“Christmas…that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia, Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance…a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.” Augusta E Rundell
For something really special, experience the wonder of Africa’s wide-open plains and magnificent wildlife this Christmas and create new family memories.
As the days in Africa start to warm up and mother-nature bursts into lush thick greenery we know that Summer is here. While some are preparing for a chilly white Christmas, Africa welcomes a warm green Christmas. And just like the lyrics of Andy Williams’ popular Christmas song states… “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
Many people underestimate the quality of a safari experience during Africa’s summer season. The weather in Africa during this time is mostly hot and sunny with the occasional afternoon summer rain storm that helps to cool things down and green things up.
Not only does nature boom with new life, but many species also give birth to their young during the summer season. It’s so special and yet comical to observe the endearing antics of these youngsters learning to face life for the first time; from an elephant calf playing helicopter with its trunk, to a young giraffe trying to balance on its long skinny legs.
Christmas is the time where families and friends get together to create memories that will last a life time. It is about sharing quality moments together, and celebrating the festive season in your own unique way. A Christmas safari in Africa will be just that.
Going on an adventure with your family this festive season will help you reconnect and create an even stronger bond. Sharing special moments on a game drive and seeing the joy and excitement on the little ones’ faces when an elephant brushes past the game drive vehicle, are priceless moments forever captured in time.
Africa also has endless choices for the sun and sea loving families. Build sandcastles on Zanzibar’s pristine white sandy beaches while admiring the aqua blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Or explore the famous Prison Island where families can visit giant tortoises (they really are giant sized). You will be blown away by the number of tortoises around you – some of them over a 100 years old. Guests also get to pet and feed them which is so much fun for all ages!
Kids on safari
Your Kids will never be bored on a Christmas safari. So many lodges are now family-friendly offering kid-friendly activities with incredibly friendly tribes that will keep them busy for hours.
The selected activities are conducted with the help of our friendly Maasai guides; dedicated expert naturalists who oversee all the children’s activities to keep them entertained throughout your stay.
Wildlife Tracking
Walk around the camp identifying various wild animals and birds using different ways, such as listening to bird sounds, looking at the animal droppings, bone formation, or their footprints.
Guided nature walks
Identify plants and trees and learn about their traditional benefit and uses within the community.
Bush Survival Skills
Learn the Maasai’s traditional livelihood techniques. Craft a bow and arrow using local materials. After training on bush survival skills, test your skills, by trying to throw a Maasai club or hunting using your bow and arrow for a prize.
Bead Work
Learn how to bead traditional Maasai bracelets and necklaces with the help of the Maasai ladies which can be taken home as a souvenir.
Star Gazing
At night look up the sky since it is time to learn about the stars which in most cases appear covering all the main constellations. This can be done before or after dinner.
Storytelling
Enjoy listening to authentic myths and folk stories explain a cause, origin, or reason for something or how crisis are solved in society. Watch as the Maasai do their jumping dance around the camp fire.
Traditional Face Painting
Take part in decorating one’s face in various patterns and shapes using Masai cultural materials.
It’s the season for giving
Christmas is the season for giving, so why not take the opportunity to use your Christmas safari in Africa to help the communities. There are many lodges committed to Responsible Tourism which partner with various organisations to help make a difference in the communities that they operate in. Find out from your lodge how you can get involved or pack for a purpose (Use small available space in your luggage to provide supplies to communities that you are going visit.)
The benefits of an African Christmas
Here are some benefits for in case you need some more motivation to book a Christmas Safari in Africa…
- Great Weather – You won’t be stuck indoors with your family and kids getting bored.
- You don’t have to cook Christmas dinner – No more stuffing the turkey! A buffet of tantalising Christmas menus awaits you at your lodge.
- No more Boney M on repeat – Christmas jingles are replaced by the sounds of nature. From an elephant trumpeting to hyena calls in the night.
- No Christmas traffic – The only road block you will have on your Christmas safari is the wildlife wandering along the roads.
- Sundowner drinks will beat Eggnog any day – There is just something magical about an African Sunset. And this is usually celebrated with a traditional sundowner in hand (your drink of choice)
- O’ starry night – There are no city lights in the African bush enabling you to fully enjoy the night sky with millions of stars twinkling above you.
