It’s Beginning to Look Nothing Like Christmas

As winter finally unclenches its fist from around our collective throats, and the temperature deigns to rise above negative double digits, I know exactly what you’re thinking: “where shall we go next Christmas?” Actually, that’s probably the last thing on your mind as you dream of warm sunshine and footwear other than snow boots, but hear me out anyway.

Christmas is a phenomenal time to be on safari. It’s true they call it the rainy season but the more apt description is the green season. You will more than likely get rain, but apart from a day or two here and there, it’s not the day-long deluges you’re imagining. Days are hot and sunny and the most you’ll usually have to deal with is an hour or two of afternoon showers.

This is a time of plenty in the bush; babies are born and every animal looks fat and happy. In Botswana, the Okavango Delta is amazing any time of year, but the Kalahari transforms from an arid brown desert to a green lawn that attracts zebra and antelope in the thousands. In Tanzania, the beaches are as good as always and the Serengeti is rejuvenated, providing welcome grazing for the restless herds that wander endlessly across its plains. There are chimpanzees to see in the west of the country and gorillas to meet with in Rwanda and Uganda. In Kenya, the Maasai Mara is devoid of crowds and you can have the resident wildlife virtually to yourself; in Lewa, your crystal clear view of Mount Kenya will be obstructed only by a passing rhino or two.

If this sounds like an appealing way to escape the cold and the shopping and that dreadful Christmas music, you need to start planning now; all the best space gets snapped up quickly. Delay and you’ll be forced to spend the holidays with your in-laws, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Dan already has his next winter’s escape all planned out, and he can do the same for you. All you have to do is ask.