Witness Africa’s wildlife at its finest

Africa's climate varies across the continent; however, due to its positioning, most of Africa enjoys a tropical climate with four seasons, including a mild winter, making it a year-round destination. Its southern hemisphere countries see spring from September through November, summer from December through February, fall from March through May and winter from June through August. The most important distinctions, though, are that of the wet season and dry seasons.

While the wet and dry seasons vary by location, in most safari regions of Southern Africa, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia, the dry season typically lasts from April to October, while the wet season takes over from November to March. In eastern African locations, the wet and dry seasons have a narrower window, with the dry season peaking between July and October. Each of these seasons brings its own wildlife viewing opportunities, with the dry season's limited water sources forcing animals together and thus providing a higher frequency of viewings and the wet season's births.

Every safari provides a unique experience, even when following the same route. Animals are free to roam their parks and preserves as they please, though certain times of day lend themselves to different viewing experiences. Heading out on early morning wildlife viewing trips allows you to see big cats returning from their nightly hunts and some nocturnal animals before they settle in for the day. Late afternoon safaris showcase animals as they graze and look for water. While there is no guarantee, some animals you may see include the 'Big Five' - lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and African buffalo - giraffes, hippopotamuses, cheetahs, zebras, and many other species of mammals, reptiles and birds.

Our itineraries are thoughtfully designed with stays in highly rated hotels with central locations in cities and in well-known lodges or hotels near preserves and parks where safety is of the utmost importance. While out on safari, each expedition is led by qualified rangers and trackers who dedicate their lives to the safety of both the animals and park visitors. Should you have any safety concerns while you are on a Great Rail African safari holiday, the Tour Manager is always available.

Though it seems cliché to pack a bag full of olives, tans, khakis and whites, experience shows that these are the best colours for animal viewing. The point of any wildlife spotting experience is to blend in with your surroundings, fading into the backdrop as animals go about their lives. Africa's terrain is filled with these muted hues, and if you are wearing bright colours, you will stick out and could be seen as a threat by the animals. This means they may hide or run away, limiting your viewing opportunities. Wearing black, while not bright, could cause you to overheat while under the African sun.

To accommodate adventures at different times of the day, pack items that can be layered; sweaters and light jackets are an important addition to any suitcase. Comfortable walking shoes and pants that you are comfortable sitting in for long periods are also recommended. Other items to bring along include a backpack or collapsible back to bring along on safari, sunglasses with a lanyard, a hat, a camera, binoculars, sunblock, mosquito repellant and a mobile phone lanyard so you do not accidentally drop your phone while navigating rugged terrain.

If your holiday follows a route that is exclusive to South Africa, there is no need to obtain a visa. Other African nations that do not require British citizens to have a visa for stays under 90 days include Zambia, Namibia and Botswana. Travellers to Kenya need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) ahead of arrival, while visitors to Tanzania need a visa, which we recommend obtaining in advance for ease of travel.

While clean, potable water may be available in the major cities of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, you should drink bottled or filtered water if there is any question of safety. Further, opt for bottled or filtered water when travelling to remote destinations and smaller villages, where clean water is not available.