Safari tourism continues to grow as many bloggers and influencers share their experiences. With the possibility of seeing wildlife, amazing landscapes, and exploring heritage sites, it's no surprise that more people have begun booking safari tours. A safari tour can be a life-changing experience, but planning one is not for the faint of heart. From booking your flight to following the itinerary, things can go haywire. This is where a professional safari planner comes in. Read on to learn why you should hire a safari planner for your trip. 1. Saves You TimePlanning a trip can be extremely stressful because of the many areas you must cover. Many websites offer packages and deals, but going through them can get overwhelming quickly. Remember, Africa is a continent that is home to 54 countries. Unless you have one in mind, finding your dream safari destination can take some time. If you are new to arranging trips, this safari planning can get slow and confusing. A professional safari planner can make this trip stress-free by doing most of the work. After identifying the place you want to visit, you can leave the rest to them. They will even help you identify the place you want to go if you don't know where that is. And often, the place you think you want to go isn't really that place. A free chat with a knowledgeable specialist will enable you to accurately identify the right place for you at the time of year you want to travel. 2. Less HassleFrom arranging itineraries to transportation, having a safari planner can lift a huge weight off your shoulders. You never have to worry about destinations and accommodation. Allowing an expert to handle the work and guide you is a good decision. They can shed some light on your flight routing and manage accommodations, transfers, communicating dietary requirements and special wishes or needs. You can seek their help when issues arise on the trip. You can guarantee a worthwhile safari experience with an expert by your side, virtually. 3. Offers Peace of MindBeing far from home can make anyone feel uneasy, especially when you're in a foreign land. One of the benefits of using a safari planner is the peace of mind you get. Aside from taking away the work, they strive to address every concern you have. For instance, if you have an allergy to seafood, you may be concerned about your lodging serving dishes you can't eat. You can hand in dietary requirements to your safari planner and let them handle it. Another good example is planning for family safaris. You want the kids to have the best experience, yet you are clueless about how to adjust to the trip. Our travel experts can arrange activities for the whole family to enjoy. A safari adventure is exciting, yet the unknown can get overwhelming. Whether you are new or not to this kind of trip, having hands-on help can make all the difference. 4. Keep Yourself UpdatedSurprises are inevitable even with perfect planning. Your flight can get delayed, your itinerary changed, or your lodging messed up. Regardless of the situation, how do you stay updated with the mishaps? As the saying goes, communication is key from the beginning to the end of the trip. Your safari planner will keep you updated throughout the journey. Since they are handling all your trip details, they will be the first person to be notified about an issue. You can count on them to pass the information to you as soon as possible. Moreover, your safari specialist prepares a detailed itinerary for your trip to ensure the best experience. It contains information about the place, its culture, and essential details. 5. Use Their Connections And Knowledge to Your AdvantageHaving worked in tourism for many years, our safari specialists have a wide-ranging network of contacts. Our Africa experts have contact with other professionals across the industry and access to special deals that consumers are not aware of. Often we tell inquirers about reserves and destinations they have never even heard of, and we know the pick of the accommodations in each price range in every area. We know what type of client each one is suitable for, and who it is not good for, in terms of location, ease of access, ambiance, style, etc. They arrange meet and greets at airports and transfer points, ensuring smooth transitions between accommodations, and are on hand to answer all your questions before you travel. 6. Reduce Travel CostsThere are many misconceptions about travel agencies and one of them is that they are expensive. People believe they have to pay more if they avail themselves of these beneficial services. However, this is far from the truth. In our case, our services are totally free of charge. Moreover, you can get better deals for your safari trip through us. We use our connections to find the best bargains for our clients. For example, a travel planner bargains for the best African safari packages. Our network of tried, tested, and trusted service providers and accommodations keeps us in the loop with special combination and long-stay deals that the general public do not always see. Our safari specialists know where to find the best prices. They know where they can get travel packages that give the best value for your money. By pulling all the bookings under one roof, you only have one company to pay, saving you time, but also money when booking with Indigo Safaris. We bank in most major currencies, meaning you only have to make a domestic transfer rather than numerous foreign transactions, and we convert to your currency at the most favorable exchange rate possible. 7. It's a Safety NetUsing a safari specialist and getting them to book your trip gives protection for you. Traveling anywhere, whether in your home country or a foreign land, comes with safety risks. A natural disaster can hit out of nowhere, a petty crime may occur, or an accident can happen. Without an expert's help, you can get lost and feel overwhelmed. Remember, a travel planner strives to give you the best safari trip. Ensuring your safety is part of their service. You can contact your safari planner to help you with your concern. Even before travel, we can help you out. Should an accident befall you or a close family member, with our special relationships with our suppliers, changing booking dates is a doddle, as we look after it all. If you cannot rebook and need to make an insurance claim with your travel insurer, we provide all the documentation required for your claim. All you have to do is send it in. Having someone knowledgeable about the course of the trip gives you a breath of relief. Aside from addressing your problems, your safari planner gives you safety pointers before leaving. You can entrust yourself and your safari journey to an expert. 8. Personal Service and Custom ExperiencesAnother reason you should work with a safari planner is the custom experiences you can enjoy. It’s nice to work with an African travel expert rather than a general travel agent, as they know the ins and outs and the tricks of the trade, and what is actually possible. In the beginning, they ask you questions about your safari trip. These questions will include the activities you want to do and the places you want to visit. Based on your answers, they will create an itinerary. If you want a camping safari, your safari specialist can arrange it for you. Your safari specialist chooses the activities and places depending on what you want. You never have to stress yourself about what to do and how to book them. 9. Get Travel TipsGoing on a safari adventure exposes you to different cultures. Considering practices differ, some things accepted locally might be questionable to you, and vice-versa. Knowing and understanding these differences can make your trip easier and more enjoyable. If you want factual information, use a safari specialist. They can share their knowledge with you to make you a well-informed traveler. 10. A Better Safari ExperienceUsing a professional safari specialist ensures a smooth trip. You can guarantee the best safari adventure experience knowing your guide specializes in this type of trip. Remember, they know more about traveling in Africa than the amount of research you can do for the trip. First, a safari planner develops a comprehensive plan with custom experiences. Your planner will only be a call away from the moment you leave home until after you return. They know where you can go and what you can do within the parameters of your budget. Aside from the famous African safaris, your travel planner can suggest other places to enjoy, such as beach and city breaks. If you want to avoid the crowds, your travel guide can help you find the perfect destination. For instance, Kwazulu Natal is an underrated safari and beach destination with much to offer. As mentioned previously, Safari travel experts have access to various connections. You can enjoy experiences you might never have considered. Why Should You Use a Safari Planner?A safari tour offers some of the most exciting activities and experiences imaginable, and some that you would never even have thought existed. If you want the perfect trip, work with a professional safari planner.
