Luxury Safari Holidays

Some of the most popular national parks for safaris include Kruger in South Africa, Masai Mara in Kenya, and the Serengeti in Tanzania. However, there are so many other incredible parks to visit in Africa. We can help you decide the right parks for you depending on what you’re looking for. For example, Madikwe and the Eastern Cape in South Africa are great for families. The Sabi Sands Conservancy in Greater Kruger National Park is ideal for those seeking ultra-luxury. Kenya and Tanzania offer an abundance of wildlife roaming across the African plains. Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana are also remarkable safari destinations, with Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River as additional highlights. Rwanda, Uganda, and Namibia will all provide different safari experiences, perfect for return travellers to Africa.

Both destinations offer different experiences, wildlife, and types of safaris. South Africa is recommended for families due to its malaria-free game reserves and exceptional food. You can also combine your safari with a visit to a beach, city and wineries. You’re likely to see more wildlife in Kenya. In Kenya, you’ll probably visit more than one national park and see a greater variety of landscapes and animals. Plus, you can combine your safari with a beach stay in Mombasa, Lamu, or Watamu.

This is an impossible question to answer! Each and every safari is completely unique. What you see also depends on your own personal experience and luck. We can guarantee that once you’ve been on a safari, it will remain one of your best holidays. Call our destination experts to discuss which country best suits your holiday dreams.

Anything from 2 nights to 14 nights or longer. We suggest a minimum of 2 nights, as this means you have one full day at the lodge. This allows you at least two safaris (morning and afternoon), the chance to have a spa treatment, relax by the pool, go on a walking safari, and admire the natural surroundings of the African bush. If you’re a wildlife aficionado or an eager photographer, the longer, the better.

For a chance to track the Big Five on a safari, head to South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana or Namibia. You can see all five animals — the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros — in each of these destinations, although they may be spread across several parks.

A family safari is an unforgettable adventure, and we highly recommend it. That said, certain game lodges have age restrictions for children, and some safaris set a minimum age for safety reasons. Talk to our Destination Specialists to find the best family safari for you.

There is an element of danger in any safari as you are in wild terrain surrounded by wildlife. However, the lodges we select and the partners we work with ensure safety is at the forefront of their day-to-day duties, so you should not be concerned.

You can book your safari holidays for 2025-2026 with Hayes & Jarvis by: 

• Calling us at 020 8106 2403
• Scheduling a callback
• Or by writing to us

Our expert-curated African safari holidays start at £2,499 per person.

The dry months from June to October and January to March are normally the best and most recommended months to go on African safari holidays. However, there might be variations depending on the wildlife parks you pick and the experiences you are looking to have. It is best to speak to our Africa experts for more destination-specific information.

You will need at least two nights to experience the main highlights of your safari holidays. This is so that you can head out on at least two safari drives and have a good chance of spotting Africa’s Big Five and other wildlife. This also gives you enough time to sign up for guided nature walks, spa sessions, and other activities.

While on a safari drive, long-sleeved shirts, T-shirts, and full-length cargo pants in muted or camouflage colours work best. Early mornings and evenings can get quite chilly during winter, so wear a warm jacket. Sun hats, sunglasses, and sunblock are essential for your time in the sun. Depending on your interests, we also recommend carrying binoculars and photography gear.

No two African destinations are alike, and each offers something special and unique:

• South Africa
• Kenya
• Tanzania
• Botswana

The Masai Mara and the Serengeti are both extraordinary African safari holiday destinations. Kenya is a more well-established safari destination with a wider choice of hotels and easier access to game parks. As a result, it is the more popular pick. The Masai Mara is a smaller area with higher wildlife density, so it’s easier to spot animals.  

The Serengeti is much larger than the Mara, and the wildlife is spread out over a larger geographical region. While you can witness the Great Migration at both destinations, you can experience it across a much longer window in the Serengeti.