Although sharing a safari experience with friends and family can be enjoyable, sometimes the best travelling partner is yourself. There are many advantages to being a solo traveller, with greater flexibility when it comes to travel arrangements allowing you to see the holiday destination on your own terms.

When considering where to travel alone, consider safaris which operate on a small group basis. You will be meeting like-minded people who share the same passion for travel and the natural world as you do. It is important to remember that many safaris charge single supplements which is an extra charge for travellers booking a room to themselves, rather than sharing with another person. As most rooms are designed to be shared by two people the single supplement is a way for proprietors to recoup the money that they would lose from having one person in a two-person room, but it can make it more expensive. There are many safaris to embark upon that do not charge extra for accommodating those travelling on their own so make sure you check carefully before booking.

Safety is a concern for solo travellers on safari, so it is important to make sure that you stay with the group when touring the reserve.

A safari trip to South Africa is an amazing experience. It may be something that you have been planning for years or maybe you have decided to treat yourself to a last-minute deal you have seen online.

Although lots of people go on safari holidays during the summer months, going in December can give you a different type of experience but still one that is very enjoyable. December in South Africa is actually their summer so you can expect quite different weather than we experience in the UK at this time of year. Summer in South Africa is usually very warm but also can be quite wet. This may mean you need to pack different clothes than you would if you were going earlier on in the year.

During the summer months in South Africa, you are likely to see a lot of the big cats. t’s also a great time for bird watching as migratory birds move into the area.

A visit to Namiri Plains is not to be missed. It holds one of east Africa’s highest cheetah densities and provides reliable game viewing. A trip to Kenya is the perfect Christmas gift to give to a loved one. It will create memories that will last forever.

If you are considering going on a safari holiday but want to take your children with you then you need to ensure that you do your research t find out where to go an what sort of safari holiday you should book. If your children are very young, below the age of six or seven then they may not fully appreciate a safari holiday and you may be better to book to go without them or when they are a little older. Although you may feel guilty about not taking them, it could be that actually they do not enjoy the trip and would have rather stayed at home with granny.

Safaris can be a once in a life time experiences but they can also be quite a full on holiday and very different to the usual beach holiday you may of previously been on. Most safaris are done very early in the morning meaning you may have to get up around three to four o’clock. This can be hard for an adult let alone a small child. You also need to ensure you go to a malaria free zone as this disease can be deadly for a child.

You should consider going on a self drive safari as this way you can choose when you set off and when you stop for breaks. You also can head back if it all gets a bit too much.  

If you have finally managed to book a holiday abroad you are probably desperate to get away and have some time where you can relax and let go of any worries you may have. Although a holiday is a great time to relax it is also important that you remain vigilant and that you think about your personal security and the security of any items that you take with you.

When you are packing your suitcase, try and think carefully about what valuables you are taking with you. It is advisable to take as few valuables as possible as the more valuables you have with you the more chance there is of them being lost, stolen or damaged.

It is always nice to be able to take expensive jewellery and gadgets away with you, but think about if how you would feel if they were lost or stolen? If you have a very sentimental piece of jewellery, then you may decide to leave it at home rather than take the risk.  If you do need to take them with you then you need to ensure that you have a safe place to store them when travelling. Try and keep them with you on the flight so either wear them or store them in your hand luggage (if permitted). This way you can keep an eye on them.  You should also ensure that your holiday or home insurance covers you when taking these items abroad.

Safari holidays to suit your tastes

Going on a safari holiday must rank as one of the best experiences out there and a certainly a holiday to remember. Whether your idea of paradise is to sit and relax on a beautiful sandy beach, admire the spectacular views or wonder at the amazing wildlife on a safari drive through the nature reserve a safari holiday has it all. Some holiday companies offer dual location packages, so you get to experience two different types of holiday in the same stay.

Most safari holiday packages are expensive, but if you are looking for a memorable holiday they do not come cheap. Some companies offer luxury safari trips which include staying in five star accommodation, such as a lodge or hotel, having delicious meals prepared for you and the chance to participate in a number of different types of safari trips some of which may be exclusive to their company.

When choosing a destination for your safari holiday, South Africa should be top of your list as there are plenty of opportunities to see the wildlife including the big five.  South Africa also boasts some of the top luxury safari holiday packages and although they may cost a little more than a standard safari package, the experience is promised to be truly amazing.

