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Summer holidays need not always involve a beach. Why not try something a little more adventurous and head inland for a safari, to see some of the world's biggest, most beautiful mammals in their natural habitat? This article outlines some of the options for a great safari.

What Exactly Is A Safari?

The word 'safari' was adopted from the Swahili word for journey. Many people envisage a trip to eastern Africa when they imagine a safari and often they travel to a Swahili-speaking country; Kenya or Tanzania, for example. It is a generally an overland journey and could be in a car or on foot. The assumption in modern English is the aim of seeing big game.

For a truly authentic journey, why not take African safari holidays off the beaten track? Uganda, Botswana or Malawi all have spectacular scenery and wildlife, but a less developed tourist industry. Camping might still involve canvas, but make no mistake, the current demand for luxury accommodation means tents may well have real beds and en-suite bathrooms.

Choose Your Destination Carefully.

Taking the example of Malawi as an up and coming destination for African safari holidays, what does the country have that more established destinations do not? It is called "the warm heart of Africa" for more than just its physical location; the people are friendly and very welcoming and want to show you their country.

Mount Mulanje is the highest mountain in central Africa. Lake Malawi is known as the "Lake of Stars," or the "Calendar Lake," because it is 365 miles long at its longest point and 52 miles wide at its widest. The Lake is home to hundreds of species of cichlid fish, many of which are only found in Malawi. Snorkelling or diving is a must during a stay at the lake, although advice should be sought on location if you are travelling independently, because it is also home to large populations of hippos and crocodiles.

And What About The Big Game?

Malawi's Liwonde National Park is home to herds of elephants that can often be seen playing in the Shire River. A boat safari is a great way to see some of the many species of bird, as well as getting very close to the hippos!

Poaching put an end to Liwonde's lion prides, but a conservation project sees the park home to a very small number of black rhinos, now a critically endangered species. For a better chance of seeing all the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) consider including some time in Luangwa National Park, in neighbouring Zambia.

The beauty of a safari is that there are few guarantees. The animals are wild, not accustomed to seeing people. The possibility of coming across them in their natural environment beats seeing any of them in a zoo. The romanticism of being at one with nature, a tiny being in the vastness of the wilderness, is unmatchable and must be one of the best reasons for leaving the beach behind and going on safari.

AUTHOR BIO:

Alice Aires is a regular contributor on various travel-related topics for a range of websites and blogs. She recently discovered Malawi when she took her family on the first of many African safari holidays.