We can think of many more reasons why a Christmas safari is the best thing for your family but it is just something you must experience to understand the magic of it.
You never know… A Christmas in Africa could be the start of a new family tradition.
How Do People Celebrate Christmas in Africa?
The history of Christianity in Africa dates back to the 1st century. Along with Islam, it is one of the two most widely practiced religions on the African continent. In 2000, there were an estimated 380 million Christians in Africa, with studies suggesting that that figure is likely to double by 2025. As a result, Christmas is celebrated throughout the African continent by Christian communities both large and small.
On Christmas Day carols are sung from Ghana to South Africa. Meats are roasted, gifts are exchanged and people travel far and wide to visit family. The Coptic Christians in Ethiopia celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar – which means that although they celebrate on December 25th, that date usually translates to January 7th on the Gregorian calendar. However, unless you’re in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, you have very little chance of enjoying a white Christmas.
How to Say Happy Christmas in Africa
In Swahili (Tanzania, Kenya): Kuwa na Krismasi njema
In Amharic (Ethiopia): Melkam Yelidet Beaal
Plan your Christmas Safari now
As Christmas is rapidly approaching, it seems a very appropriate time to touch upon some great reasons why an African safari is an excellent way to celebrate the festive season. Christmas is one of those occasions that is celebrated a myriad different ways. There are cultural and geographic differences, but also each family seems to develop their own unique and special ways of celebrating. If you grew up in the northern hemisphere, then wintry images of snow and roast dinners will get you in a festive mood; whereas if you’re from the southern hemisphere then you probably spent your Christmases trying to find ways to keep cool and stay out of the sun. For many people, Christmas is a time for getting together with family and friends, of eating your favourite foods and enjoying spending some quality time together.
There are many positives about winter in the northern hemisphere – wintery walks, roaring fires and plenty of mulled wine. But after a few months of intermittent sunshine, we also understand the need for a little vitamin D, and what better place to escape to than Africa for a Christmas safari?
Whether you’re looking to escape yuletide traditions, embark on the safari of a lifetime or swap the snow for sand on an exotic beach, we’ve come up with the best places to visit in Africa when the temperatures plummet at home. Here are our favourites:
Serengeti Christmas Migration
If there is one place you have to visit in your lifetime it is the Serengeti National Park to experience the annual wildebeest migration. You have all seen it on numerous documentaries on National Geographic but nothing compares to actually experiencing it first-hand. The vast plains of this magnificent wilderness will leave you breathless and leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Fill your Christmas with a different kind of hooved beastie (sorry Rudolph) and visit the southern Serengeti plains in Tanzania. In December the wildebeest herds of the Great Migration amass in their hundreds of thousands to munch on the newly-sprouted grass, making for some rather spectacular game viewing. Combine a few nights wildebeest-watching in the south before heading to the northern Serengeti to take advantage of the peace and quiet outside migration season. Up here, expect big cats aplenty, emerald-green landscapes and your pick of the luxury lodges. Now that’s what you really want for Christmas!
Add Zanzibar to a Serengeti safari for a blissed-out beach Christmas!
Monkey about this Christmas in Rwanda or Uganda
Little Rwanda, a nation of 12 million people, located smack in the middle of Africa, is one of the last places where the holidays still are as they should be. There’s no Black Friday shopping, no insane race for reservations at Michelin starred restaurants, no gift-guide inspired lists.
You might be thinking about what most people associate with Rwanda – 1994’s horrific genocide – but today’s Rwanda is pristine, safe, and a moving place to spend the holidays for those who take no joy from the cold.
In fact, right around Christmas week, the current “cold” rainy season should be finishing and we’ll be into the dry season.
Kigali, the nation’s capital, is thought by many to be the most pristine on the continent. There are sidewalks nearly everywhere which are filled with hundreds of thousands late on Christmas Eve as they make their way to church. Their beautiful prayers and songs permeate the hills of the city where skyscrapers are going up, yet there are still micro-plots of land farmed for maize, beans, and cassava. In the early afternoon on Christmas Day, traditional wood-charcoal fires will light up across the nation. Most will be three-stone fires, some of which will have a metal grate to support the bounty.
