Africa & Indian Ocean

What does Africa mean to you? If you have never been, the chances are you imagine a vast continent of mystery, adventure and safaris …. forests and deserts and remote tribes.  Let me bring your travel dreams and imagination to life and plan your ideal Africa Holiday!

African Safaris can be tailored for just you as an individual, couple or family, you can join a group ‘mobile’ safari camping along the way or you can fly in to luxury camps and lodges deep in the wilderness areas.  There are safaris which are mainly jeep based, those which concentrate on walking and being in the bush far from roads and light pollution, even sleeping under the stars.  Some safaris involve boating or canoeing and some can be taken after dark, watching nocturnal wildlife on a night drive.  Ask me for the best safari option to suit your personal needs.  Where you go depends on the time of year, what particular species or type of safari interests you and of course your budget!  If you are travelling alone don’t let that be an obstacle – my first safaris in Africa were as a single female traveller so I am well placed to find you the best way to find an African Safari for solo travellers.

Many years back now, I lost my heart to Africa, sitting on top of a Kopje in the Serengeti with a cold beer in my hand, watching the sunset over a far reaching horizon having spent the previous three hours walking through the bush observing wildlife at close quarters – I knew that I would be back and that moment resulted in a lifelong love of this magical continent.  They say that ‘he who has trodden the red dust of Africa will never wash it off of his boots’ … my house is full of red dust!! So take a look through these desinations for inspiration and start planning your next African Safari.

Back in the days of the explorers, Africa was an untamed wilderness full of legends and exotic myths. Books about the ‘dark continent’ to this day evoke feelings of adventure and exploration to most people.

Some of the first images and reports to reach the western world conjured up images of cannibals and cooking pots and fearsome beasts giving rise to characters such as King Kong!  Early natural history explorations constantly reported back of new and exotic species of wildlife and thankfully our fascination with safari life turned in the later 1900s from hunting animals to conserving them.

Both the culture and creatures of this amazing continent still feature highly in modern day travel to Africa.  Anthropology has its heart in Africa, with some of the oldest remains on earth of humans having been found in the Great Rift Valley, with archaeological sites and museums being accessible in many countries to visitors.  If you want to get to know the people of Africa, I can tell you where to go and spend some time with the friendly faces of the continent, maybe stay in a local village, spend some time volunteering or join walking safaris with local trackers and guides.

The topography of Africa is simply stunning.  Whether it is rainforest, desert, wild beaches, savannah lands, mountains or cities that float your boat, there is something here for everyone!

Africa’s wildlife is of course the main attraction and rightly so.  Africa Safaris are one of the most popular holidays in the world.  The iconic ‘Big 5’ can be found in many countries and for the ‘Africa Addict’ (like me!), there are many small national parks and reserves where you can while away your time simply listening to the noises of the bush and watching the world of wildlife play out it’s soap opera around you …. Some highlights in the natural world of Africa include Gorilla safaris and seeing the Great Wildebeest Migration.

West and Central Africa offers a completely different cultural and wildlife experience to the traditional East or Southern African Safari.  Central Africa is opening up to tourists now with several options for trekking Lowland Gorillas and exploring the remote tropical rainforests and parks of The Congo and Central African Republic.  On the West African coast there are traditional winter sun options in Gambia and Senegal or more adventurous beach holidays and wildlife to be enjoyed in destinations such as Sierra Leone.

Have a read of the destinations and Africa Safaris pages to inspire you further or contact me for a chat about my favourite subject and let me take you to Africa!

Indian Ocean

What better way to relax after a dusty safari than time on a tropical island?  The Indian Ocean is a luxury honeymoon destination with five star hotels and spas, world class service, fabulous diving and snorkeling and private yachts for hire.  It’s also a stand alone destination for those seeking isolation and tropical sun.  Take your pick from the Mascarene Islands, Seychelles or Maldives.  If you wanted to get off the beaten track and have more of a rustic, laid back island experience, try Rodrigues or explore the forests of Reunion. Mauritius has plenty of excellent standard hotels and spas but if you want somewhere with more natural history and wildlife, check out some of the private island reserves of the Seychelles.