Although safari holidays are an amazing experience, not all safaris suit everyone. You may not even be aware of how many different types of safaris there are. You first need to establish who the safari holiday is for, what sorts of sights you want to see and what budget you have.

Who is it for – you need to carefully select your safari holidays based on who will be going. If you are taking children then you will need to ensure you choose a location that allows children and is in a malaria free zone. If you or the people you are going with have a disability that enables them to walk or walk far or if there are elderly people again you will need to be sure that you discuss this with your tour operator to make sure you get booked on to the safari holiday that is suitable.

What you want to see – depending on what animals you want to see, you may need to go different times of the years as the climate does impact the wildlife.

Budget – Obviously the more money you have to spend on a safari holiday the more opportunities you have open to you. This said, that doesn’t mean if you have a smaller budget that you cant have an amazing holiday.

Africa is a beautiful and diverse country and it is well known for its safari holidays. Every year thousands of people from all over the world travel to South Africa to see the magnificent sights of the stunning wildlife in its own environment. You may often here the terms the “big five” referring to the five large animals that inhabit South Africa. These are the Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Elephants and Buffalo that are often seen on safari trips around South Africa. 

If you have ever been lucky enough to see a male and female lion rubbing heads, you may not know but this is actually how they greet each other.

The sight of a baby elephant is one that will stay with you for ever. Did you known that they can often be seen sucking their trunks similar to a baby sucking its thumb for comfort.

Leopards, although very different in some ways also have a lot in common with domestic cats – they hunt in a similar way and possess many of the same traits but unlike domestic cat’s leopards actually like water and can often be found fishing in it. South Africa is definitely the place to go if you want a safari adventure.

Africa is a diverse continent and has a lot to offer. There really is something for everyone to do and see. It has some beautiful scenery and amazing animals that can be seen from a number of different locations within Africa. There really is an abundance of things to see and do such as discover the hidden tombs in Egypt, go on an African safari adventure in Kenya or visit Table Mountain in cape town.

Unfortunately, in parts of Africa crimes rates are high. You do need to be careful and think about your security before you go and whilst you are there. Try not to wear expensive jewellery or carry valuables like mobile phones or large cameras as this could make you more likely to become a target.

It is good to be able to try the local cuisine, but you do need to be careful that you do not get ill. Make sure you do not drink any of the tap water and also try to only eat at popular, well established restaurants.

The cost of the holiday soon adds up when you consider flights and accommodation, but some things are worth every penny – and the experience of Africa is one of them. A safari holiday is a truly amazing once in a lifetime experience and will blow your mind. It doesn’t compare to anything else and the memories will stay with you forever.  

If you are considering going on an African safari holiday then you may worry about how safe they are. Every safari trip has an element of danger but that is often prt of what makes them so exciting. The adrenaline rush you get when you see a lion on the prowl only a few meters in front of you is a feeling like no other.

Before you set off on your safari, your guide should give you a safety briefing. They will tell you what you should and shouldn’t do and what to do if you get in a dangerous situation.

Some of the basic rules of a safari trip are detailed below. These are standard rules that most safari guides will tell you about.

If you are on a self drive safari trip be sure to stay in your vehicle at all times. Only get out at designated areas which are often called hides. If you are in an open topped vehicle be cautions when standing up. Anything that may look like you have a gun could spike many of the animals as unfortunately they are all too familiar with poachers.

You need to remain on high alert when driving and be prepared for an elephant to step out in front of you.

The zebra is an archetypal African animal and anyone choosing to take a safari holiday wants to encounter these comical looking characters. There are actually three species of zebra of which the plains zebra is the most common. The plains zebra occurs in six regions, each with its own stripe pattern and all are distinct from the two other zebra species, the larger Grevy’s zebra of northern Kenya, and the smaller mountain zebra of southwest Africa. Their pattern has long puzzled zoologists who think it may function as camouflage, as an insect deterrent or to dazzle pursuing predators such as lions.

Although zebras are a common sight in most major reserves across eastern and southern Africa. The greatest gatherings are seen in Serengeti-Mara (Kenya/Tanzania) and Makgadikgadi Pans (Botswana), during seasonal migrations. While such open grasslands allow spectacular viewing, you will also find good numbers in other habitats, from the woodlands of Kruger to the thorn bush of Etosha and wetlands of the Okavango.

Waterholes, which zebra visit daily, offer an opportunity to observe social behaviour, with a dominant stallion shepherding his harem, and rival males biting and kicking in occasional skirmishes. In zebra country try to spot the distinctive horse-shoe tracks and kidney-shaped droppings whilst listening for the hiccupping laughter of the herds, which carries through the night during the migration season.

The incomparable Masai Mara is one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations. There are not many places that can beat the delight of superb, year-round game viewing coupled with the thrills of the seeing the Wildebeest Migration. Its popularity, however, means that several factors must be considered when choosing your Masai Mara accommodation.

