When going away on a safari trip it can be difficult to know what to pack, particularly in terms of clothing.

The colour of the clothing that you choose to take is actually very important as many are not recommended and here’s why:-

White – this is not a good colour to wear whilst on safari as the idea is that you should blend in with the surroundings, white will stand out easily and could mean that the animals are scared away from you coming close to them.

Black/dark blue – this colour attracts a certain type of stinging fly in Africa that can be quite nasty and is best avoided at all costs.

Camouflage – this in many parts of Africa is actually illegal for civilians to wear and the laws can be very strictly enforced.

To blend in your best to wear neutral colours such as soft greys, beige colours and soft greens basically anything to help you blend into your surroundings with ease.

One worry when travelling on safari is the threat of contracting Malaria. The Malaria parasite is carried by female mosquitoes and can be passed to humans when the mosquito takes a blood meal. Malaria is a potentially deadly disease and is thought to have killed more humans than any other disease throughout history. Fear not, however, as there are plenty of steps the traveller can take to safe guard themselves against contracting Malaria.

For Safari goers, the happy news is that the best time to see the majority of wildlife is during the dry season, when the vegetation is low and the animals congregate in large numbers at the dwindling watering holes and it’s during this dry season that mosquito numbers are at a minimum. Before you travel, a course of anti malarial drugs should be started. These drugs may need to be taken some weeks before you travel, for the duration of your trip and for some time after you return. Some drugs are available over the counter but others require a prescription from your GP.

When you’re on safari, cover your arms and legs when going out in the evening and always wear insect repellent. An insecticide impregnated mosquito net is a must when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened room.

On a safari holiday you are not going to be taking a lot of excess luggage, the basic rule of thumb is pack light, pack smart.
However there are some items that really will make your trip much more enjoyable and these items reach my top list of things that you cannot do without on safari.
A good pair of walking boots – now you really are not going to want to scrimp on these! A good solid pair of comfortable walking boots will see you through the long treks and ensure you don’t end up with blisters and problems walking over the sometimes challenging terrain.
Sun cream – this is a must, even when the wind pics up and the temperature don’t feel too hot you really will need a high factor sunscreen to protect your skin from the harsh UV rays of the hot African sun.
Binoculars – now these are often provided on planned excursions but there is normally only a couple of pairs to share so if you bring your own you’re sure to never miss a thing.

If you have experienced a typical safari holiday or are not sure that you like the idea of being taken around a park in a vehicle for much of the day there are alternative safari holiday you can take. Gorilla Tracking In Uganda is a very popular choice when it comes to holidays. It offers something a little different from the standard Safari and often allows you to get a lot closer to the animals.

Bwindi has at least 90 mammal species, 324 species of trees , 350 bird species, a large number of butterflies and it is also home to approximately half the world’s population of mountain gorillas.

When tracking Gorillas, you will need to be prepared to get up and leave early. Mountain gorilla groups move about daily and can be often be seen only 10 mins away from the park entrance. Saying this though, you should also realise that it may take a trek of several hours to find the group. On most safari holidays, the gorillas are tracked daily by specially trained guides who will make a note of where they rest for the night in order to know where to look in the morning.

A safari holiday is a once in a lifetime experience for most and can be a trip that you will remember forever but how much does it actually cost?

The main expenses to consider when planning your trip is the cost of the flights both ways and the cost of the accommodation per person per night. On top of this you may also have to pay for your travel once you arrive and food however this is sometimes included in your accommodation costs so make sure you know exactly what is included.

On top of these essentials there is also things to consider such as buying appropriate clothing for the trip, equipment such as camera, binoculars, travel water bottles, sterilisation tablets and a basic first aid kit.

You will also require money for tipping your travel guide (which is generally expected) and the cost of any vaccinations or malaria tablets before your trip.

In all you are looking at an average cost of around £650 per person per night for a safari although costs can vary depending on time of year/accommodation choices etc.

When planning a Safari it’s difficult to decide when is the best time to go, but really the answer to that question all depends on what it is that you’d like from the experience as different times of year you will see different things.

Generally June to October is considered ‘Dry season’ in Africa during this time the days are usually sunny and clear with less mosquitoes and it’s very unlikely to rain. At this time of year the bush also tends to be less dense so it can be easier to spot animals as they make the trip to the waterhole to drink and cool off from the hot summer sun. This is also the season to see the wildebeest migration which is a popular amongst most safari goers.

November to May is considered ‘Wet season’ this is generally a cheaper time to go on safari due to the unpredictable weather but can be beautiful as the scenery is much more lush and green. Often this is the time to see the newborn animals and although they can be harder to spot in the dense undergrowth they certainly are worth the wait to see!

