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Africa - Australia - South America
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We offer tours to many parts of Africa , South America and Australia . We operate in these areas in an effort to offer a variety of destinations to our clients. Africa , of course, is our favorite and most preferred market. Many of our clients go to Africa more than once due to the huge variation of the continent from East.
Africa to Southern Africa . Where ever you choose to go Sundown Safaris, LLC. will offer you an up close, personal experience with the environment, the wildlife and the people who live in these far away places.
Africa , once known as The Dark Continent, conjures up images of far away unexplored places filled with indescribable wildlife and mysterious tribes of native peoples. Today, without a doubt, Africa is one of the most romantic places on earth and once you experience a safari there you will want to come back.
Africa is generally divided into several sections such as North, West, Central, East and Southern Africa . In general the majority of safaris take place in East Africa and Southern Africa . East Africa is where ‘safari’ originated and generally includes Kenya , Tanzania , Uganda and Rwanda whereas Southern Africa encompasses South Africa , Namibia , Zimbabwe , Zambia and Mozambique . In East Africa we concentrate primarily on Kenya and Tanzania and in the South we concentrate on Botswana , Zambia , Zimbabwe and Namibia .
Our top choices for a great African safari in East Africa is Tanzania visiting the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongora Conservation area, Tarangire National Park and then moving southward to the ultimate East African experience in The Selous Game Reserve. This is a large country of incredible wildlife and far away places. You will be intrigued by the mysterious Masai people and enchanted by the immense numbers of animals and birds that you will see while on safari. From the bustling city of Arusha and the snow capped peaks of Kilimanjaro to the quiet bush of the Selous, Tanzania will provide a safari and experience of a lifetime.
The Serengeti (Masai for ‘endless plains’) is wide open and features the classic scenery of the African bush. This is an incredible park of nearly 7,000 square miles to behold especially during the annual migration from May through July. This is one of the greatest congregations of wildlife in the world. Accommodations are generally in large lodges which are very upscale and well accommodated. There are also beautiful tented campsites that include all the amenities. Game drives are done morning and afternoon in vans with pop-up tops. Best time to go: June-July and November-March
This unusual area features the Ngorongora Crater, one of the most unusual wildlife habitats in Africa . The rich crater floor consists of several ecological environments that include grassland, swamps, forests, and Lake Makat , a soda lake. The crater is some 10 miles across and is home to an incredible array of wildlife from Elephants to Rhinos to Lions and beautiful birds. The crater is very popular and has a lot of visitors but the views and wildlife are incredible. Accommodations are also in lodges on the rim of the crater. Best time to go: June-July and November-March.
This national park is beautiful and unspoiled surrounded by volcanic mountain ranges and composed of grassland, floodplains and beautiful tall acacia trees. There is a seasonal migration in the park which brings an incredible array of wildlife. The accommodations range from upscale lodges to beautiful fixed tented camps with private full bath facilities. Best time to go: June-July and November-March.
The Selous is a fly-in destination avoiding a long, arduous drive. At nearly 23,000 square miles, the Selous is one of the largest game reserves in the world. Life in the Selous is much different than in the northern part of Tanzania . Here there are fewer people and the camps are much more personable. Game drives are done in open-topped vehicles and game walks are possible as is game viewing on the Rufiji River . The camps and lodges are remote and very well accommodated while having a low impact on the environment. This is an incredible and private place to visit. Best time to go: July-October.
Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest free standing, snow-covered equatorial mountain in the world. It is an amazingly accessible mountain for its height of 19,340 feet. Climbers with no previous mountain experience or special climbing gear can access the summit. It does require considerable endurance and you must be in reasonably good physical condition. The climb begins in the tropical forest and works up to above tree line. At the top you will experience an alpine desert as you ascend to the summit. Accommodations are rudimentary. Permits for each climb must be obtained far in advance. Best time to go: January-March and July-October.
Southern Africa is a contrast of modern and primitive environments. Remember the first heart transplant was performed in Cape Town , South Africa and yet not far from these modern cities elephants and lions roam and local tribal people still live in mud and stick huts much as they did hundreds of years ago.
Safari in Southern Africa is very different from the bustling parks of East Africa . There is a wide range of experiences from the very modern and managed Krueger National Park in South Africa to Botswana ’s expansive wilderness areas to Zambia ’s remote parks and seasonal camps along the Luangwa River . Some of the best safari experiences are obtained in Botswana and Zambia in the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and the Mashatu Game Reserve of Botswana and the Luangwa and Mfue National Parks of Zambia. Zimbabwe , once a choice safari location, has experienced some set backs in recent years, however, Hwange National Park continues to be an ideal safari location.
Botswana is the premiere location for the ultimate safari with immense wilderness areas dotted with private safari concessions. There are far fewer visitors and the diversity of wildlife is very special to see.
