For most wildlife junkies, bouncing along in a 4x4, kicking up a cloud of dust into dense, untamed wilderness to spot the mighty kings and queens of the jungle, is the ultimate safari experience. And there is no denying the thrill of doing it the traditional way. But wildlife safaris, or game drives, as they are often called, have now moved well beyond the open-top jeep drives in the rugged jungles. Here's a lowdown on how you can experience the wild beyond the jeep safari.
Hot-Air Balloon Safari
Breathtaking is too small a word to describe the African savannah—dotted with ancient acacia trees which stretch into a landscape that feels both majestic and wonderfully untamed. And experiencing this wilderness come alive from a hot-air balloon at dawn is akin to pure magic. The horizon lights up in multiple shades of orange as the first rays of the sun kiss the bountiful landscape below, and the savannah slowly awakens beneath you. Herds of elephants wandering between the acacias, the long necks of giraffes casting a mystical shadow as they move, zebras moving in restless lines, hippos dozing in water, and if you are lucky, a lioness making an early kill. Time this with the Great Migration, when thousands of wildebeest cross the Mara River, and the view from above becomes a memory that will never fade. When the balloon finally touches down, the morning ends the way it should: with a glass of champagne in the midst of the wilderness. Serengeti, Tanzania, and the Masai Mara, Kenya are the best places to indulge in this experience.
Tundra Buggy Safari
Speak of unique safari experiences, and it is hard to leave the Tundra Buggy Safari off the list. Set in Churchill, Canada, famously known as the Polar Bear Capital of the world, this iconic sub-arctic adventure offers an unparalleled opportunity to see polar bears in their natural habitat. The specially designed tundra buggy, with its jumbo tires and raised viewing deck, moves safely across the frozen, uneven terrain, offering sweeping views of the wild Arctic landscape. For best sightings, it is advisable to plan the trip between October and November, when polar bears gather along the shores of Hudson Bay, waiting for the ice to form so they can head out to hunt seals. Beyond the bears, the Arctic landscape itself is hypnotic: an endless expanse of pristine white, crisp air, and profound silence equals pure bliss. And when night falls, the ethereal northern lights may illuminate the sky, transforming the Arctic wilderness into a dramatic canvas unlike anything you have ever seen before.
Kayak & Canoe Safari in the Amazon
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, your bucket list is not complete without a trip to the world’s largest rainforest–the Amazon. Spanning nine countries in South America, the best way to explore it is via a river expedition on a canoe. Unlike motorized tours, a traditional canoe offers a quieter, more immersive way to experience the incredibly rich bio habitat of the Amazon. Gliding through narrow creeks, calm lagoons, and seasonally flooded igapó forests, this tour takes you deep into the heart of the Amazon, where one can witness monkeys swinging through the canopy, sloths hanging motionless, river otters, flashes of color from birds overhead, and, with some luck, a caiman or a pink river dolphin, and the vibrant life of the rainforest.
Walking Safari
Famously known as a bush walk or game walk, a walking safari is truly the most intimate way to experience a forest. Designed specifically for those who enjoy the unhurried ways of life, a walking safari slows things down and lets you notice what a jeep would drive straight past. A bush walk typically runs two to four hours, in the cool of early morning or late afternoon, with small groups of four to eight people, and requires one to remain as quiet as possible to witness the magic unfold right before their eyes. Every walk is led by trained forest guards, who ensure your safety throughout the experience. Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania are the ideal destinations to experience a game walk. In India, Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh offers walking and mobile camping safaris, which give you an opportunity to experience the dense forests of India.
Horseback Safaris
Horseback safaris are among the most exhilarating ways to experience wildlife and explore vast, diverse landscapes. Because wild animals often perceive horses as part of their natural environment, riders can get remarkably close to wildlife without causing disturbance. Few experiences compare galloping across open terrain alongside giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and other animals while taking in the sights from a unique horse-eye perspective. While horseback safaris are widely offered across Africa in destinations such as Botswana, Namibia and Kenya’s Masai Mara, India offers its own extraordinary version in Jawai, Rajasthan. Known for having one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, Jawai promises exceptional wildlife sightings on a horseback safari.
