Wild WORLD

As we seek to connect more closely with the natural world, safari cruises are becoming one of the hottest travel trends. Nick Dalton selects some of the most enticing itineraries

- Nick Dalton

High Five

For many, a safari means Africa and the Big Five – lions, rhinos, leopards, elephants and buffalo. Big one for the Big Five is the 74-day Grand Africa Voyage from Holland America Line, which circles the continent. Its own Big Three are 1) A day in Kenya’s Tsavo National Park with its red elephants (tinted by the area’s reddish earth), zebras, giraffes, buffalo, gazelles, impala, baboons and maybe even lions and leopards ($549); 2) A light plane to Amboseli National Park, also Kenya, in a dramatic setting below Mount Kilimanjaro, renowned for its 900 elephants and huge herds of wildebeest, bird-filled wetlands and lions, zebras, hyenas and giraffes ($1,599); and 3) A two-night safari lodge stay in South Africa’s Kruger National Park (while the ship sails from Mozambique to Durban), home to the Big Five plus plenty more ($3,999). Departs Fort Lauderdale on 8 October 2020 on 1,380-passenger MS Amsterdam, from £15,549,including flights (0344 338 8605, hollandamerica.com).

Trunk Call