Christmas celebrations are popular all over the world. Many people tend to have their holidays out of their home to enjoy their Christmas holiday outside their home. At Origins Safaris, we believe that Christmas gorilla trekking is one of the few rewarding experiences that you should consider. We organize Christmas gorilla trekking in Uganda as well as Rwanda in order for you to have an everlasting experience with the rare mountain gorillas of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and or Volcanoes National Park in Uganda and Rwanda respectively.
Since childhood, you have spent most of your time celebrating Christmas at your home. You have looked at all options but you have never found the best way to enjoy your Xmas holiday. Uganda and Rwanda provides an opportunity to spend your Christmas with gorillas every year. Imagine the time you will spend with these rare apes on a special day like Xmas in the forest. You will be sharing your joy while contributing towards their conservation and survival.
You may also add other attractions such as game drives, boat cruises, chimpanzee or golden monkey trekking depending on the number of days available for your safari holiday. Contact Origins Safaris for an affordable and memorable safari experience this coming Christmas.
Have a Wild Christmas in the Maasai Mara
Avoid the crowds, enjoy the best weather, see more game – take a Christmas Safari to Kenya. You’re unlikely to spot reindeer, but take a Christmas Safari to Kenya and you will see great herds of elephants roaming across the plains of the Maasai Mara.
You’ll be able to watch prides of lion, wild dogs, cheetahs, giraffe, zebra, leopards and – in a private conservancy at Laikipia – large numbers of black rhino and chimpanzees. You could even buy the family a hot air balloon flight, for Christmas.
Kenya is simply the best wildlife viewing destination in Africa. People from all over the world are drawn here by its essence: the chance to immerse yourself in the spectacle of the big game: the predators and the prey ritually entwined in a cycle of life and death. Kenya straddles the Equator with geography ranging from snow capped Mt. Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa, to lush tropical rainforest and golden sands at sea level. Kenya is a land of contrasts and extremes: a country with an extraordinary variety of landscapes and locations, all of them striking in their own particular way. It has earned the epithet ‘the cradle of mankind’ for the discovery of archaeological evidence of the earliest origins of mankind. Kenya not only boasts every known landform but also a wealth of animal and bird life which owes its very existence to the contrasts in the country’s terrain. You do not have to be an ornithologist to enjoy its one thousand species of birds or a zoologist to be amazed by its variety of animals – birds range from the beautiful to the bizarre and the wildlife from the weird to the wonderful…
We are among the last generations to have the opportunity to experience the vanishing cultures of East Africa. Kenya is the tribal home to 40 different ethnic groups, many still living exactly as their ancestors did thousands of years ago. You can immerse yourself in the ways and culture of some of Africa’s proudest and most striking tribes.
December in the Masai Mara is a special time. Perhaps it’s the wonderful weather (the rains are usually over by mid-December), the juicy green landscapes or simply that holiday feeling? Game-wise, expect splashing eles in the river, newborn babies springing around the plains and big cats luxuriating in the sunshine. Sounding dreamy? It might do for some others too, so make sure you start planning your Christmas safari early for your pick of camps and dates.
The Maasai Mara is one of the most child-friendly safari destinations. A safari with your family creates memories that will last generations. The excitement of searching for Africa’s wildlife appeals to all ages. This is simply an unforgettable family odyssey.
Combine a safari in the Maasai Mara with Laikipia for a Christmas to remember!
Christian Orthodox Christmas in Lalibela, Ethiopia
Every year 50,000 pilgrims descend on Ethiopia’s “new” Jerusalem. Lalibela is a nondescript town of a few dusty streets atop a rugged mountain some 200 miles north of Addis Ababa. But its 11 monolithic churches—carved out of the red volcanic stone in the 12th century, and now a World Heritage Site—are thronged by pilgrims every Christmas. Because of differences between Western and Ethiopian calendars and traditions, Ethiopians celebrate that holiday on what Westerners know as January 7.
If you visit Lalibela for your Christmas celebrations, the altitude—8,600 feet above sea level—and the crowds will take your breath away: the tunnels and passageways connecting the churches are crammed with devotees rushing from one church to another. Lalibela has 20,000 residents, and more than 50,000 pilgrims come for Christmas.
Lalibela became a holy city after the capture of Jerusalem by Muslim forces in 1187; since Ethiopian Christian pilgrims could no longer go there, the reigning king—Lalibela—declared the town to be a new Jerusalem.
