Private Game Reserves and Wildlife Concessions
The national parks, reserves and conservation areas of Africa are well known to lovers of wildlife: Serengeti, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater, Chobe and Kruger, to mention a few. These vast tracts of land, thousands of square miles in area, protect Africa’s abundant wildlife populations and many endangered species. Countless visitors are drawn to these protected areas each year, arriving in tour buses, mini-vans and by private car. Protection of the flora and fauna requires stringent regulations. Visitors are not allowed off demarcated routes and have to leave the protected areas between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

Private conservationists have leased and established large tracts of wilderness adjacent to the national reserves. Access to these private areas is restricted to guests of the camps and lodges on the concessions, so that low density tourism is ensured. Camps and lodges typically accommodate 12-24 guests. Off-road tracking, day and night safaris and guided walks are usually standard activities. Some locations also offer walking safaris and water-based safaris. The experience of Africa offered is far removed from the crowded tourism of the national parks, with undisturbed opportunities for great wildlife photography and close encounters with the animals. An armed game ranger and experienced tracker safeguard guests on each vehicle during safari excursions and enthusiastically share their expertise and local knowledge.

Off-road tracking of wildlife
The most dramatic experiences on an African safari seldom take place at the roadside. A pride of lion stalking a herd of buffalo; a cheetah teaching her cubs to hunt; a leopard cub taking refuge from hyenas in a tree; these are photographic opportunities not be be missed. A skilled tracker with expert knowledge of the area is indespensible in ensuring that these exciting opportunities are possible.
Note: Impact on the bush and wildlife is always of primary concern, and guests need to be aware that the ranger will only take a vehicle off road where conservation interests are not disadvantaged.

Night drives on safari
The ink-black night sky sparkles with the countless stars of the milky way. The darkness of the African wilderness closes in on all sides, alive with the sounds of the African night. The lights of your safari vehicle cast long shadows on either side of the bush track ahead. A beam of light from the ranger’s spotlight pierces the darkness, sweeping the long grasses and trees until suddenly a gleam of eyes shines luminously back at you. No words can describe the sensation you feel – the chill of excitement and suspense.

A night drive may encounter one of the carnivore species that hunt at night (lion, leopard and hyena) or a wide variety of nocturnal species including African Wild Cat, serval, genet, aardvark (anteater), porcupine, spring hare, honey badger and owl.

Walking Safaris
At many safari camps and lodges across southern Africa, accompanied for safety by experienced, expert guides and armed rangers, guests are permitted to explore on foot. Walking activities are always at the discretion of the lodge manager, since safety of our guests is paramount. Walks start with a briefing from your ranger on how to react and behave when wildlife is encountered in their natural habitat. Guests learn the art of spoor identification, first aid in the bush, about local herbal medicines, and more.

Some of our safari destinations specialize in camp to camp walking safaris, including the Luangwa National Park in Zambia and some of the private reserves of South Africa.

Shark Cage Diving
Who on earth would want to get up close and personal with a great white shark and under the water at that. Well we would, since Abacus Safaris is committed to the promotion of wildlife from the smallest creature to the largest mammal. Shark diving excursions require a minimum of a day trip from Cape Town to the coastal town of Gansbaai, where a catamaran launches around 9:30am and anchors 20 minutes out to sea. The shark cage is lowered into the water and a scent trail is laid to invite the sharks for a visit. The typical South African cage is lightweight and cylindrical, constructed with a 12 mm steel frame and covered with security mesh. Your day will be spent at sea - diving, watching and lazing on the catamaran. Light snacks and all equipment is provided.

Shark cage diving seasons:
High: May - September
Intermediate : October and November as well as April
Low: December – March

Children’s Adventure Safaris
Children in the bush have the most fun. Our selected safari lodges are committed to involving and educating our young visitors to the wild by inviting them to a junior rangers’ course. Game activities include tracking, spoor and animal identification, as well as fishing and using a spotlight. Activities are arranged and structured around the ages, sex and interests of the children. Little girls can have their hair braided into traditional styles by the local women and the younger children are taught arts and crafts using what they can find in the bush. All of this is intended to give our children an intimate experience of Africa and to instill in them a love for wildlife and the outdoors.

Top 10 factors to consider for a memorable African safari
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