It’s been a long wait for tourists to return to Africa, but as travel restrictions relaxed and the last countries were dropped from the red list, UK travellers have flocked to snap up flights.
Bookings to South Africa alone jumped by 150 per cent in 24 hours after the Government lifted quarantine restrictions last month, while Virgin Atlantic’s flight schedule has been expanded to provide daily flights to Johannesburg.
With safari operators particularly badly hit during the pandemic, and vital conservation schemes affected, the return of tourism can’t come too soon for many destinations across the continent.
And if it’s not entirely smooth sailing just yet — Morocco banned direct flights from the UK in response to rising case numbers, while many countries still require a negative PCR test on arrival, even for the double vaccinated — there’s plenty to tempt you back to Africa.
Hands-on conservation in South Africa
If you’re looking for more from your safari than photos of the Big Five — however unforgettable that might be — then joining the five-night Collars for Conservation Safari is the perfect way to make a difference.
Aimed at families with children aged 12+ or groups of friends, the Thanda Safari break allows guests to join the Wildlife Conservation Team in identifying, sedating and then placing a GPS collar on one of Africa’s iconic species, including lion, leopard, elephant and cheetah.
Used to monitor and protect the animal, as well as providing data for research used in future conservation projects, the trip includes a helicopter transfer from Durban’s King Shaka airport to the five-star Villa iZulu, game drives, bush walks, and a day at 9-Mile Beach, a stretch of protected coastline in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
The safari costs from around £6,400 per person, including all meals and drinks, activities, flights and helicopter transfer. Book with Abercrombie & Kent.
• The Kalahari Conservation Experience, in South Africa’s Kalahari Private Reserve, includes a stay in an off-the-beaten-track private reserve, helping to do everything from game counts to predator monitoring and anti-poaching measures, in a landscape that’s home to cheetah, lion, elephants and rhino, among other wildlife.
Seven nights departing September 16 costs from £3,495 per person with Wildlife Worldwide.
World-class wildlife in Rwanda
Already famous for its gorilla-spotting, Rwanda’s Akagera National Park has seen its lion population grow fivefold since the first pride was introduced in 2015, while the unique biodiversity of Nyungwe National Park is set to be the country’s first natural property to be nominated for the Unesco World Heritage list.
From next year, you can also explore some of the country’s highlights with a stay on one of Africa’s great lakes, Lake Kivu, as the Mantis Kivu Queen uBuranga houseboat sets sail in summer 2022.
As well as soaking up the views of the lake, whose clear waters stretch for over 1,000 square miles, a stay includes a visit to Volcanoes National Park to see endangered mountain gorillas, discover the Albertine Rift montane forests, plus guided hikes and birdwatching.
Designed to help support the communities which live along the lake, the 10-cabin boat is one of the most indulgent ways to explore, with a swimming pool, spa and viewing deck with hot tub on board.
Two nights on board the Mantis Kivu Queen uBuranga costs from around £730 per person.
Bush and beach in Kenya
Combine wildlife and downtime on the Watamu coast with a multicentre stay in Kenya, on a holiday that helps support local communities and conservation projects from the Hemingways Collection of hotels.
After a stopover at the plantation-style boutique Hemingways Nairobi, head to the Maasai Mara for wildlife spotting. At Ol Seki Hemingways Mara, in the Naboisho Conservancy, there are ten luxury safari tents with 270 degree views over the plains, home to lions, giraffe and elephant, but with far fewer visitors than the main reserve.
The break finishes at Hemingways Watamu, in the Watamu National Park, with its turtles, whale sharks and a coral reef, not to mention whale watching trips on offer.
The hotels support local conservation projects, including a chance to join in beach clean programmes, as well as community projects to protect the cultural heritage of the Maasai; around 80 per cent of Hemingways Ol Seki Mara’s staff also come from surrounding villages.
A seven-night Bush & Beach trip with Hemingways Collection costs from £1,680 per person, including domestic flights, for select dates until April 14.
• Giraffe Manor, where a herd of Rothschild’s giraffe greet guests for breakfast and afternoon tea, is famously one of Africa’s most instagrammable experiences — and in August, The Safari Collection unveiled its first major expansion, The Retreat, where guests can interact with the giraffes from a 21 metre infinity pool too.
Rates for day rooms at The Retreat cost from around £590 per person, including use of facilities.
Cruise on the Nile
Egypt has been named one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 countries for 2022, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun and the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. And you can explore the country in style, with the launch of the luxurious SS Sphinx from Uniworld.
With 42 staterooms decorated with lavish Egyptian-inspired furnishings and fabrics, created by local artisans and using Egyptian materials, it’s one of the most indulgent ways to follow the classic Nile itinerary, visiting the temples of Hatshepsut, Karnak and Luxor, as well as venturing into the Valley of the Kings, all with an expert Egyptologist guide.
But there’s also the chance to discover more of local life and Nile wildlife, along with other optional excursions, such as sailing in a traditional felucca boat, hot air ballooning over the desert, and visiting the temple of Abu Simbel with its colossal statues of Ramses II. The trip also begins and ends in Cairo, with a visit to the pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Egyptian museum.
A 12-day Uniworld cruise costs from £6,499 per person, including flights.
Green safari in Zambia
It might not be the continent’s best-known safari destination, but Zambia is easily one of the best, with lions, leopards, elephants and endangered pangolins to be found in Kafue National Park.
The new Chisa Busanga Camp from Green Safaris opened in June, a seasonal camp overlooking the flood plains and shallow wetlands, with its design inspired by weaver bird nests found in the area — Chisa is the Nyanja word for ‘bird’s nest’.
You can enjoy panoramic views from four human-sized bird nests set up in the tree tops, complete with indoor and outdoor shower, plus a private observation deck, and shared plunge pool to cool down in.
As well as walking safaris and stargazing, the camp also uses electric solar-powered vehicles for its wildlife drives; not only more environmentally friendly, the ‘silent safari’ experience means you’ll get some wonderful wildlife sightings without the rumble of an engine scaring the animals and birds away.
Each Green Safaris property supports at least one conservation or environmental initiative too, along with one community project.
Priced from £545 per night, all-inclusive, book through Aardvark Safaris.
Like this? Sign up for more with our JC Life newsletter here.
From fabulous recipes to parenting tips, travel and West End entertainment; insightful interviews and much more: there’s more to the JC than news!
