December

If you fancy a Christmas away from home, look no further than Southern and Eastern Africa’s coastline, with its warm and sunny days. Combine this with a safari in one of Africa’s leading destinations such as Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Botswana.

Escape the wintery weather and head to Eastern and Southern Africa’s coastline for nothing less than splendid sunshine. With warm weather and sunny days looming, book early to avoid disappointment, it can get very busy in peak season!

December is an ideal time to witness some of the most incredible wildlife movements, from the annual herd migration in Tanzania’s Serengeti, to the zebra migration in Botswana’s Savuti and Makgadikgadi Pans. Tanzania is a popular choice as it is calving time, an excellent time for predators and the chance to witness something remarkable. The ‘green season’ in Botswana is ideal for bird fanatics, providing excellent rates and bird-watching opportunities. Don’t miss out on an all-round excellent game-viewing safari in Hwange, Zimbabwe.

Nearing peak season for some of the best marine life sightings, there is no better time to head to Tanzania. Its islands, especially the Mafia Island are in ultimate diving season, offering a chance to see over 400 species of fish!

Whale sharks and manta rays are both one of a kind and a rarity to see. Visit Mozambique and go off shore at the Inhambane Peninsula to witness these incredible animals. South Africa’s loggerhead and leatherback turtles are also in mid peak season.

Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda

Apoka Lodge in Uganda's spectacular Kidepo Valley National Park is probably the northernmost and most under-rated safari experience in Africa. Abundant wildlife, gorgeous scenery and a touch of luxury make a stay at Apoka Lodge supremely rewarding.

Apoka Lodge

Gansbaai, South Africa

Grootbos is a 5-star luxury lodge located a short distance from Hermanus. A firm Imagine favourite, this lodge offers an excellent nature experience, focused on the southern right whale migration in Walker Bay from June to November.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

The Crags, South Africa

Hog Hollow has been an Imagine favourite for many years offering seclusion in one of the Garden Route’s most picturesque locations. Beautiful suites, attentive service and spectacular views make this one of the most in-demand places to stay in the area.

Hog Hollow Country Lodge

Franschhoek, South Africa

With magnificent views over the Franschhoek valley, La Petite Ferme is a gorgeous boutique wine retreat boasting an award-winning restaurant and winery. La Petite Ferme’s superb service and delightful ambience make it ideal for some relaxed wine sampling.

La Petite Ferme

Franschhoek, South Africa

Franschhoek Country House & Villas is a beautifully restored manor house in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Offering relaxed elegance and superb dining, Franschhoek Country House & Villas is perfect for a few days of gentle wine exploration in the Cape.

Franschhoek Country House & Villas

Cape Town, South Africa

Arguably Cape Town’s finest boutique hotel, Kensington Place is an Imagine favourite for its luxurious rooms, dedicated service and excellent location. Owner Chris has a keen eye for detail and ensures that each guest’s stay is memorable and exclusive.

Kensington Place

Franschhoek, Winelands

Le Quartier Francais offers a stylish boutique stay in the heart of the picturesque village of Franschhoek. With sophisticated suites, gourmet cuisine and warm hospitality, Le Quartier Francais is one of a kind.

Le Quartier Francais

Hermanus, South Africa

Ocean Eleven is a gorgeous Cape-Cod-style guest house in Hermanus in South Africa’s Western Cape. With incredible ocean views and a prime cliff-top position for whale watching, Ocean Eleven makes a wonderful add-on to Cape Town and the Garden Route.

Ocean Eleven Guest House

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

The Plettenberg is a stylish seafront hotel enjoying an unrivalled natural setting near Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route. The food at the Plettenberg is wonderful, and it is hard to imagine finer views anywhere along the Garden Route.

The Plettenberg

Oranjezicht, Cape Town, South Africa

One of our favourite boutique hotels in Cape Town, Four Rosmead is a chic and luxurious option which effortlessly blends contemporary style with period features. The personalised service and great location make it a top choice for us in Cape Town.

Four Rosmead

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Stay for 4 nights and pay for 3 at Fundu Lagoon in Tanzania. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

Stay 4, Pay 3 at Fundu Lagoon

Stay for 7 nights and pay for 5 at Fundu Lagoon in Tanzania. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

Stay 7, Pay 5 at Fundu Lagoon

Book a stay at a combination of Sala's, Solio and Sasaab for a minimum of four nights and receive a 25% reduction on the cost of your accommodation. Subject to availability and terms and conditions.

25% off at Sala's, Sasaab and Solio

Stay at any Lion Sands Game Reserve Lodge for three nights, followed by three nights at Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel and receive three further complimentary nights at More Quarters Hotel in Cape Town. Subject to availability.

3 Free Nights at More Hotels

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Cape Town, South Africa

The 1-2 hour hike up and down Lion's Head in Cape Town is an easy hike for the walking-fit. Day or after-sunset hikes give you fantastic views over Cape Town, Table Mountain, Atlantic and Camps Bay areas.

Hike up Lion's Head

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Trek deep into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for one of the great wildlife encounters, an hour in the company of the highly endangered mountain gorillas. Tracking takes between three and eight hours but every second is a life-defining experience.

Gorilla Tracking

Panorama Region, South Africa

White water rafting on the Blyde River through the third largest canyon in the world is quite an adventure. With stunning scenery surrounding you as you venture out and the ideal rapids, this activity will have your blood pumping and heart racing.

White Water Rafting the Blyde River

Cape Town, South Africa

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanical gardens of the world, and thought by many to be the most beautiful garden in Africa. Don't miss out on a visit to this magical treasure of Cape Town.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Garden Route, South Africa

Visit the Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre at Plettenberg Bay and learn about the conservation efforts and rehabilitation work to help ensure the continuity of various endemic species. From a diverse variety of animals, both land and marine based.

Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre

Garden Route, South Africa

Take a walk along the Robberg Peninsula, an outcrop of land on the western side of Plettenberg Bay. The Peninsula is now a nature reserve and a marine protected area which makes for spectacular scenery, wildlife, flora and fauna.

Robberg Peninsula Walk

Northern Cape, South Africa

Spend your days exploring and relaxing in the peaceful surrounds of the Papkuilsfontein Farm. With never ending views and lush fauna and flora, the farm is perfect for those who love to get out and about and back to nature.

Activities at Papkuilsfontein

Garden Route, South Africa

Set at a terrifying 216 meters above the ground, the Bloukrans Bungee is one of the world's highest commercial bungee and definitely one for the thrill seekers! While looking out at the surrounding mountains take the plunge off the bridge.

Bloukrans River Bungee Jump

Garden Route, South Africa

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve is the largest game reserve in the Southern Cape and is in the perfect location for anyone who wants to experience a one day, big game viewing experience along the Garden Route.

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve

Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, South Africa

Monkeyland is a unique primate sanctuary that rehabilitates and frees previously caged primates. All of the monkeys here move about the forest freely and peacefully and allow you to view them as they would be seen in their natural habitat.

Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary

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