Photo Credit: Creative Commons
There have been many fun family TV shows over the years, but perhaps none that quite capture the spirit of adventure and exploration like the Wild Thornberrys. In case your memory needs jogging, this sees a family set off on a journey of discovery in Africa and, of course, the wildlife is the biggest attraction.
Even if your kids aren’t old enough to remember the original series, they’ll have the chance to discover it for themselves with new episodes of the cartoon having been launched in September.
If you think your children would love the chance to have their own African adventure, consider booking a family holiday that will take you on a tour of some of the continent’s most exciting destinations – Explore Worldwide offers an itinerary that travels to Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.
Although Eliza, the main character in the Wild Thornberrys, is always getting close to the animals, you won’t have to worry about being in precarious situations with Africa’s wildlife during your trip – you and the kids can look forward to seeing a host of exciting creatures from a safe distance, though.
The following are a few of the highlights of a tour around some of Africa’s top wildlife-watching destinations.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
A safari in the Okavango Delta is a wilderness experience like no other and will give you and your family the chance to see Africa at its unspoiled best. This delta is located in the heart of the Kalahari Basin and is a haven for wildlife within an otherwise desert landscape.
The main species you can spot around the delta include elephants, buffalos, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, lions, cheetahs, impalas, rhinos and wildebeest, to name just a few. As you would expect, there is also a vast array of birdlife in the region, such as spoonbills, kingfishers, storks, vultures, fish eagles and bee-eaters.
You’ll spend a few days here, which will allow you to see a wide range of Botswana’s animals and birds, with game drives organised for different times of the day to give you the best chance of spotting as many species as possible during your stay.
The delta’s panhandle, Botswana and Namibia
The panhandle of the Okavango Delta is an 80 km stretch of deep river that’s surrounded by swamp land. You can go on a houseboat tour of this fascinating ecosystem during your stay, which is bound to delight little ones.
In the swamp land you’ll see crocodiles and hippos, while this is one of the best places to spot the varied birdlife the delta is home to. You’ll also have the opportunity to watch the local fishermen at work in their traditional dugout canoes – a fascinating insight into how people in this region live.
Chobe National Park, Botswana
More wildlife-watching opportunities await in Chobe National Park, the second largest reserve in Botswana. The main attraction is the elephants, with up to 35,000 pachyderms living here – the most of any of Africa’s game reserves.
The main focus of your safaris in this reserve will be to see these herds of gentle animals as they feed, bathe and interact – a truly magical experience that you and the children won’t forget in a hurry.
Victoria Falls, Zambia
The final stop on your African adventure will be the breathtaking Victoria Falls in Zambia. This incredible waterfall on the Zambezi River marks the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and is some 1,676 m wide and 108 m high.
Vast columns of spray rise up from the base of the falls and the sound of the water pouring over is deafening. No matter where you view the waterfall from, it’s spectacular, but to get a real sense of its scale you may want to book a helicopter tour to get a bird’s-eye view – a wonderful way to round off your family holiday in Africa.