Choosing which area to visit and when to go will alter the experience you have. The Masai Mara National Reserve’s central region is busiest during the migration season (about August to November) and its many lodges and safari hotels cater for large numbers of people. The private conservancies in the north however offer more seclusion and tucked-away accommodation, such as luxury tented camps and beautiful safari suites. There is also the advantage of being able to enjoy a greater selection of activities like guided walks, night game drives and stargazing. The eastern region of the national reserve is closest to Nairobi and the accommodation is consequently larger in scale, catering for scheduled tour groups.

The Masai Mara delivers great game viewing throughout the year and your safari experience will certainly be different during the quieter low season about November to March. You might not get the Wildebeest Migration’s herds, but there is still plenty to see and a wide range of places to stay many offering discounted, out-of-season rates.

Although younger travellers may enjoy the thought of taking an energetic African safari where they will be avidly tracking African wildlife during the day and night and enjoying the nightlife in the local bars, for those wanting a more sedate safari experience there are plenty of choices out there.

For older travellers, or silver travellers as they are affectionately called, the desire to seek out the tranquillity and relaxation that comes from getting off the beaten track into the African wilderness is real. Safaris are an ideal opportunity to experience all that a safari has to offer without the strenuous physical activity that many think comes hand in hand with such a holiday.

A typical day when on an African safari usually starts with an early morning game drive as this is usually the perfect time to spot the amazing wildlife on the reserve. Following a late breakfast there is usually time to relax in the comfortable surroundings of your chosen safari holiday accommodation in your own room or in the sumptuous lounge areas. After a delicious lunch there is usually the opportunity to venture out on another game drive for those who want another chance to see the wildlife.

Evenings are usually spent socialising with other guests over dinner if this is something you enjoy but as the early morning reserve outings are popular many older travellers prefer to head for their rooms ready for an early start the following day.

Travellers to Kenya may be surprised at the contrasts that the country has to offer because along with the wide expanses of grassland and nature reserves that are widely pictured there are also towering snow-capped mountains to be admired. Bustling cities and beautiful beaches add to the eclectic mix of this tourist destination and explains the popularity of safari holidays to the region.

It is even thought that human civilisation began in Kenya and evidence of this is seen in fossils and primitive tools that have been uncovered.

A holiday to Kenya therefore can be anything you want it to be, and many people combine two or more experiences in one holiday. A popular choice is to have a week on safari staying in one of the superb safari lodges and visiting the nature reserves to spot rhino, elephant and big cats and then to head for the coast where there are beautiful hotels that offer the luxury that is expected from high-quality accommodation. Glorious sandy beaches provide sunworshippers with the kind of location that they crave whilst the chilled-out beach bars offer deliciously cold beer and cocktails. Head out in the evening to dine at one of the local restaurants where you can sample traditional fare in a welcoming atmosphere.

Recently many people have had to rethink their holiday plans as restrictions on travel abroad has almost become the norm and the advice about which countries are open for tourism is continually changing. The longing that we all feel for holidays abroad and in particular adventure type holidays is driving people to splash out on once in a lifetime holidays more than ever and safari holidays are amongst the most popular.

Certainly, the pandemic has made everyone more aware of the need to live life to the full and so many people who would not usually consider a safari are looking for holidays that will be memorable. Safari holidays which involve staying in tented accommodation instead of a hotel is one of the breaks away that have become fashionable and although not as luxurious it does offer a real back-to-nature feeling for the adventurous traveller.

Safari holidays in Kenya that also include another element apart from seeing the big five are being sought such as adventure holidays involving climbing and trekking. A safari can also be combined with a beach holiday as the magnificent Kenyan coastline offers arguably some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The incredible coral reefs can be explored if diving is an activity you enjoy truly a memorable experience.

When planning a once in a lifetime safari holiday the type of accommodation that you book can make a big difference to your experience. There are many different types of accommodation to choose from and your choice will very much depend on individual preference. There are some holiday makers that while on safari like to get back to the wild and prefer to camp but some travellers would rather stay in a luxurious hotel well the good news is that both are possible. Even in the same holiday.

Safari lodges are a popular choice as they offer some of the luxury of a hotel stay but still give visitors the chance to be near the animals whereas tented safari camps are for those travellers who want to experience the great outdoors but still like to have the convenience of toilets and proper beds. Some have a greater range of facilities such as dining areas, bars and even swimming pools.

If, however you want the full wild safari experience, then some companies offer mobile tented camps. Most of these will have more traditional facilities such as long drop toilets and bucket showers and it is unlikely that there will be running water. Meals will usually be provided but they will be eaten outside often under the stars to the sound of the African bush, a truly magical experience.