Unleashing Adventure: Safari Holidays for Thrill Seekers
Whether it’s your first time on safari or you’re returning for more wildlife experiences, We offers the widest range of safari holidays.
Visit a number of reserves on a sociable small group safari or private safari, or combine with other destinations on a fly drive safari or fly in safari. In addition, our excellent range of city hotels, beach resorts and local tours mean you can extend your holiday and tailormake your own unique itinerary.
Safari and wildlife experiences can also be enjoyed elsewhere in the world.
Track tigers in one of India’s national parks, take a jeep safari in Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, encounter magnificent birdlife in the Galapagos Islands, or come face to face with brown bears in one of Canada’s wilderness lodges.
Take a look at the destinations section for a wide variety of safari holidays across the globe.
If you decide to go to Africa, you surely should not miss the opportunity to see its nature, its animals and birds, its savannas and deserts, its jungles and waterfalls.
For many centuries the most of the Africa countries have been colonies of the great European powers mainly Great Britain and France.
Nowadays Africa is free and open for tourists. Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania have become very popular travel destinations.
Now, in Africa there are a lot of natural parks where you can enjoy carefully preserved flora and fauna.
Several decades ago, only desperate courageous people risked traveling across Africa. In the beginning of the XXI century one can make his trip to Africa with all the necessary comfort.
The best and the world-known safari destinations are Masai Mara in Kenya, Serengeti on Zanzibar (Tanzania), Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Okavango in Botswana and Kruger Park in South Africa.
Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the Maasai Mara protect the greatest and most varied collection of terrestrial wildlife on the Earth.
Masai Mara is a land of rolling hills, woods and acacia trees. It is watered by the Mara and Talek rivers and opens onto the Serengeti plains of Tanzania.
No trip to Kenya would be complete without a visit to Masai Mara. Its one of the most-promoted parks in Africa, and its really worth visiting.
Here you can enjoy comtemplating leopards, rhinoceros and over 450 bird species.
The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest on earth. Its climate and nature have barely changed in the past million years. The Serengeti is the jewel in the crown of Tanzania’s protected areas and makes up the significant part of the country area.
Victoria Falls is a world heritage site sometimes is called one of the Seven Natural Wonders. Victoria has the largest curtain of falling water on earth. Its sound is spreading a lot of miles around.
The Okavango Delta is really unique. It is the largest inland delta in the world. Instead of flowing into the sea, the annual flood of water flows inland, spreading over 15 000 km of the Kalahari sand in a maze of lagoons and channels.
The countless islands that emerge from its waterways gave birth to several diverse ecosystems which are home to vast numbers of birds. The crystal clear waters support many kinds of fish. The heart of the delta is accessed by air only.
The Kruger National Park in South Africa is one of the oldest and largest reserves in Africa. The park boasts a tremendous variety of game and birdlife in its numerous habitats. The south is home to some of the most popular restcamps as the wildlife is prolific.
The central region consists of extensive grassy plains that are interrupted by lush riverine vegetation along the Olifants and Letaba rivers. The northern region is quite remote and thus, less popular.
A trip to all these reserves and park will take a lot of time, but you can make several voyages to the Black continent.
Must-See African Lion Safari Destinations
Still, the African lion safari is something that attracts great number of tourists to Africa and so you may be interested in knowing the best destinations for your African lion safari.
Seeing this mighty beast in flesh is certainly exciting, but viewing it in action is also worth your while. Being an animal given to snoozing all day this may cause you some amount of concern when you go on an African lion safari and there is no sign of the beast for a whole day.
The two topmost African lion safari destinations are no doubt the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya.
You can also find great viewing in South Africas Kruger National Park, Botswanas many lion draws including Moremi Game Reserve that has great wildlife as well as spectacular landscape. Wherever you go, the African lion safari is sure to be a once in a lifetime experience.
When you do embark on an African lion safari make sure that you engage the services of a professional guide who will ensure that you are safe during your trip.
