Booking an African wildlife safari can be a great feeling and you’ll no doubt want to make the very most of your trip. So, before you jet off on the adventure, it’s worth making sure you’re clued up about what to expect.

Luckily, there’s plenty of information available for you to make the most of. By heading online, you can get plenty of tips to help you prepare for your holidays.

Botswana uncovered

If you’re planning to include Botswana in your travel itinerary, you may be interested in an Adam Karlin article featured in the Independent recently. The Lonely Planet writer visited this country and waxed lyrical about its wonders.

He said: “Even travellers familiar with southern Africa will find something new in this dramatic and diverse nation. Botswana combines vast expanses of empty beauty with some of the best wildlife viewing in the continent. It is an ideal tourism destination for those who want to see sunsets that burn across salt pans, river deltas, long carpets of veldt (grassland) and some of the richest wildlife concentrations in the world. From the north-west, the landscape shifts from the soggy, buzzing wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the dried-out crystalline cakes of the Nxai Pan salt flats.”

Getting the lowdown

Mr Karlin went on to point out that tourism seasons in Botswana are determined by weather and wildlife visibility. High season runs from August to November, while the low season starts in December and finishes in April.

He also revealed that the country boasts some of the most luxurious lodges in the world, adding that the “Botswana safari experience needn’t be about roughing it”.

We’re here to help

Of course, before you can start looking forward to your own safari holidays, you need to make sure you’ve made all the necessary arrangements. This is where we come in. Here at Africa Safari Classics we’re passionate about the wonder and adventure of trips like this and we’re perfectly placed to provide you with an unforgettable experience that will truly take your breath away.

Whether you want to take a trip to Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia or Rwanda, or fancy booking Kenya safaris, we’re on hand to help.

Travelling in style

Meanwhile, getting close to nature in some of the world’s most beautiful, varied and rugged places needn’t mean putting up with discomfort. You’re on holiday after all, so it’s important you’re able to relax.

Our packages enable you to luxuriate in comfortable accommodation and you will benefit from unrivalled service from our friendly and helpful professionals.

Plenty of choice

Also, we know that the things people want from their travels vary widely and so we offer plenty of choice. You can take your pick from a variety of trips, each with their own unique features. Whether you want to get up close to mountain gorillas or watch lions as they roam the plains, you won’t struggle to book the ideal break for you.

By doing a little research before you head off, you’ll know exactly what to expect on your holiday of a lifetime.

Heading off on African safaris can be a magical experience. Nothing comes close to the sheer wonder and beauty of the diverse and rich wildlife reserves you’ll experience, and the best thing is, getting close to nature like this is now easier than ever.

By booking the right holiday packages, you can rest assured you’ll get to see some breathtaking sights and there’s no need to rough it in the process. You can benefit from total luxury while staying in the heart of Africa.

Comfort not even Hemingway could match

One man who’s passionate about the adventure of African safari holidays is travel author Brian Jackman, who recently took a trip to see the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he noted he was pampered while on his vacation.

Talking about his camp, he said: “Not even Hemingway in his heyday enjoyed such comforts as those provided by its nine spacious walk-in tents, each one a khaki cave of comfort with en-suite loos, hot bucket showers, and polished brass bowls for washing and shaving. Persian rugs complete the picture and nothing is left to chance. There are even brollies for wet days and hot-water bottles for chilly nights.”

The greatest spectacle on Earth

Meanwhile, Mr Jackman went on to describe the wildebeest migration itself. He said that the spectacle is the “greatest wildlife show on earth”. As well as hoards of wildebeest, there are thousands of lions and other creatures to see.

During his trip, he witnessed wildebeest plunging headlong into a river en route to their calving grounds. In one dramatic scene, a yearling was dragged under the surface by a “monster croc” and even when the crossing was at its peak, hippos, storks and malachite kingfishers “got on with their lives as if nothing was happening”. He also saw a lioness at close range lying in thicket, her belly distended by a previous meal.

The perfect wakeup call

When it comes to alarm clocks, not many can beat the roar of a big cat for sheer thrill. Commenting on one of his safari mornings, the writer said: “Snug in my tent… I listened to the strange, pulsing cries of a swamp nightjar in the surrounding trees. Later, when the nightjar had fallen silent and dawn seeped through the canvas, a lion began to roar not far off. I dressed hurriedly, stepped outside and eventually picked him out with my binoculars, sprawling at full length on a granite kopje, gold mane on fire in the morning sun. What a way to start the day.”

Booking your own trip

If you feel inspired by Mr Jackman’s experiences, why not book your own trip to this fascinating continent? Here at Africa Safari Classics we’re experts when it comes to holidays like this and may have just what you’re after.

For example, you can take a look at the fantastic Kenya safaris we offer. These adventures include stays in various superb locations, where you will get to witness stunning wildlife and awe inspiring views.

