We’ve been blogging for a while now about the wonderful places South Africa has to offer and we are overwhelmed with the support that we’ve received especially with a strong twitter community where we’ve found so excellent people who have a similar passion to us.

So on behalf of everyone here at luxury safari holidays we wish you a very merry xmas and a happy 2010.

Due to Africa’s rich wildlife areas and acres of national parks, the tourist industry is strictly monitored to ensure the protection of the native species and protection of future safaris. These restrictions have therefore changed the tourism landscape with the majority of resorts offering high end luxury and 5 star experiences.

Each national park contains a handful of game lodges each offering sublime services and opulent accommodation.

Kruger National Park, South Africa is a prime example of the excellent array of lodges and the impeccable high standards that each lodge adheres to.

If you are looking for a luxury south african safari I have to recommend Lion Sands.

Lions Sands is an excellent camp within Sabie Sands Game Reserve, just north of Kruger National Park.

Lion Sands is situated on the banks of the Sabie River offer excellent views of the wildlife and surrounding area. The lodges are impeccable with luxury and attention to detail apparent in all aspects of the camp.

The suites are personal and private offering serenity and privacy whilst giving you the opportunity to engage with nature, with exceptional views and private outdoor showers.

The influence of European-African design is exceptional with robust décor and sumptuous furnishings. All this set in the plains of Africa is a delightful contrast.

The Sabie River is the Pièce de résistance of Lions Sands as wildlife travel from miles around  to bathe and drink in its waters, it’s close proximity of the river not only guarantees ever changing vistas but safaris unlike any other, river safaris!

River Safaris are simply breathtaking, as you cruise down the river a plethora of wildlife seems to fill your view. The feeling of serenity is simply found nowhere else in the world.

Royal Malewane opened in January 2000 and is coming up to 10 years in the industry, it is now one of the finest hotels in South Africa offering exquisite standards in every single element of the hotel.

The accommodation consists of suites and “royal” suites. The Royal Suites are something to behold with the world’s most rich and famous frequenting this resort year upon year. The anonymity and feeling of seclusion is one of the many reasons why high profiles like to come back. The suites come with private pools, gazebos decks and decadent interiors. The suites come with complimentary butler and chef along with personalized and private game drives with 4 complimentary massages each and every day.

If personal privacy is difficult to find Royal Malewane give you the opportunity to benefit from the use of the hotels private helicopter and Learjet.

Once at the resort the worries and trouble easily subside. Royal Malewane Spa is recognized by Tatler as one of the Best 101 Spas in the world, with world class bath treatments and hydrotherapy.

The resort’s philosophy continues through to spa treatment ensuring that quality is a standard and that your experience will personal and unforgettable.

The restaurants reiterate the importance of quality creating exceptional cuisine from only the freshest the ingredients. The dining area is set outside under a Bedouin tent overlooking a frequently visited waterhole offer the perfect view to match the wonderful food. Award winning chef John Jackson heads the kitchen where the ratio of staff to client is a luxurious 4:1!

The wine selection is the icing on the cake for me as it is a showcase for the finest wines in the region.

The sommeliers and wine waiters offer inspired descriptions and accurate advice making sure the right bottle is always on the table.

The most incredible part of South Africa is the abundance of wildlife and game which populate every national park and nature reserve across South Africa. Safaris are the perfect way to see South Africa in all its splendour. South Africa is your gateway to an African Safari tour of a lifetime. Safaris are undertaken all over South Africa including Karoo National Park, Cape Town, Kruger National Park and many more.

South Africa has more national parks and private game reserves than any other country on the continent, allowing you to find a Safari that specifies to your needs or expectations, either following the big 5 in Kruger National Park or whale watching and shark diving from Cape Town.

Cape Town offers a safari experience unlike any other, not only can you track wildlife on the plains but also on the water. Cape Town is a prime location for whale watching.

Kruger National Park is the perfect safari location throughout the world. The park is 20,000 square kilometres and is 350km north to south spanning the north east of the country.

The Kruger National Park has incredible diversity amongst the different types of safari available to visitors; this is due to the wide range of wildlife that inhabit the national park and the sheer size of the park itself. The Kruger National Park is the largest nature reserve in South Africa and therefore has the largest range of Safari lodges.

Safari lodges are dotted throughout Kruger national park, giving you a more intimate and personal holidaying experience.

Safari Lodges are a decadent way of getting closer to nature, set in remote locations in nature reserves across South Africa, the Safari Lodges offer more than simply a bed for the night.

