You’re still in time to book
If a safari is on the bucket list, next week (yes, we can plan that quickly, we even organised a holiday within 48 hours of departure this week) or in the next year or two, here’s a glimpse at what to book when. We’re fully up to date with the ever changing ‘new normal’ protocols for entry into each country and will keep you up to speed with what’s required.
The wilderness waiting to be explored from Deteema Springs Camp, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Christmas safaris – 2020
We’ve had the great news that Seychelles and the Maldives have been added to the government’s ‘travel corridors’ meaning no quarantine on return. Music to our ears as we think these are two of the best places on Earth to enjoy some winter sun. Among a number of tempting special offers is Raffles Seychelles, tucked away on a magical beach on Praslin Island and offering savings of 40%, and the stylish Constance Lemuria where golf, tennis and a lovely spa combine with three perfect private beaches, at 30% off usual prices. Or in the Maldives Six Senses Laamu and Niyama have some very tempting offers at the moment – ask us for more details. It’s worth considering East Africa too, where we’ve had guests enjoy fantastic wildlife viewing in near deserted national parks. Opt for Kenya and Tanzania and you can include time on the beach without the hassle of crossing a country border. Think about adding gorilla tracking in Rwanda and Uganda for the ultimate East African adventure.
Escape to the sunshine in the Seychelles.
Easter safaris – 2021
Make the most of the longer Easter holiday with a trip to Southern Africa, where Namibia, South Africa and Botswana provide balmy daytime temperatures and an extraordinary range of safari activities. Take a flying safari in Namibia and you get the highlights of this fascinating desert country in just a few days. For a more leisurely approach, it’s a great place to try a self-drive safari. The Kruger National Park, exceptionally beautiful and home to a treasure trove of wildlife, is an essential part of a safari to South Africa while Botswana boasts a plethora of wildlife in habitats ranging from desert to delta.
The Kruger National Park is a wildlife hotspot with a wonderful selection of camps and lodges including Singita Ebony Lodge
Summer safaris – 2021
Space next summer is filling up quickly and while it may be getting too late to book Botswana or Namibia, there’s still time to think about Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Zambian safari season is in full flow in June and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a walking or canoe safari. Travelling at the gentle pace of the surrounding wildlife, you’ll get a completely different view of the animals and their daily routines. The South Luangwa is a leopard hotspot and the range of lodges offers every accommodation experience there is in Africa. It’s dry season in Zimbabwe which brings superb wildlife viewing in some of Africa’s most beautiful wildlife parks. You’ll find a huge range of adventurous activities and as many styles of accommodation. It’s also great time to visit the Victoria Falls (from either Zambia or Zimbabwe) with impressive amounts of water flowing down to the gorge below.
Wildlife viewing straight from your tent at Little Ruckomechi in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
Christmas safaris – 2021
Christmas 2021 will be the time we can re-group and celebrate together and with that in mind, now’s the time to be looking at options in East Africa, Cape Town and the Indian Ocean islands. You’ll find sophisticated luxury in Mauritius, Seychelles offers a wonderful collection of island hideaways and the southern Mozambique coast does barefoot luxury as well as anywhere in the Caribbean and without the jet lag. The jewel-like islands of the Maldives are perfect at this time of year too and absolutely superb for a total fly and flop holiday. There are some lovely private houses in Kenya and Tanzania, perfect for a joyous Christmas gathering. Cape Town needs little introduction and we’ve plenty of gems to suggest here. If a safari and city combination appeals, Botswana combines with Cape Town easily for an epic adventure.
A safari in Botswana combines well with time in Cape Town for a superb Christmas holiday. Zebra spotted on a wildlife drive from Qorokwe Camp
Looking forward to 2022
If the number of safaris booked in the last few weeks is anything to go by it looks like 2022 will really give Africa the bounce back she needs, and it’d be wise not to delay too long if a safari is on your holiday list. Buoyed by this, and our opinion that Africa’s wilderness is the perfect foil for a post lock-down holiday, we’ve come up with a series of hosted trips, led by some of Aardvark Safaris’ most experienced travellers. Lucinda will be heading back to Zambia, to the superb Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Parks, and Francis is returning to Ethiopia a magical land full of culture, history and endemic wildlife. Places on both are filling so do get in touch if you would like the chance to travel with us.
Lucinda will be heading back to Zambia on her hosted trip in June 2022. Leopards close to Tena Tena
What Next?
If you would like advice or to chat about booking a safari please get in touch by phone or email. We will be delighted to assist you.
Camel safari, Kenya, Laikipia, 
Luxury safari accommodation Waterberg, South Africa, 
Hippos on a walking safari, South Luangwa, Zambia,
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