Know Before You Go
Whether you're preparing for your upcoming safari or just want to learn more about Botswana and Namibia, be sure to check out these useful resources. Learn about African animals and habitats, browse helpful packing tips and read inspirational travel stories that will bring the wilds of Africa close to your heart.
Travel Tips
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Wildlife Guide
Wildlife Guide
Discover fascinating facts about elephant herds, lounging leopards and the other wildlife you may encounter on your Southern Africa safari.
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Conservation & Community
Conservation & Community
Read on to discover how our initiatives in Southern Africa help protect African wildlife, preserve culture and support community development.
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African Wildlife Trivia
African Wildlife Trivia
Take our African safari wildlife quiz to put your knowledge to the test, then share it with your family and friends to see who knows the most about life on the savanna!
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Weather & Climate
Weather & Climate
Find out the typical weather conditions and climate of Southern Africa's ecosystems during the green season and dry season.
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Packing List
Packing List
We’ve made a comprehensive list of all the clothing and gear you’ll want to pack so you'll be well prepared for your Southern Africa safari.
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Travel Stories & Articles
Namibia’s Dunes and Desert-Adapted Wildlife
Namibia’s Dunes and Desert-Adapted Wildlife
—By Natural Habitat Adventures
Brad Josephs is a seasoned Expedition Leader and photography instructor with Natural Habitat Adventures. He captured many awe-inspiring images while guiding Nat Hab’s Wild Namibia Photo Safari?—here are a few of our favorites!
Brad Josephs is a seasoned Expedition Leader and photography instructor with Natural Habitat Adventures. He captured many awe-inspiring images while guiding Nat Hab’s Wild Namibia Photo Safari?—here are a few of our favorites!
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A Namibia Safari with Natural Habitat Adventures
A Namibia Safari with Natural Habitat Adventures
—By Mandy Scott
The goal of Natural Habitat Adventures is to exceed expectations and I can truly say that goal was met on this trip. I got everything I wanted and more. The photos, and more importantly, the memories captured on this trip gave me an incredible sampling of what a visit to the African continent has to offer and whet my appetite for several more visits to this diverse land in the future.
The goal of Natural Habitat Adventures is to exceed expectations and I can truly say that goal was met on this trip. I got everything I wanted and more. The photos, and more importantly, the memories captured on this trip gave me an incredible sampling of what a visit to the African continent has to offer and whet my appetite for several more visits to this diverse land in the future.
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Nat Hab in Namibia: Rhino Tracking & Conservation
Nat Hab in Namibia: Rhino Tracking & Conservation
—By Laura Kiniry
Nat Hab’s Great Namibia Wildlife Safari offers an opportunity to explore. However, the trip’s real kicker is the rare chance to also track black rhinos on foot.
Nat Hab’s Great Namibia Wildlife Safari offers an opportunity to explore. However, the trip’s real kicker is the rare chance to also track black rhinos on foot.
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7 Reasons You Should Make Namibia Your Next Destination
7 Reasons You Should Make Namibia Your Next Destination
—By WWF
Situated on the southwest coast of Africa, Namibia is home to the world’s oldest desert—the Namib. The country was the first African nation to include protection of the environment in its constitution, which has helped restore southern Africa’s populations of black rhinos, lions, cheetahs, zebras and other native wildlife. Here are seven reasons to make Namibia your next African adventure.
Situated on the southwest coast of Africa, Namibia is home to the world’s oldest desert—the Namib. The country was the first African nation to include protection of the environment in its constitution, which has helped restore southern Africa’s populations of black rhinos, lions, cheetahs, zebras and other native wildlife. Here are seven reasons to make Namibia your next African adventure.
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Six Surprising Facts About Hippos in Africa
Six Surprising Facts About Hippos in Africa
—By Matt Kareus
Compared to elephants, rhinos and the big cats of Africa, hippos are generally under appreciated, despite their declining numbers and the critical role they play in creating and maintaining healthy ecosystems. In the interest of shedding a little light on this enigmatic creature, here are a few interesting hippo facts to consider when you encounter a pod on your next safari.
Compared to elephants, rhinos and the big cats of Africa, hippos are generally under appreciated, despite their declining numbers and the critical role they play in creating and maintaining healthy ecosystems. In the interest of shedding a little light on this enigmatic creature, here are a few interesting hippo facts to consider when you encounter a pod on your next safari.
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Celebrate World Rhino Day Alongside Nat Hab Conservation Hero Richard de Gouveia
Celebrate World Rhino Day Alongside Nat Hab Conservation Hero Richard de Gouveia
—By Megan Brief
On September 22, conservation scientists and animal advocates join forces in recognition of our planet’s five species of rhino. Learn how Richard saves species as a Sony Ambassador and Expedition Leader for Nat Hab & WWF.
On September 22, conservation scientists and animal advocates join forces in recognition of our planet’s five species of rhino. Learn how Richard saves species as a Sony Ambassador and Expedition Leader for Nat Hab & WWF.
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The Land of The Giants: Chobe National Park
The Land of The Giants: Chobe National Park
—By Megan Brief
Known as ‘The Land of The Giants’—Chobe National Park, nestled in the north of Botswana—is home to Africa’s largest population of elephants. Travel with Nat Hab & WWF and watch these mammoth mammals bathing and playing in the water as you cruise the Chobe River’s marshy channels and visit local communities to see their conservation initiatives in action!
