Wildlife Holidays in Borneo and Safaris in East Africa
Wildlife & Safari Tours
Speak to a Wildlife Safaris Expert
Gavin started Adventure Alternative in 1991 during a long period of travelling the world, working in a wide variety of jobs, climbing mountains and going on long expeditions. A six month solo trek across the Sahara Desert aged twenty one was the benchmark experience, after which travel and adventurous exploits became a way of life.
Born in the United Kingdom, Gavin went to high school in Western Australia and then moved to Northern Ireland to complete his BA in English Literature. He...
Africa Safaris
The Swahili word for journey, “safari”, was first used in Kenya. and it has become synonymous with herds of wildlife scattered over the savannah plains with the distinctive spread of the acacia tree and the bright red of the Masai blanket. Kenya has a developed tourist industry, whereas the west side of Tanzania is more remote. But both are year-round destinations and home to some of the finest and most famous wildlife spotting in Africa. From the semi-arid areas of northern Kenya to the richness of the Rift Valley, your holiday here is sure to be memorable.
A Wildlife adventure also includes our bespoke trips to Borneo, home of the orangutan and the world’s richest diversity of plant life, insect life, and birdlife. Gliding on the rivers by longboat at dawn is an extraordinary experience, alive with the sounds and smells of the jungle. Contact us to ask for advice and quote on your private holiday.
Safaris In Kenya
We offer several itineraries to explore the magnificent wildlife of Kenya. Our Masai Mara Safari itinerary is one of our best sellers. We spend four days on safari in the Great Rift Valley exploring the vast, beautiful landscape and going on game drives to find animals. We will show you the best of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. This itinerary also includes a day with the Masai people learning about their unique way of life. We have plenty of activities such as hot air ballooning over the park.
For those looking for a longer tour, we offer a seven-day itinerary that features several game drives and plenty of adventure. Lake Nakuru is home to millions of flamingos. Or experience cycling in Hells Gate among the wild game. Have lunch with the baboons near a cliff with breathtaking views of the entire park.
Our Rift Valley and Thomsons Falls Safari are five full days of adventure complete with waterfalls. We explore the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary as well as the only place in Kenya to spot chimpanzees. You can combine any of our itineraries to create one of your own.
Safaris In Tanzania
Tanzania is another wildlife experience. We offer a few set itineraries as well as bespoke trips to Tanzania. Our Ngorongoro Crater Safari spends three days exploring the region in and around the crater. This safari is perfect to add after a climb up Kilimanjaro and gives you ample time to go on game drives to see wildlife.
Our Serengeti Safari is ten days of adventure and wildlife encounters. There are many highlights on this adventure, including the opportunity to explore the African bush on foot. It’s truly an incredible experience to hike among the wildlife and enjoy a sunrise over the savannah, a truly special treat.
Incredible Wildlife In Borneo
Come explore the world’s oldest rainforests in the heart of Borneo. We also offer several different itineraries as well as bespoke safaris in this unique location. Wild Borneo focuses on travel deep into the jungles of Sabah and then to Sarawak for a chance to spot wild orangutans. In Sabah, you will have the opportunity to meet with the remote Penan tribe and then head by boat to Mulu National Park on a village-to-village trek.
Sabah’s Lost World safari focuses on the northern part of Malaysian Borneo. Starting in Kota Kinabalu our journey takes us inland to the Maliau Basin. On the way, you stay with local families in Orou Sapulout and experience the local tribal way of life. Maliau is only accessible by foot, making it a haven for wildlife and nature.
Our Mulu Caves Safari offers you the chance to explore the vast cave system in Sarawak. It’s best as an add-on for our other adventures with the Penan Tribe or hiking Mount Mulu. We also cater to family travel in Borneo and can easily create a family-friendly itinerary for your next big holiday.
What To Expect On A Wildlife Adventure And Safari Holiday
Safaris are intended to provide a way to view wildlife and experience the culture of wild places. Africa and Borneo provide vastly different experiences in terms of landscape, people, flora, and fauna, but the concept remains the same.
Travel through the jungles of Borneo is a humid and hot experience. The jungle is an unforgiving landscape, but its dense population of wildlife is a sight to behold. Our itineraries through this region are often rugged in nature. Don’t expect too much air con, however, the jungle is filled with waterways that provide the perfect spot for a cool dip.
Safaris in Africa vary in terms of luxury. We are able to assist you with your level of luxury accommodation during your safari. During an African Safari, you will spend a lot of time in a vehicle with the option of taking excursions on foot or in a different mode of transport. Unlike a safari in Borneo, African safaris are a little more relaxed in terms of physical exertion.
