Why Everyone Needs To Book A Holiday Safari In Africa

So, you have done the vacation thing – winters in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, summers in Europe, spring holidays spent on the sun warmed beaches of South America – and now you are wondering just what is left in the way of a holiday destination. And anyone tired of more traditional vacations or for anyone seeking thrills and adventure – not to mention excitement and exotic culture – should be a holiday safari in the lush, beautiful wilds of Africa.

People automatically think of animals when they hear the word “safari,” and while animals are certainly a large and interesting part of any Safari in Africa, they are by no means the only part.

There are a wide variety of activities offered in most holiday safari packages. There are riding and walking tours, during which visitors can see not only game but also breathtaking scenery and depending on the region of Africa, motorboat tours, canoe trips and the self drive itineraries can ensure you get to unearth the hidden Africa.

Visit local tribes and Bushmen, learn about customs and cultures, and take part in game drives and hikes, which are a staple when on Safari.

Observing animals in their natural habitat is a tradition among holiday safaris in Africa and instead of asking what kind of animals you should expect to see on an African safari. A better question would be to question which can you might not expect to see! The Big Five, referring to leopards, lions, elephants, buffalo, and rhinoceroses, can almost always be found, drinking from watering holes, lounging the heat of the day away, or hunting food (or prey, as the case may be), but they are by no means the only animals you can see. And again, depending on the region of Africa where the safari takes place, visitors can enjoy a diverse range of birds and not to mention giraffes, gazelles, wildebeests, and alligators.

In between all of these exciting, adventurous activities, there is also ample time for rest and relaxation, whether it be reading or napping through the balmy heat of midday or taking leisurely tours through the bush. And after a long day, there is no greater retreat than to enjoy the beautiful African sunset, while looking onto the breathtaking countryside. So experience the raw, primal world of nature for yourself and learn about the rich local cultures and customs by booking your own Safari holiday in Africa, which is sure to offer something for everyone.

So, you have done the vacation thing – winters in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, summers in Europe, spring holidays spent on the sun warmed beaches of South America – and now you are wondering just what is left in the way of a holiday destination. And anyone tired of more traditional vacations or for anyone seeking thrills and adventure – not to mention excitement and exotic culture – should be a holiday safari in the lush, beautiful wilds of Africa. You just have to decide, when and where to take the first step.

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South African Vacations

Safari To South Africa

Located on the southern-most tip of Africa, South Africa has long been a popular tourist destination for thrill-seeking travelers. The popularity of this travel destination can certainly be attributed to its diversity in climate, geography and culture. Since being featured the 1966 Bruce Brown film The Endless Summer, Africa has become a popular surf destination. Cape Town and other cities offer the big city experience for the interested traveler. However, what South Africa is best known for, is big game viewing available in few sports other than on the African Safari.

Most of the appeal of visiting South African is adventuring into the African Safari to view and experience big game up close. The thrill of being within a few meters of some of the largest and most impressive animals on the planet in their own habitat is enough to draw visitors from around the world. A single day on the trails of just about any animal reserve can yield sightings of several species unique to this part of the world.

What to Expect from an African Safari
Depending on the season and location of your tour, the wildlife you can encounter will vary. Take a tour through the safari by Jeep, train or even on foot for the ultimate wildlife experience. Giraffes, Zebras, elephants, leopards, buffalo and hippos are just a few species common to the safari. On rare occasions, animals like the African Lion and Wildebeest will appear within sight. What makes taking a South Africa safari such a rewarding experience is that, along the way, you’ll certainly be introduced to several species, both large and small, that you’ve probably never seen or heard-of.