The lion is certainly a most deadly as well as revered creature and is cunning and ferocious that stands at the top of the food chain. You would be well advised to visit Botswana or Okavango Delta for your African lion safari where there are sure to be wild lions about.
Since the African lion safari has its associated dangers (in spite of the guide) you would be well advised to follow instructions to the T, and dont be one of those who insist on taking photographs when it is unsafe to do so.
The guide is well acquainted with the habits of these beasts and you must wait for the green signal before proceeding any further.
The lion no doubt rules the roost wherever it may be and they will let you know of that immediately. It is thus in your best interests to take a guided African lion safari which will not only ensure your safety, but will also give you the most exciting adventure of your life.
What Are the Best Safari Holidays for Wildlife Enthusiasts?
Great range of safaris ensures you can find your perfect getaway. Each country promises a unique safari experience with an astonishing variety of wildlife and landscapes on offer as well as a host of unforgettable experiences to add to your safari holiday.
Choose from the below destinations to explore range of safaris in your desired location.
#1 Tanzania
#2 Botswana
#3 Kenya
#4 Zambia
#5 Namibia
#6 South Africa
#7 Uganda
#8 Zimbabwe
Choose the Perfect Safari Holiday Destination
1.Tanzania Safari
Tanzania, with its three safari circuits, is one of Africa’s top wildlife destinations. The popular Northern circuit incorporates bucket-list landmarks such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Mt Kilimanjaro.
Repeat visitors might prefer the remote wilderness vibe of the Southern or Western circuits. For some beach time, the ‘Spice Island’ of Zanzibar is only a short flight away
You’ll see an abundance of animals when on safari in Tanzania. Elephant, giraffe, buffalo, warthog and hippo are prolific throughout, and in Serengeti you might see several million wildebeest, gazelle and zebra on their annual migration.
Predators are common too, especially lion and spotted hyena. You’ll need to go to Ruaha or Nyerere (Selous) National Parks to see the endangered wild dogs.
Black rhino is easy to spot in the Ngorongoro Crater, but for an intimate encounter with these safari heavyweights, Mkomazi National Park is hard to beat.
Safaris in Tanzania focus mostly on morning and afternoon game drives, but there are plenty of opportunities to break it up. Night drives offer a chance to see nocturnal animals.
Walking safaris are a great way to learn about little creatures, tracks and plants. And there is no better way to get close to crocodiles and hippos than on a boat safari (a must in Nyerere National Park).
“Tanzania is the quintessential safari destination, offering both quality and quantity. The wildlife viewing is superb and there is just so much choice in terms of places to visit and things to do.
In fact, it would be hard to experience all of the highlights even in three Tanzania holidays, let alone one.
There are three distinct safari circuits: the most popular Northern safari circuit includes famous places such as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
The lesser-known Southern circuit centers on Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) and Ruaha National Park. The off-the-beaten-track Western circuit includes Katavi National Park and the chimpanzee reserves on the shore of Lake Tanganyika.
Avid mountain climbers might be surprised to learn the highest peak in Africa is in Tanzania. Mt Kilimanjaro lies between Kenya and Tanzania but is climbed from the Tanzanian side.”
The wildlife viewing in Tanzania is superb. A Tanzania safari in the Northern circuit takes in Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Any of these parks offer fantastic game viewing, although some of it is seasonal. Doing the whole circuit enhances the experience as you’ll be going through a variety of habitats and environments.
Due to the sizes of the parks, it is possible to get away from the crowds, but as the Northern circuit is the most popular circuit, you will be surrounded by other tourists at times.
If you really want to get away from all that, you can visit the Southern circuit, where the game viewing is slightly more challenging but very good all the same. This circuit is perhaps more suited to repeat Africa visitors who are less driven to tick off the Big Five.”
2.Botswana Safari
Botswana offers some of the best safaris on the African continent; while other countries may have invented the safari, Botswana has perfected it.
