During an African safari in Kenya, you'll not only witness some of the world's most illustrious and majestic creatures in their natural habitats, but you'll also have the chance to save these amazing animals by getting involved in conservation efforts throughout the country. Richard Bonham, a legend among African safari groups because of his extensive knowledge of the continent's wildlife, recently spoke with Travel and Leisure about his experience in the Kenyan jungle. His friend Tom Hill was there as well, and gave his account of a typical day with Bonham.
"Richard can deal with any situation," Hill told the news source. "So we're crawling through a thick brush. The lion is doubling back on its tracks, trying to sneak up on us. Suddenly, it came at us. In a split second, Richard took the lion on, so it would go for him, not the rest of us. He was cocking and firing while being shredded in a thorn bush. The lion ended up being 10 feet long, 450 pounds. Richard reacted with such bravery and calmness. Hemingway would have said, 'Here is a true man.'"
Getting the Bonham experience
If you want to take a Bonham-like safari in Africa, you can choose from any number of four-wheel-drive adventures through the beautiful Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, where you'll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinoceroses, otherwise known as the Big Five animals.
These safaris will take you through areas ripe with animal-viewing opportunities, so you should definitely keep your camera poised and ready to capture herds passing in front of your tour vehicle. Like Bonham, safari guides will provide you with facts and information about the animals you see, whether winged migratory birds or thousands of zebra.
Saving Africa's wildlife
As a participant in African safaris, you are already contributing to raising awareness about these rare animals - many of which are facing endangerment. You'll witness these beasts of Africa living out their daily lives, hunting for game or simply raising their young. At times, many travelers feel so moved by the displays before them that they feel the need to contribute to conservation efforts, which will ensure these beautiful creatures can thrive in Africa and around the world.
