Africa with its beautiful scenery and abundance of wildlife has long been the choice of anybody looking for a safari holidays experience. I am often asked where to go, so here is a summary of some of the main choices.

Where to go

Africa is a vast continent with a rich and diverse landscape. Some countries, however, stand out with regard to offering a safari experience. These are Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. All of these countries are specialists in safari holidays and any one of them would give a holiday in a lifetime experience.

Kenya is most famous for the Rift Valley and the Masai Mara, which between them offer the opportunity to witness a wide variety of different animals and birdlife from hippos to flamingos. The Serengeti national park in Tanzania has long been one of the leading destinations for an African safari holiday. Tanzania is also home to Mount Kilimanjaro, which makes it a good choice for anyone looking to combine a safari experience with a hiking opportunity.

Botswana is not as well known but is a must for anyone interested in elephants as it boasts the most extensive elephant corridor of any country, anywhere in the world. Although much of the country is desert, it also has the biggest area of wetlands in the whole continent of Africa.

Namibia is largely a desert country but despite this is a good choice for a safari holiday. The Etosha National Park has the distinction of being the third largest in Africa and is a good choice for anyone interested in seeing predators, as they are drawn to the water holes, especially in the dry season. Namibia is also a great choice for anyone looking for a holiday of thrills, as in addition to the safari experience you can also take part in sand related activities such as sand boarding and quad biking.

South Africa is home to one of the most well known national parks in the world – the Kruger, but also offers a host of smaller, less known parks. It also has excellent infrastructure and is easy to get around. If you are looking for a holiday in which the safari is one element of a wider experience then South Africa is the natural choice.

When to go

If you want to witness the annual migration that thousands of animals undertake then you should aim for a trip in the early months of the year. The dry season, which is generally the autumn, winter and spring is the best time to witness big game. However one of the beauties of a safari holiday is that they can be taken at almost any time during the year.

Wherever you choose to go you can be sure to see animals in their natural habitat and to see beautiful and unspoiled countryside. Great efforts have been made to build camps which fit in with their natural habitat, yet offer guests a comfortable and often luxurious place to stay. Guides and rangers are knowledgeable about their area and will add greatly to your safari holiday experience.