Safari And Wildlife Holiday Clothing
The key to enjoying your safari is to protect yourself from the elements and wear comfortable clothing. In the jungle, you want to protect your body from insects and leeches, but you also want to stay cool, this is a balancing act. Lightweight, breathable pants and lightweight tops are best. The situation is similar on an African safari, you want to protect your skin from the sun.
Aside from lightweight, moisture-wicking, breathable clothing you also want to make sure you have sturdy, well-broken-in shoes. For jungle trekking, we recommend you wear lightweight trekking boots. For Africa, any shoes that you are comfortable walking in will work.
Other unique items include binoculars. These can be helpful to catch an up-close glimpse of wildlife. A reusable water bottle and water purification system are also highly recommended. As a sustainable trekking company, we don’t promote the use of disposable plastic bottles.
When Is The Best Time Of Year To Go On Safari?
Safaris in Tanzania, Borneo, and Kenya are available year-round. However, some seasons offer different things than others. Due to its proximity to the Equator, Borneo’s weather typically remains the same year-round. The rainy months are from October through February. Since Borneo is a jungle environment, it’s rainy all times of the year, with October through February being the rainiest.
Kenya and Tanzania both experience a wet and dry season. June through October is considered the best time for wildlife viewing, but it is also the most crowded. March through May are the wettest months, and although the savannah is lush, it’s more difficult to spot wildlife. Also, the wet conditions can make travel to certain areas more difficult. The Ngorongoro Crater offers beautiful scenery throughout the year. January to February is the calving season in the Serengeti, providing excellent opportunities for predator action.
Safaris are an exciting holiday filled with rich wildlife, culture, and landscape. Our bespoke tours and travel itineraries are built to offer you the best of the region and a chance to walk on the wild side.
Safari In Kenya Books And Maps
Region Guides
The Rough Guide to Kenya, Rough Guides, ISBN-10: 1848361378, ISBN-13: 978-1848361379
Kenya, Lonely Planet, ISBN-10: 1741047730, ISBN-13: 978-1741047738
Wildlife
Traveller’s Guide – Wildlife of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, Hosking, Collins, ISBN-10: 0007248199, ISBN-13: 978-0007248193
Watching Wildlife: East Africa – Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Lonely Planet, ISBN-10: 1741042089, ISBN-13: 978-1741042085
Related Books
Born Free, Adamson, Pan Books, ISBN-10: 0330391909, ISBN-13: 978-0330391900
Out of Africa, Blixen, Penguin Classics, ISBN-10: 0141183330, ISBN-13: 978-0141183336
No Picnic on Mount Kenya, Benuzzi, The Lyons Press, ISBN-10: 1592287247, ISBN-13: 978-1592287246
The Wildlife Spotting Code
- Respect the privacy of the wildlife, this is their habitat.
- Beware of the animals, they are wild and can be unpredictable.
- Don’t crowd the animals or make sudden noises or movements.
- Don’t feed the animals, it upsets their diet and leads to human dependence.
- Keep quiet, noise disturbs the wildlife and may antagonize your fellow visitors.
- Stay in your vehicle at all times, except at designated picnic or walking areas.
- Keep below the maximum speed limit (40 kph/25 mph).
- Never drive off-road, this severely damages the habitat.
- When viewing wildlife keep to a minimum distance of 20 meters and pull to the side of the road so as to allow others to pass.
- Leave no litter and never leave fires unattended or discard burning objects.
- Respect the cultural heritage of Kenya, never take pictures of the local people or their habitat without asking their permission, respect the cultural traditions of the area and always dress with decorum.
- Stay over or leave before dusk, visitors must vacate the Park between 6.00 p.m. – 6.00 a.m. unless they are camping overnight. Night game driving is not allowed.
So if you’re looking for an incredible wildlife holiday, albeit family holidays, friends, couples or solo. Adventure Alternative can offer you a bespoke wildlife holiday you’ll remember for the rest of your life, wildlife adventure, wildlife viewing, wildlife spotting, safari holidays…. You can go into the African wild or the rainforests of Borneo, where you can full fill your bird watching desires, see incredible wildlife. You would be accompanied by one or more of our experienced wildlife guide. Organise bespoke wildlife trips, spot wildlife, Africa safaris, adventure tours. If wildlife photography is your passion, we can make sure you have unforgettable wildlife encounters of which you can capture breathe taking pictures and have a truly unforgettable wildlife experience. You can expect to have a wildlife adventure of your dreams.
Key Wildlife Safaris Information
Our Experience Articles
We’re dedicated to helping you make the most of your next adventure trekking holiday. That’s why we’ve created our travel blog full of in-depth trekking guides, travel inspiration and other fantastic information. Having done all of these climbs many times already, we want to pass on our wealth of trekking wisdom to you.