An African safari may not be the kind of holiday that first springs to mind as a family-friendly option, but a safari can be the perfect trip for a family to share adventures and experiences of a lifetime. A safari is a holiday with a difference, for both adults and kids alike. Spending time in the national parks and game reserves of Africa is as much an adventure as a holiday, and one that is action-packed and exciting, fun and educational in equal measure. East Africa is one of the best areas for a family safari, with Kenya and Tanzania offering easily accessible game parks that are home to a huge variety of wildlife including the famed ‘Big 5’, plus family-friendly accommodation and good value for money too. Seeing animals in their natural environment is something that all kids will relish. Standing on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve watching a tower of giraffes on the opposite bank as they majestically stoop down to drink is a magical...

We love Kenya here at Escape Worldwide and Karen is a massive fan: 'I was lucky enough, again, to spend two nights on safari on the amazing Masai Mara in Kenya recently and every game drive you go on is a different experience, you always see something new, as even if it’s the same animal they are doing something different. This time we saw a leopard, one of the cats I have never seen so I was very excited! Usually people see them up a tree keeping out of the way, but this one was just wandering in an out of the trees and it was amazing. It wasn’t bothered by us sitting in the safari vehicle watching him – in fact, he was showing off a bit and quite enjoying himself! I had to remember to stop taking photos and just sit back and watch the show – quite difficult to be honest! Although we saw elephants, cheetah, giraffe and all sorts of other things, this was definitely the highlight of the trip, and for some of my fellow passengers with me it was their first time on saf...

We are asked a fair bit, I want to go on safari in Kenya, but don’t want to keep moving around? Well Karen has the answer: I did a safari in Kenya last year and what I did was to fly from Nairobi straight into the Masai Mara by light aircraft, I then spent 3 nights at a camp before flying back to Nairobi. I found this worked really well as the light aircraft was a FAB way of seeing the Masai Mara from the air and it only took about an hour and a half to get from Nairobi, Also it landed close to the camp so didn’t have to go too far to get to the camp, though on saying that the drive to the camp was amazing, littered with giraffe and zebra. Whilst at the camp I did a couple of game drives a day, which I have to say were simply amazing. I saw the big five plus tons of other animals. I was pretty amazed when we came across a herd of elephant; I counted 20 with a couple of babies, which were so sweat. There is some much to see on the Masai Mara and the local driver/guide, Dav...

Throughout December we're having a look back at some of our favourite trips from 2016 - just last month Darren visited Kenya and was blown away by the wildlife of this magical destination. But he found a lot more besides, with beautiful landscapes, fabulous beaches along the coast, superb places to stay and he even managed a lively night out in vibrant Nairobi!   On Safari in Kenya Over the last few weeks I've been completely enthralled by David Attenborough's 'Planet Earth II' series, and while I wouldn't class myself as a wildlife buff I get very excited on safari. In November I spent four nights on safari and four nights on the beach, which is the ideal mix for part-time Attenborough's like me! On this trip I flew by light aircraft from Nairobi to the Masai Mara - I've been to Kenya a few times before and on my last visit I had a 4x4 vehicle to take in three different areas of the country, starting in Samburu in the north of Kenya before headi...

Kenya is such an amazing destination and the migration is simply breathe taking! Darren was on safari in Kenya recently and was lucky enough to experience the simply amazing migration crossing the Mara River. We have some great safari options to Kenya -  http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/safari/kenya_holidays.html Escape Worldwide - Home of Long Haul Holidays http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk

Off the radar for a while, the stunning beach destination of Mombasa , Kenya is back. The Kenya Coast has some really fantastic beaches and a good range of hotels. Historic Mombasa city is on an island, with plenty of interest while the beaches extend to the North and South of the city. The North Coast is the more developed of the two, with more facilities outside of the hotels, and more visitors - if you’re looking for activities, it’s ideal. The South Coast is less developed, and is perfect for a more relaxing holiday with Diani Beach regularly being voted the best beach in Africa - beaches here are wider and whiter, and hotels here tend to be a little more spacious. North of Mombasa, the beaches of Watamu and Malindi are an excellent place to unwind, with coral reefs and more of a village feel. It’s easy to do a short safari from Mombasa and popular one is the 2 night ‘Tsavo Explorer’ excursion which includes one night in TsavoEast National Park...

Masai Mara National Park The most popular safari destination in Kenya , the reserve is home to countless species including the ‘big five’ and stages the Great Wildebeest Migration. Aberdare National Park This park is home to part of the Aberdare mountain range, an area of natural beauty. It is full of rich vegetation, clear streams, waterfalls and lakes, along with unique fauna and flora, creating an ideal habitat for a wide variety of mammals and birds. Elephants and rhinos, roam the park and other residents include leopards, spotted hyenas and bongos. Samburu National Reserve & Buffalo Springs Samburu National Reserve and Buffalo springs started life as one park but are now adjacent to each other. The Ewaso Nyiro River runs through both reserves and in parts acts as border between them. Samburu is not as well known as some of the other national parts in Kenya and therefore is less crowded. The dramatic and rugged landscape is home to the colourful Samburu pe...

