If you have a holiday booked to go to South Africa then you may of chosen the location because you wanted to go on safari. Although South Africa is the perfect place for a safari, it also has a great culture.

One thing you should do is take some time to try the local cuisine. If you fancy trying a local snack, then why not have a Biltong. Biltong is a dry cured meat which is thinly sliced. It is very similar to beef jerky. 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.

Boerewor is a sausage like meat that is 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.

Some people will not try local food when on holiday often because of the worry of becoming ill, but if you don’t have any allergies to the food and eat from places that are hygienic you should be ok. If you do get ill often it is just from the richness of the food rather than food poisoning.

A holiday should be a time when you can get away, relax and enjoy spending time with loved ones. The last thing you want to worry about is the safety and security of your belongings but unfortunately it is something that we all need to think about.

You should try and think about this when you are packing your case and take as few valuables as possible. The more valuables you have with you the more chance there is of them being lost, stolen or damaged.

It is always nice to be able to take expensive jewellery and gadgets away with you, but think about if they can easily be replaced should they be lost or stolen? If you have a very sentimental piece of jewellery, then you may decide to leave it at home rather than take the risk.  If you do need to take them with you then make sure that you put them somewhere safe for the trip, if flying then probably in your hand luggage (if permitted). This way you can keep an eye on them.  You should also ensure that your holiday or home insurance covers you when taking these items abroad.

Many hotel rooms have a safe in them or allow you to hire a safe from reception. This may cost you extra and be a little inconvenient but is usually money well spent.  

Over the last few decades safari holidays have become more and more popular for people looking for a holiday with a difference. Historically, safari holidays used to include hunting the animals but over time this is being phased out and rather than going to kill the wildlife people are enjoying watching them in their natural environment.  Going on a safari holiday is often like nothing you have every experienced. A trip to the best Zoo in the world cannot give you nearly the same sights and experiences that a true safari can. Seeing animals in the wild, observing their natural behaviour and seeing the effect that us humans are having on them can be a real eye opener.  Kenya was the first commercial place to offer a range of safari holidays and this is due to the perfect conditions in the area. There is a wide range of wildlife to be viewed and the terrain is often ideal for safari ventures.

There are a number of ways in which you can do a safari holiday from a self drive safari to an elephant backed safari. Each different type has its own unique experience and you may want to combine a number of these in to one safari trip.

When going on a family holiday you may have a wide range of ages- from the very young toddler to the older grandparents. It can be hard trying to find something that you can all do together and that everyone will enjoy.

If you are planning a trip to South Africa and have never been before, then you may want to spend some time researching the local areas to find out what is nearby and what activities you may want to do as a family. It may be that your main reason for going to South Africa is so that you can go on a safari trip. If this is the case then this may take up most of your time. When planning your safari, make sure that it is suitable for all the ages of people in your group. You may even decide to split your group in to two so that some of you can do one activity whilst others do something else.

Have a look at what beaches are nearby and what areas there are for the kids to enjoy. If you have very young children, they may not enjoy the safari trip as much as you so it might be quite nice to spend the rest of the holiday taking part in activities aimed at their age group.

South Africa really has a lot to offer. You can visit South Africa year upon year and still have a totally new experience each time. It is probably best known for its safari holidays and is home to the big five. Booking a safari trip in South Africa can be an amazing way to explore the country and see how different animals really interact with each other and their surroundings.

If a safari trip is not for you then you may want to go to some of the towns to get a bit more involved in the local culture and explore the cuisine that is on offer.

Not only that, but South Africa also has some of the best beaches around. With golden sands and crystal clear waters, the country offers breath-taking views that look like they have come straight off a postcard.

If history is more your thing then a trip to see some of our oldest hominid remains – some four million years old – in the Cradle of Humankind near Johannesburg is the one for you. Spending a day touring round these fascinating artefacts and finding out all out how and when they were found is a great chance for all the family to get involved.