Bet Medhane Alem is the world’s largest monolithic church, 63 feet high by 45 feet wide and 24 feet deep. It resembles an ancient Greek temple, but Ethiopia’s Jewish roots are reflected in the Star of David cut into the ceiling.
After the stroke of midnight on January 7, you can attend Christmas Mass at Bet Maryam, the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. One of its frescoes depicts the flight by Mary, Joseph and Jesus into Egypt. On this night, pilgrims jam the church shoulder to shoulder and throng the surrounding hills. To begin the Mass, priests chant and rattle sistras, palm-size instruments from Old Testament times, and the celebration continues through the night.
At sunrise, the churches empty. More than 100 priests climb the rocky steps to the rim of the pit overlooking the church and form a line that snakes to the very edge of the drop. They wear white turbans, carry golden scarves and have red sashes stitched into the hems of their white robes. Several deacons begin beating large drums, and the priests begin to sway in unison, rattling their sistras, then crouch in a wavy line to the beat and rising again—King David’s dance, the last of the Christmas ceremonies.
In the courtyard below, two dozen priests form a tight circle with two drummers in the center and begin chanting a hymn to the priests above, who respond in kind. “The courtyard priests represent the world’s people, and the priests high above represent the angels,” a priest tells you. “Their singing is a symbol of the unity between heaven and earth.” On they chant for two hours, their movements and voices swelling in intensity. Many of those high above slip into ecstatic trances, closing their eyes as they sway.
What better way to experience the religious aspect of Christmas than in Lalibela with the priests and pilgrims…?
Palm Tree Christmas in Zanzibar
Fancy swapping the cold, snowy nights of a northern hemisphere winter for long lazy days on a sun-soaked island? Yes, us too… Zanzibar has long set the standard for ritzy beach breaks, particularly in December when temperatures hover around the 26 degree mark and there’s just enough of gentle breeze for textbook swaying palm trees. It’s reputation for honeymooners and hand-holding couples may precede it but we can also happily confirm there are plenty of hotels geared towards families and enough activities to tire out little legs, making for a very merry Christmas for all involved.
For a hassle-free, family-friendly Christmas, try combining Zanzibar with a safari in the Serengeti!
Dance until Dawn in Diani
Kenya has 480 kilometres of Indian Ocean coastline and a coral fringe reef, which is home to a colourful plethora of marine life. You can explore its balmy waters by dhow, yacht or powerboat; dive, snorkel and swim in the clear azure waters over fabulous coral beds; hunt for Marlin, Tuna and Sailfish or explore the mangrove swamps and creeks where the cycle begins. The coast is home to a striking mix of people and cultures with beautiful ancient architecture contrasting with the modern day bustle of the 21st century.
With a flawless stretch of white-sandy beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach in Kenya is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water sports enthusiasts.
But if that sounds like your typical resort town, think again. Diani has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget tree houses to funky kite-surfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest.
When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors’ voices, take a dhow cruise and swim with dolphins or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.
For older children, the long white sandy beaches of Diani offer a wealth of activities to keep them busy; including scuba diving, goggling, kite surfing, sky jumping, deep sea fishing and many more, whilst you visit the spa and recoup your energy.
Inspirational Christmas Videos
Here are a couple of examples of what Christmas in Africa is like:
About Origins Safaris
At Origins Safaris we are passionate about wildlife, cultural heritage, adventure and exploration. We customize each and every safari to your personal requirements and expectations, ensuring an exclusive, unique and authentic experience every time.
Origins Safaris is a family business, founded in 1963 by Don and Margaret Turner. It is managed today by two subsequent generations of the family, and predominantly by Don’s son, Steve. We are so much more than just a travel broker – our years of experience, professionalism and reliability means that we go the all important extra mile, to make sure your dream safari is safe, memorable, educational and most of all great fun. We are renowned for our meticulous safari planning from start to finish, and the highest standards of natural history interpretation.
Contact us on www.originsafaris.com to book your family Christmas safari in Africa with Origins Safaris – authentic African experiences since 1963.
STEVE TURNER
SELEMPO EDWIN LESOINE
STANLEY KARITHI
ZACHARY METHU MBUTHIA
PETER LIECH ADEDE
FELIX WAMBUGU
JOSHUA SONKOYO
HENRY MIWANI
