The only time I visited Africa was in 1994. We traveled through Zimbabwe mostly and spent a little time in Zambia. While staying at a ranch in Zim I was lucky enough to shoot impala and wart hog for camp meat. We managed to spend about 5 days in a National Park close to Victoria Falls. I think it was called Hwange, or something along those lines.
I would like to plan a trip back to southern Africa and this time take my wife. I doubt we will be able to afford a nice hunting trip this time so I want to concentrate on her seeing animals and letting Africa get into her blood and then planning a return trip to hunt when we can afford it.
What are some suggestions on where we can go for roaming the parks? The animals I want her to see up close and personal in the wild are elephant, giraffe, and lions.

You can get some great vacation packages for Kruger Park in SA. The is a very safe park and the game viewing is very good. The park is huge and would take several weeks to see. There are also some great lodges in the area that you any your wife would enjoy. I will also add that this is a safe part of Africa IMO and a place I would bring my family. I can't say that about Hwange or Zimbabwe.

Snowwolfe,

Africa has many areas that might provide the experience for you and your wife that you seek but none is better than what you will find in Northern Tanzania, Ngorongoro Crater alone is worth the trip. Lake Mayara, Tarangire Park, the Serengeti etc are unequalled in their game viewing/photo opportunities.

As you can see from my signature we not only offer top notch hunting safaris but the best of photo safaris. We have several packages or we can customize whatever fits your desire. These are not group tours but privately guided affairs allowing you the best opportunity for pics and just to observe undisturbed animals.

Tarangire is an amazing place for elephants affording you the chance to observe them at a matter of feet from the vehicle which they pay little attention to. Personally I have seen as many as 65 elepahants in one group there. Lions in Ngorongoro are very visible and you will see them all over there. Once again they pay almost no attention to the vehicle. Giraffe are the Tanzania national aniamal so you will see them about anywhere in the bush and sometimes in surprising numbers. I've just barely scratched the surface of what is availble in these incredible areas but if you are interested in further info or you have specific questions I'm available anytime.

Mark

I am going to repost this in African Travel. May be a better section for it. Thank you for the responses.
Mark, Can you give me an idea of prices for us to go on a 7-10 day tour?

PM Sent to you.

Go to Namibia, visit Etosha, Caprivi and the Skeleton Coast. Self drive.

Having said that, the airfare is now $2K each, so if you are going to spend that much, may as well spend another $3k for 5 day hunt, shoot a Gemsbuck, Hartebeest and Springbok. For another K or so, add a kudu.

Going to the Serengetti (or the Maasai Mara) and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania have to be a couple of my most enjoyable experiences. Elephant, lion, buffalo, zebra, flamingoes, plains game etc can all seen in the Crater. Plus Ambroselli in Kenya with Mt Kilimanjaro visible above the clouds in the morning.

The wide open plains of East Africa are a different experience to the bushveld of Southern Africa.

Lions are also much easier to see in the open plains than the bushveld. Almost a certainty at Ngorongoro Crater, and good chances in the Mara/Serengetti.

Other places in Kenya to visit are Lake Nakyuru, Lake Naivasha. In Tanzania, Zanzibar Island, otherwise Mombasa and/or Lamu in Kenya.

Some of East Africa is very romantic, so if your wife enjoyed the movie "Out of Africa" she will be hooked.

My opinion would be to save a bit more and do the hunt. It is a better way to see the country and a better way for Africa to get in your blood.

I have had the notion of just doing a viewing safari to save some money as well. However, unless you are doing a completely self guided trip, camping or staying in the parks, your trip cost will be very close to the cost of a plains game hunt. Nice lodges, guides etc.. can get expensive.

I highly recommend the Wilderness trails three day walking tours in Kruger if you want to see the animals you mentioned on foot. Much different experience than being in a car and a good value.

Don't waste a lot of time thinking about this! Call Mark Young or Adam Clements. Tell them the dates you want to go. Let them arrange a vacation you'll remember for the rest of your life! My wife, my three sons (16,15,11) and I all agreed our trip to Tanzania was the best vacation ever. If they can please my family, trust me, they're good. We felt as though we were visiting family excited that they could show us their homeland.

I can't reccomend where to go.
I only did one trip, but I made sure I did it right!

I bought an excellent video camera (w/ nightvision, front light and incredible magnification). I also bought a 5 hour battery as oppossed to the 2 hour battery supplied. I bought a UV filter lens which also served to protect the installed lens from damage and dust.
Some of the night-shots I have are fantastic.

Also - a quality video camera will capture the great sounds of Africa - baboons barking at us, egyptian geese etc...

I bought a 35mm camera (10 rolls of film) - this was good just in case the video camera could not be recharged. Digital cameras were too expensive in 2001.

I should have broke the bank on great bino's, but I opted for a mid-priced compact pair (bad idea). Bring a great pair of binos.

I should have at least brought a camera mono-pod as that would have steadied my shots and served as a walking stick if needed.

I would bring a similar set-up when I return, except for swapping out the camera shoulder bag for a photo-vest and a Video/Camera back pack.

Now that digital cameras and digital video are consumer friendly - you can downsize: 1 digital video, 1 digital camera, and 1 35mm like a Sureshot or something to that effect.

We stayed at Dinaka Ranch for most of our hunting - highly reccomended! - but we went to the villages bordering Krueger Park - many photographs and video of the villages, the people and the wildlife.

I was able to watch my video on the hotel TV when we returned from our afternoon hunts away from Dinaka.

I know Dinaka offers Horse-back Safaris in the green season - another alternative, and the accomodations are excellent.