Indigo Safaris offers various packages for families and solo travelers. Check out our favorite hotels, lodges, and itineraries, or contact Indigo Safaris here!
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Are you considering a South Africa safari? You're making a great choice, but you need to pick the best park for your interests. Kruger National Park should be on top of your list for many reasons. South Africa had over 5.8 million visitors last year, which continues to rise. There are many reasons to visit South Africa, but one of the top reasons is to go on Kruger National Park safaris. But what makes Kruger National Park safaris so special? Kruger National Park is one of the renowned safari parks in South Africa and the world. Here are 12 reasons why you should visit Kruger National Park and experience this wonder yourself. 1. The Best Big Five and Wildlife SightingsIf you're considering going on a safari, the chances are it is to marvel at animals in their natural habitat. However, as the animals roam free, there is no guarantee of catching sightings, which is part of the safari adventure. It is essential to consider this factor when planning a safari trip to Africa. The good news is that Greater Kruger safaris are known for wildlife sightings, diversity, and the amount of wildlife. It is often said to be the best place to see the iconic 'Big 5' animals: the lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant. It is not unusual to see all five of these majestic animals in one day, especially when you use a reputable guide and team that knows the park well. Kruger National Park is also home to over 147 species of mammals, over 50 snake species, 114 reptile species, 49 fish species, and over 508 species of birds. Along with the Big Five, keep your eyes peeled for the Little Five, including the leopard tortoise, elephant shrew, ant lion, red-billed buffalo weaver, and rhino beetle. There are also sightings of rarely-seen animals, including cheetahs, roan antelope, and African Wild Dogs. 2. Flexible OptionsKruger National Park has the infrastructure, policies, accommodation options, and professional guides to provide flexible package options that suit all needs. You can pick a package that suits your budget and just do a two-night trip to get a glimpse of the wonderful nature. If you have longer, though, you can reap the benefits of fully immersing yourself in this park. It is the perfect park to plan options for wheelchair-friendly safaris, honeymoons, luxury safaris, families, first-time travelers, solo travelers, and safari enthusiasts. South Africa safaris are not just for huge budgets. You can tailor your safari to smaller budgets by staying in different accommodation options and planning your itinerary with one of our safari specialists. 3. Explore Greater KrugerGreater Kruger includes Kruger National Park and private reserves next to the park. So, not only do you get to explore Kruger National Park, but you can also choose to spend time on the private reserves. These reserves include Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Klaserie, and Balule reserves. These reserves also cater to different budgets, but the game viewing is prolific. They also offer a more private and authentic experience, where you can experience Kruger National Park's delights in a more intimate setting. The animals and birds in Greater Kruger are found in all the reserves as animals roam freely. However, specific habitats suit particular animals better, such as the Sabi Sand Reserve, a popular spot for leopard sightings. 4. A Year-Round DestinationKruger National Park safaris are perfect year-round, whatever the season. The Summer months are from September to April, often with hot and sunny days, along with sporadic thunderstorms. The average maximum temperature is 34°C (93° F), but temperatures can soar to over 38°C (100° F). The dry season is during Winter, which extends from May to August. Temperatures average between 8°- 26°C (46° - 79° F). Each season offers a different experience. Mid-winter (June to August) can be the best time for game viewing. Water is low, so animals stay close to waterholes, and the bush is dry, which means you can spot wildlife easier. The first rains arrive in September, so the bush slowly turns green once more, and fauna emerges. There tend to be many predators around due to the number of young animals. Summer is when the bush is thick and abundant, meaning game drives are early morning and late afternoon. Summer is also an excellent time for bird-watching. March to May is the end of Summer, offering cooler temperatures and the need for experienced eyes to spot game with the long grass. 5. Varied EcosystemsIf you want a diverse safari experience, Kruger National Park is the place. Safari in Kruger allows you to experience zones, which means there is different vegetation, climates, and animals. You can break the ecosystems down in different ways, but in general, there are five to six systems to observe. This is why there is an abundance of species of animals and flora to observe. You will be amazed at how the zones change, with zones offering different surprises. 6. Easy Travel LogisticsSafaris in the Greater Kruger area are easily accessible, which is another reason to visit, even if you're on a tight time frame. There are several different ways to access the park, such as flying to Kruger from one of South Africa's airports. You can catch connections from cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban. Alternatively, you could fly to the international airport close to Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga International Airport. Charter flights can also be arranged. Or, you can travel overland via the Panorama route. The road system to and through Greater Kruger also allows for driven access, though this takes six to nine hours depending on your start and end points. Roads are well maintained, and there is a well-established network. We are specialists in planning Kruger safari logistics, so you only have to worry about packing and getting to the airport. 