African Safari Holidays
Safari is the Swahili word for journey, for most of us this would involve viewing wild animals and birds in the wilderness, usually in a remote national park or reserve. There is a huge choice of styles and destinations, this can make safari planning a mind boggling experience, which is why you are probably reading this! It helps to break the options down into a few steps.
The best place to start. Ask yourself, "what do I want to see?".
For most visitors the focus is on the Big 5 - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo; safari operators have borrowed the term that big game hunter’s use for the most desirable trophies. The Kruger National Park in South Africa and Kenya’s Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara are great places to go in search of the Big 5 and for other mammals and birds.
Primates, especially gorillas and chimpanzees are charismatic animals and often a focus for the wildlife traveller. If this is your main interest then head for the pristine forests of Uganda and Tanzania.
Predator sightings, particularly the big cats, are always a magical experience and a highlight of any safari. The Serengeti National Park offers superb predator action as the famous wildebeest migration reaches the Masai Mara Plains.
Once you’ve decided on your game viewing priorities it is time to choose how you wish to experience it. There is a wide variety of styles from luxury tented lodges to simple fly camping. The categories below offer luxury, basic and midrange options.
Generally, lodges are much larger and not as personal as the other options but offer more amenities such as swimming pools, shops and perhaps a choice of restaurants, just like a large hotel. One of the most important considerations is location, we often recommend Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge and Chobe Safari Lodge in Botswana. They offer good value and an abundance of scenery and game viewing, especially important for families and groups.
The perfect way to experience the African bush, this is the most popular choice with Mahlatini’s discerning clients! Sleeping under canvas reminds you that after all you are in Africa, but there is no need to compromise on comfort. Indeed most of our luxury options are tented for example Sausage Tree Camp in Zambia or Mombo Camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Luxury is just as much about experience as material extravagance and many of the bush camps we work with are in very remote wilderness areas, for example South Luangwa’s Luwi Bushcamp. These camps and lodges are often owner managed rather than being part of a safari camp chain, you are guaranteed personal friendly service from people with a passion for the surrounding wilderness and wildlife.
Mobile safaris enable you to get into the heart of the African bush. Whether you choose a private luxury camp or a rustic walking option, mobiles are all about privacy and flexibility; a luxury in its self. The camp is moved from location to location, the more up market options are set up in advance of your arrival. At the top end of the scale the mobile tents have proper beds, en suite bathrooms with hot showers, your own chef and even a mobile bar. The simple options using private camp sites still offer relative comfort with a shared shower and toilet and comfortable mattresses, there is even a separate mess and bar tent or dine out under the stars depending on the season. This style of trip is particularly recommended for the Serengeti National Park and the Okavango Delta where seasonal migrations are the focus for game viewing; mobile safaris enable you to respond to game movements as you leave the crowds behind and immerse yourself in the wilderness
This style of trip is particularly recommended for single travellers as sharing the cost of vehicles and guides with a group make this an affordable option. These small group trips vary in style according to the group size. Again there is a huge range of options, from 7 day itineraries that include the classic safari circuits of Tanzania, adventure trips in Namibia to comprehensive overlanding trips which enable you to explore most of the African continent.
Self drive options are popular with visitors to South Africa and Namibia. This style of travel offers freedom and flexibility and you can choose how to pace your day. South Africa’s Kruger National Park is Big 5 country and has excellent facilities for the independent traveller. Self drives are also popular with visitors to Namibia facilities here are particularly conducive to independent travel. You could include a visit to Etosha National Park an incredibly wilderness area yet it is still accessible for the independent traveller.
Fly in safaris offer the ultimate convenience taking you into the heart of the wilderness directly from a country's international airport. Nambia’s Skeleton Coast is best explored using light aircraft - the perfect way to appreciate this vast wilderness area. Fly in safaris are also a popular way to travel around the Okavango Delta in Botswana, flying enables you to save time and cover variety of destinations in a reasonable time frame.
Walking safaris are a magical way to explore the African bush. Naturally you cover less distance but when you step out of a safari vehicle you feel your senses sharpen and alert to every sound you become part of the bush. Walking safaris are all about quality not quantity, listen, smell and feel as you travel. Zambia is the home of walking safaris as pioneered by the great conservationist Norman Carr.