Safari holidays

When you imagine a safari holiday, you probably picture sprawling African plains, peppered with spindly trees, lazy lions, and giant herds of zebra and antelope. Well, that’s exactly what safari holidays in East Africa look like. Right on the equator, Kenya and Tanzania boast fantastic weather and fascinating culture. And, as any David Attenborough fan will know, it’s also where you’ll find the Masai Mara and Serengeti, an incredible haven, renowned for its wildlife.

South Africa is country of contrasts, where you can combine the vibrant cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg with the history and culture of KwaZulu-Natal and the spectacular beaches of the Garden Route with excellent safari opportunities. Namibia offers unique desert landscapes, towering dunes and anceint rock art alongside animal safaris and the deltas of Botswana are an unforgettable addition to any safari trip.

Udawalawe National Park gives you the opportunity to see sloth bears, buffalo, sambar deer, mongoose, crocodiles and a huge variety of birds. However, the elephants are the real stars of the show, with more than 500 elephants in the park you are almost guaranteed a sighting. Or, why not visit the nearby elephant centre where you can see orphaned elephants rehabilitated and returned to the wild.

Yala National Park in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka is renowned for its high leopard population, boasting the highest density of leopard in the world. That's not the only draw however, sloth bears, wild boar and elephants all live here and the stretch of coastline on one side of the park is where you will find leatherback and loggerhead turtles. A few days spent in Yala followed by time at the beach is the perfect Sri Lanka combination.

Thailand is synonymous with elephants and for a truly special experience Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park is the place to go. Spend a night at the jungle camp and visit the sanctuary to get up close top these gentle giants. Riding the elephants is banned, however washing and feeding the elephants provides a great way to interact with these magnificent creatures. Afterwards watch as they play in the pool and roam freely within their camp.

For the ultimate combo choose the Jungle Lake Safari, in the heart of the wilderness this floating camp truly gets you back to nature. Take your kayak and head out on a river safari spotting monkeys and birds in the trees as you paddle. Relax on your deck at night listening out for the nearby wildlife and enjoy delicious Thai food with your fellow guests.

Retreat to the Australian wilderness with a visit to Kangaroo Island. Located off the coast of Adelaide this small island is home to a whole host of Australian wildlife, from the iconic kangaroo to the cuddly koala and Australian sea lion, here you can see these animals in their natural habitat. As well as this vast array of wildlife there are a whole host of beautiful landscapes. Visit spectacular rock formations or head off the coastline for a marine adventure.

Ningaloo Reef offers a truly special experience in Western Australia. Here you can swim with the biggest fish in the sea, the whale shark, or alongside the massive humpback whale. Swimming next to these enormous creatures is a once in a lifetime experience, but your ocean safari doesn't stop there. Spot dolphins, turtles dugongs and more as you dive into this epic ocean experience.