7. Different Accommodation OptionsWhen searching where to stay in Kruger National Park, you will find there are reserves in and around the park in Greater Kruger. These reserves offer various accommodation options, from luxury lodges to bush camps. The Kruger National Park has mainly government-run, self-catered camps, frequented by self-drivers on congested tarmac roads. However, there are also some private lodges with fully inclusive game drives and private tracks, offering similar experiences to the private reserves in the Greater Kruger. This means that the public is not allowed to drive in that section of Kruger, which means you can avoid the crowds. You are guaranteed to find an accommodation option that suits your needs. Whether you want animals on your doorstep or creature comforts such as air conditioning, you can find it. Greater Kruger's accommodation fits all adventures and budgets, which is another one of its appeals. 8. Unique Safari AdventuresDespite Kruger National Park's popularity, Greater Kruger offers a wealth of off-the-beaten-track adventures to include in your safari experience. You can try a guided walking safari while visiting the Greater Kruger reserves. These can be one of the most authentic ways to experience the South African bush. The main objective is to look out for different animal species. However, the experience can help you immerse yourself in the landscape and experience safari from a different perspective. Children are not usually allowed on guided walking safaris. However, there are many activities for them to enjoy, from game drives to star-gazing, and activities at the accommodation. 9. Kruger National Park SpaceThe surface area ofKruger National Park is 7,580 square miles, and Greater Kruger stretches over 8,500 square miles. Fast-paced city life quickly falls away as you enjoy Mother Nature in all her glory and expansiveness. No day is the same on game drives here, with so many parts of the park to explore. You can enjoy moments of solitude with no other safari groups around and enjoy game drives at different times of the day to experience Greater Kruger in all its glory. Your guide will know the best spots for early morning sunrise game drives, late afternoon drives, and nighttime drives. Enjoy the star-filled sky and the sounds of nature all around at night. Greater Kruger also is a destination where conservation efforts, advanced environmental management techniques, and policies have been implemented to protect the space. So you can also have peace of mind you are supporting tourism in a place that is working hard to manage conservation. 10. Bird-Watching OpportunitiesWhile many people consider a South Africa safari because of the animals, you may be surprised to learn that it is also an opportunity for exceptional bird-watching. After all, there are over 500 bird species, and for some species, Greater Kruger is their only home in South Africa. Some birds to look out for on your game drives include the Martial Eagle, Lappet-faced vulture, Pel's fishing owl, Ground Hornbill, Bateleur, Lilac-breasted roller, and Kori Bustards. Even if you are not a bird-watching enthusiast, you will be amazed at the variety of species. If you are a bird-watching enthusiast, you can tailor your safari to cater to bird-watching experiences, although you will often see multiple species on the game drives. 11. Family-FriendlyA challenge of some safaris is that they are not family-friendly. Some lodges have different child policies, and some activities may not be possible for children to do. The good news is that Kruger National Park is an exception to this. Due to the infrastructure and variety of accommodation options, children are welcome. You can have peace of mind they will be safe and also have an educational experience. Our safari specialists will help you get the best family-friendly experience at in the Kruger National Park and will know how best to tailor your trip to satisfy the whole family. They can pick the best accommodation options, activities, and game drives for an experience your family will remember forever. 12. Combine With More ExploringThanks to the transport connections to Kruger National Park, you can also plan to go elsewhere after your safari. Do not worry about complicated travel connections or long days traveling, as you have multiple travel connection options. Maybe you want to explore the coast of South Africa and go diving. For example, you could fly to Cape Town and enjoy exploring the coastline. You can also travel along the Garden Route and visit the Winelands. Or, you could go to Johannesburg and spend time in the city. Or maybe you want to go to another country in Africa for a different safari experience. Some people choose to fly to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, or Botswana; the choice is yours. We cover all of Southern and Eastern Africa. 13. Your Choice of Safari PackageWhen deciding where to go on a South Africa safari, you want to find an itinerary that suits your timeframe, budget, and interests. Indigo Safaris offers a variety of Kruger National Park itineraries and the option for bespoke itineraries. For example, you can choose a four-day Kruger Walking Safari with Rhino Post and Plains Camp in the Kruger National Park in a private concession, which includes airport transfers. Or, you could create a seven-day Kruger Safari combing Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Timbavati Game Reserve. We have various packages, so you choose your ideal lodge and timeframe. Many of these packages also include long-stay discounts, for four-night stays or longer. We recommend combining reserves if you want to spend more than four nights in the Greater Kruger. For example, we offer a seven-day Sabi Sand & Timbavati at Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge & Simbavati Hilltop Lodge with one free night included. So, no matter what your Kruger National Park dreams are, there are packages to make them come true. Why Choose Kruger National Park SafarisKruger National Park safaris offer something for everyone, which means there are many reasons to choose this as your safari destination in South Africa. The next step is choosing your provider, so you can have your dream safari experience.
