Animal Spotlight: The Elephant

Living up to its title as one of the Big Five, the African elephant is the largest animal on land, with adults weighing nearly 12,000 lbs., and standing approximately 8 - 13 ft. tall. These tremendous creatures are magnificent to watch while on an African safari tour. Their close knit families, playful manor, and intriguing physique are just a few characteristics luring the attention of visitors.

Bizarre Elephant Details:

• Elephant trunks are made up of more than 40,000 muscles. Compare that number to the human body, which is made up of only 640 muscles . . .

• The elephant’s trunk is a fascinating tool, which performs several different actions. It uses its trunk to smell, drink, breath, and pick things up. Quite the innovative tool.

• All African elephants have tusks which are used as shovels to pick the ground to find water and food.

• Elephants are herbivores—the animal version of a vegetarian.

• There are two species of elephant—the Asian elephant and the African elephant, with the Asian elephant being the smallest of the two.

• Elephants’ ears are an important cooling mechanism during those hot African days. Their ears emit heat in order to cool their bodies. Another way elephants keep cool is splashing through the water. They suck water up their trunks and spray it over their bodies to remain cool.

The mere sight of an elephant on an African safari tour will have your heart pounding with excitement and curiosity. The baby elephants will surely provoke a giggle from within as they prance around waterholes, splashing about.

Discover the magic of an authentic African safari vacation and uncover a world of sheer joy. Our African family safari and honeymoon safari itineraries cater to every individual preference and interest. Contact a Hills of Africa Travel agent today at (877) 845-4802 or visit our website at www.hillsofafrica.com to begin this once in a lifetime journey.

African Safari Vacation: Adventure Begins with the Big Five

African safari tours are the gateway to an incredible world of culture, spectacular game-viewing, stunning landscape, and thrilling adventures. Although safari travelers thoroughly enjoy the hundreds of exotic birds, peculiar reptiles, and cunning mammals, nothing is more exciting than the sight of one of the Big Five . . .

Once you recognize one of the Big Five stalking its prey or pounding the ground as it walks, your heart starts to pound and adrenaline rushes through your body. You know a creature of magnificent strength, size, and power is in the area. The grounds are quiet and the anticipation rises. Will there be a kill?

The Big Five are some of the largest and most fearsome game famous to Africa, and include the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo.

• Lions are an extremely social mammal, traveling in prides with an average of 15 individuals.

• Leopards lounge in trees to watch for prey and hide from predators. One of the greatest areas in Africa to spot Leopards is Sabi-Sands game reserve.

• Rhinos (Black and White) are among the most popular animals still being poached today. Poachers sell their horns for large sums of money.

• Elephants weigh around 12,000 lbs. and are the largest mammal on land. Large numbers of elephant can been seen in the Chobe Game Reserve in Botswana and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.

• Buffalo are usually observed traveling in large herds near water holes and can weigh over 1500 lbs. They have been known to attack and kill unfortunate hunters who moved to close.

The best African safaris to view the Big Five can be found in Kruger National Park, Sabi-Sands game reserve, North-West Province , Moremi National Park, and Mana Pools.

Adventure through the plains of Africa on an authentic family safari or honeymoon safari , and experience a world of true beauty and splendor. Hills of Africa Travel will take care of all your travel details and create a tailored itinerary around your preference. Contact us today at (877) 845-4802.

Now is a great time to book a Safari to South Africa

With the strong US dollar to the South African Rand, NOW is a good time to start booking your travel to South Africa. The current exchange rate is 10 ZAR to 1 USD - WOW!

Even if you are only planning to travel in August of 2009, you should consider booking your travel now.

Why?

Because if you book and pre-pay all South African costs, then you are locked in at today's very good exchange rate and we are able to pass on fantastic savings to you.

Imagine all the amazing experiences you could have:

• Walk to the top of Table Mountain and have a picnic whilst taking in the beautiful scenery below you
• Take a wine tour and taste some of the best South African wines in the Winelands
  
• Go on safari and watch lions lazing under trees, and sit back whilst watching a huge herd of elephant walk right past you
• Stay at Birkenhead House in Hermanus where you will see amazing whale sightings from your own balcony
• Take a tour along the famed Cape Point Peninsula where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, see some of the most breathtaking scenery
  
• See African penguins
  

Hills of Africa Travel customizes all of our safari vacations to South Africa and will create a trip of a lifetime. Call us today and we will make certain you Live the Magic of Africa.

Amazing Sightings on Safari

Imagine what memories this family returned with? Our friend and professional private guide, Mark Homann, took this clip whilst private guiding in Zimbabwe.

Click HERE to see an amazing sighting on video.

Safaris are memories. You adventure into the bush to see The Big Five up close and personal. You want to Live the Magic of Africa.

Hills of Africa Travel creates memories of a lifetime. Call us today and we will plan a memory filled vacation with The Big Five up close and personal.