Around the Next Corner & Other Tales

The Okavango Delta is a marvelous maze of channels, islands and lagoons that create a paradise for wildlife and birdlife. Reliable water and abundant grazing means plentiful herbivores. This in turn attracts myriad predators from leopards and cheetahs to lions and wild dogs. If you're a birding enthusiast, there are few places on Earth that compare. Over 400 species call the delta home, including Africa's largest (the ostrich) and smallest (the penduline tit) species.

 At the heart of Mango Safaris’ values are wildlife conservation and the desire to protect Africa’s wildest destinations. We believe deeply in giving back to the beautiful areas we visit by supporting conservation projects ranging from rescuing orphaned baby animals to habitat restoration. Throughout our 20 years of business, we have partnered with numerous reputable conservation organizations. Most recently, we are proud to be a part of Wilderness Safaris' Gorilla Habitat Reforestation Project at Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

Cape Town, South Africa has been known as a food and wine destination for many years.  La Colombe & The Test Kitchen are two of Cape Town’s top restaurants that are regularly rated as best in the world.  While these two restaurants are fairly impossible to get a reservation, the fabulous news is that there are literally hundreds of other quality choices to pick from.

Madagascar is an exciting place to visit and quite different from mainland Africa.   In fact it is so different from other African countries that it is often called the 8th continent.  The country has an incredible variety of geography from the high plateaus, to the miles of beaches and coastlines to the different types of forest.  It is one of the most diverse landscapes I have seen in such a small geographic area.  Every location has its own unique species and with each exploration it is full of surprises.   What’s amazing is each of these destinations is just a few hours away.  

My family’s next stop of our East African adventure took us to Tanzania, which shares a border with Kenya. Both the Serengeti (Tanzania) and the Masai Mara (Kenya) are famous safari destinations, but not many realize that they are in fact one contiguous ecosystem that has been split into two by a political boundary.

So you've booked your safari, pored over your itinerary and daydreamed about meeting elephants. Now it's time to start deciding on your packing strategy and narrowing down what you want to bring. We suggest following our packing list and few key guidelines for stress free packing.

Nairobi isn’t often on travelers’ radars for African destinations, but this lively city has a lot to offer as a bookend to your safari. Whether you’re coming off a long haul flight and need a place to recharge or just coming off a safari and need one last dose of Kenyan magic before heading home, Nairobi has an accommodation and activity option for everyone.