A Safari in Summertime

A Safari in Summertime
If you”re looking for thrills and adventure this summertime, there”s no better way to go about it than a safari. The bushveld is one of the best “get-away-from-it-all” holiday destinations, allowing you to unwind from the stress of everyday life. This perfect “honeymoon destination” is also an “adventure playground” for the stimulating family holiday.
African sunsets are among the most beautiful in the world. So kick back and relax in the romantic ambience of the bushveld: feast around roaring fires under the African stars, eat at restaurants offering award-winning cuisine and get pampered at the resident spa or wellness centre.
Take your pick of the myriad outdoor activities on offer. There are evening and daily game drives accompanied by expert rangers. Swimming, gyming, and a spot of tennis will get the blood flowing after those African cocktails! Explore the surrounding culture by visiting a local village -the traditional singing and dancing will bring joy to your soul, as will the affection and warmth of the African people. A safari doesn”t have to cost you an arm and a leg. There are different ways to do it, depending on budget and desired experience.
National or Private Reserve
If you decide to go ‘Private’, it”s like flying first-class; everything you want, desire or need will be at your fingertips. You can expect the ultimate in adventure, luxury and exclusivity. This is plush 5-star in remote bushveld.
At a Private Reserve, the emphasis is on exceptional personal service, access to game-rich bushveld and superb facilities. Breathtaking views can be enjoyed in restful solitude. Experienced trackers and game rangers will accompany you on game drives in open land rovers; tracking the big five and sharing their vast knowledge of surrounding wildlife, flora and fauna. A good example of unrivalled “bush” luxury is the Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, where lodges are built into rock mounds and tree houses have rivers running through.
If you decide to go ‘National’, there are many options. The main rest camps at the Kruger National Park have chalets, family cottages, bungalows, safari tents, caravan and campsites or there are bushveld camps and bush lodges. These vary in price and style, depending on how hands-on you want to be. These rest camps provide shops, restaurants, gas stations, ATM banking, public telephones, pharmacies, medical services etc.
A large selection of wildlife safari tours are available. All walking safaris, or hiking trails are guided by experienced rangers, who have an extensive knowledge of the area, wildlife, birds and indigenous vegetation. Accommodation in the game reserve is in two-bedded safari-tents, with communal toilet and shower facilities.
Know your weather
If you”re going to wander around the wilderness getting intimate with the African kingdom – you need to know your weather! The average summer temperature for the Sabi-Sabi/Kruger Park region is an average 34?C during the day. The warm summer rains can bring a lush green hue to the once golden glow of the bushveld: providing a sometime welcome relief from the heat.
Temperatures gradually fall to roughly 20?C at night. You will be privy to brief but beautiful thunderstorms – so be prepared when you”re eating under the stars – the night sky is occasionally illuminated by lightening, a truly spectacular sight. These figures represent average temperatures, but this is Africa, so remember the weather is not always predictable. Thundershowers could occur during the dry season and days could go by with no rain at all during the rainy season. Prepare for the contradictory nature of the weather; bring a raincoat and copious amounts of sunblock.
Summer is still the season when wildlife thrives. In contrast to the winter months when most areas are dry and arid, the summer months are a time of plenty. As a result, the savannah is transformed into an emerald-green paradise; a great time to enjoy the floral diversity of the region and its dazzling array of bird life.
Virgin Summer Safari Delights:
• birthing season of the Impala
• a time of unique bird migrations
• myriad array of vegetation comes alive!