Now Alabama’s most famous zoo, the Birmingham Zoo has answers to these African safari wanderlust. Work to an African Savannah in the midst of the Magic City in Birmingham Zoo now begins. It held a groundbreaking ceremony last Wednesday July 29, 2009 for the ‘Trails of Africa’ worth $12.5 million.

A tree planting ceremony took place to commemorate the event. Safari music and African music are of course included in the event. “Trails of Africa’ is housed in a span 14 acres which will care for several animals like giraffes, elephants and zebras.

So, the 450,000 visitors of Birmingham Zoo will expect to have another unique part of the zoo thus drawing perhaps more visitors after the Trails of Africa will be finished. A new set of African animals will be added to the 250 species and 750 existing animals.

Birmingham Zoo is a not-for-profit zoo and hosted several exhibits to make the citizens aware of their responsibilities as a custodian of animals. Exhibits of Koalas, Bats, Komodo dragon, and Black-Footed Penguins and of lorikeet aviary have been sponsored by Birmingham Zoo.

Though, Trail of Africa will never give the experiential advantages that a true travel to Africa will give; it offers a glimpse of what an Africa safari should be. A glimpse of Africa in a cheaper way; Trail of Africa will not give the same awe that you will experience upon gazing at the most popular floodplain, referring to Okavango delta safari.

Birmingham Zoo hopes to inspire in each of its visitors a sense of responsibility not only to the animal species but also to nature in general.

African Safaris should be more than sightseeing and sightings of endangered and wild animals. It should be a journey of a lifetime. An experience one will always remember and treasure.

The best place to rub elbows with the big five is an African Safari in South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya. The big Five here are all taken cared off by their respective governments and very well preserved and protected.

An African Safari on these places waiting for nature to give us a glimpse of his Big Five can be made more exciting with side excursions of white-water rafting, hot-air balloons and bungee jumping.

Imagine seeing a hoard of rhinoceros on top view. Or seeing thousands of animals migrating as one group towards their destination! You will indeed appreciate the experience when you are up there already looking down looking for the big five.