The combination of epic wildlife populations in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, with the world’s largest network of salt pans in Makgadikgadi Pans and the desert-specialist animals of the Kalahari, makes for endless Botswana safari packages and possibilities.
It is possible to explore it all on a self-drive 4WD expedition, but the Botswana safari experience is more often defined by high-end luxury safaris.
“Wildlife and wild places. If these words stir the soul as they do for me, then there are few finer places in Africa to visit than Botswana.
The range of habitats – and hence the diversity of wildlife – is astonishing, from the flooded waterways of the Okavango Delta to the Kalahari’s dry, golden grasslands, Botswana has iconic African landscapes covered.
The northern reserves – the Okavango Delta and its concessions, Chobe National Park, the Moremi Game Reserve – rank among the best places on the continent to view charismatic mega-fauna – elephants, Big Cats, African wild dogs, hippos, rich birdlife and, increasingly, rhinos.
Not far away to the south, the vast salt pans of Makgadikgadi Pans and the soulful expanses of the Kalahari add depth and variety to an extraordinary safari palette.
The government has adopted a high-end, low-density tourism model so crowds here are extremely rare – this is Africa as you imagined it without the masses.
Although it can be expensive, the levels of available luxury can mean that this could just be the African trip of a lifetime of which you’ve always dreamed.”
There are many places to see these animals in Africa, but only in Botswana are there no queues of safari vehicles.
But finding yourself among the elephants of Chobe – these are some of Africa’s largest elephants – is one of the great safari experiences you can have.
One final thing: Botswana’s calling card is the diversity of wildlife, which means that you may not see the quantity of animals for which the Serengeti or Masai Mara is famed, but the variety on offer here is unrivaled.”
3.Kenya Safari
Kenya is the historical home of the East African safari, a land of sweeping savannah grasslands inhabited by charismatic megafauna, including big cats, the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino) and just about everything in between.
Elsewhere, landscapes here stir the soul with deserts in the north, dense forests in the west, Rift Valley lakes in the center and tropical coast out east.
The result for those on safari is an experienced safari industry ready to show you a seemingly endless parade of wildlife against one of the most beautiful backdrops in Africa.
“Outstanding wildlife is the main reason to visit Kenya. While many visitors come for the migration, Kenya is excellent year-round, with a large number of world-class national parks – apart from the Masai Mara, there’s Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks and Samburu National Reserve – where superb wildlife viewing is almost guaranteed.
It all adds up to Kenyan safari possibilities of great variety.
Kenya is Big Five territory, with healthy populations of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino, but the birdlife is also outstanding, as is the cultural element – this is the land of the Maasai, Samburu, Turkana and others. The sheer number of habitats, too, make for wonderful scenery – endless horizons in the Masai Mara, tropical forests in Kakamega Forest National Reserve, the starkly beautiful parks of the north, and peerless Kilimanjaro views from Amboseli.”
Most of the more popular parks that you can visit on a Kenya tour – Amboseli, Masai Mara, Samburu and Lake Nakuru – have fabulous wildlife-viewing opportunities.
Dense wildlife populations in all of these parks make them good all-round safari destinations that enable you to see as many animals (and different species) as you can in a short period of time.
Other parks are more specialist – such as the birds and primates of Kakamega, and the sitatunga in Saiwa Swamp National Park – allowing you to tick off a hard-to-find species, usually without the crowds.
And a more exclusive Kenyan safari experience is possible in the conservancies of Laikipia Plateau – you pay more, but, with the exception of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, crowds are non-existent and wildlife viewing is excellent.
At most of these conservancies, you can get off-road as well, meaning that you’ll get a lot closer to the animals than you will in a national park.”
4.Zambia Safari
Although Zambia has a great safari industry with lots of tours and holidays on offer, it still manages to fly under the radar as a safari country.
