For most of us a safari holiday is a real once in a lifetime experience and one that you will really want to remember forever. To help you really draw the most out of your experience there’s a few bits of essential kit that you won’t want to leave behind.

A good digital camera – most of us now tend to use our phones for all our picture taking however you really can’t beat a proper digital camera. These don’t have to break the bank with many high-quality cameras available at a fairly low price. It’s important to do your research and make sure you have protective camera equipment to keep your camera free from damage during your trip.

High quality insecticide – the biting bugs on safari are abundant and if bitten lots this can really hinder your trip making you feel uncomfortable and itchy and sometimes even ill. Research which insecticides are most effect for the area you are travelling and stock up so that you have plenty to apply day and night.

The right protective clothing – this really is a safari essential. The correct clothing should be loose-fitting and light coloured as well as give you good protection from the sun. It’s important to ensure that you have good quality sunglasses and a hat that provides shade to your face and neck as well as high factor sun cream on ever day even if it seems shady.

It could be said that no wildlife event on Earth rivals East Africa’s Great Migration for excitement and thrills. Every year, huge herds of wildebeest and zebra make a grand journey across the plains from the Serengeti into Kenya’s famed Maasai Mara and back, following the new grass that grows as the seasonal rains fall. Predators such as hyena and jackal and of course the Mara’s abundant lions, follow the migrating wildlife, ensuring their own survival by picking out weaker members of the herds. Guided by top expedition leaders who are expert trackers and know this land like the back of their hand it is possible to encounter an abundance of wildlife away from crowds giving travellers a truly unique experience.

Kenya offers photographers the chance to capture iconic images of Africa such as giraffes grazing on acacia trees, elephants trundling over the savanna and the proud Maasai people wearing traditional dress.

Travelling to the Maasai Mara can be an uncomfortable experience as the roads are often dusty and bumpy so look for a company that flies travellers in directly to avoid this. A Migration safari guarantees an authentic safari experience of Kenya which will stay with travellers for many years to come.

For some couples, the chance to stay in a luxurious spa hotel is a dream come true and with Valentine’s Day this month it is the ideal opportunity to spend some quality time together. So why not push the boat out and plan an amazing stay in a spa hotel in Kenya?

The cost of a stay in one of the many outstanding hotels in the region of Kenya is surprisingly inexpensive and so if cheap or discounted flights to East Africa can be found it really can be a possibility for many couples and will be a wonderful experience.

Some of the luxurious hotels are situated on the coast with direct access to a private beach where you can relax and while away the hours. Outdoor and indoor swimming pools are available for guests to utilise, and spa facilities can be used throughout the day. Luxury treatments ranging from massage to facials can be booked with the spa staff who will ensure your stay is memorable for all the right reasons.

Most spa hotels in Kenya boast an extensive dining menu to suit all tastes and guests are allocated a butler on arrival who will arrange for your meals to be either delivered to your room or even on the beach.

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.

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.

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.