The Llama Travel Blog

Being able to travel is a privilege - experiencing new cultures, taking in extraordinary scenery and indulging in mouth-watering cuisine from all over the world. But never has this felt truer than now.

As our movements are restricted and we wait for the current situation to improve, we can’t help but dream about the places we’d like to visit when it’s safe to do so. We know that top of the agenda for many people will be the destinations where you can be at one with nature, with wide open spaces and few people to share your holiday with.

If you’ve signed up to our newsletter, you’ll know that we’ve recently launched some amazing prices for our 2021 holidays, with discounts of up to £600 per couple and a guaranteed refund or option to rebook if we can’t operate your trip.

Keep reading to find out our top five post-pandemic holidays in Latin America and Africa where you can escape the crowded beaches and chock-a-block cities to experience the world’s natural beauty.

The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s iconic safari destination, and there are excellent game reserves bordering the Kruger itself, as well as some private fenced reserves nearby. All safari options we offer have a similar format, with game drives in the morning and afternoon. However, there are differences in the experience, so it is important to understand the factors which make each one different, and what their implications are for your safari experience. Graham from the Llama Travel sales team recently travelled to the Kruger to check out the three different lodges we offer in and around Kruger National Park. Keep reading to find out which lodge suits you best.  

The Covid-19 pandemic has been tough for everyone, and as the country takes steps to a return to some more normal activities, I would like to share my thoughts on what has happened and what might come. I am thankful that everyone at Llama Travel has been fine, and no one here has been badly affected by the virus directly. My heart goes out to all who have suffered loss due to this disease. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that this has brought about the toughest period in the near-twenty year history of Llama Travel, and in the travel industry in general.

Like many aspects of our lives, the way in which we travel is changing as a result of the current pandemic. Nobody knows exactly what will happen, but it is possible that we won't take our freedom to travel for granted, safety precautions will be heightened and we'll think more carefully before clicking a button to book a holiday. To make the most of your trip to another continent, why not combine several destinations and tick a few more places off your list while you're there? 

Before I visited Colombia, I had heard very mixed things. People who hadn’t been regarded it as unsafe, and told me to be careful – this was backed up by documentaries and the general preconception that Colombia is dangerous. Meanwhile, friends and family members who had been there told me that it was one of the most amazing places they’ve ever visited, with beautiful scenery, top-notch food and some of the friendliest people they’d met in the world.  I took all this advice with a pinch of salt and as it turns out, of the ten countries I’ve visited in South America, I still regard Colombia as my absolute favourite. Here’s why.

Ecuador is often overlooked by its South American neighbours, and even the mainland of Ecuador is often skipped on a trip to the Galapagos Islands. This is part of its charm – the undiscovered feeling you get when you come across Inca ruins with hardly any tourists, or the indigenous tribes you meet in remote parts of the Amazon Rainforest, accessed only by a canoe. It’s one of the continent’s best kept secrets, and probably doesn’t even come in the top three of most people’s South American bucket lists.

A couple of weeks ago we gave you our top picks for Latin America, so this week it’s Africa’s turn. If you’re counting down the days until you can next get on a plane and witness amazing wildlife spectacles on a classic safari, uncover South Africa's moving history, explore Namibia's vast rugged landscapes and feel the spray of one of the Wonders of the World in Zimbabwe, keep reading for some ideas on where to go in Africa next year.

We’ve kept this one simple. Our ultimate top seven picks from Latin America, because once this difficult period of our lives is over, there’s still a magnificent world waiting to be explored. Of course, travel shouldn’t be about ticking places off a list, for us it’s all about the different experiences you get – whether it’s that Peruvian lady who sold you some textiles in a tiny Andean village or that delicious steak you ate with your group on your final night in Argentina. But as clichéd as it might sound, many people are realising now more than ever that life’s too short, and the freedom of travel isn’t something we should take for granted. So if any of these beautiful destinations weren’t already on your list, they should be now!

As we sit tight and wait eagerly for a time when we can travel once again, there are plenty of ways to keep our minds occupied. Whether you’d like to learn more about an African country you’ve already visited, increase your knowledge in preparation for a future holiday or simply interested in finding out more about Africa, let us open your eyes to the world of African literature and film.

For a bit of light-hearted fun and distraction from everything that’s currently going on in the world, we've created a special Llama Travel quiz so you can test your knowledge of Latin America. There are five rounds (photos, anagrams, multiple choice, flags and food) with seven questions each and you'll find the answers at the bottom - no cheating though! Let us know your score (out of 35) on the Llama Travel Facebook page. ¡Buena suerte!