We're celebrating our 10th birthday at  Escape Worldwide , and looking back at 10 years of globetrotting in the name of bringing you great holidays - at least that's our excuse! We're having a look at our personal top 10 favourite travel experiences of the last 10 years. Mark gets far too close to a cheetah!  "It’s an early start this morning for a game drive from our home on the Masai Mara , the Mara Serena. We've been on safari for four days now and I'm getting in to the swing of things, with early starts to see the wildlife first thing in the morning when its all quite active, before the daytime temperatures start to rise and the big cats head for a snooze.  After a quick coffee we’re leaving the lodge at 6am, but it’s not long before the excitement starts. Within a few miles of the lodge we’ve already seen a herd of around 30 elephants crossing the plains, and a pack of the somewhat ungainly looking bat-eared foxes, but there...

Wildebeest Migration Update This week it has been all about the river crossings as wildebeest and zebra took the plunge and crossed the Mara River in their thousands. There were dramatic scenes as crocodiles snatched a meal and wildebeest struggled to cross the mighty Mara River .  Migration in full swing The migration covered the plains and there were wildebeest as far as the eye could see. Wildebeest as far as the eye can see! In these time of plenty with abundant prey around the big cats of the Mara have been busy raising the next generation and our guests have enjoyed regular sightings of Malaika the cheetah and her cub and the newest additions to the famous Marsh pride of lions.  Cheetah mother and her cubs We still have some tents available for this year's migration season, so if you would like to come on safari and see this incredible wildlife spectacle then go to www.safariescapes.co.uk to book!  Many thanks to our friends ...

Mark in our office was on safari in Kenya recently...... A safari is one of the greatest travel experiences imaginable – there’s nothing quite like seeing huge herds of elephants crossing the plains, packs of lions lazing under a tree or a pod of hippos cooling off in the river making their unique noise that sounds like they’re laughing. At this time of year the annual migration is in full swing on Kenya ’s Masai Mara, when a million or more grazing animals – wildebeest, zebra and a host of other creatures – head to the area in search of fresh grasslands, staying here until November when they return to the Serengeti. Whatever time of year you go on safari, though, there’s always likely to be a huge amount of wildlife activity, with big cats, elephants and most other game being resident here year-round.   Each safari experience is different, and totally memorable. Even if you’ve been on safari before you’re likely to see different wildlife on a repeat trip, and the variety of...

Escape Worldwide are proud to introduce a new luxury 5* hotel in Mombasa, the Swahili Beach Hotel. The Swahili Beach Hotel is authentic, elegant and simply stunning, and has just opened on beautiful Diani Beach on Mombasa's south coast . African, Arabic and Indian architectural influences have been fused to create the vibrant surroundings of this new hotel. <><><>   The Swahili Beach Hotel offers a selection of restaurants with both formal and casual dining. In addition it has a seafront spa, a fitness centre and a choice of shops. For the more energetic, water sports and a PADI scuba diving centre are available, plus a beautiful eight-tier swimming pool , and for younger children a mix of daily daytime activities to keep them entertained. Whether you are looking for relaxation after a safari, a luxury beachfront hotel in which to unwind, or are a family looking for a beachfront hotel on one of Mombasa's finest beaches. The Swahili Beach Hotel has ...

I did a safari in Kenya last year and what I did was to fly from Nairobi straight into the Masai Mara by light aircraft , I then spent 3 nights at a camp before flying back to Nairobi. I found this worked really well as the light aircraft was a FAB way of seeing the Masai Mara from the air and it only took about an hour and a half to get from Nairobi, Also it landed close to the camp so didn’t have to go too far to get to the camp, though on saying that the drive to the camp was amazing, littered with giraffe and zebra. Whilst at the camp I did a couple of game drives a day, which I have to say were simply amazing. I saw the big five plus tons of other animals. I was pretty amazed when we came across a herd of elephant; I counted 20 with a couple of babies, which were so sweet. There is some much to see on the Masai Mara and the local driver/guide, David, was simply fantastic and it was really interesting hearing how he grew up on the Masai Mara. OK you don’t get to see the full dive...

On a safari in Kenya , Mark had a very memorable encounter: 'It’s an early start this morning for a game drive from our home on the Masai Mara, the Mara Serena . After a quick coffee we’re leaving the lodge at 6am, but it’s not long before the excitement starts. Within a few miles of the lodge we’ve already seen a herd of around 30 elephants crossing the plains, and a pack of the somewhat ungainly looking bat-eared foxes, but we’ve just spent the last few minutes watching a cheetah with two cubs, and we’re the only people for miles around! The cheetah is perched on a small hillock with the cubs, using the raised ground as a vantage point as the sun comes up over the Mara. After a few minutes of us staring at her, and her assessing us, the cheetah comes down from the hillock and heads in our direction. She decides to use our vehicle as a lookout, and jumps on the spare tyre on the back to get a better view of the area, popping her head over the roof of the vehicle – we’re all p...

