If you are able to get the time off work and have a bit saved away, then why not book a last minute holiday to South Africa. South Africa has seasons which are opposite to ours in the UK meaning that December and January are actually their main summer months and often popular times of year for tourists to visit. With money tight for many families over the Christmas period, holidays to South Africa in January are often offered at a huge discount if booked last minute, so you really can pick up a bargain.

If you have always fancied a safari holiday or maybe have never considered one but are looking for a new adventure then South Africa is the place to go. See the Big Five at any of South Africa’s premier Game Reserves, from the impressive wilds of Kruger National Park to the malaria free private reserves of the Eastern Cape, there is something for everyone and it is often considered the holiday of a life time.

Before booking any last minute deal, it is important to ensure that you have a valid passport that is not going to expire in the next six months and also that you have travel insurance in place or at least quotes that you can take out immediately.

If you are planning your holiday for 2018 and have not yet been to South Africa then next year may be the perfect year for it. South Africa may not be the first place you think of when you are planning your summer holiday but with many people getting a bit fed up with the usually beach holidays and looking for something new, South Africa its becoming increasingly popular.

From wildlife spotting on safari to exploring lush vineyards and submerging yourself in city life, there’s a new discovery to be made around every corner on holidays to South Africa. There really is something for everyone in this amazing country and a holiday here is not one that you are likely to forget.

If at all possible, you need to participate in a safari trip whilst in South Africa, you do not have to theme your whole holiday around safaris but if you can take a day out to go and explore the wildlife and nature then it will just add to your overall experience.

Flights to South Africa can be quite pricey and if you’re looking to stay in a luxury lodge then you may want to start saving soon.

South Africa is a place of magnificent. It has so much to offer, that you can see why thousands of people (and birds) flock here every year. South Africa is famous for offering breath taking safari holidays and is the perfect climate for a spot of bird or mammal watching, but did you know that it also offers fantastic opportunities for scuba diving?

The North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal is the perfect place for a scuba diving session but there are somethings to be aware of when planning a dive here. There are no shark nets on the beach and there is often strong currents in the water, so it is recommended not to go too deep and also to avoid swimming between dusk and dawn. Mosquitos are common in this area and it is advised that you keep covered up as much as possible and do not leave doors and windows open without a screen in place.

As well as a bit of Scuba diving and snorkelling, KwaZulu- Natal also has a large population of Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles. Why not book a trip on a glass bottom boat or hire a pedalo and go and explore these beautiful creatures for yourself.

Whether you are going on a safari holiday in Africa or a beach holiday or a combination of the two, it is important to be able to capture some of those memories to take home with you. These images will enable you to look back on your holiday for years to come. When taking your camera abroad, you should be sure that it is insured to be used out of the UK as many insurance policies don’t offer this as standard.

To capture the best images, you should consider your surroundings and the light and if you are going to be taking images of wildlife, the flash! A flash going off can spoke many animals and may scare them off completely.

Africa has some amazing photo opportunities no matter where you are in the country. Cape Town is a beautiful town in Africa which has mountain ranges and the ocean which is the perfect setting for any holiday.

If you really want to capture your holiday in all its glory, why not invest in a little photography course before you go to show you the best techniques to get the perfect shot every time.

If you’re planning a holiday to South Africa, then you should definitely take some time to try the local cuisine. If you fancy trying a local snack then why not have a Biltong or a Droewors. Biltong is a dry cured meat which is thinly sliced. A Biltong is a sausage like cured meat. Vetkoek, which means Fat Cake, is a Ball of dough which is filled and fried. It is very popular in South Africa and can be either savoury or sweet. Popular fillings include apricot jam and spiced mince and grated cheese.

Boerewors are basically sausages that are usually made from a mixture of beef and pork spiced with coriander. It comes in a wheel like spiral and can be eaten on its own or in a bap.

No holiday should be taken without trying a few of the local dishes. People are often worried about getting ill by eating foods they are not used to when away, but as long as you go somewhere that is reputable then you should be fine. It is always worth speaking to a few of the locals to find out where’s best to eat and also where’s best to avoid!