Staying Safe in South Africa
Despite the thriving travel industry, South Africa is not the safest of all travel destinations. A high crime rate makes many parts of South Africa less then ideal for traveling alone. It’s recommended that tourists traveling without guides follow the following precautions:
* Do not wear expensive jewelry or carry large sums of money
* Always be aware of your surroundings
* Do not accept offers from strangers
* Travel with a tour group, when possible

An African Safari adventure is a once in a lifetime experience for most travelers. And most others will never experience or even consider taking a trip like this because it’s so different from the typical beach-resort vacation they are used to. The safari experience is reserved for the adventurous traveler, the one who seeks a little adventure during their escape from a 9-5 existence and the one who understands that the true value in this type of travel is the education and memories that you’ll leave with and have for the rest of their lives.

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South African nature tours

You're on a nature tour in South Africa to see the Big 5 in the deep green bushveld. You do that, you love it, and then the evening barrenness of a Karoo farm in winter catches your heart as a young meerkat stares you down. Such is South African life.

‘Spoilt for choice' is a much bandied-about term. But it really does apply, when you're talking about nature tours in South Africa.

It's entirely fitting, since this country is rated as one of the world's few mega-diverse nature destinations.

Most people cannot resist the Big 5 - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. The provinces of Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West and the Eastern Cape all have reserves with these animals. Explore the reserves in your own vehicle, or go on guided drives and walks to find out about their habits. In South Africa, natural tourism is an easy fit.

Are you interested in birds? South Africa has nearly 700 species. Why not start off on the Caledon Blue Crane Route where you can see the country's graceful national bird, and then head for the bushveld, where bee-eaters and rollers in carnival colours prey on insects? Or do a really unusual South African nature tour with the Diamond Birding Route?

You could also mix and match. The Garden Route is very tourist-friendly but visit the expansive Garden Route National Park to find the wild essence of it all.

Many of South Africa's cities are surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty - East London is one example; Bloemfontein is another.

Or you could find a theme - what about giants? The largest succulents in the world (baobabs) occur in the same latitude as elephants. Incidentally, so do the ancient and endemic Modjadji cycads.

You could also combine fascinating history with your nature tour. The Great Fish river in the Eastern Cape has seen scores of battles fought back and forth over its banks but now attracts forest walkers and birders.

Nature tours in South Africa take many forms, are soul food for all ages and guaranteed to make you see yourself in a different way.

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Inabus Tours

The Best Time Of year To Visit South Africa

I don’t know whether or not you have considered not only a vacation in South Africa, or even got as far as the planning stage. For most people a visit to South Africa tends to be in the middle of the European Winter, because of the attractions of blue sky and a much better temperature.

Naturally enough this is high season time in South Africa, and we should all know exactly what that means.

It of course means high prices, and crowds, two things that would put me right off.

Going to South Africa has to include at least a few days spent on Safari, so what does that mean in high season?

The first thing it means is a 40% hike in hotel room rates, and in the same vein, a substantial rise in air fares especially around the Christmas to New Year period.

In addition why don’t you consider the following thoughts?

If you want to fly from Europe to Cape Town, then fares drop sharply in mid August, and hotel rates stay low until September. It is true that the temperature in Cape Town over Christmas are around 25 degrees centigrade, and in August only 18 degrees. There is far more rain in August, but what are the advantages of a low season visit apart from the obvious financial one?

The first thing is, that you don’t hopefully go to South Africa to sit and vegetate on a beach, after all you can go to many other less interesting places and do that.

There is more rain so in the Western Cape; The Namaqualand is in full bloom, just for a very short period of time.

It is a great time to go whale watching in Hermanus, and a wonderful time to visit Kruger Park, because this is when the animals congregate around water holes.

So in conclusion the best time to visit South Africa is not December/January, but August

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Hopping around South Africa for family vacation

Most people think that South Africa is one of the loneliest places in the planet but they are wrong. In fact, if there is a place that can be considered as a nest of excitement and adventure, you can count South Africa in.

South Africa is a vast land where you and your family can spend bonding time and moments. South Africa is the best place for family vacation.

Acquaint and be with nature's beauty and gift is what South Africa can give at its best!

