A stay in South Africa need not involve sleeping under canvas or in a wooden lodge. Overlooking the Indian Ocean and the iconic lighthouse lies a luxurious hotel situated right on the beach just north of Durban. This hotel is often the place of choice for royalty and celebrities from across the globe and offers the exceptionally high levels of service that is desired by this clientele.

The rooms are tastefully decorated in the colonial style having four poster beds and ensuite facilities providing the opulent surroundings expected of a high-class hotel of this nature.

You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining experiences whether it be the sumptuous buffet where you can choose from dishes from around the world or the fine dining option where waiters are on hand to advise you on the best dishes to satisfy your tastes.

As is the case with the majority of superior hotels there is a spa where you can relax by the infinity pool or receive a treatment such as an aromatherapy massage or luxury facial tailored to your needs.

A trip to the nearby city of Durban is an excursion that is offered by the hotel team and a stroll along the seafront promenade is certainly worthwhile.

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.

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.

A holiday to South Africa can be a breath taking experience and if you get the chance to do a safari trip, then you should grab it with both hands. Whilst South Africa is an amazing and beautiful country, there is often a problem with mosquitos and you will need to try and avoid getting bitten as not only can some of them be carriers of dangerous diseases they can give you a nasty bite that can spoil our holiday.

You need to buy a good quality high DET spray and apply it morning and early evening to try and repel them, you may also need to top this up if you are in and out of the pool. For some people DET spray is enough but for others they still seem to fall victim to these insects all too often. Some research has shown that if you start to take Vitamin B12 about 1 month prior to going away then your body some how will repel mosquitos. Although there is no medical evidence that confirms this is true, the amount of people that swear by it, is often enough to make people give it a go.

Always be sure to have a plug in in your room at night as this is often when many people get bitten.

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.

Safaris are an all round breath taking experience, not just getting to see many different species of wildlife in their own environment but also having the opportunity to explore the beautiful scenery that Africa has to offer.

When booking a safari holiday many people think that they do not have a wide choice available to them when it comes to choosing your transport around the area, this is far from the truth. Many safari tour operators offer a choice of transport such as Jeep, biking or even on foot and if looking for one off land, then a boat. But did you know that you can actually do part of a safari riding on the back of one of Africa’s big five, the Elephant?

Shearwater’s herd of twelve elephants can be ridden for approximately three and a half hours around the local area, allowing you to not only have first hand experience with these magnificent animals but to also see the area from a totally new perspective. These elephants have been hand reared from birth and have a very close bond with their handler, giving you the peace of mind that you are in safe hands.