Christmas on Safari

Imagine a Christmas away from the snow and the cold of the northern hemisphere, a Christmas where twinkling lights are replaced with incredible animals and breathtaking scenery. Picture yourself in the wilds of Africa, where the golden savannahs, lush rainforests and arid deserts are home to natural wonders so far unseen.

Choosing a safari for your Christmas holiday brings together adventure, nature, culture and relaxation, allowing you to embrace the wilderness and experience rare animal sightings while indulging in the comforts of world-class lodges and exclusive services. Your Christmas time can be filled with daily game drives that reveal Africa’s majestic wildlife and evenings of fine dining under starry skies.

Madagascar

The fourth largest island in the world, Madagascar is a paradise of unusual wildlife and stunning scenery. While safaris in mainland Africa focus on the megafauna of rhinos, elephants, giraffes and various big cats, safaris in Madagascar allow for much more unusual experiences. Thanks to its remote location, this African isle is home to many plants and animals that aren’t found anywhere else in the world, including over 100 lemurs, most of the world’s species of chameleons, various tree frogs and the lothara gecko, which is only found on one mountain range in the north of the island. Isalo National Park on the south of the island is home to the famous ring-tailed lemur, and from the east coast you can see migrating (and perhaps even calving) humpback whales.

After a day of being guided on foot by experts through rainforests, deserts or mountains, you can relax in luxury at secluded lodges on the beautiful coast of this wildlife wonderland. As a tropical island, temperatures at Christmas comfortably range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F), contributing to the island’s warm and humid environment.

South Africa

A safari in South Africa is an incredible experience due to being able to see all of the Big Five in one day – that is elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffalos – all from the safety and comfort of your cruising vehicle. As well as being a great place to see all five, Kruger National Park is widely recognised as being one of the best places in the world for leopard watching. December is peak time for a trip to South Africa, with temperatures comfortably reaching 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F) during the day.

For the ultimate experience, stay at Londolozi on the private game reserve of Sabi Sands where conservation and community development is combined with luxury and adventure. Or, if you’re more of an ornithologist, Coot Club in south-west Stanford is a haven for bird watchers, providing beautiful stone cottages and boathouses in the heart of pristine wetlands.

Zimbabwe

Steeped in history and offering some of the continent’s most iconic landscapes, Zimbabwe is a treasure for the adventurous traveller. 11 national parks and Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, makes this landlocked country in the south of Africa a natural paradise. On a Zimbabwean safari, you can expect to see the Big Five as well as other African icons, including hippos, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles and wild dogs.

Mana Pools, one of Zimbabwe’s national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fantastic spot to see elephants amid views of the Zambezi River, while Gonarezhou is one of the country’s largest national parks and plays host to game drives, walking safaris and bird watching. Zimbabwean temperatures in December range from 18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F), providing an ideal atmosphere in which to explore the country’s wildlife.

Combine Zimbabwe’s amazing wildlife with luxury lodges and camps that put you in the heart of the country’s stunning scenery and you have an incredible and exclusive Christmas getaway on your hands. Stay in Hwange National Park among acacia tree groves at Somalisa Camp for an elegant and authentic bush experience or base yourself at Zambezi Expeditions in Mana Pools where they prioritise luxury alongside eco-consciousness.

Botswana

Home to UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Okavango Delta, as well as the 900,000sq-km Kalahari Desert, Botswana is unparalleled in its unspoilt natural beauty. These very different landscapes, intensified by the seasonal floods of the former, provide a huge range of habitats for Botswanan wildlife, including elephants, buffalos, antelopes, wild dogs, crocodiles and unusual species like lechwes and sitatungas. Of course, with December being the height of Botswanan summer, the water levels in the Delta are lower than at other times.

As well as traditional land-based safaris, Botswana safaris also take to the air and the water, letting you see the wildlife from above or from the winding waterways of the famed Okavango Delta (when water levels allow). While you explore, temperatures will rise from around 20°C/69°F in the morning to 33°C/91°F in the afternoon.

After a day exploring the country, retire at one of the Delta’s exclusive luxury camps, including Kiri Camp, which blends modern comfort with rustic charm, Duba Plains Camp, which overlooks stunning floodplains, and Zarafa Camp, which emphasises comfort and sustainability in the Selinda Reserve. Outside the Delta, Jack’s Camp is set in the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and offers vintage 1940s accommodation with modern luxuries, and Barclay Stenner operates exclusive mobile canvas safaris, reminiscent of the overland expeditions undertaken by early explorers.

With Madagascar, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana all comfortably in the southern hemisphere, you can expect Christmas in these countries to be warm and summery. This means traditional northern hemisphere food like turkey with all the trimmings will be replaced in many instances by braais (barbecues) and picnics. You can expect feasts of traditional African fare on a Christmas safari; while singing, dancing and gift giving are popular ways to mark the celebrations.

To ensure a flawless Christmas safari, we always recommend advance-planning and securing the best lodges and guides early. In terms of packing, bring lightweight, breathable clothing for the warm African climate and elegant evening wear for refined dining at your luxury accommodation. A Christmas safari is as much about relaxation as it is about adventure, so consider adding spa treatments and private excursions to your itinerary.

It’s worth noting that rain is possible in Africa in December, particularly when the temperatures climb. The rain is normally short-lived though and quickly followed by glorious sunshine.

Here at cazenove+loyd, we are specialists in creating bespoke safari experiences tailored to the most discerning travellers. With decades of expertise in Africa’s finest destinations, our team curates journeys that are rich in adventure, luxury and authenticity.

Whether you seek a remote lodge in Botswana, a cultural immersion in Madagascar, or the grandeur of South Africa, we will ensure your Christmas safari is nothing short of extraordinary. Let’s start planning your adventure!