Taking an amazing safari holiday is an experience that for some is a once in a lifetime chance to encounter remarkable wildlife in their natural habitat and sample a different way of life. Although most travellers are couples or solo travellers more families are choosing this type of holiday but if you are going as a family group, safety is going to be of paramount importance. Guided tours may be one way to feel confident that the whole family will be safe during the trip. An itinerary is usually provided which will include stops for food and overnight stays if necessary, thereby reducing the worry you may feel when taking your family on this adventure.

Rather than visiting a less well-known area for your safari a safari to South Africa with its direct flights from the UK and the well-maintained roads might be an attractive destination for your family safari holiday. A wealth of wildlife from elephants to big cats will be able to be seen on your trip all from the safety of an airconditioned minibus.

Newbie safari travellers and experienced holidaymakers should visit the Kruger Park and surrounding reserves as it is one of the largest parks in South Africa and has probably the highest density of wildlife giving your family the best chance of spotting the Big Five.

A holiday to South Africa is often regarded as a once in a lifetime experience but it is important to plan the holiday with safety in mind so that it is a holiday of a lifetime for all the right reasons.

Ahead of your trip it is essential to check which vaccinations are required for the area of South Africa that you will be visiting. This needs to be done four to six weeks before the date of travel so that you are well prepared.

Keeping all of the party safe on your trip is paramount and with expert guidance from guides and reps the holiday should be incident free. Embarking on a guided trip, especially if it is your first visit to South Africa is probably a sensible option and will give you the reassurance you need so that you can relax and enjoy the amazing experience.

It is important to stay within the confines of your resort unless it is deemed safe to venture out. Being unfamiliar with the locality it may be easy to wander into areas that are not safe for tourists. Guided tours of local markets and tourist attractions are by far the best way to see the local area safely and get a real insight into the culture of the South African people.

Many travellers think of an African safari as the height of adventure where they will be excitedly tracking African wildlife during the daytime and dropping exhaustedly into bed each night, but this need not be everyone’s experience as many older holiday makers prefer a more leisurely pace to their holiday.

Most older travellers, and some young ones, seek out the tranquillity and relaxation that comes from getting off the beaten track into the African wilderness. Safaris are in fact an ideal opportunity to experience all that a safari has to offer without the strenuous physical activity that many think it involves.

A day on an African safari usually begins with an early morning game drive as this is usually a good time to spot the incredible wildlife in the reserve. After a late breakfast there is time to relax in the comfortable surroundings of the safari holiday accommodation reading or dozing until lunch time. After lunch there is usually the opportunity to venture out on another game drive for those who want to.

During the evening, many people choose to socialise with other guests over dinner and into the night although the popular early morning drives mean that many people are tucked up in bed well before midnight.

Taking a safari for the first time can be a thrilling prospect although for some travellers it can also be a worrying time as they try to choose the location that will give them the best experience. Questions such as what to pack and how to keep safe on the safari adventure will be upmost in their minds.

To make the decision about the best places to visit, travellers need to think about what they want from a safari holiday.

A visit to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya where it is possible to see the incredible wildlife and be amazed at the magnificent landscapes will be a must for keen photographers, but for those interested in the cultural aspect of the area a visit to see the ancient rock paintings and experience tribal life with all its varied customs and traditions is recommended.

Packing for a safari holiday should be carefully researched as the clothes should be comfortable and cool. Good quality walking shoes are essential along with long trousers and warm clothing for the evenings.

Safety whilst on a safari adventure for the first time is important but by following the advice of the tourist guide and being sensible there should not be a problem.

If you are looking to book a safari holiday for next year or beyond then you really do need to spend some time doing your research. There are a number of different places all over the world that offer safari holidays but one of the most popular destinations is South Africa.

When looking for a company to book your safari trip with you need to check out a certain number of things. Firstly, make sure that they are a genuine company. Google their name and read a few reviews about them. This will usually give you a good idea about the company. You also need to check how they allow you to pay for the trip. You do not want to book with a company that only allows a bank transfer, you should either pay with a credit card or with PayPal which offers the buyer some protection.

It is not only the financial side of things that you need to look in to. You need to make sure that they are carrying out the safari trips safely and with the best interests of the animals. Any trip that allows you to hunt the animals is not going to offer a great safari experience and certainly does not have their best interests at heart.

Most good safari companies will be able to discuss with you what happens to the profits they make. Often, they are invested back into the conservation of the local area.