From Roaming Gorillas To Elephants Bathing: The World’s Most Incredible Safari Destinations

If you’re an avid frequenter of UK zoo lodges and safari spots, make the jump and book yourself in for an adventure of a lifetime at one of the world’s best safari holiday destinations. From observing native gorillas in Rwanda to canoeing by hippo herds in Botswana, we’ve rounded up the best safari holidays to book right now.

Camping with elephants in Thailand

For a unique Safari experience, look no further than Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort’s Mekong Explorer Tent. This luxurious hillside retreat gives you an unbeatable view of Northern Thailand’s landscapes. The tents are located on the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar in a bamboo forest, where views of the Mekong river, the jungle, and the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation’s rescued elephants will greet you each morning.

The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation’s rescued elephants will greet you each morning.

This lavish two-bedroom retreat features a tasteful mix of leather, wood, and accents of Jim Thompson fabrics that create a calming rustic feel. Experience unparalleled comfort in a spacious bedroom with an oversized king-size bed and an en-suite bathroom. For even more relaxation, enjoy the two private terraces, each with an infinity pool and outdoor bathtub for you to enjoy nature during a serene soak. By staying in the Mekong Explorer Tent, guests have the chance to indulge in tailored luxuries such as an Explorer’s arrival on a traditional longtail boat, a Sky Bike adventure, full-board gourmet dining, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, a fully stocked minibar, and access to the Hall of Opium Museum. Each night, explorers can also choose to participate in activities like the Walking with Giants elephant experience or a private yoga or pilates session.

For more information visit anantara.com

Gorilla spotting in Rwanda 

If you fancy getting up close and personal with man’s closest relative, you’ll want to book in for Pelorus’ unique safari experience across Rwanda. Your journey begins in the capital of Kigali, the city at the heart of Rwanda’s nation-building efforts since the devastating genocide of 1994. Now safe, clean and a wonderful, cosmopolitan city, it’s the perfect base to begin your expedition via heli to the Volcanoes National Park. Gaze from above across the Virunga volcano range before settling in for the night at your luxury accommodation. 

Expert rangers and conservationists will be on hand to guide you through this gorilla tracking experience that’ll see you exploring wild trails.

Expert rangers and conservationists will be on hand to guide you through this gorilla tracking experience that’ll see you exploring wild trails and receiving special access to these endangered creatures. You’ll be able to sit amongst them, listening to their sounds and marvelling at the size of the dominant male, the silverback. 

From ancient mahoganies and giant tree ferns, you’ll be guided through one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe National Park. Expect to uncover wildlife, from butterflies to chimpanzee trekking, before landing at the Isumo waterfall.  Part of a seven-night experience, retreat back at your One&Only accommodation that’s nestled amongst the trees and boasts views over the surrounding scenery. 

For more information visit pelorusx.com

Serene sunsets in Tanzania

For a classic safari experience, look to Tanzania where you’ll find the largest concentration and diversity of animals in Africa. Extraordinary Journeys’ nine-day adventure will see you exploring three locations across the northern region. Your experience will begin with a road transfer to Arusha, arriving at Lake Duluti Lodge, home to elevated decks overlooking the surrounding area, an infinity pool and access to the lake. Driving to Kuro Tarangire in Tarangire National Park, you’ll discover herds of elephants, diverse birdlife and baobab trees. It’s the only park in Tanzania that offers night game drives, allowing you to uncover species that roam after dark. 

For a classic safari experience, look to Tanzania where you’ll find the largest concentration and diversity of animals in Africa.

Continuing to Entamanu Camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, you’ll drive across the crater floor, hike with a Maasai scout and visit a nearby boma, where you’ll spend time with the Massai children and learn more about the community initiatives. Flying to the Serengeti for the great migration, you will stay at one of the Safari Camp’s four mobile camps in order to get the best location for seeing the herbs in action, from lions and leopards to cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and hyenas.

For more information visit extraordinaryjourneys.com

Water safari through Botswana

Thought a safari could only be done by tracking the Big Five in a 4×4? Think again. Pelorus offers vibrant experiences across Botswana that’ll see you exploring the different landscapes, climates and wildlife in new ways. Head out on the water and experience Botswana’s iconic Okavango Delta, the impressive inland river that’s covered in grassy plains. Hop into a mokoro – a traditional canoe made from a hollowed-out tree – where you’ll see birds flying around you, hippos bobbing in the water and more. At Xigera Safari Lodge, their mokoros have an added glass bottom, allowing you to see what’s lurking underneath the waters too. 

