Author Archive for Richard Smith
4 secret safari areas in Kenya
Kenya is consistently one of Africa’s top three destinations for those going on a safari holiday. Its wildlife and national parks regularly appear on television series such as the Big Cat Diary and its conservationists are lauded for their work in wildlife protection. With this in mind, can there really be secret places away from
The 5 best places to see primates in Africa
By Richard Smith on Dec 31, 2016 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Ethiopia, Regions, Rwanda, Speciality Travel, Tanzania, Uganda
Primates are our closest living relatives and with big brains and opposable digits it’s abundantly clear when you see them as to how similar to us they are. Apart from their superb tree climbing ability – I’m very jealous of that. Africa and the Indian Ocean are home to a number of primates with some, 
Have you seen the African Impossible 5?
By Richard Smith on Nov 17, 2016 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel
You’ve seen the Big 5, here’s a new challenge. If you’ve been on a safari holiday you’re probably aware of the African Big 5 of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Many guides will help guests tick these iconic animals off their wish list, in some cases in a single afternoon. However, there’s more to 
5 days of Christmas in Africa
Escape the Christmas Turkey. If you are looking for a change this Christmas season, why not turn off the television, kick off the snow boots, pack away the winter woollies, say goodbye to icy grey days and head for the airport. In as little as eight hours you could be in the African sunshine heading for
Wildebeest time: permanent safari camp or mobile safari?
By Richard Smith on Sep 15, 2016 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Africa, Camping, Kenya, Regions, Speciality Travel, Tanzania
About this time of year the shout goes out that it’s ‘wildebeest migration time’ and the ‘crossings are happening’. Those who love safaris will know what’s meant, but to say it’s ‘migration time’ isn’t quite true as the migration is a year-round phenomenon. Roughly one and a half million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of 
5 insider tips for visiting Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is one of the most iconic and breath taking sites in Africa. I was based at Victoria Falls for two years as a cameraman with Zambezi Video Productions, and also a rafting guide there. Here are my best tips for seeing the falls at their best: 1. When is the best time of
5 micro-adventures from Kenya to Botswana
By Richard Smith on Jul 03, 2016 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Attractions, Botswana, Going Out, Kenya, Leisure Travel, Regions, Rwanda, Speciality Travel, Zambia
Safari is full of surprises. Whether it’s the noise a hippo makes, or spotting a leopard hiding in the canopy of a tree, days are always filled with new experiences. In addition to the ‘standard’ wildlife viewing activities, micro-adventures can be built into a safari holiday, to make a great trip even better. Here are 
Luxury safaris - ahead of the rest
By Richard Smith on Jun 11, 2016 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Africa, Camping, Regions, Resorts, Speciality Travel
A recent Twitter chat discussed ‘What today’s travellers want from 5 star resorts’. Initially I thought safaris would be found wanting. Camps and lodges are in the middle of nowhere; logistics are difficult, and African bureaucracy is renowned for making things harder than they need to be. However I was pleasantly surprised. The things we 
5 top tips to find your secret Tanzania
By Richard Smith on May 17, 2016 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Tanzania
Tanzania has some of the most iconic safari destinations. The Rift Valley, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti are all on the so-called Northern Safari Circuit and enjoy many thousands of visitors. So is it really possible to holiday here in quiet areas away from the crowds? If you follow some simple rules, it is. 1. 
6 secret places to visit in Namibia
Few people can name anywhere they might want to holiday in Namibia, except perhaps the dunes at Sossusvlei and Etosha’s mighty salt pan. Maybe then the whole country is a secret, and to a degree that’s true. Despite the fact its currency, the Namibian Dollar, is at parity with South Africa’s Rand, so it offers
5 secret safari areas in Botswana
Botswana is renowned for the density of its safari wildlife with the lush Okavango Delta able to support large numbers of both prey species and predators year round. It is still the only place I’ve seen three different leopards on a morning wildlife drive and then watched wild dog hunt from the deck outside my room.
Why you must holiday in South Africa in 8 photos
By Richard Smith on Feb 05, 2016 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Regions, South Africa, Speciality Travel
Without question South Africa is the country offering the continent’s greatest variety for those on holiday. There’s urban chic in Cape Town, but it’s not just the city itself with its bustling markets and refurbished waterfront that draws people here. The city is overlooked by Table Mountain, has sandy beaches, Cape Point Nature Reserve and 
Exploring Botswana in 9 safari photos
By Richard Smith on Jan 05, 2016 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Botswana, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel
“Lift your feet up” says the guide casually as the water slops into the Land Cruiser’s footwell. This is Botswana’s Okavango Delta and if you want to see the wildlife you take your safari vehicle through the channels to find it. Four-wheel drive means the wet conditions are no barrier to grip and an air 
Kenya's safari diversity in 9 photos
People think they know Kenya: they’ve seen the BBC’s Big Cat Diary in the Masai Mara and more recently they might have watched Saba Douglas-Hamilton and her young family adjust to running Elephant Watch Camp in the Samburu Reserve. But those famous safari areas and their lions and leopards are only part of the story
10 photos to convince you to visit Namibia
By Richard Smith on Nov 06, 2015 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Leisure Travel, Namibia, Regions, Speciality Travel
Think of Namibia. If anything comes to mind it’s probably an image of the dunes at Sossusvlei. But did you know you can take an early morning flight over them in a balloon, taking off at dawn as the sun lights up the eastern side of the dunes and casts the western faces into deep 
