The Animal Magnetism Of Africa

Post contributed by Hayley Jones

Nowhere else on Earth can you get up close and personal with such a plethora of exotic animals as you can in the continent of Africa. There you can see some of the most spectacular as well as endangered species earth such as rhinos, giraffes and even penguins! That is what makes it such a popular destination with conservationists and eco-tourists alike. Do you want a glimpse into the animal magnetism of Africa? Read on for a small peek at what you could see and where!

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Gorillas

As Africa is a continent and not a country (you’d be amazed at how many people get that wrong) you will need to first identify the best places to see the animals of your choice. For gorillas, one of the top locations is Uganda. In the Virunga Mountains that you will find a colony of endangered mountain gorillas. These huge primates are now unfortunately endangered with their numbers estimated to be as low as 700.

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It is possible to visit this region independently, although visiting the gorillas is definitely something that you will want to be chaperoned for, for your safety and the gorillas’. It’s possible to see the mountain gorilla as part of something like this G Adventures organized tour. A tour like this can take the hassle out of organizing this once in a lifetime opportunity, and also allow you to combine it will seeing many other unique and exotic animals during your trip.

Elephants

The African elephant is a pachyderm famous for its huge size and long trunk. It differs from its Asian counterpart due to its more enormous ears and is a must-see spot for many animal lovers.  Luckily, there are several places well known to be great sites to see Elephants in Africa, including The Okavango Delta in Botswana. The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of an immense grassy plain that floods. This happens to be the perfect habitat for animals such as elephants, crocodiles, and hippos.

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It’s also interesting to note that while the African elephants are officially rated as vulnerable, it is no longer seen as fully engaged. Something that is largely due to the anti-poaching programs established throughout the continent. A noble cause that you may want to consider contributing to if Elephants are your thing.

Giraffes

Tall, long-necked, gentle creatures, giraffes are truly one of Nature’s miracles. Herbivores, living in family groups, it’s not surprising that many people want to see them in their natural habitat. So, if that is one of your aims when visiting Africa, then there is no better place than Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. With an area of 14,750 km², the national park is home not only to giraffes but also to wildebeest and zebra too.

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In fact, it may be easier to see the latter rather than the former with there being some controversy about the threat contrary to the African giraffe population at the moment. With many ecologists suggest a recent 40% drop in is indicative of serious problems. To find out more about the specific magnetism of the Giraffe in Africa check out the post here.

As you can see amazing wildlife can be observed ethically all over this amazing continent. Don’t forget, this is just a small selection of what can be seen. You’ll have to get to this massive continent and see it all for yourself. 

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