A safari holiday could be that adventure of a lifetime you’ve been looking for – interesting new cultures to explore, wonderful wildlife and superlative scenery! Add to that luxurious accommodation, superb amenities and food, and a host of interesting activities thrown in, and your memorable holiday is assured.
Here are five outstanding safari holiday destinations for you to consider:
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Saadani National Park, Tanzania
Saadani’s Indian Ocean coastline offers visitors sun-kissed beaches, whispering palm trees, gentle ocean breezes, as well as unspoilt bush habitats. The Reserve was expanded in 2002 to double its previous size.
Its wildlife currently includes elephant, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, hippo, waterbuck, eland, reedbuck, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, warthog, red duiker, the greater kudu, and the magnificent sable. Though not huge in numbers, predators like lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and black-backed jackals occur, as do yellow baboons, vervets and colobus monkeys. Madete Beach is a precious breeding site for green turtles.
Activities include both day and night game drives and guided walks. Boat trips on the mangrove- and sycamore fig-lined Wami River ensures visitors see hippos, Nile crocodiles and a wealth of bird life. You can also swim, sunbathe and take cultural and historical tours. Snorkel in caves off the Mafui sandbank with green turtles and gorgeously colourful fish. Visitor accommodation includes luxury hotels and lodges, self-catering camp sites and guest houses.
Laikipia Plateau, Kenya
Restful Laikipia Plateau nestles in the foothills of snow-capped Mount Kenya. It’s a biodiverse haven for wildlife overseen by the non-profit Laikipia Wildlife Foundation. Local farmers, ranchers, Masai and Samburu communities and the conservancies cooperate closely to protect Laikipia’s wildlife and habitats.
Laikipia houses lions, leopards, cheetahs and elephants. A number of rare and endangered species like the aquatic sitatunga antelope, the long-necked gerenuk, Jackson’s hartebeest, the beisa oryx, wild dogs, Grévy’s zebra, and the Somali giraffe occur here, as do half of Kenya’s critically endangered black rhino. Chimpanzees are protected at the Ol Pejeta Sanctuary.
Visitors can enjoy day and night game drives, camel treks, horseback riding, guided walks and hot air balloon safaris. The Reserve’s impressive range of accommodation include luxury tented camps, lodges, hotels, guest farms and wilderness camps.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
With its great all-year sunny climate, South Africa’s vast and vastly diverse ‘inKredible Kruger’ is one of the world’s premier safari destinations. The Park’s wildlife includes the iconic Big Five, leopards, cheetahs and spotted hyenas.
Endangered and rare species like African wild dogs, black rhino, pangolin, and white lions occur here, as do literally hundreds of species of reptiles, insects, amphibians and birds. The latter include rare species like secretary birds, yellow-billed oxpeckers, southern ground-hornbill, saddle-billed storks, kori bustards, lappet-faced vultures and martial eagles.
Activities available include guided bush walks, both day and night game drives, golf, wilderness trails, de luxe spa treatments, and 4×4 trails. The superb range of Kruger National Park luxury lodges offers visitors superb amenities, cuisine, wine and service. A great range of activities for children ensure kids have the best time, too!
Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda
Containing one of Africa’s oldest forests, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a definite must for any wildlife lover. With the Park’s large populations of primates, gorilla- and chimpanzee-trekking is becoming increasingly popular. Enormous troops of colobus monkeys also call the Park home. Nyungwe is a birder’s delight with 310 bird species, and its 120 butterfly species makes butterfly spotting immensely popular.
Nyungwe’s wide range of accommodation includes forest lodges, hotels, ecolodges, guesthouses and affordable camping and self-catering options.
Northern Tuli Game Reserve, Botswana
Notugre, or the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, comprises 72,000 hectares of privately-owned land. It forms part of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area. Its amazing wildlife sightings include lions, leopards, elephants, zebras, waterbuck, giraffe, hippo, wildebeest, and exceptionally large herds of eland.
A reintroduced population of wild dogs has settled in well. Large herds of elephants are plentiful and often dig waterholes in dry riverbeds, which obviously benefits other animals as well. Enchanting bushbabies, beautiful spotted genets and springhares often delight guests.
Nocturnal species like aardvark, aardwolf, African wild cat and civet are often seen during night drives. Night drives also give visitors the opportunity to see lions, hyenas and leopards hunting. With their strength and great endurance, hyena clans are highly successful hunters. And yes, lions will steal hyenas’ prey if they can!
Guided walking safaris, bird watching, horse riding, cycling safaris, cultural visits, hot air balloon trips and yoga retreat safaris are also on offer. Accommodation available here includes luxury hotels, lodges and tented camps, as well as holiday homes, guest houses, B&Bs and other self-catering options.
Conclusion
We hope that we’ve now added several more items to your bucket list! All the above safari destinations will all ensure that you have an unforgettable safari holiday that you’ll treasure forever.