Indigo Safaris offers a range of Safari packages in South Africa and beyond, covering all of southern and eastern Africa. We plan and book packages tailored to each customer in order to give them the best-personalized experience. Our small team of six safari specialists has over 100 years safari planning experience between them, and four of them live in South Africa, three of them have worked and guided in different countries across our portfolio, and we visit our destinations regularly. Contact us today to start your Kruger National Park adventure. The African wild dog is the second most endangered carnivore in Africa, behind the Ethiopian wolf. Whilst not a member of the Big 5, like the lion or leopard, sighting a wild dog is more treasured. It is also more of a treat; wild dogs are active and playful, lazy lions lie around doing nothing 20 hours of the day. What’s in a name? Wild dogs are not technically dogs; they are the only living species of the genus Lycaon and differ from true canines by having four toes, not five, lacking a dew claw, and they also have different dentition. Wild dogs have a number of different names in the English language, such as Painted dog and Cape hunting dog. You might have read in other blogs, or seen on some nature documentaries that recently there has been a minor movement amongst conservationists to rename the species Painted wolf, due to the negative connotations associated with the name wild dog. Considering that wild dogs are not part of the wolf genus, this seems like a strange decision. In addition, no one appears to have asked the Wild dogs what they prefer to be called. Behaviour Wild dogs are a joy to watch should you have the good fortune to stumble across some. They live in packs and can be very boisterous and are highly sociable, communicating with squeaking noises rather than barks. Some biologists also believe that a wild dog pack is a democratic society as when it is time to hunt, each member of the pack votes on whether he/she would like to join the hunt. If not enough members vote to join the hunt, it is called off. Votes are established by sneezing. Another curious aspect of wild dog life is that it is the females who leave the pack when they come of age, rather than the males. The males will stay with the pack they were born into. The reasons for this are not clear and it is puzzling considering that in most animal species, it is the males who are forced out of their family when they are old enough. Wild dog packs are extremely hierarchical, and in any given pack only the alpha male and alpha female will reproduce. This is arguably a contributing factor to their decline in population over the past century. If only one female per pack is allowed to have pups, it will be difficult to sustain the population. Even if she is capable of giving birth to 10 or 11 pups at a time, it will always be less effective than allowing all the females to reproduce. The alpha female is usually the oldest in the pack, but this is not always the case for the alpha male. That said, it ensures only the best genes are used and, until human wildlife conflict and habitat encroachment decimated their numbers, this technique saw hundreds of thousands of these beautiful creatures roaming across sub-Saharan Africa. Today there are only around 6,000 left in seven countries. Being the alpha pair obviously comes with great perks. Even though they are the only ones allowed to reproduce, they do not actually have to look after the pups all the time. The alpha male and alpha female are needed for hunts, being the biggest and smartest dogs, so the job of looking after the pups is often left to other junior females. Wild dogs are incredibly successful hunters, more so than lions. Wild dogs do not hunt like other predators you will have seen on TV. Instead of stalking and then surprising their prey, they like to chase after them in a marathon. Wild dogs are incredibly fit and are able to run their prey to exhaustion. Once this is done, wild dogs don’t suffocate their pray like other predators, but rather rip through their flesh with their sharp teeth. This is the main reason why they have a bad reputation, because this practice has led to the belief that wild dogs eat their prey alive, which many people feel is cruel. It is also a second reason behind the decline in wild dog numbers. Wild dogs were often shot with impunity by farmers in the past because it was felt that they were excessively cruel to their prey and were seen as pests by livestock farmers. Once the hunt is over, the prey is consumed at lightning speed, to reduce the chance of the meal being stolen by a larger, stronger predator, often hyenas. On returning to the den and the babysitters, they regurgitate a bit of the meal for the childminders and the young to eat. Whilst sharing is caring, when a poisoned carcass has been left out by a farmer, it makes spreading the toxins extremely likely to wipe out a pack. Where to find these misunderstood and beautiful animals?
Southern Africa is the best place to find Wild dogs, particularly in Botswana and South Africa. In Botswana, we have regularly spotted wild dogs in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai, Linyanti, Savuti and Chobe National Park. In South Africa, the best places to see them are in the Greater Kruger Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, Madikwe, and Manyoni. We have also had good luck seeing wild dogs in South Luangwa in Zambia, which is also home to one of the densest population of leopards in Africa. Mana Pools, Zimbabwe, has the most-publicised population, thanks to the BBC’s Dynasties episode. Please remember that wild dogs are an endangered species and even if you visit every destination in this list, you will still need a bit of luck to find them. If you fail to spot any in the wild, the next place to go is the Painted Dog Conservation centre in Hwange, Zimbabwe, which we sponsor annually. In our experience of travelling across Africa and selling holidays to intrepid adventurers, we have come to see that KwaZulu Natal province in South Africa is underappreciated and underbooked. It is often overlooked in favour of the big name destinations, such as Cape Town, the Kruger Park, and the Garden Route. Yet in the province of KwaZulu Natal you will find the makings of everything you could want in an African holiday - Big 5 safaris, warm beaches, mountain hikes, and a little bit of history and culture. What's in a name? KwaZulu Natal is a strange name, consisting of two different languages mashed together. If you translated it directly into English, just for fun, it literally means "Place of the Zulu Christmas." The area was first named Natal by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who sighted the excellent natural harbour at Durban on Christmas Day in 1497. Natal means Christmas in Portuguese. In 1994, after the end of apartheid, the prefix "KwaZulu" was added, which means Place of the Zulus. The Zulus are the biggest indigenous tribe in South Africa and KwaZulu Natal is their traditional homeland. The biggest reason most people come to Africa is to see the wildlife and KwaZulu Natal is home to some excellent game reserves, which have the Big 5 as well as many other species. They offer superb safari opportunities, as lower costs and with less visitors than comparable lodges in the Greater Kruger Park. The most famous game reserve is probably Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, which is also the oldest game reserve in South Africa. The reserve is famous for its operation to save the white rhino from extinction. In the 1950's and 1960's, the white rhino was virtually extinct in the wild, save for a handful in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. A highly successful breeding and preservation project was launched by the park warden Ian Player which led to the recovery of the species. All the white rhinos you see in Southern Africa today can trace their lineage back to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. And for those interested in trivia, Ian Player is the brother of South Africa's most successful