It’s that time of year again, when travellers start to turn their minds to the coming year – and more particularly, the next big thing in travel. As the world gets smaller, increasingly that’s seems to be not just about travelling somewhere no one else has yet discovered, but also about experiencing something in a different way.
According to Michael McCall, Director of Sales, Australia, New Zealand & Asia, Sanctuary Retreats, nowhere is this truer than with African safaris.
Says Michael, “The African safari will always be on top of most people’s bucket list. Its many national parks, reserves and conservation areas number amongst some of the most beautiful places on the planet and are home to an astonishing variety of wild animals, making it one of the world’s most popular travel destinations.”
‘But while it’s certainly true that Africa has really experienced something of a renaissance over the past few years, and demand has increased significantly – especially to traditional safari destinations like Kenya and South Africa, we are seeing a growing trend amongst Sanctuary Retreats’ guests, who tend to be at the premium end of the market, seeking out places that are more off the well-beaten tourist track.”
Michael points specifically to the increasing number of people who are choosing destinations like Botswana and Uganda over more traditional safari destinations like South Africa and Kenya. “For those willing to take a walk on the wild side, Gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest offers up an incredible opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the rarest animals on Earth. Likewise, Chobe National Park in Botswana’s northeast is a chance to see Africa’s largest remaining population of elephants largely devoid of the crowds typical elsewhere.
According to Michael, true safari aficionados have also driven real growth in demand for Tanzania – and specifically the less travelled regions like the more remote Southern Serengeti and Tarangire National Park.
“The Serengeti is rightly known for offering some of the best opportunities for taking in the Great Migration – especially in the autumn, when the wildebeest and zebra herds make their crossings of the Mara River in the Serengeti’s north. But the autumn migration definitely comes with its share of hassles, including higher prices and traffic jams, as everyone wants space near the best sightings.”
As a consequence, he says that an increasing number of visitors are now choosing to head to the Southern Serengeti instead in the Green Season from late January through to mid-March, where an estimated 400,000 wildebeest calves are born during the six-week period each year. Likewise, the winter months in this part of the Serengeti more travellers are finding the winter months rewarding as they offer up extraordinary opportunities to see wildlife in exclusive locations without the crowds, and for lower prices.
Located slightly off the main safari route, Michael also points to Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park as the ultimate surprise package on the Northern circuit. “Best known for its elephant migration and an exceptional concentration of game from July through to October, it’s often overshadowed by the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, attracting a fraction of the visitor numbers! For this reason, this seasonal Tanzania safari park is a little gem on the Northern safari circuit – especially if you love elephants!”
Where to stay?
Sanctuary Retreats operates camps in all four locations:
Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, Chobe National Park, Botswana. Priced from USD595 per person per night twin share for 1 – 3 nights.
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. Priced from USD415 per person per night twin share for 1 – 3 nights.
Sanctuary Kusini, Southern Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Priced from USD495 per person per night twin share for 1 – 3 nights.
Sanctuary Swala Camp, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania. Priced from USD550 per person twin share for 1 – 3 nights.
But if you are contemplating ticking a safari off your bucket list in 2020, take advantage of Sanctuary Retreats’ great-value extended stay offer and save up to 40% when you stay at one or more Sanctuary Retreats luxurious African safari camps or lodges, including any of the above, for 7 nights or more depending on the season of travel.
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