I Love Safaris.
IN FACT, up until now, I've said that taking an African Safari was the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring experience of my life.
I honestly did not believe you could beat it...
I WAS WRONG.
Perhaps the most astounding of all is what actually did top it for me...it was a zoo. A FREAKING ZOO!!!
Granted, this was not your ordinary zoo. The zoo was in Uganda, Africa and doubles as a wildlife preserve.
I was with a large group so we received a private tour. (My family leads annual mission teams in for our orphanage project, but that's another story for another time)
This Private Tour Was Undoubtedly The Highlight Of The Trip
We've done a lot of cool things in Africa.
Like this visit to Murchinson Falls
Or this one to Victoria Falls
Or watching this Baboon eat snacks he stole from INSIDE our bus
Or this Safari in Botswana
But, nothing even came close to comparing with this private tour of the zoo in Uganda. (And I'm comparing it to watching lions wrestle outside our van and elephants charging our safari bus!)
The Difference Is In The Interaction
See, on a safari you're observing wildlife in their natural habitat from closer than you've ever been. It's incredible...don't get me wrong, safari's are awesome.
But, on this private tour, we didn't just see exotic animals from close up, we touched them, fed them, even wore them!
Where else can you take a selfie with a baby elephant?
This elephant is already 5 years old - but he can live as long as humans, so they grow at about the same rate - he's still little, but he already eats a ton! It costs the zoo about $250/month just to feed this little guy.
Or wear a Giant Python as a scarf?
The trick is to get him on your shoulders and snap the picture quick before he starts to wrap around you...he caught a couple of our team members. They sadly didn't make it...but we got great photos! wink
Or feed a giraffe from the back of a pickup truck?
Yup, he's literally THAT close...here's a better angle
Or pet a rhino?
Rhinos have been hunted for ivory in Africa for years. They are almost extinct in Uganda, but they brought some in from other parts of Africa and now they are mating. At one point, there was only one rhino left in Uganda and he had his very own personal bodyguard.
Or feed a lion with your bare hands?
I get extra cool points for this, right? You can literally feel the power of the lion as she rips off the meat...you can feel her warm breath and hear her growl for more. It's terrifyingly awesome!
You have to do this, sometime in your life, you must do this tour!
You're probably all like: "Not everybody is rich and can pay to take such an awesome tour."
Would you believe we did all of this (and lots more) for less than $50 USD per person?
By far the best bang for the buck in all of Africa.
So, if you ever find yourself in Uganda with some time to kill, I suggest you head over to the Wildlife Preserve and Zoo and take the behind the scenes tour.
Not only will you have the time of your life, but you will be supporting the efforts to preserve these amazing endangered animals.
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All photographs in this post were taken by me and I reserve all copyrights exclusively. © Caleb Allen 2016