The Safari Lodges are often on a full board basis and you can benefit from the highest quality produce with excellent cuisine prepared for every meal of the day. Each lodge has experienced guides and trackers who will take you around the African bush.

Choice is never an issue when considering an African Safari with prospective safari seekers presented with any number of destinations, each offering it’s own unique twist on adventure and education. Let’s face it, an African Safari shouldn’t just be a sight-seeing tour, it should also be an educational experience, one which should leave a lasting impression and a lifetime of memories.
Here’s a shortlist of possible destinations:
South Africa
Despite South Africa’s turbulent past, it offers a combination of both modern and historic destinations and is home to Kruger National Park,one of the world’s first wildlife conservation parks. South African also has a lot to offer in the way of marine biology and when booking a tour, be sure to include these areas as part of your itinerary. Depending on the level of comfort and length, tours can range at a cost of a few hundred dollars up to $10,000.
Tanzania
Tanzania is a wildlife haven and is home to two of the world’s most famous landmarks, Serengeti National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro. However, it’s Tanzania’s lesser known parks that make it an African Safari dream destination. Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire aren’t as famous as the Serengeti but each is a must see when travelling through this fauna and flora rich country.
Kenya
An African Safari in Kenya means getting close and personal with some of the most recognisable wildlife in the world. Home to the famous Masai Mara National Park, lions, elephants, rhinos and a myriad of other species are prevalent and spotted in Masai Mara making it a photo rich environment. Surrounding game reserves such as Samburu and Amboselli frank Kenya’s standing as an African safari haven. Tours come in all shapes and sizes ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Botswana
Botswana has too many highlights to mention in this short summary but for those with a bit of an adventurous spirit and a love of dangerous game, then it’s the place to go. Moremi Game reserve in the eastern Okavango Delta is a must visit for lovers of big cats such as lions, cheetahs and leopards. Throw in the Central Kalahari and Chobe National Parks and Botswana enscapulates what Africa, in a traditional sense, is all about. A variety of tours are available, again, ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars but in all honesty, to get a greater appreciation of Botswana, then an extended stay should seriously be considered.
These are just four African Safari destinations and probably the best known. If you are considering just one visit to this magnificent continent then make it a worthwhile one time wise. Tours don’t just concentrate in one country. For extended stays, consider encompassing at least the quartet of destinations we’ve covered in this article.

If you are a novice in African safaris, you probably might find yourself overwhelmed with the array of choices that will arrest your sight. If you have already gone there, you might as well know how to plan a tour so as to delve into the deeper wonders of the African safaris. Remember, some solitary locations are far more marvelous than those, which already became traditional destinations.

The safaris, though more famous for the games and wild animals, were not created solely to do just that. You might be busy collecting stones while discarding wonders such as sightings of intriguing insects, varieties of smaller animals and multitudes of panoramic sights.

One of the more indispensable equipments in any African safari vacation is the binoculars as they allow you to see visions even from afar. Though travel companies normally provide binoculars, you might as well bring your own sets as you may prove them more convenient than risking your chance of sharing the tool with another person.

Your exposure to mosquitoes in African safaris can cause you myriad of mosquito diseases which in most cases, deprive you from more enjoyable experiences. To ward off uninvited guests during the night, make it a point to apply mosquito repellants and expose parts of your body as little as possible.

Any self-respecting African safari vacation operators knows that guests are susceptible to certain ailments due the natural elements in wild Africa. Therefore, they are well-equipped with treatments, medications and procedures that will create lesser chances of being affected by one. However, you must still bring with you personal medications such as anti-diarrhea medicine and anti-malaria pills in case you might need them.

You surely would want to reserve memories of experiences that you have undergone during your African safari vacation. If you were to bring a camera, your best bet would be the digital ones. However, for types that make use of films, be careful that you have some good reserve of batteries and films.

Go. Plan a different route. Seek places that you haven’t scoured before and experience wonder that you should not miss.

You can’t off course explore the whole of African safaris on a few days of trip. There simply are too many sights to feed your spirit and too many places where you may see the real and seldomly seen creations.

This is what an African safari may look like-

A spot may feature a snow-capped mountain while another site will let you witness the miracle of aquatic reefs. And there are definitely desserts and endless selections of wildlife. On another spot, you may even see a remarkable waterfall that will let you experience African safari the different way. Not to mention the diversity of culture and traditions, people and norms that form Africa.

It simply has got it all! Even the most amazing wonders that you can imagine may be found lingering in its rich and vast African safaris.

East and Central Africa

Mount Kilimanjaro Ngorongoro Crater countless plains animals prides of lion along with other predators are all found in these African safari regions. It is strange how these two regions harbor the diversity of animals that feeds on its earth. Its amazing how animals like impala, hartebeest, cheetah, buffalo and others coexist harmoniously in African safaris.