Unfathomable, given the staggeringly wonderful wildlife experiences it offers safari-goers. If there’s a word to sum up this large, land-locked, off-the-beaten-track place, it is ‘wild’.
Nowhere else in southern Africa do you get such an entirely unaffected palette of wild Africa. There’s a sense of the bush that has been lost in more highly urbanized countries – here, the cyclical forces of nature still dominate the animal kingdom.
“Zambia doesn’t have much diversity when it comes to its attractions. But what it does have is world-class!
The country’s premier attraction – which it shares with Zimbabwe – is Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke That Thunders). Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. No Zambian vacation should miss this incredible natural sight.
The second major attraction which makes a Zambia tour worthwhile is its wildlife and the setting in which you can see it.
Although the animal kingdom is much the same as in other nearby countries, the parks are that much wilder in Zambia. Not only is South Luangwa National Park packed full of wildlife, but it’s also one of the most beautiful parks in Africa.
North Luangwa National Park is less developed, but no less well endowed with wildlife and specializes in walking safaris. Lower Zambezi National Park has a dreamy location on the Zambezi River, opposite Mana Pools in Zimbabwe.
Canoeing this mighty river is the pastime of choice here; wildlife spotting is particularly productive from a canoe. And no Zambia safari would be complete without a visit to Kafue National Park, one of Africa’s largest parks and especially good for spotting leopard.
There are plenty of other wilderness areas to explore too, such as Liuwa Plain National Park, where you can see nature at its finest via a wildlife migration that includes many thousands of grazers, such as wildebeest and zebra.”
5.Namibia Safari
A safari in Namibia is as much about the wildlife as the country’s scenic beauty. In Etosha National Park it has one of the most storied wildlife reserves on the continent, but there’s so much more to experience here.
The national parks of the Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip) are only now getting the attention they deserve, while the dune-scapes of the Skeleton Coast and its hinterland are simply extraordinary.
And these are just starting points for exploring a country rich in experiences and safari possibilities.
“Wildlife is a major draw for visitors on Namibia safaris. Etosha National Park, in particular, is one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations – and rightly so.
Its combination of hallucinatory salt pans and large wildlife populations (including lions, elephants and plains animals in abundance) give it a distinction found in few other parks.
Less commonly visited, but for many travelers equally rewarding, are Damaraland and the reserves of the Zambezi Region, such as Bwabwata and Nkasa Rupara (Mamili) National Parks.
Landscapes are another highlight. From the Waterberg Plateau and Namib-Naukluft National Park to Kaokoland and Fish River Canyon (Africa’s answer to the Grand Canyon), stark beauty takes on many forms here.
Namibia has long been a popular destination for self-drive safaris, but a Namibia safari is now just as likely to be characterized by luxury lodges, both exclusive and remote, that bring class and comfort to the whole experience.”
“The best places to see wildlife on a Namibia safari are in the country’s north. Etosha National Park is especially good for lions and elephants, but you’ll also see giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and all manner of antelope species.
After dark, black rhinos gather at waterholes, including those alongside some of the main camping areas, and it was here that the BBC first filmed this unusual behavior.
African wild dogs are a possibility in the northeast, while sable, sitatunga and red lechwe antelope are highlights in Bwabwata National Park.
In the northwest, Damaraland and Kaokoland are famed for desert-adapted lions and elephants, and brown hyenas can be seen scavenging around seal colonies on the coast. Farther south, wildlife is scarcer and the main reason to visit is the scenery.”
6.South Africa Safari
South Africa is one of the world’s most varied holiday destinations.
From the classic safari country of Kruger National Park to the stately ‘mother city’ of Cape Town; from the snow-sprinkled heights of the Drakensberg to the parched red dunescapes of the Kalahari; from the gorgeous Winelands around Stellenbosch to the idyllic beaches of the Garden Route – South Africa is a true all-rounder that attracts more than its fair share of repeat visitors.