Headwaters of the Delta start in Angola ’s western highlands, flows through Namibia and into Botswana . Due to tectonic activity and faulting interrupting the river flow, backup occurred and caused the Okavango Delta to form. This unique inland water way now supports a huge array of animal and plant life that would have been a dry Kalahari Savanna. The camps and lodges here are remote and private providing a very personal experience. The camps are small but incredibly accommodated with meals to die for. Many camps are fly-ins and even with this a short power boat ride may be needed to reach them. The best time to visit: June trough October.
This is the second largest national park in Botswana and has one of the greatest concentrations of game found on the African continent. The park is divided into four distinct eco systems: the Serondela with lush plains and dense forests, the Savuti Marsh known for its large concentrations of elephants, the Linyanti Swamps and the hot dry hinterland. Like the Okavango Delta many of the camps and lodges are remote and the tourists are few and the game experience is intense. The best time to visit: June through October.
This is the largest private reserve in Southern Africa and has the largest elephant population on private land. Situated in the extreme eastern portion of the country bordered by the famous Limpopo and Shashe Rivers , Mashatu is a remote, wonderfully exciting place to visit. The accommodations at the lodge and in the tent camps are outstanding and the scenery quite incredible. Night drives are permitted so one can see the wonders of the nocturnal animals and during the day game walks can be arranged. Best time to visit: June through October.
Namibia is an arid country that seemingly would not support much wildlife, however, its parks are home to incredible herds of elephants and antelope and a wide array of birds. The parks are some of the oldest and are very well cared for.
This is the fourth largest game park on the continent formed around the huge salt pans known as the Etosha Pans. The pans were formed some 2 million years ago when the Kunene River was diverted towards the sea by a tectonic shift leaving a huge shallow lake to soon dry up. Today, after the rainy season in Angola the pans fill with a few feet of water that attract incredible numbers of flamingos, pelicans and plovers to breed. The pans are surrounded by springs and dense vegetation that support a huge array of animals from elephants to the one of the smallest of antelopes the dik dik. One of the most enchanting memories of the Etosha Pans is to see a herd of elephant crossing the shimmering white salt flats as if in a filmy dream. The lodges and camps here are very nicely accommodated and the experience is well worth the time and money. Best time to visit: April through September.
This is an African country that has come a long way in recent years. It currently provides some the best safari adventures in Africa . The parks are remote and the camps and lodges provide wonderful accommodations and activities. Walking safaris are very popular here and canoeing the Zambezi is a great experience you should not miss.
This park is thought to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world due the immense concentration of game along the Luangwa River and it’s many oxbow lagoons. Their famous “walking Safaris” are a great way to see the park if you are up to it. Night drives are allowed in the park and show an incredibly different world. The lodges and tent camps are very well accommodated and will make you comfortable beyond your imagination. Best time to visit: April through October.
This is Zambia’a oldest park and by far the largest. This area is a part of old Africa and provides a real safari experience. The terrain ranges from lush riverine forest to vast grasslands filled with predators and prey alike. Game viewing is excellent with fishing and ample bird watching opportunities. The camps and lodges are no disappointment. They are richly accommodated and the food is excellent. Best time to visit: April through October.
Named after the famous missionary explorer, “Dr. Livingstone I presume”, the colonial-like town sits on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River . Beautiful lodges and camps are nearby as is the incredible Victoria Falls . River rafting, bungee jumping, flight over the falls and sunset cruises above the falls are all part of the fun and enjoyment of Livingstone. A great place to end a wonderful safari experience.
This is a country of great variety and wonderful opportunities to see wildlife. The mighty Zambezi River borders the Northern edge of the country providing excellent parks and exciting expeditions on the river itself. Although they are experiencing some economic problems Hwange National Park still provides an excellent and safe safari experience.
This is Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve and is home to vast herds of elephant, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and many predators and endangered species. It is situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert , a region of very little water and sparse, arid vegetation. The salt pans, acacia scrub and grassy plains provide an ideal habitat for game and an ideal area to view them. Accommodations can be in upscale lodges or comfortable fixed tent camps. It is a great place to view abundant herds of elephant. Best time to visit: April through October.
The Commonwealth of Australia is a continent of many contrasts and variety. It has been inhabited by indigenous people for over 42,000 years and thus has an incredible history. Australia boasts the largest living coral reef in the world and on land it is no exception having a great diversity of landscapes ranging from beautiful beaches, snow capped mountains, grasslands, swamps, rainforests and a huge expansive desert. Home of the marsupial in all its varieties and forms ranging from the highly recognizable kangaroos and wallabies to koala and wombats and the only egg laying mammals on earth the duckbill platypus and the spiny echidna. Along with its modern cities and wilderness areas Australia provides an incredible array of adventure for safari.
