Africa is home to the safari holiday but which type is right for you? Whether your interests lie in walking safaris, birdwatching, where to see the Big Five, or you are honeymooners looking for that perfect safari holiday, our experienced Africa team have suggested the best places, activities and accommodation.
Most first-time safari-goers to Africa just want to see lots of big game while staying in a nice lodge or two. However, whether it's your first-time or you are an experienced safari-goer, dig a little deeper and there's so much more on offer.
Our specialists can create a bespoke trip based on your exact requirements. In short, it's tailor-made for you. You will still see the wildlife but we can also find you the best places for walking, taking your family with you, honeymooning, seeing local culture, plus much more.
Big cats
Tanzania’s Serengeti or Kenya’s Masai Mara both have an abundance of lion, leopard and cheetah. The vast savannah plains provide perfect habitat for grazers such as zebra and wildebeest, which in turn are some of the cats’ favourite foods.
For leopard specifically, there’s a long-standing rivalry between South Luangwa in Zambia and the Sabi Sands in South Africa, for the best place to see leopard — the most elusive of all the big cats.
Birdlife
Uganda is home to some of Africa’s most fascinating birdlife. From the much sought after shoebill stork (found in the Mabamba swamp near Entebbe and the Semliki Game Reserve in the west), to the colourful Ruwenzori Turaco. Serious birders will find the birdlife here as rewarding (if not more), as seeing mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, for which Uganda is best known for.
Walking safaris
Zambia’s South Luangwa is where the walking safari was born. Totally different to being in the comfort and security of a vehicle, the guides in the South Luangwa really know what they’re doing and will show you a totally different side of safari. If we were to highlight a camp, we would suggest Bilimungwe.
Honeymoons
Africa is a honeymooner’s paradise because there is so much to choose from. Some of our favourite options would include one of the unique houses at Tongabezi next to the Victoria Falls, Little Kulala at Sossusvlei in Namibia, and Sausage Tree in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi.
Luxury
Botswana really sets the standard for luxury in Africa, with some incredible options such as Xudum Delta Lodge, Zarafa and Vumbura Plains. For a more rustic experience try a Letaka mobile safari in Botswana, which is a fantastic way to explore the Okavango Delta and other wildlife-rich regions with superb guides, staying in dome tents and moving every few days. This is a true adventure and one of our favourite ways to see this incredible country.
Family safaris
Active families will love Namibia because it is so easy to self-drive here. It means you can set your own pace and have an adventure together. You can enjoy picnics in incredible spots or spending your time hiking up sand-dunes. Wildlife is never far away and you can try kayaking with seals, cruising from Swakopmund in search of dolphins, or learning about desert-adapted wildlife such as geckos and beetles. The variety here means you’re not just spending every day in your vehicle, there’s a lot more to see and enjoy here.
The Big Five
South Africa is one of the best places to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant), with reserves such as Amakhala in the Eastern Cape and Thornybush near the Kruger. Outside of South Africa there is Ruaha in southern Tanzania, a hidden gem with good populations of big cats, large elephant and buffalo herds, hippos galore and more unusual wildlife such as sable antelope. Also consider Kenya’s Lewa Conservancy, which has an abundance of wildlife, hardly any people and Mount Kenya as the backdrop to your photographs.
Culture and history
Africa’s not all about wildlife, it has some fascinating tribes and cultures to explore too. A recent discovery is Fiume Lodge in Namibia, where you can also spend a day with the fascinating San People tribe.
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