If you’re keen to take African safari holidays, you’re in good company. When people discover the wonder of trips like this, they often find there is no going back. No other type of holiday can offer the same level of adventure and wonder.

It’s no surprise then that these vacations have proved such a hit among consumers, and as well as members of the public, plenty of celebs are known to hit the safari trail.

Freddie swaps the cricket pitch for the African wilderness

One star who has extolled the virtues of holidays like this is former England cricketer Freddie Flintoff. The sportsman has been travelling around various parts of the world in search of trips in the fresh air and one of the places he visited was Botswana.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he noted that his African wildlife safari was a great experience and something truly different.

Full of suspense

Commenting on his expedition to Botswana, he said: “The guides are unbelievable and the whole experience is full of suspense because you’re not being driven to guaranteed sighting spots. You can get within 20 feet of lions, zebras and giraffes and when you’ve walked miles trying to find them you feel you’ve earned the sighting.”

How we can help you

If you want to follow in Freddie’s footsteps and experience the delights of African safaris, you might be feeling a little daunted. After all, if you’ve not been on adventures like this before, it can be hard to know how to go about planning them. Indeed, if you try to do this by yourself, you might spend many hours researching your options and, even at the end of the process, you might not be happy.

This is where we come in. By using our services here at Africa Safari Classics you should be able to quickly and easily book the perfect trips for you. We’re experts when it comes to holidays like this and so we’re perfectly placed to provide superb packages.

Plenty of options

You’re certainly not stuck for choice if you come here to book your vacation. We offer safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda and Botswana. Meanwhile, our trips provide you with the best of both worlds. As well as getting to see stunning scenery and captivating wildlife, you can also enjoy luxury accommodation and superb levels of service.

This means you can get a real feel for the African wilderness while also being able to relax and unwind in style.

The magic of Botswana

If like Freddie you head to Botswana, you won’t be disappointed. This nation is home to some of the world’s most impressive wildlife destinations, including the Okavango Delta, which is a green oasis in the heart of the Kalahari and the Chobe National Park. Among the animals you can expect to see here are elephants.

The country offers a fantastically varied range of natural, unspoiled environments and so it’s no wonder it’s a hit among holidaymakers. To find out more about it, and our other safari destinations, just take a look around our website.

Heading off on safari holidays can be a magical experience and trips like this provide the perfect form of escapism. Experiencing the sights and sounds of the African wilderness is like no other vacation and you’ll create memories that last a lifetime.

Of course, if you’re to make the very most of these adventures, it’s important you pack your suitcase wisely, taking all the right garments and other items to help you enjoy your time away from home. One of the objects you may not want to forget is your camera. After all, there should be plenty of choice snaps for you to take.

Picture perfect

One man who remembered to take his camera with him was Tony Murtagh. The 63-year-old took advantage of one of the fabulous Kenya safaris available and while on his vacation, he captured an image that has brought him plenty of attention, the Maidenhead Advertiser reports.

The office manager was in Kenya in 2010 when he saw three giraffes standing together in an usual formation. Their bodies were aligned, but their necks were pointing in three different directions.

Delighted

Commenting on his snap, he said: “When I saw the giraffes grouped like that I knew it would prove to be a great shot. I like the fact it looks as if there is only one body with three necks and heads. I was delighted with the image.”

Mr Murtagh, who is a father-of-three and a member of the Maidenhead Camera Club, took the picture with a compact camera. After he returned from his trip, he placed the image on a photography website and it has since appeared in several national publications.

Planning your own trip

If you’re keen to plan your own Kenya wildlife safaris, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Africa Safari Classics, we’re committed to helping our customers experience amazing safari trips. Our packages have a range of features. As well as seeing an array of exotic animals in their natural habitats, you’ll get to relax in luxurious accommodation and benefit from outstanding levels of service.

Kenya is a superb place to take a safari. Indeed, it’s one of Africa’s prime tourist destinations and it’s not hard to see why. The nation boasts more than 40 parks and game reserves and it has long been referred to as “big-game” country.

Scenery that’ll take your breath away

While in Kenya, you’ll get to witness some incredible scenery that may well take your breath away. For example, the dramatic Rift Valley with its soda lakes is something not to miss. Meanwhile, snow-capped mountains on the Equator, stunning beaches and the huge Lake Victoria are also captivating.

Timing is key

To help ensure you have the best possible time, it’s important to time your trip well. Kenya’s year is punctuated by two rainy seasons, which last from April to May and from late November to December.

Meanwhile, the hottest time is in February and March, while the coolest period falls in June and July. By taking into account your weather preferences, you should be able to choose a trip that suits you perfectly.