South Africa

Though southern African safaris lack the famous wonders that east and central Africa offer, it still has other things to present to its guests. This is the sight most films of life in the safaris are made.

Zimbabwe is often deemed to be the most marvelous place in African safaris. Why not? It is the honors the mighty Victoria Falls.

One of the African safari favorites is the Zambia. It harbors wilderness camps that may be found in national parks such as Kafue National Park and South Luangwa.

To finish your African safari trip, you may find pleasure in the Indian Ocean islands, which cover Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius and Seychelles Islands. The waters that cover these places are great havens for marine life.

A luxurious South Africa safari is the most sought after destination for travelers worldwide. Located on the very southern trip of Africa, South Africa or the Rainbow Nation is well-known for its rich diversity in languages, cultures and religious values. Similarly, a wide variety of wildlife and plant life makes it the most happening place of the world. There are 299 species of mammals and 858 species of birds in this country. In addition, a large number of predators, snakes and plain animals make your South Africa Safari enjoyable and memorable.

Travelers seeking highly comfortable safaris look to South Africa that has many renowned National Parks, animal and bird reserves, and ranches. The Kruger National Park is the most famous of all and located in the Waterberg Mountain Region that boasts diverse wildlife in abundance. Seringa Ranch is another must-see place in that region with facilities for an unforgettable South Africa safari as well as Big Five trophy hunts. Equipped with 5 star accommodations, Seringa Ranch takes individual tastes and preferences into consideration in providing a highly customized vacation for you and your family members.

A typical South Africa Safari is not just about enjoying the wildlife and picturesque locations. A great merry-making is also on the cards with fun-filled activities like horseback riding, nature walks, pool games, shopping trips into towns, and beating of traditional African drums and bands before dinner. You can also experience great South African hospitality by staying in fully comfortable lodges and chalets that have different animal motifs, fresh linens, A/C and heating, hair dryers, mini-fridges, drinkable water, etc. Almost all service providers pay attention to your individual needs in order to make your South Africa safari a sojourn of a lifetime.

Another success factor of a South Africa safari is the professional handling of all matters related to your preferences, budget, travel style and time period by concerned service providers. Staff members having experience of organizing hundreds of safari camps in South Africa are generally engaged to look after you throughout your trip. So, you’ll have the real life viewpoint you need during your South Africa safari. You will definitely treasure pleasurable moments of the visit for the rest of your life.

If you’re looking for a captivating South African safari experience, there is no better place than Seringa Ranch which is a perfect destination for hunting, relaxation and comfort, or a stop-over while touring in South Africa.

The Madikwe Safari Reserve offers the perfect surroundings for this lodge to give you a simply luxurious South Africa Safari. The Reserve is one of the finest safari locations in South Africa and boasts a malaria free reserve with over 75,000 hectares of undisrupted wilderness.

The teams at Jaci’s Safari Lodge offer a memorable wedding and honeymoon experience. The Madikwe Bush Wedding experience is fast becoming a popular choice for those looking to tie the knot. Jaci and Jann personally promise that your experience will be personal and unforgettable by providing everything and anything you need to ensure your special day goes without a hitch.

The lodge consists of 8 rooms and 2 family suites, each individually styled and designed, the impeccable attention to detail makes Jaci’s Safari Lodge something of a diamond in the rough. The décor is rustic and simple with exquisite colours and textures reflecting the surrounding quite simply, but with great effect. Recently the family safari suites have been renovated and spruced up, and they look impeccable, wrapping around the private plunge pool offering a fusion of outdoor and indoor space.            The suites can fit between 5-8 people and comes with its own pool, drive guide and chef. Both Jaci and Jann designed the new look suites and are over the moon at the results converting the safari suite into a delectable family unit.

The dining facilities at the lodge are incredible, the skilled chefs create authentic, rustic dishes using a modern interior kitchen as well as a wonderful outdoor barbeque, the sense of community and family dining is a welcomed part of the stay giving you the perfect opportunity to discuss the day’s events over a plate of incredible food and a glass of locally produced wine. One delightful element of Jaci’s lodge is the way each evening meal is taken at a different location, often under the stars with a roaring fire creating atmosphere and warmth.

Overall the lodge is one of the top resorts in Africa let alone Madikwe, the facilities available for children allows families to enjoy a safari adventure in style. The drives are excellently design with David answering questions from everyone (especially the kids) giving a knowledgeable friend in the most foreign of environments.