golfer, Gary Player. Phinda Game Reserve is well known in South Africa for being one of the best curators of luxury safaris. It has its own private airstrip catering to flights from Johannesburg, which also makes it easy to get to. Within the reserve there are four distinct habitats, which makes it an excellent safari destination. One is able to experience woodland, grassland, wetland and forest. There are six 5-star luxury lodges interspersed through these habitats and the lodge is also in close proximity to the unspoilt beaches along the Indian Ocean. During your stay here, your every need will be looked after. For family friendly safaris, we recommend Nambiti Game Reserve, located almost halfway between Durban and Johannesburg. Namibiti is home to over 40 species of animals, including cheetah, leopard, giraffe, hippo, hyena, impala, eland and zabra plus an array of other creatures and plants. It offers a more affordable safari experience than Phinda and is much more child friendly. Nambiti is also the only malaria-free game reserve in KwaZulu Natal. After enjoying three or four nights on safari looking for animals, the next thing you might want to do is head to the beach for a few days of relaxation in the sun, and to do some water sports. KwaZulu Natal is roughly the size of Portugal, which means there is kilometres of coastline to choose from. Fed by the warm Agulhas current which flows from the equator, the sea in KwaZulu Natal is warm all year round and the further north you go, the warmer it gets. Durban is the most popular city South Africa for beach holidays, but we recommend heading further north into less populated areas, such as St Lucia, isiMangaliso Wetland Park and Kosi Bay. You can find fully inclusive lodges here which offer a number of activities to keep you entertained, such as snorkelling, kayaking and boat trips. The town of St Lucia is popular because its estuary is home to crocodiles, hippos and fish eagles, which makes it a fun spot to do sunset cruises. Sometimes the hippos can be seen wondering the streets of the town at night, so do be careful. And further up the coast, Kosi Bay is where you can see turtles nesting from November to January. For the serious divers, Sodwana Bay, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks offer some world class diving. From June - July, the sardine run occurs off the coast of KwaZulu Natal when millions of sardines migrate north to warmer waters near Mozambique. The size of the sardine run has been compared to the great wildebeest migration and the sheer amount of sardines creates a feeding frenzy amongst dolphins, sharks, sea birds and humpback whales. KwaZulu Natal still has more to offer the curious traveller. The Drakensberg Mountains is a mountain range which runs down the spine of South Africa and reaches its highest points in KwaZulu Natal, with many peaks exceeding 3000m and the highest one reaching 3482m above sea level. The Drakensberg is also home to the second highest waterfall in the world, the Tugela Falls, which is 948m high. It is possible to hike to the top of this waterfall. Close to the Drakensberg, and for this history buffs, you will find the Battlefields. KwaZulu Natal has been the battleground for a number of important battles and wars throughout South Africa's formative history, involving the British, the Boers and the Zulus. All these historically important battlefields have been well preserved and centre around the town of Dundee. Guided tours of the Battlefields are available from a number of lodges who specialise in the events. With a two or three night stay, you can relive the Battles of Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, Blood River, Talana Hill, Spionkop and Ladysmith. The Battle of Isandlwana is famous for being the only time the British army was defeated in battle by an indigenous army and contributed to the Zulu tribe's fearsome reputation. Although the later he same day, the Zulus were trounced at the Battle of Rorke's Drift. The British are so proud of the latter battle that they turned into a movie starring Michael Caine. The Battle of Talana Hill was the opening battle of the Second Anglo-Boer war, while Spionkop was its deadliest battle. Peculiarly, there is a grandstand at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium named after Spionkop. Walking through the Battlefields with an experienced guide, it is easy to be transported back to the day of the battle and to pretend that you were there. We offer a number of safaris and itineraries to all the areas mentioned in this blog, as well as some others that we couldn't find space to write about. You can find all our itineraries as well as our favourite lodges and hotels by clicking here: https://www.indigosafaris.com/kwazulu-natal-safaris-and-holidays.htlm
Bringing your children to Africa is truly a magical experience, guaranteed to capture their imagination and maybe spur a lifelong interest in nature conservation. On a recent safari at a family-friendly game reserve in KwaZulu Natal, it was a joy to see how excited the children were to tick off as many animals and birds as possible in their books. Many kids asked if they could sit in the front seat next to the guide so that they could ask him questions about the animals. Africa offers something different and something new. Apart from the obvious draw of seeing wild animals, there is also the kilometres and kilometres of wide open spaces, the different people to interact with, culture, languages, and rich histories. Many parents use an African holiday as an opportunity to educate their children about different cultures and upbringings. Now, bringing your offspring on safari requires a bit of research. Not all safari lodges are child-friendly. Some have minimum age limits, particularly the unfenced camps. They also have differing maximum age limits for child rates. For example, some lodges offer 50% off to children under 12, others offer 50% off to children under 16. You also have to think about what type of room configuration you want. Do you want to share a room with your children, or would you prefer for them to have their own room? Maybe you are even planning to make this a multi generation family adventure and need to find the best set up for grandparents, parents and children. Many lodges require children under 12 to share a room with an adult, but teenagers are often allowed to have their own rooms. We have put together a family-friendly safari specials page, where we have highlighted the best family-friendly safari lodges in southern and eastern Africa in order to make your life as easy as possible when starting to plan your safari adventure, by showing you what the minimum and maximum age limits are for children, as well how much of children’s discount is potentially on offer. When planning a family safari, the best way is to contact us to tell us about the size of your family, the ages of your children and what room configuration you are looking for. All of this will affect the price and we can use our expertise to find the best special and the best fit. There are a few lodges which offer children’s programmes as well, where children will be looked after by child-minders and have the chance to learn some new bush tricks and skills and become junior rangers. If you want to find out more about those then have a look at the examples of Young Explorer’s Camp in the Okavango Delta, as well as Kambaku Safari Lodge in the Greater Kruger Park. The typical safari activities however are not the only activities available in Africa to enchant your children. They can also see the penguins in Cape Town, go quad biking in the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana, interact with meerkats on the Garden Route and go ziplining in Victoria Falls. All children love the beach and Africa has some beautiful warm beach destinations, for an add on stay, such as Zanzibar, Seychelles and Mauritius, where children can go snorkeling and kayaking, as well as sailing on a traditional Dhow. A few nights on safari combined with a few nights on a tropical island promises to be a memorable family holiday.