For centuries, inland Africa was a land uncharted by western explorers. But in 1788 an enterprising botanist by the name of Joseph Banks (1748-1820) founded the African Association. An accomplished explorer who’d sailed across the Pacific with Captain Cook, Banks was eager to unlock the treasures of the continent and access new discoveries. In terms of what would eventually become the basis of modern safari holidays, Banks wasn’t that interested. He preferred plants and was titillated by the thought of all the unlogged and undiscovered blooms and bushes nestled in the inner African continent! Banks could even be considered the David Attenborough of his day. He introduced the masses to the wonders of the natural world, encouraging international collaboration to investigate and protect precious environments, including native tribes (Banks was stoically against the slave trade.)

Perhaps one of the most impressive African safari holidays (of a kind) was undertaken by a Miss Mary Kingsley (1862-1900). Her father had served the lion’s share of his professional life following noblemen around the world as a secretary of sorts. He hoped to convert his notes into a book on tribal rites around the world, and upon his death is 1892 Mary set out for Africa to see the land he wrote of so passionately and hopefully to complete his work. History has Mary pegged as perhaps one of the first solo African wildlife safari lovers. She arrived in Africa alone, in her thirties and unmarried, with little money, no knowledge of French or any native language and only a very sheltered, middle-class upbringing to fall back on. She took to Africa so fondly that she produced several books on the continent, made two fundamental trips inland and is widely credited with providing a more diverse view of native African peoples, enlightening the Europeans back home as to the rich culture of African tribes and daily life. Kingsley was staunchly against any interference with the African peoples, even undertaking lecture tours to promote their autonomy and deter the spread of missionaries and cultural intrusion from the West.

Reserves play an integral role in African safaris. Encapsulating several different ecosystems, the reserves exist to preserve and protect the wildlife and environments within their borders. We offer trips to some of the biggest game reserves in the world. The first African reserve (now the oldest) was the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Reserve inside what is now Kruger National Park. The reserve was founded on native conservation laws set in place by Zulu kings like Dingiswayo and Shaka Zulu in the early 1700s. Native tribes founded the first reserves and are today working happily with tourism operators to safeguard the future of Africa’s wildlife and environment.

So, you’ve got some pretty big footprints to tread in! Zulu kings, plucky women and shy botanists make quite the eclectic group, but in a history as diverse and exciting as that of the African continent, you’re bound to find a like-minded hero to look up to.

When Virginia McKenna and Elsa the lioness first tumbled onto the screen in the 1966 movie, Born Free, Kenya was catapulted into the safari spotlight. Fast-forward forty-six years and the memory of Elsa the lioness is still strong in those looking for African safari holidays.

TV, films and digital media have helped boost the African safaris trade, particularly for wildlife novices looking to experience the brilliance of Africa’s big cats and game safely, unforgettably and comfortably.

Born Free (1966)

The rehabilitation of Elsa the hand-reared lioness and her subsequent return to the wild earned the movie countless award nominations and accolades from various wildlife preservation organisations. Born Free was, for many, the first time they’d seen wild big cats out of a zoo environment other than in photos and drawings. The movie spawned a huge following of conservation enthusiasts and could be credited with spreading the message of conservation more effectively than any other media at the time.

The Born Free Foundation was founded by co-stars and real life couple Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers to fight for the rights of wild animals around the world. Based on the ideals of rehabilitation, conservation and rescue, the foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2009.

Disney’s African Cats (2012)

A nature documentary following the lives of a number of lions and cheetahs in the African savannah, African Cats was produced with the intention of donating a portion of the proceeds – enough to save 50,000 acres of savannah – to the African Wildlife Foundation. Kenya safaris aren’t complete without a glimpse of these glorious beasts, so check out the film for an idea of what stunning sights could be just around the next holiday corner.

BBC Planet Earth Live (2012)

An incredibly brave series, Planet Earth Live consists of eight episodes, each focussed on different parts of Africa, its wildlife and the struggle to survive. The series predominantly follows baby animals through one of the toughest months of their lives – their first May.

Human Planet – Life in the Furnace (2011)

Although the entire Human Planet series was superb, we certainly have a soft spot for the desert episode. Cattle herding through a sandstorm in Mali, fishing in the much-reduced Antogo Lake or crossing the Sahara by camel in neighbouring Niger – captivating.

If there are any animals, tribes or regions you’re particularly interested in for your African safari holiday experience, get in touch and we’ll do our best to help you choose the right trip to see loads of lions, live in luxury, walk with the Maasai and head out after herds of herbivores across the resplendent African plains.

Have you thought about accommodation? We’re very proud of how versatile our packages are, covering everything from super luxury to tidy tent living (and a few that are lavish blends of the two!) Head to our homepage to start searching for what will indisputably be the trip of a lifetime, inspired by the astounding natural world.

We love to make sure our African safari holidays offer the ultimate experience – ultimate luxury, ultimate thrills and ultimate natural connection. The gorilla safari is fairly new to our books, but is already proving to be one of our most popular safari holidays.