Although you may think South Africa to be the place to go for the best safari holiday they also have a beautiful array of golden sandy beaches making it a very popular destination for holiday goers.  In South Africa you will find a large number of beautiful 5 star resorts that are literally minutes away from the mile upon mile of sandy beaches with beautiful clear waters.

If you stay in one of the four or five start resorts the food on offer is often amazing value for money and offers a wide range of local and homely cuisine to suit every appetite.

If you quite fancy trying a safari holiday but also love spending time on the beach then you do not always have to choose between the two. Why not combine both safari and beach holiday in to one, spending a week on safari and then a week relaxing by the pool with a glass of wine? If you want to try something really exciting, then why not book a ride on the back of an African elephant or go on a gorilla expedition whilst you are there? South Africa is a truly amazing country and often leads to breath taking experiences that only happen once in a lifetime.

Depending on what type of safari you want to do and what animals you wish to see will help you decide on what time of the year to visit South Africa. The dry season is usually May to September (which is actually their winter as although it is dry, the temperature drops during this period). There is virtually no rainfall during this winter period therefore animals often gather around predictable water sources, making them easier to find on a safari trip.

When going on a safari holiday, one of the most important things to consider is the clothing you need to take. Depending on where in South Africa you are going and what time of year will help you decide what clothing to pack. The summer months are usually April through to October and although this time of year can be very hot it is also often quite wet and the temperature will drop a lot at night. The winter months are May thorough to September and during this time you can expect cooler, drier weather.

If you are going to start writing a journal or diary now is the time. Often you will get home and a few weeks / months down the line start to forget many of the eye opening experiences you have had on your safari holiday.

Many people worry about the safety aspect of a safari holiday but safari holidays are in general quite safe, despite the number of wild animals you may come in to contact with. This is mainly because most of the tour guides and staff members always have safety at the forefront of their mind and will not put you at risk just to get a better glimpse of an animal. They often have many have years of experience in safari trips and know where to go and where not to go. They are usually very good at looking out for signs that animals are not happy or feeling vulnerable and therefore likely to attack.

The main concern when going on a safari holiday in Africa is not the animals, it is actually the crimes committed by people. Unfortunately the crime rate in Africa is quite high and there has been some awful incidents of late where people have been followed from the airports and then mugged at gun point. Always think about how you are going to travel and try and pre book your travel arrangements rather than just flagging down a taxis.

Ostriches are the largest flightless birds in the world. When fully grown they can reach heights of 1.6 meters and weigh over 130kg.

Have you ever considered riding an ostrich? Many people didn’t even know that you could, but if you’re feeling brave then a trip to Oudtshoorn in the Karoo, South Africa, will allow you to do just that.

Oudtshoorn, with its semi-desert like conditions, is famous for its population of Ostriches. Ostriches have extremely powerful legs with only two toes on each leg. Ostriches are also known to have superb eyesight and this combined with their powerful legs means that they can run of speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour!

Ostriches can become slightly aggressive, especially the male ones and they kick forwards not backwards, so when near or approaching Ostriches, always take the advice of the tour guide and be aware of how close you are.

Ostrich riding is not for the faint hearted, it takes skill and a lot of guts and usually a bit of practise too. To ride an Ostrich, visit one of the Ostrich Show Farms in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. Whilst there you can also visit the petting areas and feed some of the baby Ostriches called chicks and find out a bit about how they live.

Safari holidays are a great chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of your day to day live and can open your eyes to a world that you may have never seen before.

There are a huge range of types of safaris you can go on all over the world, although the most popular destination is South Africa.

Safari holidays can be suitable for the whole family, but if you are taking children then you will need to find a resort and area that is suitable in a malaria free zone. If your children are very young then you will have to consider carefully as to if they will enjoy the trip as often on a safari you need to be quite and patient to see the best sights.

As mentioned, there are a number of different types of safari holidays and you can often tailor them to your requirements. You may wish to do the traditional 4 x 4 safari drive, where you will be taken by a guide to areas that are popular with the wildlife to watch them in their own environment or you may be chose to go it on foot. Some people opt for a biking holiday which will allow you to explore the area at your own pace but you may be restricted as to where you can go.