Safaris HOLIDAYS

Our experienced travel consultants will provide you with assistance and guidance in easily organising a memorable holiday in Southern and Eastern Africa. We are delighted to offer luxury safari holidays from Ireland within South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia with beach holiday extensions available in destinations such as Mauritius, Zanzibar and the Seychelles. We are dedicated to providing the best possible wildlife experience for you and all our tours are designed, managed and directed by specialists around you.

 

Classic Resorts firmly believe that responsible tourism is the only way one can guarantee the sustainable wilderness areas for present and future generations. Tied in with this, is our commitment to the environment trying to minimize our footprints and respecting the fauna and flora whose territories are visited.

 

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions regarding a South Africa Safari

 

South Africa is a year-round destination, and the best time to visit depends on your priorities. Safaris are best in the winter months (May to August) when the grass is lowest, so game viewing is easier, and the temperatures are mild (20–33°C). The best season for the beach is summer (November to mid-March). Temperatures reach 28-30°C or higher on truly beautiful days.

 

A minimum of a two-night stay is recommended to really enjoy your African bush experience.

 

In South Africa, the major reserves are concentrated in Mpumalanga and the Limpopo Province, and you can reach them by flying directly to Johannesburg or Cape Town, then catching a connecting flight to an airport in or near the reserves, and hiring a car or arranging a transfer to and from your lodge. Or you can opt for a 4-5 hour drive from Johannesburg admiring the scenery on route. 

 

For the Eastern Cape reserves, Port Elizabeth is the closest airport - the reserves are between 20 -100 minutes' drive and best of all, these reserves are malaria-free. Visiting one of these is ideally the start or exit point of a driving trip along the Garden Route to or from Cape Town, a wonderfully scenic drive with great choices in lodgings.

 

South Africa is only place in the world where you can enjoy a malaria free African safari holiday. Both the Eastern Cape’s game reserves and Madikwe, near Johannesburg, boast the Big Five, so you won’t compromise your wildlife viewing or your health.

 

The best reason to visit a private reserve is that you are guaranteed to see more animals, and you will learn more about the intricacies of the bush. Visitors are taken for game drives in an open-topped vehicle by an armed and knowledgeable ranger, usually helped by a tracker, and in radio communication with other vehicles. Sightings are excellent on game drives (at least two of the Big 5 in one drive), and it's great to have your questions answered without having to flip through a book. In certain reserves, like Sabi Sand and Thornybush rangers are allowed to drive off-road, taking you almost within touching distance of animals.

 

A typical day starts with a 3-hour, early-morning game drive, where guests are accompanied by a game ranger and tracker - followed by a large cooked breakfast, possibly in the bush. A guided walk is generally offered before lunch, and afternoons are spent relaxing at the pool or on a viewing deck. Night drives take place during the sunset/early evening hours, with drinks (sundowners) served in the bush, and the last hour or so is spent driving with a spotlight. Night drives can be incredibly dull or totally exhilarating, with nocturnal predators stalking and killing prey, a rare but privileged sighting. Dinners are large and delicious, and often served under the stars by firelight.

 

Safari camps are generally all-inclusive (Unless otherwise stated), which means the cost of the accommodations, meals, guides, game activities, and park entry fees are included. Combining a safari with a few days at the beach or with a self-drive tour along the Garden Route, can make a fantastic trip more affordable.

 

The age range and makeup of your party should be taken into account. Some safari camps do not allow children under age 12. A family has different requirements than a honeymoon couple. While some safaris are kid-friendly, keep in mind that a certain amount of quiet, concentration, patience, and immobility is required. Please ask one of our experts for more details.