Rwanda is one of the top wildlife tourism destinations in the world. Securing permission to run gorilla safaris is a long and difficult process. Thanks to poaching and deforestation, gorillas are an endangered species, and the decision to try to save them through tourism has been a highly debated topic for several decades. We believe in a non-invasive, selective form of tourism that involves creating a magnificent holiday experience around permitted trekking into the gorillas’ habitat.

Several gorilla families have been habituated to humans. Access is heavily regulated to interfere as little as possible with the gorillas’ natural way of life. We use specially trained local guides to make sure all gorilla treks are authorised, safely regulated and within boundaries set by various wildlife foundations and the Zambezi government. We’ve secured permission to take you on two consecutive daily treks to visit habituated gorilla families.

Despite the heavy paper trail, African safaris don’t come more intimate and real than a gorilla trek. No tourist ever returns without a tale of their own, having experienced the gentleness and ardour of nature in a truly unique way.

We support preservation of gorilla habitats and are happy to operate sanctioned, carefully planned treks to see one of nature’s most eminent animals in its natural home.

You may be browsing for holiday ideas on the commute, but there are already thrilled, tired, exhilarated, contented, moved, amused and delighted folks on our African safari holidays sleeping happy under the African stars!

Luxury Safari Lodges
Our aim is to make safari holidays a viable option for every kind of tourist. Not everyone wants to rough it under a tarpaulin, so we’ve created a book of African safaris and accommodation with ultimate luxuries in mind. Our luxury safari camps are designed to blend the opulence of African wildlife with the sumptuous luxury associated with a truly relaxing break. Our lodges are based in Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya and offer the absolute final word in African charm and holiday extravagance.

Tented Camping
For some folks, nothing but sleeping under the stars will do! Our classic Tanzania tented safari might be under canvas, but we’ve still made sure this intimate camp is equipped with luxury sleeping quarters and facilities, all under the classic safari canvas tent.

Wilderness Experiences
We know the African wilderness is one of the most beckoning, challenging, thrilling places on earth. Our wilderness experiences connect you with Maasai tribes, learning about their culture and way of life. Accommodation is still under canvas, but splendidly comfortable after a day’s game tracking and wildlife spotting.

Sleeping under the African stars isn’t just about being on holiday. It’s about the rich abundance of culture that so effortlessly breezes through every facet of the African way of life.

When people think of safari holidays in Africa, they often automatically conjure up images of dry desert, dotted with sparse shrubbery and so on. But in reality, the landscape in this vast continent is hugely varied. From dusty grasslands to lush waterways and green mountain forests, there is much on offer.

For example, if you decide to take African safaris to Zambia, you may well get to see the magnificent Zambezi. This river is the fourth largest such system in Africa after the Nile, Zaire and Niger and it runs from the centre of this huge landmass to the Indian Ocean.

It holds particular appeal among many of those keen to experience a wilder side to this part of the world because it has been less developed than a number of other waterways and there are plenty of areas along its banks that enjoy protected status.

This makes it ideal for those keen to spot some of the continent’s wildlife. Among the creatures that are commonly seen along and near to the banks of this life giving water source are buffalo, elephants, hippos and big cats, among other beasts.

This can make for much excitement when you are on your African wildlife safari adventures.

Measuring 2,700 kilometres in length, the Zambezi starts its journey as an insignificant little spring located in the corner of north-west Zambia in an area known as the Mwinilunga District. It continues to attract tourists from all over the world, and it’s not hard to see why.

To find out more about this magical river, and the other fantastic opportunities awaiting you in Africa, just take a look around our website here at Africa Safari Classics.

It’s often said that your wedding day is the most important and special of your life, and in many ways this is true. However, let’s face it, it can also be pretty stressful! Worrying whether or not everything will go to plan and making sure all your guests are having fun can be draining.

Honeymoons on the other hand are a completely different story. These occasions provide the perfect opportunity for you to relax and enjoy yourself, and spend some well-deserved time with that special person in your life.

No doubt, when you’re looking for the ideal holiday of this kind, you want to choose something memorable and truly out of this world that lifts the vacation out of the ordinary into the trip of a lifetime.

With this in mind, you might want to consider safari holidays in African. This vast continent is like a wonderland for those with the spirit of adventure. There is such an eclectic mix of wildlife and scenery to observe and spending some time a holiday like this can leave a lasting impression.

Here at Africa Safari Classics we understand the wonders of African safaris perfectly and may well have just what you’re looking for. We know that when you are planning a romantic break to celebrate your marriage, you don’t want to settle for anything but the best and that’s why our honeymoon packages are luxurious and indulgent.

For example, you might want to consider our Ultimate Honeymoon Experience, which lasts for seven days and takes in fabulous attractions such as the Samburu Game Reserve.

To find out more about our African wildlife safari trips, just take a look around our website.