary. Their mission is to work with and educate the local communities about conservation and reduce conflict between wildlife and farmers in an effort to conserve all of Namibia’s large carnivores.
While there are operators worldwide who allow guests to handle and play with young cubs, this is not ethical tourism, and you should not support these establishments. Cubs who become accustomed to humans are nearly impossible to release safely into the wild, and unfortunately many are fronts for canned hunting breeding programs.
At AfriCat, the picture is very different! Specially built hides allow guests to get up close without disturbing the cats, and are a dream come true for aspiring wildlife photographers. The center provides a temporary home for rescued or injured animals to be rehabilitated before being released back into the wild. Guided nature walks are also a specialty here, and if you fall in love with one of the residents you can ‘adopt’ them and continue to show your support for the great work the organization does!
Elephant experience at Abu Camp - Okavango Delta, Botswana
Intelligent and highly social, people often feel an immediate sense of connection when they meet an elephant – and at Abu Camp, they make for some excellent tour guides! Get to meet and interact with the herd, and be astounded by how different their individual personalities are as they accept you as a member of the herd and take you on a bush walk experience like no other. Enjoy the pristine and world famous Okavango Delta environment and all its other wildlife in the company of Africa’s giants!
Giraffe Manor - Nairobi, Kenya
Imagine sitting down for breakfast and enjoying stunning views over the surrounding Kenyan forest – when a giraffe suddenly pops its head through the window looking for a treat! At Giraffe Manor, this is exactly the kind of experience you can look forward to.
The grounds of the beautiful colonial-era hotel are home to several free roaming Rothschild giraffes and their calves, and the rooms features all the creature comforts you’d expect from a luxury hotel with some old world charm thrown in. Lush green gardens, sunny terraces and courtyards fill the grounds, which are also shared with various species of antelope and even the occasional warthog. This must be one of the most unique ways to enjoy the beauty of Africa in real style!
Swim with whale sharks at Mafia Island, Tanzania
While these beautiful giants of the ocean are found all along the Indian Ocean coastline of Africa, it takes quite a bit of luck to find them! Not so at Mafia Island, where it has been discovered that a resident population of younger individuals can be found reliably all year round as they spend time growing and preparing for the long-distance migrations that their parents take part in. In order to protect them from harassment by motor boats and speed boats, only licensed operators who are trained in how to approach them are allowed to take tourists out to meet them. But once you're out there, your best chance of getting into the water and swimming with these gentle giants is here at Mafia Island – and that’s definitely something to place on your bucket list!
Having an ethical animal interaction experience:
As a tourist, you have a certain responsibility to choose the animal interaction experiences you support with care. Make sure to do your research beforehand so you know the operator treats the animals under their care with compassion, respect, and that they are housed in as natural an environment as possible.
Taking care of the environment is everyone’s responsibility, and knowing that your money is going to a cause that benefits the wildlife you interact with makes an encounter that much more special!
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