Whatever you like to do on a holiday, South Africa has it all. There really is something for people of all ages.

The Free State is a province of South Africa and a popular destination for tourists. If you are looking for a holiday that is packed full of history and culture then a trip to Bloemfontein is the perfect way to start your holiday in Free State. The Golden Gate National Park is a must see for anyone that heads off to Free State, with its inspiring sandstone cliffs and beautiful backdrop, you will gaze upon some of Earths most beautiful sceneries.

The grassy plains of the Free State provide near-perfect conditions for many of the stunning game farms and reserves of South Africa. Here you can watch some of the most magnificent mammals such as the cheetah, hunt for its prey in its natural habitat. Safari holidays are extremely popular all over South Africa, but often people forget about Free State, although it can offer ample opportunities for wildlife viewing. The area is surrounded by green-lands and cliff faces making it an idyllic setting for any safari holiday.

The safari lodges, Free State game lodges, bush camps and luxury suites that are found amongst the wildlife and vegetation hotspots are the ideal places in which to escape the huge crowds and immerse yourself in the quiet beauty of the land. These lodges range from budget-friendly spots to opulent retreats and everything in-between.

It is no secret that South Africa is one of if not the most popular destination for a wildlife safari holiday. Year upon year thousands of people head to South Africa to explore one of the many safari type holidays they have on offer.

South Africa offers the perfect climate for wildlife and vegetation to thrive and this attracts many different species to the area.

There are a number of different types of safari trips you can do in South Africa such as gorilla trekking, self-drive safaris, guided tours and even walking safaris. The cost of these safari holidays varies depending on where you go, what type of safari you book and who you book with. Some types of safari trips will cost more as the overheads are higher. This is true for guided tours where they need to budget in the cost of the tour guide as well as fuel and maintenance of the vehicles used.

Whilst on an African safari you can expect to encounter a wide selection of birds and animals including the big five, which are the Elephants, Rhinos, Buffalo, Leopards and Lions.  

An African safari is a holiday that will blow your mind and leave you with fantastic memories for years to come. They are not the cheapest of holidays by far, but an experience not to be missed. 

South African is by far one of the most popular destinations to experience a safari holiday, but what makes this country the best choice for those looking to experience animals in the wild? The main reason millions of people flock to this part of the world for a safari is the abundance of wildlife that resides there. There is such a wide range of animals that live in South Africa that a safari trip can cater for all types of people with different interests. The animals thrive on the vegetation that grows in the area due to the perfect climate conditions all year round. Although South Africa offers all year round safari experiences, there are certain times of year that are best to go if you want to see particular birds or animals, so always check with the tour operators before booking.
There are a number of different types of safari trips you can do in South Africa such as gorilla trekking, self-drive safaris and even cycling / walking trips. Depending on where and when you go and what type of safari you do, the costs can vary quite significantly. There is a huge choice of accommodation for safari holidays in South Africa, ranging from a modest lodge to a luxurious cabin, all which affect the overall price you pay.

Africa is the perfect place for a safari holiday. It has the ideal climate and a wealth of wildlife that will make for an enjoyable safari trip but there are some tips and advice that you may want to read before going to boost your experience or avoid mis haps.
Your camera will probably be your most used gadget on your trip and will allow you to capture moments that you can look on for years to come. It is important that you not only have a decent camera to take with you but also look after it well to ensure that the photos or videos you take are protected. Your camera my usually be stored in a black case, but when going on safari you may wish to change your bag. You need to choose one that is water proof so that it will also keep the sand out when out on safari. The bag should ideally be light coloured as dark bags attract the heat and will heat up your camera.
Think carefully about your clothing; it needs to be comfortable and cool and layers are ideal for adjusting to the temperature. You should also consider the colour of your clothing. White is the worse colour to wear as it often stands out to animals, if you are in the bushlands or forest then dark greens are your best choice, if you are in the desert type areas then khaki or brown will help you blend in to your surroundings.