South Africa's best asset is its beautiful and rich surroundings. Be one with nature, Africa is a land bestowed and blessed with magnificent environment. Hop around the national parks like Kruger National Park and Table Mountain National Park. Take a peak to Africa's World Heritage Sites. See how rich they are in terms of wide variety of luscious green plants and attracting flowers.

For your kids, bring your family in Hermanus. This is a known place for whale watching. Let them enjoy the whales while swimming around the blue waters. Watch as they do moves under water. Learn to appreciate these gentle creatures. After that, visit Robben Island famed because of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment and a site for a diverse species of mammals and birds. See how the interaction. Learn the diverse ecosystem of the island and realize how these numerous species live in a small community.

After satisfying your kid's eyes with the beautiful creatures, do not fail to acquaint them with the local indigenous communities. Let them be changed by a lot of different experiences in terms of values and views about South Africa's ancestors. Learn and appreciate the culture of the people. See their traditional dress, experience their food and see their beliefs.

Visit Cradle of Human Kind, an underground place where natives indulge themselves in water, which they believe is a cure for blindness and other diseases.

If you already gone tired of walking around in those trips, take a cable mountain car. See the panoramic view of the rich land.

Take also a snow ski in Tiffindell Ski Resort. It is the only place in the entire Africa where snow skiing is available and a must in your list. Take the extreme actions you can do with your ski boards. Take the never cracking ups and downs of the sloppy snow ranges.

When your kids are already tired, let them rest on a native style eco-lodges or camp around.

Truly, you South Africa family vacation will be nature-acquainted experience! Your South Africa family vacation will be a precious memory to keep.

If you are already convinced and mouth watered to visit South Africa and you are already tempted to bring your family for a vacation, do not fear about the budget. Family vacation packages are already available - go and get one!

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Safari South Africa: WhyGo?

South Africa stands alone in Africa for many reasons. Its social vitality and general economic health are in stark contrast to many other states in region, some on her immediate borders. A traveler to South Africa can expect the odd synthesis of developed world infrastructurural and communication standards with a quintessence of wild Africa.

South Africa’s parks and wildlife structure is second to none in Africa, and what is also almost wholly unique is the fact that the national parks, natural preserves and conservancies of the country are supported directly by the local population. A significant sector of the South African public enjoy sufficient wealth and sophistication to appreciate wildlife as something more than just a food source, and indigenous forest and woodland as more than just firewood and charcoal.

Guiding

Another factor that sets South Africa apart as a wildlife destination in Africa is the standards of local guiding. There is a vocational dimension to South African guiding that is sometimes plainly absent in other parts of Africa. In many places the concept of eco-tourism is not well understood, and lacking often is a genuine love of nature on the part of guides who slip into the bounty of tourism with little or no thought given to underlying concepts. In South Africa mandated licensing sets a high standard from the onset, after which competition within the industry ensures that young people entering the profession are exposed to a rigorous process of selection. This in turn places a clique of experts at the top end of the industry who are among the very best nature and field guides in the world.

Conservation

The raw material for successful guiding is an excellent national parks and wildlife infrastructure, and South Africa has this in totality. No nation in Africa expends more public resource and spiritual commitment to conservation than South Africa. As a consequence it is the momentum of South African money, commitment and expertise that ensures the viability of such regional conservation programs as the Peace Parks Foundation, which in turn adds to the potential for survival of some of Africa’s most threatened species.

Guarantees

A safari tour in South Africa carries certain guarantees. Principal among these is the fact that standards of hosting, accommodation, guiding and the integrity of natural environments will be high. Also it can be taken for granted that peripheral organization, travel and general safety will be given the highest priority by commercial organizations locked into an intensely competitive industry. All of this is good. The primary concern of visitors to South Africa is crime, but what can also be taken for granted is that you will be escorted and protected at all times by professional staff no matter what activity or activities you choose. South Africa enjoys a safe, sophisticated and above all competently regulated travel environment. It is Africa for beginners, but also for veterans and return visitors who learned the first time round that South Africa sits at the apex of the African travel circuit!

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South African Vacations and Safaris