Safari Holidays

Discover the best selection of Safari Holidays with Hays Travel

Some holidays you remember. A safari is one you'll be telling stories about for the rest of your life. Picture it - dawn breaking gold over the Serengeti, a lion's roar carrying across the savannah, your guide pointing out a leopard draped in an acacia tree while you sip coffee from the back of a jeep. This is Africa at its most breathtaking, and it's closer than you think.

At Hays Travel, the UK's largest independent travel agent, we've been helping families, couples and lifelong adventurers plan the trip of a lifetime - and a safari is about as "trip of a lifetime" as it gets. Because we're independent, we're not tied to one supplier, which means more choice for you: Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa or a dreamy beach-and-safari combo, planned around your budget, your pace and your sense of wonder.

Why Book a Safari Holiday with Hays Travel?

The trip of a lifetime, for real - A safari genuinely earns the phrase. A herd of elephants crossing the plain, a lion waking with the sun - moments no photo captures, and stories you'll tell for years
See the Big Five in the wild - Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, roaming free - not behind glass. Nothing beats the hush when a leopard pads out of the long grass
No two days are the same - Nature writes the script. A dawn game drive, a riverbank of hippos, a cheetah hunting at dusk - you never know what the plains will give you
Easy to pair with a beach Follow the thrill of the bush with a few days by the Indian Ocean - Zanzibar or Mombasa are a short hop away
It's for everyone - Honeymooners, families, lifelong dreamers - there's a safari to suit, from first-timers to seasoned explorers

Discover wildlife you've only ever seen on screen!

On Safari in South Africa at Mabula Lodge

✓ Operator: Newmarket Holidays

From

£2,951pp

Details

Qwabi Private Game Reserve

✓ Operator: Titan

From

£3,195pp

Details

On Safari in South Africa – Elephant Lodge

✓ Operator: Newmarket Holidays

From

£3,461pp

Details

South Africa Tour

✓ Operator: Riviera Travel

From

£3,699pp

Details

Royal Morubisi Safari Adventure

✓ Operator: Just You

From

£3,799pp

Details

Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safari

✓ Operator: Newmarket Holidays

From

£4,116pp

Details

On Safari in South Africa with Mauritius Beach

✓ Operator: Newmarket Holidays

From

£4,816pp

Details

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Get in touch and book your perfect holiday with Hays Travel

With so much choice out there, stop the endless searching – our experts at Hays Travel will find the perfect holiday for you. Speak with an expert now, find a branch near you, search online for great deals, or enquire today to start planning your dream getaway.

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South Africa Safari Holidays

Perfect for first-timers and families - Kruger National Park, malaria-free reserves, and the chance to add Cape Town and the Winelands. Great value and easy flights.

View our South Africa Holidays and Deals

Tanzania Safari Holidays

The Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Africa's rooftop, Kilimanjaro. Big, dramatic and unforgettable - and Zanzibar is right next door.

View our Tanzania Holidays and Deals

Kenya Safari Holidays

The original safari. Home of the Masai Mara, big-cat country and the Great Migration. Easy to pair with an Indian Ocean beach.

View our Kenya Holidays and Deals

Botswana Safari Holidays

For something extra special - the Okavango Delta and Chobe's elephant herds. Our go-to for a luxury or honeymoon safari.

View our Botswana Holidays and Deals

When is the best time to see wildlife on a safari?

When	Where it shines	Why go then?
Jan - Mar	Tanzania, South Africa	Calving season - thousands of wildebeest born, predators close behind
Jun - Oct	Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia	Dry season - the classic safari window: thin bush, animals gather at waterholes, easiest spotting
Jul - Oct	Masai Mara (Kenya), Tanzania	The Great Migration river crossings - one of nature's greatest spectacles
Nov - Dec	South Africa, Kenya	Lush green landscapes, newborn animals, fewer crowd and lower prices

Before you travel - Safari Holidays: Frequently asked questions‎

For classic East Africa game viewing, the dry seasons - roughly June to October and January to February - are hard to beat, as thinner vegetation and animals gathering at waterholes make wildlife easier to spot. If the Great Migration is on your list, July to October is prime time in Kenya's Masai Mara. South Africa's May to September dry winter is wonderful too. We've broken this down in more detail further up the page - and your branch can match the timing to the animals you most want to see.

Many safari destinations are in malaria areas and have recommended or required vaccinations, and some ask for proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination on entry. Requirements change, so please check the latest guidance on the TravelHealthPro and NHS Fit for Travel websites, and speak to your GP or a travel health clinic 6-8 weeks before you fly. We'll always flag the essentials when you book, but the medical advice should come from a health professional.

Most popular safari destinations require either a visa or an electronic travel authorisation for UK passport holders - for example Kenya and Tanzania - and many ask for at least six months' validity on your passport. Entry rules can change, so always check the latest GOV.UK Foreign Travel Advice for your destination before you travel. If you book with us, we'll point you to exactly what you need.

Absolutely - a safari can be one of the most magical family holidays there is, and it's not just a game drive, it's your children's eyes lighting up at their first wild elephant. Many lodges and camps are family-friendly with child-appropriate activities, and some have minimum age limits on certain drives, so it's worth planning carefully. As the UK's largest independent travel agent, we're not tied to one supplier - so we can find the camp that genuinely suits your family.

Most people enjoy 3-4 nights on safari to really settle into the rhythm of early-morning and evening game drives. Pair that with a few nights on a beach - Zanzibar, Mombasa or Mauritius - and 10-14 nights makes a wonderful combined trip. See our beach-and-safari multi centre section above for the most popular pairings.

Think neutral, lightweight clothing (avoid bright white and dark blue), layers for chilly dawn drives, a good sun hat, sunglasses, binoculars, insect repellent and a decent camera. Luggage on light-aircraft transfers is often limited to soft bags with a weight cap, so we'll let you know your allowance when you book.

Yes - and it's one of our most-loved combinations. A beach-and-safari multicentre lets you enjoy the thrill of the bush and then unwind by the Indian Ocean. Kenya pairs beautifully with Mombasa or Zanzibar, and Tanzania with Zanzibar, while South Africa works brilliantly with Mauritius. Everything you need is in our multicentre section above.

Because you'll get expert advice from real people, not an algorithm. As the UK's largest independent travel agent with 450+ branches, we're not tied to one supplier - so we give you more choice, unbiased advice and someone to call if you ever need us. Pop into your local branch and we'll help you plan the trip of a lifetime.