THE BIG FIVE ...and your big five questions answered
1 WHAT TIME OF YEAR SHOULD WE GO?
Most try to avoid their chosen country’s rainy season because many resorts close in case flash floods make them inaccessible. But some say safaris are better during rainy seasons – it’s when many animals give birth, so you see more babies. Daytime temperatures (and room rates) are lower and there are fewer tourists. For advice on different seasons go to africatravel.com.
2 WILL THE CHILDREN BE SAFE?
Game reserves do not tend to exclude young children, though most advise that they need to be aged six or older to make the most of the experience. Experts tip South Africa as the best destination for families. It is two hours ahead of Irish time and you can fly direct to Johannesburg, then face a relatively short transfer to camp. Go to thomascook.com for familyfriendly safari ideas.
3 WHERE CAN WE TRY SOMETHING NEW?
Zambia and Botswana are winning fans for expanding ‘walking safaris’, where you escape the four-wheel-drive vehicles and
get close to nature on foot, such as on a mountain gorilla trek. There are also canoe or kayak trips across the Okavango Delta in Botswana, or hot-air balloon rides across the Serengeti give other sets of views. Fossil hunts are worth searching for too, while train buffs can combine a trip to Kruger National Park with a luxury two-night train ride into Cape Town. Visit discoverafrica.com.
4 WHAT ABOUT SEEING SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
The great migrations are normally next on the list for holidaymakers who have managed to ticke off the Big Five. The Masai Mara in Kenya and the Tanzanian part of the Serengeti are best for wildebeest. Get more bragging rights by seeing some of the continent’s rarest breeds. Botswana is currently the place to go if you want to see the very rare African wild dog – for more information then visit the charity bpctrust.org.
5 CAN WE HEAD TO THE BEACH AFTERWARDS?
For many holidaymakers, a week on safari followed by a week on the beach equals holiday heaven. Trips to Kenya are most likely to come with a beach add-on, as are Tanzanian safaris where you can get your downtime in Zanzibar. Find more inspiration at kuoni.co.uk.