It is also the most affordable and well equipped of African safari destinations, particularly well suited to family holidays, to those seeking a malaria-free holiday, to dedicated foodies and wine-lovers, and for combining a foray into Big Five country with a beach holiday and/or city break.
“Variety is the keynote of South African holidays. The country boasts one of the continent’s finest safari destinations in the form of Kruger National Park and nearby private reserves, while other key Big Five safari reserves include Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and malaria-free Madikwe and Pilanesberg.
Safaris aside, South Africa is renowned for its fantastic beaches, limitless hiking opportunities, wonderful outdoor climate and good-value dining and wining scene.
The main focus of non-safari sightseeing is Cape Town, which is gracefully perched below Table Mountain on a scenic stretch of Atlantic coastline, close to the whale-watching hub of Hermanus and the historical Winelands around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.”
“Excellent. Kruger National Park and neighboring private reserves host large populations of all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo), and rank among the top African safari destinations when it comes to spotting white rhino, as well as the rarer black rhino, leopard, cheetah and African wild dog.
All these safari favorites are also likely to be encountered in Madikwe and Pilanesberg Game Reserves, as well as in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and the various small private reserves of the Eastern Cape.
Outside of the major Big Five reserves, many parts of the country are still home to a variety of antelope, monkeys and small predators, all of which might be encountered by hikers and ramblers.
Bird watching is consistently excellent throughout the country, while locally conspicuous marine wildlife includes penguins, whales and giant turtles.”
7.Uganda Safari
If your dream is mountain gorilla trekking, Uganda is the place to go. Rwanda is currently the only other country in which these gentle giants can be encountered on a trek, and Ugandan permits are roughly half the price charged over the border.
Apart from gorilla trekking, there are lots of other things to do in Uganda. The country is home to many primates and Kibale National Park offers amazing chimpanzee trekking and monkey viewing.
Kidepo Valley, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks are great for game drives in a savannah environment with plenty of lion, buffalo and elephant, as well as a range of antelope species.
The country is particularly scenic and has a lot to offer to people with a keen interest in natural history and those who enjoy active holidays.
“Uganda is mostly known for its mountain gorilla tourism and most people visiting Uganda will include a gorilla trekking experience in their itinerary.
It is possible to go on a Uganda gorilla tour as an add-on to an East African safari in Kenya or Tanzania, but Uganda has lots more to offer, so consider visiting some of the savannah reserves and tracking chimpanzees as well.
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a variety of activities such as chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge (or nearby Kalinzu Forest) and a boat trip on Kazinga Channel.
The wildlife is diverse and one of the highlights is the tree-climbing lions on the Ishasha Plains. Murchison Falls National Park offers excellent wildlife viewing as well as spectacular scenic beauty.
You can take a boat trip on the Nile River to the famous Murchison Falls or to the delta. The latter is particularly rewarding for birders, and sightings of the prehistoric-looking shoebill are very common in this area.
More remote is Kidepo Valley National Park. This park offers a true wilderness experience and is home to many species that don’t occur elsewhere in the country, including the graceful cheetah.
Primate-lovers should visit Kibale National Park as it offers the most reliable chimpanzee trekking in the country, and also has the greatest variety of monkeys of any forest in Uganda.”
Uganda is an exciting destination for wildlife viewing, and its strength lies in its variety. Uganda has beautiful rainforests that are home to many primates. Mountain gorilla trekking is the top attraction, but almost equally exciting is chimpanzee trekking.
A troop of habituated golden monkeys, a species unique to the Albertine Rift, can be visited in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Up to a dozen other monkey species can be seen elsewhere in Uganda, with Kibale National Park being particularly notable for its primate diversity.
Away from the forest environment, Uganda has several good savannah reserves where more conventional wildlife viewing is offered on game drives and boat trips.
None of the savannah reserves offers quite the same level of exciting animal viewing as the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania or the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya; however, the scenic beauty in Uganda is unparalleled and the birding is nothing less than outstanding.