Well, first of all, they’re much more affordable than lodge safaris enabling a longer safari. Camping safaris also make travel affordable to many more people. Africa doesn’t have to remain a pipe dream. If you are willing to sleep in a tent, you will see the most fantastic sights and have the most incredible experiences which you will remember for the rest of your life. However, the most compelling reason for doing a camping safari is for the sheer romance of it all. A trip to Africa for many people is almost a spiritual experience, a chance to reconnect with nature and a life we left behind. Many people have forgotten what peace sounds like. There is always the buzz of the traffic, the aircon, or the fridge in the background. When you’re camping, there isn’t any of this white noise to lull you to sleep. Instead, you will be lulled to sleep by the sound of hyenas whooping, jackals laughing, or lions roaring. It’s also the best possible way to do a tech detox as there are many places in Africa which don’t have cellphone signal or wifi. These days, it seems like people are more scared of being disconnected from their friends for one day than they are of the lion roaring outside their tent. If you want a true break from work and from friends, and want to be assured that your boss will have no way of contacting you when you are on holiday, then a camping safari is the best way to achieve it. If you are lucky, the lion might even eat your cell phone. Camping is good for your physical health. You’re outside in the fresh air, rising at sunrise with the birdsong rather than with the anxiety-inducing screech of your alarm clock. Plus you are more active. As well as doing some exploring on foot, if you choose to do a semi-participation camping safari, you will also help with the setting up and taking down of your tents. But won’t it be itchy and uncomfortable and hard work? There are different levels of camping safaris, depending on how much comfort you want. The first way to differentiate is between participation semi-participation, and non-participation safaris. On participation safaris, you are expected to help set up your tent and to chip in with the cooking and cleaning. on a semi, you help put up your tent , and on non-participation safaris, the guides will do everything for you. When you arrive at a camp site, everything will already be set up for you and you can just sit back and enjoy a cold beer or gin and tonic, or both. There are also different types of tents. The most basic tent is a 2m x 2m x 2m dome tent, which is big enough for most people to stand up and lie down in. These are usually furnished with low stretchers and high density foam mattresses which are capable of providing a good night’s sleep. A level up from this is a Meru style tent, which is a larger rectangular shaped tent, around 4 metres long by 3 metres wide by 2.5 metres high. These Meru style tents are often furnished with proper beds and en-suite bathrooms. Dome tents will be found on all participation camping safaris, while Meru style tents are used more often for non-participation camping safaris and particularly for fly-in camping safaris. Bathroom facilities vary and that is part of the adventure and a sure fire way to get you out of your comfort zone, if the honey badger sniffing at your tent hasn’t accomplished that already. Sometimes you will stay in established campsites with proper communal ablutions. Other times, you will be out in the middle of the bush, far away from any semblance of plumbing infrastructure. The shower will be a bucket shower, which is a actually lot nicer than it sounds. The bucket has a proper shower head at the bottom and the water will be warmed on the fire before you stand underneath it. Toilets will either be a long drop hole with a proper toilet seat placed over it, or a chemical toilet. The scenery in the bush toilets is fabulous, although not always for the shy, as passing animals will stop and stare. Best hit the gym before your camping safari. Where should I go? The most popular countries for camping safaris are Namibia and Botswana. We offer a number of camping safaris in both countries, which you can find here and here. In Namibia, you will be camping in the desert underneath the stars seemingly in the middle of nowhere. You will also get to see sights such as Sossusvlei, Fish River Canyon, the Skeleton Coast and Etosha National Park. In Botswana, it is all about the animals. Camping on the island in the middle of the Okavango Delta will get you as close to African wildlife as you could hope to get. Most of the campsites are unfenced, so you might even have an animal wonder in to say hello. Add on the bush walks, mokoro rides, boat cruises and game drives and you have the makings of an exciting and fulfilling holiday. In addition to the wilderness, you can also camp in the Kalahari Desert where you can meet the Bushmen, or in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. You may be in places without wifi or cell phone signal, but this doesn’t mean you won’t have electricity. You will be able to charge your cameras and other devices in the cars. But if this is too much for you and you truly want to escape from any semblance of civilisation and consumer culture, then look no further than the Wilderness Primitive Trail, operating in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve in South Africa. This trail is aimed at the outdoors enthusiast who would like to combine a wilderness experience with backpacking and sleeping out under the stars. The trail provides the ultimate basic living experience, with a minimum of equipment but with adequate water and food. Water is collected from springs or rivers in the wilderness area, and bathing is done in the river wherever possible. A very important part of the trail is spending time alone on watch at the fire at night. In this way one gets to embrace silence and solitude, qualities that are difficult to find in today's world. Trailists are required to leave their watches and cellular phones in their cars in order to experience greater freedom from time constraints and deadlines which rule our lives today. But I don’t like other people
