Holiday Season Safaris 2021

Whilst the Northern Hemisphere hunkers down for winter, the south welcomes warm sunshine days and balmy nights.

This is certainly the case for Africa in December. South Africa’s glorious summers are perfect for warming the bones while East Africa is in a sweet spot still, warm and verdant from the short rains.

Our Travel Researchers have done what they do best and investigated what might still be available during this festive season.

This adventure starts with three nights in Cape Town in the heart of the City Bowl area of this beautiful oceanside city. It’s the perfect introduction to South Africa’s incredible food and wine, heart-stopping scenery and awesome people.

From here it’s on to the charming village of Franschhoek and La Cotte Farm for two nights. Steeped in history and heritage, this was one of the seven farms gifted to the Huguenots and is just walking distance from Franschhoek’s shops, restaurants and cafés.

And then time for a safari. The exclusive Ngala Private Game Reserve, the first to be incorporated into the legendary Kruger National Park, is bustling with wildlife while Ngala Safari Lodge, your luxurious home in the bush for four nights, is a stunning destination underpinned by an incredible commitment to conservation.

This vacation combines the charm and intrigue of two lush Tanzanian coffee farms with an epic wildlife experience on the Serengeti.

Legendary Lodge is the perfect gentle start. Situated just outside Arusha in the foothills of Mount Meru, it has gorgeous rooms set amongst lush tropical gardens. This is a chance to reset before heading to the forested outer slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater to Gibbs Farm, a charming, wholesome experience with homegrown menus and access to the Crater floor's wildlife.

Then on to three nights on the southern Serengeti. The adventure of Legendary Migration Camp is in its mobile nature. It moves with the wildlife and so ensures front row seats to the action. A classic under canvas experience but with all the important comforts. This is what a safari is all about - letting go, feeling free, disconnected and seeing lots of wildlife, watching epic sunsets and telling stories around the campfire.

Some would say that Kenya is the home of safaris, it certainly has an incredibly diverse range of landscapes, wildlife and wonderful people.

Every journey around Kenya starts with a night in Nairobi and your first night would be spent at Hemingways in its verdant Karen suburbs.

Travel north to Lewa and Sirikoi – a classic homestead with cosy banda’s scattered around the garden. Open log fires in the rooms ensure the cold nights are snug, and the swimming pool is a welcome spot in the hot African afternoons. The Lewa conservancy connects with Borana forming one of the most beautiful private concessions in Kenya with an abundance of wildlife.

From Lewa, the journey takes you south to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve and Sala’s Camp, a gem of a property right on the Tanzania border. This is an opulent under-canvas experience, situated on the convergence of the Sand and Keekerok Rivers in a dedicated rhino conservation area it is particularly well known for its rhino, big cat sitings and even pangolin thanks to a resident pangolin research team based at the camp.

All of the above are suggestions based on availability prior to sending this email. We cannot guarantee the space is still available but please do send us an enquiry through our online enquiry form, we’ll set up a call and start building your festive itinerary.