Hi all, This week we have some FAB special offers and holiday ideas, check em out: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Mar11d2.html For starters we have a great offer to the 4*+ Calabash Hotel in Grenada, have a look at the details: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/prices/offers/carib3.PDF 7 nts B&B at the 4*+ Calabash Hotel  - from £1375 per person Or how about Christmas in Kenya , 5nts Safari  followed by 5nts in Mombasa  from only £2189 per person, See the details: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/prices/offers/saf3.PDF How about a bargain to Egypt  - 7nts Nile Cruise  followed by 7nts relaxing on the Red Sea  from only £899 per person and that on an All Inclusive basis as well! More details at http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/prices/offers/egypt10.PDF Finally, Maldives , only £912 per person staying at the 5* Kurumba in the Maldives , amazing value!  http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/prices/offers/mle6.PDF W...

Hi fellow travellers, This week we have some great holiday offers: Longhaul Holiday Offers This week explore South Africa by fly-drive, go cheetah-spotting on the Masai Mara, party and chill in Thailand or be pampered in Oman - superb holidays across the Globe, all at excellent prices and fully ATOL-protected. Call us on 020 8989 0970 or e-mail us at info@escapeworldwide.co.uk for more details today. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KENYA SAFARI from £1575 MASAI MARA + MOMBASA A one-off special offer saving £150 per couple on the superb 7-night 5* Cheetah Safari, departing 29 April, complete with free Hippo Pool breakfast on the Masai Mara. Combine it with the beaches of Mombasa or Zanzibar, or just do the safari itself. CHEETAH SAFARI   - 7 -  FB -  £1575 pp + INDIAN OC RES MOMBASA 7+7  - HB -  £1845 pp + ROYAL ZANZIBAR RESORT 7+7 -  AI -  £2075 pp See more details at: http://...

Hi all, This weeks travel calendar looks at some great holiday ideas for July to September ( http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/top/ideas2011c2.html ): JULY - Great Weather in Bali When much of the Far East is in its rainy season, Bali bucks the trend and is far drier, making it a great time to visit. Spend your time on the beach or include a night or two inland at Ubud, taking in some of the Island's amazing scenery and fascinating culture. Holidays are for 10 nights - it's also possible to include a city stopover on the way to Bali , with Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur all possible! Hotel Ideal For Rating Board Prices from BUMAS -  Family-run friendliness - 3* BB £989 pp MERCURE - Handy for local dining  - 4* BB £1079 pp MELIA BALI - Stylish and spacious - 4+* RO £1195 pp HOLIDAY IDEAS TO BALI AUGUST - Red Sea Family - up to 4 kids The 5* Makadi Palace Family Star is a great option for larger families, as roo...

Hi fellow travellers, Natalie has just got back from Kenya and she got to see the elusive leopard..not fair! What this space for more photos and blogs, once she's got used to the cold and snow of course! Darren Escape Worldwide

On my recent trip to Kenya I was fortunate enough to have a Bush Breakfast: A cup of coffee and a couple of biccies (or biteings are the call them locally) at the lodge and it was off for an early morning game drive in the Masai Mara . Didn’t get time to get hungry during the game drive due to the adrenalin rushing after seeing some simply amazing game. However when we pulled up to a section of bush in the middle of the Mara I was starving. Having pre-booked a Bush breakfast I was a bit unsure what to expect. I thought we would turn up to a purpose built area and have a few croissants and coffee whilst sitting on camping stools. Boy was I wrong, we were led through the bush to be met with a glass of sparking wine and a view of a full breakfast buffet, complete with juices, stainless steels serving trays, chef and cooking station, all in the middle of nowhere. After finishing a great glass of sparkly we were taken to our table, on the banks of the river complete with the sound of...

As you know Escape Worldwide  had a stall this year at the Wanstead Festival and it was a great day. The event had a great turn out and the weather held....no rain....yeh!!!! Our little stall had plenty of interest: It was a good day and we met many potential customers which was FAB. Probably the most enquired holiday of the day was safaris  this was probably because of the huge banner of a cheetah we had, many thanks to Somak Holidays! Darren  http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk   

Hi all, Yep time for some more great holiday ideas: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/May10b2.html This week we'll looking at some very varied options. Firstly a Nile Cruise holiday in Egypt . A Nile Cruise is a great way to see many of the amazing sites upper Egypt has to offer and there is no better way of doing this in 5* comfort on board the MS Da Vinci . Mark and Karen in our office have just return last week from the a Nile Cruise so give them a call! Or how about a holiday to Penang in Malaysia . Penang is a great beach resort, Ok so not the best beach in Malaysia , but it has such a vibe and an amazing array of places to eat and drink. It's a great all rounder! One of our favorite types of holiday is a safari and the Thorn Tree Safari in Kenya has to be one of our best. It's a great introduction to this part of the world and promises to give you memories of a lifetime. Check out all the safaris we offer at http://www.safariescapes.co.uk ...