Camping safaris don’t necessarily mean group safaris. We can run the Primitive Trail on a private basis and also offer this Botswana camping safari on a private basis. In addition, any camping safari which you see on our Namibia pages can be turned into a private safari with our local guide, Tulimo. Come to Africa and do a camping safari. You will experience something you have never experienced before and you will return home feeling more refreshed and invigorated than if you had just done a spa weekend in Budapest. And you will also return home with savings in your account because there is nothing to spend money on in the middle of the African bush. We have some fantastic deals for liveaboard trips to the Galapagos, the Maldives, the Red Sea, and the Caribbean. The trips on the Explorer Venture boats equates to 2 Pay 1 Free, 4 Pay 2 Free, 6 Pay 3 Free, or 33% off per person. The Blueforce trips are a monetary saving on the regular price, plus an extra 25% for back to back bookings. AND, on top of these deals, we have a little Indigo Safaris bonus, depending on the trip. Email us to find out the specifics. EXPLORER VENTURE FLEET SPECIALGROUP SPECIAL DESTINATIONS & DATES Email us for avialability and pricing CARIBBEAN EXPLORER II - SABA/ST KITTS July 24-31, 2021 (St Maarten-St Maarten / Diving around Saba only) August 21-28, 2021 (St Maarten-St Maarten / Diving around Saba only) August 28-September 4, 2021 (St Maarten-St Maarten / Diving around Saba only) September 4-11, 2021 (St Kitts-St Maarten) September 18-25, 2021 (St Kitts-St Maarten) September 25-October 2, 2021 (St Maarten-St Kitts) October 2-9, 2021 (St Kitts-St Maarten) October 9-16, 2021 (St Maarten-St Kitts) October 16-23, 2021 (St Kitts-St Maarten) October 23-30, 2021 (St Maarten-St Kitts) October 30-November 6, 2021 (St Kitts-St Maarten) November 6-13, 2021 (St Maarten-St Kitts) November 13-20, 2021 (St Kitts-St Maarten) November 27-December 4, 2021 (St Kitts-St Maarten) December 4-11, 2021 (St Maarten-St Kitts) December 11-18, 2021 (St Kitts-St Maarten) December 18-25, 2021 (St Maarten-St Kitts) TURKS & CAICOS EXPLORER II - TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS August 7-14, 2021 August 14-21, 2021 September 18-25, 2021 September 25-October 2, 2021 October 2-9, 2021 October 16-23, 2021 October 30-November 7, 2021 December 11-18, 2021 December 18-25, 2021 HUMBOLDT EXPLORER - GALAPAGOS ISLANDSJuly 12-16, 2021 August 9-16, 2021 August 16-23, 2021 September 6-13, 2021 October 4-11, 2021 TIBURON EXPLORER - GALAPAGOS ISLANDSJuly 31-August 7, 2021 August 28-September 4, 2021 October 2-9, 2021 October 9-16, 2021 November 6-13, 2021 November 13-20, 2021 November 20-27, 2021 EMPEROR EXPLORER - MALDIVES August 15-22, 2021 (Best of Maldives) August 22-29, 2021 (Best of Maldives) September 26-October 3, 2021 (Best of Maldives) December 19-26, 2021 (Best of Maldives) Book by June 30th BLUE FORCE RED SEA - 2 BOATS BLUEFORCE MALDIVESLast Thursday was World Earth Day, and Joe Biden has been making a concerted effort to get the US back on track and in sync with other international leaders on meeting climate change goals crucial to the survival of the planet for future generations. But it shouldn’t just be down to governments to act. If they are meant to do our bidding, we should be setting the example. It’s not just industry that causes climate change, we all do, every day, depending a multitude of choices we have made and continue to make as consumers. I have been offsetting my carbon footprint, both my domestic use and business travel, for the past decade. Every few years I would review the options available and offset by making a financial contribution towards projects that have a positive impact on climate change. Not all the schemes are about planting trees. There are many more ways to effect positive climate change and reduce carbon footprints, notably renewable energy projects, solar cooker distribution to reduce wood burning, energy efficient lighting, water well drilling and water purification, habitat protection, clean transport and more. The United Nations Sustainable Development goals website has more details here. How I offset I calculate my carbon footprint here. Then I choose one of the many carbon offsetting programs around. The carbon footprint calculator site suggests some schemes that they have vetted, Investopedia recommends other schemes based on different criteria here. Our 2021 choices For 2021, I have chosen Sustainable Travel International and Ecologi to offset my personal carbon footprint, and that of my business travel, and the carbon footprints of Indigo Safaris’ staff. Sustainable Travel International’s goals and methods fit very well with my travel philosophy. Ecologi, whilst the website boils everything down to the number of trees planted, actually has a wide range of projects across different continents. Our Safari Clients' Footprints We are currently conducting research into how we can offset clients’ safari game drives and transfers, working out an average carbon footprint per day on safari, and will be doing this for all safaris in the near future. We will also be encouraging clients to offset their flights, if they don’t already do so. Many airlines now offer this as part of the booking process, but it is also possible to do this and give your offset money to a project of your choice. You can work out individual flight footprints on the calculate I linked to above, and also on the Green Seat website, allowing you to compare the cost of the airline’s offsetting schemes with other options. Check out these amazing deals, book with us and get an extra discount. Email cb@indigosafaris.com for more details. Carpe Diem February departures 50% discount, free nitrox 30 Jan -06 Feb 7 nights Central from $1033 06 -13 Feb 7 nights Central from $1033 13-20 Feb 7 nights Central from $1033 20-02 March 10 nights Central from $1500 Carpe Vita 35% discount in standard cabins, free nitrox 21-28 Feb 7 nights Addu - Foammulah - Huvadhoo $1494 plus domestic flights $425 Carpe Novo 35% discount in standard cabins, free nitrox 30 Jan -06 Feb 7 nights Addu - Foammulah - Huvadhoo $1651 plus $425 domestic flights 06 -13 Feb 7 nights Huvadhoo - Foammulah - Gan $1651 plus $425 domestic flights 02 -13 March 11 nights North Male - Lhaviyani - Noonu - Shaviyani - Haa Dhaalu - Shaviyani - Raa - Baa - Rasdhoo - Ari - Vaa - North Male $2599 MY Conte Max
