The Llama Travel Blog

At Llama Travel, our holidays are made so great by the knowledge of our travel experts. This week, we caught up with Otto, one of our senior Travel Consultants, to get the inside scoop on his first visit to Kenya. And now we are going to share it all with you. 

I was blown away by the sheer beauty of Namibia, and it has become one of my favourite to visit. This is one of the world’s least densely populated countries, with some of Africa’s most abundant wildlife. It is one of Africa’s youngest nations, with the world’s oldest rock art.

On our Namibia holidays you travel by road and rough tracks to experience the wilderness and incredible landscapes and to have the opportunity for the best wildlife-watching. It’s a true once-in-a-lifetime holiday destination – and these are my highlights:

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Grant Reed, co-founder of Letaka Safaris and star of National Geogarphic's Safari Brothers alongside his brother Brent. He is widely considered one of Botswana’s top guides, and when you meet him in person, you can see why. At 6'4, Grant cuts a lean figure, with the well-worn hands of naturalist and a voice that imparts a reassuring sense of authority. If you try to imagine an expert safari guide, you're probably picturing Grant Reed. But his path to becoming a guide wasn't always so clear cut.

I talked with Grant about how he came to be where he is today, from his colourful childhood collecting lizards in the Magaliesburg Mountains to the surprise turn of events that led him to move to Botswana.

Just a few hours flight from the UK, Morocco is at the crossroads of Europe and Africa. Morocco is a country rich in contrasts - from the historical imperial cities of Casablanca, Rabat, Fez and Marrakech to the geographic extremes of the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Desert and the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.  Discover the intensity of bustling souks and maze-like medinas, alongside the vastness of the pre-Sahara and remote Berber mountain villages. A melting pot of Berber, Arab, African and European cultures, it’s hard to believe that Morocco is within such easy reach of Europe.

Here’s what Scott, Llama Travel Product Manager, saw during his time in Morocco - all the photos in this blog are his own.

The term ‘Big Five’ refers to the following African animals - the lion, the leopard, the African elephant, the rhinoceros and the Cape buffalo. The term was originally coined by game hunters who considered these animals as the most difficult and dangerous to hunt on foot. Thankfully, today the term is used in a more endearing manner by tourists wanting to tick off the iconic Big Five animals off their safari checklist.

Although the Big Five is often used as a way to shortlist areas which are wildlife rich, it is very much the case that other reserves or national parks can be just as rich, but may not contain all five of the Big Five species. Given that many of Africa’s iconic species, such as cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and hippos, are not part of the Big Five, many reserves which don’t contain all of the Big Five can often offer wildlife viewing which is at least as good.

There are only a few places in Africa where there is a chance of spotting all of the Big Five on one trip. Keep reading to find out where.

Thirty years ago, the family-run Rovos Rail began operating luxurious train journeys through South Africa and beyond. Riding on the opulent Rovos service from Cape Town to Pretoria is a fine way to witness the transformation of South Africa’s landscapes; from the semi-desert of the Karoo, to green winelands, to sweeping mountain ranges. The three-day journey covers 1,600km, with sightseeing stops in the attractive village of Matijesfontein and the diamond mining town of Kimberley.

So, what exactly can you expect when spending a night on the Rovos Rail?

Shortly before the first covid lockdown, I was lucky enough to travel to South Africa on a family holiday. Now, after a year of no travel, I have been reminiscing about this adventure and can't wait to send passengers on a Gondwana safari trip so they can experience the amazing wildlife and beautiful landscapes for themselves when restrictions allow. 

Having spent much of the past twenty years travelling throughout Latin America, this was a fantastic chance to get to know somewhere new. Cape Town was a big hit with all of us, and we loved the journey along the Garden Route, especially the whale watching in Hermanus and getting up before dawn to see the meerkats pop up out of the red earth near Oudtshoorn. But the highlight for all of us was the safari in Gondwana, a game reserve in South Africa's Western Cape, a four hour scenic drive from Cape Town... read my blog to find out why. 

Our Product Manager, Scott, visited Kenya in 2019, on an epic journey through the country, from the Aberdares Mountains and the Ol Pejeta conservancy where chimps and rhinos reside, to the picturesque Lake Nakuru and the iconic Masai Mara. His time in Samburu though, was a particular highlight. Situated about 350km north of the Kenyan capital Nairobi, Samburu is a lesser-visited national reserve in northern Kenya, teeming with wildlife including the Big Five and rarer species that can't be found in the south of Kenya. One of the national park's main allures is that there are few tourists, so you can stay in beautiful safari lodges and go on daily game drives with a feeling of exclusivity that you don't get in Kenya's more well-known reserves. Keep reading to find out about the rugged landscapes and rare wildlife Scott saw on his trip to Samburu in Kenya. 

Going on safari is a classic part of a holiday to Africa, and depending on whether you choose Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe or a combination, each one offers something a bit different. All safari options we offer are planned very carefully to coincide with when you are most likely to see wildlife. However, it is important to understand the factors which make each one unique, and what their implications are for your safari experience.

Over the last few months, we’ve been busy working behind the scenes on exciting new destinations to pin on the Llama Travel map. In July 2019, we introduced a whole new continent, Africa. Using our expertise and the same combination of high quality, excellent value and small group flexible tours that we offer in Latin America, our Africa holidays have a mix of amazing wildlife, culture, activities and scenery, paired with authentic lodges and great cuisine. Until now, we’ve only offered trips to Southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Victoria Falls.

We’re excited to announce that our next country is located in East Africa, sitting on the equator and offering everything from game-filled national parks and picturesque mountain scenery to palm-fringed white sandy beaches. Here’s what our Product Manager, Scott, saw during his time in Kenya - all the photos in this blog are his own.