A typical two week safari to Australia begins in Sydney a modern port city on the southeast coast. Here we allow time to adjust to jet lag while visiting many of the beautiful and famous sights of this bustling city foremost of which is the Sydney Opera House. From Sydney we fly to Cairns where we snorkel and dive on the reef and enjoy the incredible array of fish that live here. While in Cairns we take a train ride up to Kuranda in to the tropical forest and enjoy an aerial tram ride across the jungle canopy. If the time of year is right we fly to Darwin from Cairns to visit the tropical forest and swamps and home of the great saltwater crocodile. From there we move on to Alice Springs and the famous Ayers Rock, sacred place of the aboriginal people. If you are fit and feel up to it you may climb to the top of Ayers Rock for an incredible view of the outback. From Alice Springs we make a quick visit to Adelaide , one of the most beautiful cities anywhere, and then on to Kangaroo Island where we will see incredible sculpted shorelines loaded with seals and water birds and in the park an abundance of marsupial animals. From here we take the ferry back to Adelaide and then back to Sydney and home.
Many people like to extend their stay an extra week and visit New Zealand and or Tasmania both of which are interesting and beautiful places to visit. For the avid adventure oriented we can arrange extended stays of up to 28 days so that you can totally absorb these wonderful areas of the South Pacific. Best time to go is anytime. We particularly like to go during our winter months.
In South America we pay particular attention to Peru and the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. The travel experience in South America is quite different from Africa just as both are different from Australia . It affords still yet another window into different wilderness environments such as the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Jungle and river. The Galapagos Islands present an incredible array of diverse birds, reptiles and aquatic mammals. Peru and Ecuador are both rich in culture and archeological history as witnessed by the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu and the many other tribal cultures that have existed here for centuries.
Peru is South America ’s third largest country and is best known for the high Andes Mountains and its incredible Incan history and Machu Picchu their citadel built high in the mountains. Peru has much more to offer from thousands of years of culture, to Columbian archaeological sites, to breathtaking canyons, to Lake Titicaca the highest navigable lake in the world, to the head waters of the Amazon River and to the world’s largest number of bird species. Peru is a gem of interest for the traveler
On our tours to Peru we begin in Lima , the capital city of Peru . Here we spend a day to adjust and visit many of the historical sites around the city and to learn about the Peruvian culture. From here we fly to Arequipa and drive on to Chivay where we make an early drive up to Colca Canyon in an attempt to see the largest flying bird in the world, the Andean Condor. From here we move on to Puno with many stops at archeological sites along the way. Puno sits on the shore of Lake Titicaca where we take a boat ride out to visit the Floating Islands of the Uros people. These man-made islands of reeds float in the lake where the Uros live and work. Even their boats are made of the reeds. They were never conquered because they held no land of value to the invading forces.
From Puno with more stops at archaeological sites and points of interest we move on to the lively and interesting city of Cusco . From here we take a train ride up to Aguas Calientes and on to Machu Picchu where we tour this incredible and enigmatic citadel of the ancient Inca also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. We generally like to overnight at the beautiful Machu Picchu Pueblo Lodge in Aguas Calientes and then back to Cusco for a day at leisure to explore this fun city. From Cusco we fly to Puerto Maldonado and board a river boat for our lodge in the Jungle. Here we enjoy jungle living in our thatched huts complete with hot water and toilet facilities. While in the jungle we take hikes, canoe rides, night walks and even walk on the elevated tree top bridges where we can enjoy the top of the Jungle where most of the bird life lives. From here it is time to begin our journey home.
These tours usually run 13 to 15 days in duration. Best time to go May through October.
Ecuador straddles the equator and is officially the Republic of Ecuador . It is bordered by Colombia on the North, by Peru on the East and South and by the Pacific Ocean on the West. The Galapagos archipelago with a population of 30,000 lies 600 miles off the coast and is also a part of Ecuador . The 13 main islands of the archipelago are an Ecuadorian National Park . The islands are famous for the studies conducted by Charles Darwin and for their large number of endemic species such as the giant tortoises, huge array of specialized birds and marine life.
Ecuador is home to ten percent of the world’s plant species the majority of which grow in the northeastern Amazon where an estimated 10,000 species exist. Ecuador is also home to 18 percent of the earth’s birds and hosts over 4,500 species of butterflies. It is a country rich in flora and fauna to say the least. It is also a country of extreme topography ranging from the islands and beaches, to the peaks of high volcanoes to the steamy jungle along the Amazon River and contains over 46 ecosystems.
On our tours to the Galapagos Islands and mainland Ecuador we generally spend a few days visiting many of the historical structures and places around Quito , the capital, as well as traveling the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park . From the mainland we fly to the islands where we have two choices of how we want to spend our time there. For those who do not want to sleep and board on a cruise boat we can stay at a land based lodge and take daily cruises to the various islands. On this schedule you get to enjoy moving around more in the evenings and have more space in your lodge room. For those who like living on boats we can cruise the islands during the day and drop anchor or dock for the evenings. Accommodations are nice on the boats and the food is good. There is no particular advantage of one over the other in so far as seeing and visiting the islands.
These tours are generally of 10 to 12 days in duration and can be extended to visit the Amazon or to go on and visit the wonders of Peru . Best time to go is January through May.
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