Known as ‘The Land of The Giants’—Chobe National Park, nestled in the north of Botswana—is home to Africa’s largest population of elephants. Travel with Nat Hab & WWF and watch these mammoth mammals bathing and playing in the water as you cruise the Chobe River’s marshy channels and visit local communities to see their conservation initiatives in action!
Photo Departures Available
World Lion Day: Celebrating Namibia’s Sentinels of Sand
World Lion Day: Celebrating Namibia’s Sentinels of Sand
—By Megan Brief
As an apex predator, the lion influences trophic systems from the top down. They maintain balance within the ecosystem by stabilizing populations of herbivores—like zebra and wildebeest—to prevent overgrazing of endemic plant life. Not only do lions promote the integrity of food webs, but they also serve as measures of environmental success…and indicators of environmental decline.
As an apex predator, the lion influences trophic systems from the top down. They maintain balance within the ecosystem by stabilizing populations of herbivores—like zebra and wildebeest—to prevent overgrazing of endemic plant life. Not only do lions promote the integrity of food webs, but they also serve as measures of environmental success…and indicators of environmental decline.
Photo Departures Available
Nature: The Currency of a Life Worth Living
Nature: The Currency of a Life Worth Living
—By Jesse Marcus, WWF
I traveled to Southern Africa on a Natural Habitat Adventures trip in October 2019, just a few months before COVID-19. I saw a pride of lions dozing in the shade of an acacia tree. An adult rhino squaring off with his child in a playful, even tender, shoving match. A herd of wild buffalo at magic hour, trailing a sepia-toned dust cloud behind them. I also met people whose lives and livelihoods directly benefited from local conservation efforts. The time I spent in Southern Africa seems like a dream now. But even though the memories may fade, they remain the gift that keeps on giving. That is what it means to be enriched by an experience. It stays with you. It changes you. It makes you a part of it. Forever.
I traveled to Southern Africa on a Natural Habitat Adventures trip in October 2019, just a few months before COVID-19. I saw a pride of lions dozing in the shade of an acacia tree. An adult rhino squaring off with his child in a playful, even tender, shoving match. A herd of wild buffalo at magic hour, trailing a sepia-toned dust cloud behind them. I also met people whose lives and livelihoods directly benefited from local conservation efforts. The time I spent in Southern Africa seems like a dream now. But even though the memories may fade, they remain the gift that keeps on giving. That is what it means to be enriched by an experience. It stays with you. It changes you. It makes you a part of it. Forever.
Photo Departures Available
6 Reasons to Go on a Botswana Safari During the Green Season
6 Reasons to Go on a Botswana Safari During the Green Season
—By Jon Jared
Every well-loved travel destination has a sweet spot. A window when the calendar, weather and wildlife conspire to create a time or a season that becomes a favorite for those who make the journey. Going on a Botswana safari during the green season is an extraordinary experience that moves beyond sightseeing and instead aims for sustainable adventure.
Every well-loved travel destination has a sweet spot. A window when the calendar, weather and wildlife conspire to create a time or a season that becomes a favorite for those who make the journey. Going on a Botswana safari during the green season is an extraordinary experience that moves beyond sightseeing and instead aims for sustainable adventure.
Photo Departures Available
Traveling to Victoria Falls—5 Facts to Know Before You Go
Traveling to Victoria Falls—5 Facts to Know Before You Go
—By Emily Goodheart
Victoria Falls is the Eden of Africa. Spray from the cataract creates a multitude of rainbows and forms a rain forest microclimate, with lush greenery growing along the canyon sides. The thunderous, iridescent water is astounding to behold. Learn more about one of Earth’s greatest natural wonders with these 5 facts.
Victoria Falls is the Eden of Africa. Spray from the cataract creates a multitude of rainbows and forms a rain forest microclimate, with lush greenery growing along the canyon sides. The thunderous, iridescent water is astounding to behold. Learn more about one of Earth’s greatest natural wonders with these 5 facts.
Photo Departures Available
Southern Africa’s Top Wildlife Photography Destinations
Southern Africa’s Top Wildlife Photography Destinations
—By Samantha Miller
Isolated camps on private sanctuaries allow travelers to interact with and photograph the species-rich habitats of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Take flight on three separate helicopter safaris and a hot air balloon safari to capture aerial shots of Southern Africa’s most pristine wilderness enclaves.
Isolated camps on private sanctuaries allow travelers to interact with and photograph the species-rich habitats of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Take flight on three separate helicopter safaris and a hot air balloon safari to capture aerial shots of Southern Africa’s most pristine wilderness enclaves.
Photo Departures Available
Lion Teeth Tell Tales
Lion Teeth Tell Tales
—By Candice Gaukel Andrews
Zambia’s lions are telling their own travel stories of a sort: tales about their times caught in wire snares, noose-like traps used to poach bushmeat and control carnivores. And those stories could help researchers improve conservation efforts in the country.
Zambia’s lions are telling their own travel stories of a sort: tales about their times caught in wire snares, noose-like traps used to poach bushmeat and control carnivores. And those stories could help researchers improve conservation efforts in the country.
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Botswana Travel Etiquette—What You Need To Know Before Your Safari
Botswana Travel Etiquette—What You Need To Know Before Your Safari
—By Peter Davis Krahenbuhl
Botswana safaris are evocative of a bygoneera,
Botswana safaris are evocative of a bygone
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