Head deeper and opt for a private boat trip that’ll see you winding the waterways, spotting everything from big game stopping for a drink to crocodiles floating past you. 

For something extra special, you can take to the skies to see the river from above. The Eagle Island Lodge offers a helicopter safari, allowing you to spot the roaming wildlife while soaking up the panoramic views. If you fancy exploring on land, Pelorus’ Botswana safaris will see you choosing between walking safaris, quad bikes, horses and more. A visit to the Makgadikgadi Pan – a salt pan – in the middle of the Savanna, is a must, where you can drive across the expanse on a quad bike, enjoy a bushman walk at Jack’s Camp or horseback ride into the afternoon at San Camp.

For more information visit pelorusx.com

Family fun in Kenya

For a family-friendly adventure, Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp is a prime Kenyan spot. Located just outside the national reserve of Masai Mara on a private conservancy, there’s something for everyone in the family to get involved in. You’re invited to take part in the Cottar’s Maasai Warrior School, a special interactive safari that will see you discover more about Kenya and its people. Expect to become experts in tracking wildlife, spotting footprints of elephants, leopards and other wildlife and even join in a traditional dance. 

For an unforgettable morning, join the birds for a sunrise balloon safari following the herds below before breakfast in the bush. Afterwards, you can enjoy a family-friendly walking safari, before splashing under a waterfall. Parents can look forward to sundowners in a canvas bush bath before heading out for an evening drive spotting nocturnal species before dinner. The camp is truly spectacular, home to four family suites and the opportunity to book out a private villa for larger groups of up to 12. 

For an unforgettable morning, join the birds for a sunrise balloon safari following the herds below before breakfast in the bush.

For more information visit safari.co.uk

Up close with elephants in Zimbabwe

Whether you’re wanting to cruise the waterways of Mana Pools National Park, catching a snap in front of Victoria Falls or getting up close to elephants and wildlife, Zimbabwe should be added to your safari must-visit list.  Tailored to your requests, Abercrombie & Kent’s finest safari holiday could see you heading straight to Victoria Falls for two nights in Old Drift Lodge. Here you can look forward to your first sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. The following day you’ll enjoy a river cruise around the falls, with lunch at the Lookout Café perched atop of the Batoka Gorge.

Tailored to your requests, Abercrombie & Kent’s finest safari holiday could see you heading straight to Victoria Falls for two nights.

Taking a flight over the African bush to Hwange, Zimbabwe’s largest national park, you’ll have access to some of the best views over a plain and pan with roaming wildlife front and centre. Expect two days exploring this area, with the opportunity to see over 100 animal species and 400 species of bird.  Flying again to Lake Kariba, you’ll head out in a 4×4 or on foot for a safari experience, spotting everything from bathing elephants to buffalo, the Nile crocodiles to lions and zebras. The safari holiday finishes in Mana Pools, with two days filled with game drives, sunset cruises and discovering breathtaking animals in their natural habitats. 

For more information visit abercrombiekent.co.uk

Horseback safaris in India

India is home to some of the world’s most incredible wildlife reserves where you can spot some amazing species in their natural habitat. In the heart of central India, at Satpura’s Reni Pani Jungle Lodge, you can experience the wild up close and personal on safaris that take you on foot, by boat and even on horseback. From leopards and tigers to nilgai (Asian antelopes), chital and langurs, the horseback safari will take you cantering across ravines and trotting through forests in a truly magical experience for horse lovers. Of course the experience is only open to riders, so if you’ve never been in the saddle before you might want to opt for the more conventional jeep safari instead, but for riders – this is one experience you don’t want to miss.

At Satpura’s Reni Pani Jungle Lodge, you can experience the wild up close and personal on safaris that take you on foot, by boat and even on horseback.

When it comes to your stay, you will not be disappointed. Reni Pani Jungle Lodge, offers glorious luxury tents and cosy cottages from where you can spot herds of deer who can come here to graze. There’s also a lovely pool that you can dive into to cool off on a hot day after a morning safari – it also doubles up as a gorgeous spot for dinner and drinks. The best time to visit is over the winter, when the forest cools down but the resort gets fully booked up quite early so it’s a good idea to make your bookings now and prep yourself for a true Jungle Book adventure.

for more information, visit jehannuma