8.Zimbabwe Safari
Be prepared for an exciting journey full of surprises when going on safari in Zimbabwe. Go for a game drive in search of the Big Five in Hwange National Park.
Push up the heat with a canoe or walking safari in Mana Pools National Park on the mighty Zambezi River.
Search for ancient rock art on the balancing boulders in Matobo National Park, and get drenched in the spray of Victoria Falls (Vic Falls), one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Wherever you go, you’ll be charmed by the friendly people you meet along the way. Slow down and make time for a conversation here and there. Once back home, you might find that these moments are among the most precious memories of your trip.
“There are lots of great national parks in Zimbabwe. Hwange, Mana Pools and Matobo are highly recommended, but so too are the more remote and little-known likes of Matusadona and Gonarezhou National Parks.
Zimbabwe is best known for the magnificent Vic Falls, which, at 1.7km wide, is one of the world’s largest waterfalls.
A beautiful feature of Victoria Falls National Park is the rainforest, nourished by the spray of the waterfall. Although the forest is home to many small mammals and birds, this isn’t a real wildlife-viewing destination.
For a real safari experience, Hwange NP, Zimbabwe’s biggest and most popular Big Five destination, is only three hours’ drive from Vic Falls.
The waterholes provide great viewing in the Dry season, when elephants are particularly abundant. Hwange is well-equipped for self-drive visitors, but the surrounding private concessions provide high-end five-star luxury and exclusivity.
Mana Pools NP, with 70km of Zambezi River frontage, offers a true wilderness experience. Best explored on foot or by canoe, the park is home to huge numbers of buffalo and elephant, while predators include lion, leopard and African wild dog.
Matobo NP is less densely populated with animals, but it’s a good place to track white and black rhino on foot. The ‘balancing rocks’, which dominate the dramatic landscape, are home to some superb rock art sites.
“Zimbabwe offers excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities. The country’s most popular and accessible Big Five destination is Hwange NP. The elephant numbers are phenomenal in the Dry season and predator sightings are usually good too.
Lions are most easily seen. Hwange is home to one of Africa’s biggest wild dog populations and sightings of these endangered sociable animals are very special.
The antelope diversity is another drawing card. Aside from common species such as impala, greater kudu and waterbuck, you might see rarities such as roan and sable.
The Zambezi River has incredible numbers of crocs and hippos, and the best place to see them is in Mana Pools NP. This exquisite wilderness is also known for big herds of elephants, buffalo, all three of the big cats and healthy numbers of wild dogs.
Your best bet to see rhinos in Zimbabwe is in Matobo NP. White rhinos are quite easily spotted, provided you arrange a foot tracking excursion with a local guide, but black rhinos are notoriously shy and tend to stick to the thickets.”
Safari Holidays Off the Beaten Path
Safari and wildlife experiences can also be enjoyed elsewhere in the world. Track tigers in one of India’s national parks, take a jeep safari in Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, encounter magnificent birdlife in the Galapagos Islands, or come face to face with brown bears in one of Canada’s wilderness lodges.
Take a look at the destinations section for a wide variety of safari holidays across the globe.
A superb option for adding a few days’ safari to your holiday or combining a number of reserves. Fly to your choice of camp or lodge and enjoy shared game viewing activities with the resident rangers. Available in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Visit a number of reserves on a sociable small group safari or private safari, or combine with other destinations on a fly drive safari or fly in safari.
1.Take the family to Kenya, a major safari destination for seeing the Big Five and spot pink flamingoes on Lake Nakaru.
2.Go on spectacular game drives in Tanzania across the Serengeti plains.
3.See hyena, wild dogs, lions and herds of buffalo in Botswana.
4.Sail in a mokoro along Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a river that never reaches the sea, and see 400+ species of bird and the endangered rhino in the Moremi Game Reserve.
