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Last-Minute Safari

Not everyone can commit to booking months in advance, so you might need to be spontaneous when time allows for you to just pack and go. When it comes to safaris this is not usually an issue and arrangements can easily be made at the last minute.

The main issue with booking close to your travel date is availability at the camps and lodges, especially in South Africa, where a lot of properties get booked up months in advance. July, August and the Christmas period are always busy across the whole of Africa. To avoid disappointment, we would recommend booking your trip 9 to 12 months in advance. However, outside these peak times, there is almost always space in the top camps, as there are cancellations and usually, guests stay at a safari property for only a few nights before moving on to another. It’s just a question of finding the right available dates at different properties and making sure they fit together. There are also last-minute specials available for clients traveling within four months, ranging from free nights to discounted room rates.

Christmas on safari

It isn’t just the turkey that’s plump and plentiful at Christmas – thanks to the reliable rains across Safari Africa, the wildlife in December is absolutely booming. Destinations like South Africa and Namibia become fully booked in the lead up to the festive season; however, the odds of getting your first-choice accommodation are still reasonable in places like Tanzania, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.

Safari trips to enjoy during the christmas period

  1. Kenya: Laikipia & Great Mara Conservancies (7N) - focusing on the Maasai Mara and Laikipia, this is a superb trip for the first-time traveler to Kenya, and is filled with action, adventure, and Big Five wildlife.

  2. Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls & Hwange National Park Highlights (7N) - Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park make a big impact on this great value for money holiday to Zimbabwe. 

  3. Tanzania: Safari and Beach (12N) - this 12-night adventure takes in Tanzania's classic Northern Circuit, including Arusha, the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and the Serengeti before casting you off to the beach for a few nights on the Zanzibar Archipelago.

If you are interested in a last-minute safari, just let one of our experts know here and they can help you plan your adventure today.

Why Trust Yellow Zebra with your African Safari?

"Yellow Zebra are genuine specialists; they know the African bush like the back of their hand."

Brian Jackman, safari expert for The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, Condé Nast, and the BBC

'Europe's Leading Safari Tour Operator' at the World Travel Awards

8 years in a row, since 2015

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