$1600 per person sharing, free Nitrox January 17 - January 24, 2021 Central atolls January 24 - January 31, 2021 Central atolls January 31 - February 7, 2021 Central atolls February 7 - February 14, 2021 Central atolls Check out these great deals from the Caribbean, Maldives, and the Galapagos. Book with us by January 31st and bag another $75 discount per person from us.
JANUARY, 2021 January 30-February 6, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. FEBRUARY, 2021 February 13-20, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. February 17-24, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Deep South Maldives. Save $680! $2695 pp after discount. (Domestic flight included). February 20-27, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. February 24-March 6, 2021 (10 nights), Emperor Explorer – Deep South Maldives. Save $1040! $3545 pp after discount. (Domestic flights included). February 27-March 6, 2021 – Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. MARCH, 2021 March 6-16, 2021 (10 nights), Emperor Explorer – South Central Maldives. Save $1040! $3255 pp after discount (Domestic flight included). March 13-20, 2021, Tiburon Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1900! $4495 pp after discount. March 13-20, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. March 20-27, 2021, Tiburon Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1900! $4495 pp after discount. March 20-27, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. March 22-29, 2021, Humboldt Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1700! $3795 pp after discount. March 28-April 4, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of Maldives. Save $650! $2065 pp after discount. APRIL, 2021 April 3-10, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. April 3-10, 2021, Tiburon Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1900! $4495 pp after discount. April 17-24, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. April 18-25, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount April 25-May 2, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount. April 26-May 3, 2021, Humboldt Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1700! $3795 pp after discount. August 28-September 4, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. MAY, 2021 May 1-8, 2021, Turks & Caicos Explorer II – Turks and Caicos Islands. Save $600! From $2095 to $2495 pp after discount. May 1-8, 2021, Tiburon Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1900! $4495 pp after discount. May 2-9, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount May 8-15, 2021, Turks & Caicos Explorer II – Turks and Caicos Islands. Save $600! From $2095 to $2495 pp after discount. May 9-16, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount May 16-23, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount May 23-30, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount May 31-June 7, 2021, Humboldt Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $1700! $3795 pp after discount. JULY, 2021 July 10-17, 2021, Turks & Caicos Explorer II – Turks and Caicos Islands. Save $600! From $2095 to $2495 pp after discount. AUGUST, 2021 August 15-22, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount August 22-29, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount August 29-September 5, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $445! $1890 pp after discount SEPTEMBER, 2021 September 4-11, 2021, Turks & Caicos Explorer II – Turks and Caicos Islands. Save $600! From $2095 to $2495 pp after discount. September 18-25, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. OCTOBER, 2021 October 10-17, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount October 17-24, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount October 24-31, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount October 30-November 6, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. October 31- November 7, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount NOVEMBER, 2021 November 6-13, 2021, Turks & Caicos Explorer II – Turks and Caicos Islands. Save $600! From $2095 to $2495 pp after discount. November 7-14, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount November 28-December 5, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $475! $2065 pp after discount DECEMBER, 2021 December 4-11, 2021, Caribbean Explorer II – Northeastern Caribbean. Save $600! $1695 pp after discount. December 12-19, 2021, Emperor Explorer – Best of the Maldives. Save $650! $1890 pp after discount December 18-25, 2021, Turks & Caicos Explorer II – Turks and Caicos Islands. Save $600! From $2095 to $2495 pp after discount. December 18-25, 2021, Tiburon Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $900! $5995 pp after discount. December 20-27, 2021, Humboldt Explorer – Galapagos Islands. Save $800! $5195 pp after discount. ** Terms and conditions: 2021 Year of Savings Specials are valid only for new reservations booked and deposited after January 8, 2021. The specials cannot be combined with other discounts, credits, or group policy. Not applicable on existing bookings made before January 8, 2021. Explorer Fleet Covid Booking Guarantees We’d like to assure all of our guests that, if any of the following conditions apply within 2 weeks of departure and you are not able to join your scheduled trip, we will provide you with a 100% credit of the amount paid in order to reschedule your trip aboard another departure on the same vessel/itinerary within the next 24 months:
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