Hello

I can remember many Christmas-time preparations spent scouring the African bush for an appropriate Acacia branch, with as many large white thorns as possible, that we would set up as our Christmas tree and adorn with traditional northern-hemisphere Christmas decorations.

Now, when I pull the artificial Christmas tree out of storage from under the house, it just isn't the same, but it does still prompt so many fond memories.

The African bush is full of surprises.

One year, in the heart of the Selous Game Reserve (now Nyerere National Park), our guests were astonished when Santa arrived at our Christmas Day bush lunch, escorted by Maasai warriors – protecting him from lions and elephants.

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Wildlife in the Rainy Season

A lot of people think that the rainy season in Africa is not a good time to safari, but it is - it just depends on what you are looking for. One of my favourite things about this time is the lack of other tourist vehicles and getting to appreciate vast, wild Africa. Great big beautiful thunderclouds. Birds - migrants and residents, transformed into vibrant breeding plumage, displaying and full of song. Babies of almost everything - impala antelope tottering on legs seemingly too thin to hold their weight. Little warthog piglets racing in line behind mum with all their tails straight up.

Similarly, one could ask what wildlife is left in areas like the Maasai Mara, once the herds of the great wildebeest and zebra migration move south. I was just reading an email from Dereck Joubert, of Great Plains Conservation and co-producer of some of my favourite wildlife documentaries, and his reply was "Well, the short answer is ‘everything!’" He went on to recount all their amazing experiences once all the masses had moved on.

The Okavango Delta and its wildlife viewing is also affected differently from other areas, with the delta waters rising when water everywhere else is drying up, due to the flood waters coming in from Angola rains.

Have a look at this fantastic fully-inclusive Botswana itinerary for November 2025: unique Okavango Delta experiences, prime wildlife viewing in the Savute, a helicopter transfer between camps, exceptional service and of course low-season prices.

Discover The Botswana Explorers Safari here

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We are partnering with Great Plains Conservation in many areas and love their festive season video, so we want to share it with you, Click here to watch the Great Plains Conservation festive season video.:

Browse more of our tours here

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Did you know:

African Christmas celebrations often blend Christian traditions with local customs. In Zimbabwe and Zambia, people gather outdoors for church services that include singing, dancing, and storytelling.

In Ethiopia, Christmas (or Genna) is celebrated on 7 January and a traditional game similar to hockey is played.

These festive traditions highlight Africa’s vibrant cultures and the importance of community during the holiday season.

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We have shut our office today for the Christmas break and will be re-opening on Monday 6th January. We will still be available for any emergencies on 0490815850.

Wishing you a joyful festive season and a new year full of adventure!

Sean, Kim, Lauren, Brenda and Margaret.

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