For many people, a Safari holiday is something that they will only every experience once in their life time. It is by no means a cheap holiday but one that you will never forget and will open your eyes to a world you may not have realised existed.

When choosing which company to book with when going on Safari, you need to ensure that they are reputable and have solid reviews of their service and knowledge. All UK tour operators will only allow you to book through one of their recommended safari guides and will have carried out their own checks prior to recommending it to you.

You may want to ask what their policy is on conserving the animals and area and the safety aspects of the tour as any good travel agent should have this information to hand or be able to get it for you quite quickly.

Did you know that South Africa is so varied that it is sometimes referred to as ‘a world in one country’? With so much to do, see and experience, South Africa holidays are incredibly popular amongst families, honeymooners, couples and single travellers alike. Below are five top reasons to choose South African holidays:

Wildlife

There are many excellent wildlife areas in South Africa with the most well-known of these being the Kruger National Park. With such a brilliant reputation, the Kruger attracts many visitors and because of this one of the best ways to see South Africa’s wildlife is to visit a private reserve in the Kruger area. These reserves have superb wildlife populations and less visitors so you’ll still have the same excellent wildlife experience but with a greater degree of privacy.

Food and Wine

Renowned for their excellent food, restaurants in South Africa’s Cape Town are simply superb. Combine these brilliant restaurants with the vineyards of the Cape Winelands and you have a great destination for lovers of good food and wine!

History

South Africa is simply fully of history. If this is something you are interested in discovering during your South Africa holiday, you could head out to the battlefields of KwaZulu Natal to learn all about the Anglo-Zulu war that took place there back in 1879. There’s also Robben Island, where you’ll find the prison where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned, an excellent opportunity for those interested in more modern history.

Family Options

With various malaria-free areas, South Africa is an excellent option for families who would prefer not to take any anti-malarial medication. You can enjoy a traditional safari experience in the Madikwe Game Reserve, taking game drives and bush walks each day, whilst the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is a great choice for a family holiday in the desert, meeting meerkat and other unusual desert-adapted animals.

Variety

South Africa’s sheer variety means you can experience a beach getaway, cosmopolitan city break, country escape and safari in all one holiday and we’d recommend Africa Exclusive if you want to enjoy a luxurious stay.

Sharm El Sheikh is an extremely popular holiday destination in Egypt but it is also now widely known as the perfect location for enthusiastic divers. If you want to get a close up view of tropical fish, and take to the deep water in the Red Sea then you’d struggle to pick a warmer and luxurious destination.

The water really is crystal clear and you with a good set of high quality goggles and an air tank you can explore for hours. The corals really are beautiful in colour, and if you have a waterproof camera then you may not want to forget it. The temperature of the water changes and you can find areas that actually feel as though you’ve stepped in to a Jacuzzi.

Once you’ve completed a day of diving you can eat dig in to the African culture and explore the other amazing parts of this fabulous city. It’s developed significantly over the years and you certainly don’t have a limited range of clubs, restaurants and bars.

Did you know Botswana is Africa’s most exclusive destination for a safari? Below are four reasons why you should chose a Botswana safari for your next holiday:

Luxury Combined with Authenticity

Standards are extremely high in Botswana’s camps with top quality wines, food, service and accommodation. The huge tented suites are spacious and will often comprise a bedroom, living area, outdoor decking and luxurious en-suite bathroom. What’s more, these suites will be under white flowing canvas meaning you can combine the luxury safari experience with an authentic, wilderness one too.

Unusual Destinations

In Botswana you’ll find some really unusual places and landscapes which make your holidays here even more special. The Okavango Delta, for example, is a spectacular area of wetlands where the Okavango River runs inland. It’s rich in wildlife and there are lots of different ways to explore, including hopping into a traditional mokoro canoe and floating along the shimmering water channels. Elsewhere you’ll find the wild, stark Central Kalahari Game Reserve, a desert area. It’s difficult to survive in such a harsh place but the San Bushmen have been in the area for thousands of years and can share their fascinating secrets of survival with you.

Lots of Private Reserves

There are lots of private reserves in Botswana which are home to incredible wildlife populations but also have less visitors. This means you won’t be bumping into lots of people. You’ll have a good degree of privacy as you explore and it’s most unlikely that you’ll have to share your sightings with other tourists.

Elephant Activities

Elephant populations in Botswana are prolific and for that reason it’s one of the best places to go if you’re an enthusiast. There are several camps where you get even closer to these magnificent creatures. At Stanley’s Camp, guests can enjoy a special elephant experience where you will walk with a trio of habituated elephant as they forage for their breakfast and, after the walk, you’ll sit down to a delicious lunch. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about elephant behaviour and interaction.