Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Africa

What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Africa

• What are the best destinations to visit during Christmas & New Year in Africa?

  Africa's premier holiday destinations shine brightest at year-end. Zimbabwe and Zambia's Victoria Falls transforms into a natural spectacle with peak water flow. Botswana's Okavango Delta offers green season wildlife viewing while Namibia's Etosha National Park and South Africa's Kruger National Park provide reliable game spotting opportunities. A TourRadar traveler shares: "We spent New Year's Eve watching elephants at the floodlit waterhole in Etosha - an unforgettable experience!" Accommodation options range from riverside stays at The Victoria Falls Waterfront to nights under canvas at Spitzkoppe Campsite in Namibia.

• What special Christmas & New Year activities are included in African safari tours?

  Safari tours during the festive season blend traditional holiday celebrations with African wilderness experiences. Activities often feature local dinners evening drinks by waterholes and New Year celebrations in the bush. Tour programs typically include game drives river excursions on the Chobe or Zambezi and local cultural events. Victoria Falls Waterfront offers holiday meals with views of hippos in their natural habitat. A TourRadar traveler notes: "The Christmas feast at our Okavango Delta camp followed by mokoro rides was magical."

• What's included in Christmas & New Year safari packages?

  Standard safari packages cover the essential elements of an African holiday. This includes lodging transportation in safari vehicles guided wildlife viewing and most meals with holiday celebrations. The Royal Livingstone Hotel for instance provides Christmas lunch and New Year's Eve festivities. Entry fees to parks like Etosha and Chobe are part of the package. As confirmed by a TourRadar traveler: "Our Christmas tour included everything from airport transfers to sundowner drinks at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge - the only extras were personal shopping and optional activities."

• How much should I budget for a Christmas & New Year safari tour in Africa?

  Daily costs for festive season safaris range from USD 175-1045 with premium properties like Kapama River Lodge or Table Bay Hotel reaching USD 882 per day. These rates typically cover accommodation meals game drives and holiday events. Factor in international flights (USD 2000-3300 from North America) visa fees (USD 50-100) and optional activities. TourRadar travelers suggest budgeting USD 135-175 extra for meals not included in tour packages.

• What are the accommodation options for Christmas & New Year tours in Africa?

  The range of places to stay spans from high-end lodges to well-equipped camping sites. Top-tier options include the 5-star Explorers Village Lodge in Victoria Falls and Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane. For closer-to-nature experiences Khwai Tented Camp provides "glamping" with proper beds and private bathrooms. A TourRadar traveler reports: "The mix of lodge and tented camp accommodation was perfect - we had luxury when needed but still got the authentic safari experience especially at Elephant Sands where elephants drank from the camp's waterhole on New Year's Eve."

• What wildlife viewing opportunities are best during the Christmas period?

  The December-January period offers rich wildlife encounters across Africa. Chobe National Park sees elephant herds congregating near the river while Etosha's waterholes become wildlife magnets during the green season. The Okavango Delta welcomes numerous migratory birds. A TourRadar traveler recounts: "Our Christmas game drive in Moremi Game Reserve was incredible - we saw lions elephants and even rare wild dogs enjoying the lush summer vegetation." The Serengeti's great migration typically reaches full momentum during this time.