Going for a safari in a new country for the first time can be exciting and fun, and doubly so if Africa happens to be your destination. Not only because it has one of the most beautiful outdoors in the world, but also because all your animal-watching ambitions can be accomplished on this one amazing continent.
This guide on how to choose your perfect African safari will help you plan every step of the way. We know it can be overwhelming, especially with more than half the continent to choose from. So, to help you get the most out of your African Safari, we’ll answer questions like:
- What type of African safari do I want?
- What should I pack?
- When is the best time to go on safari?
- Which country should I choose?
- Where is the best place to stay?
And while there’s no absolute guarantee that your African safari trip will fulfill every single one of your wildest dreams, this guide will help you make most of them come true.
How to plan your perfect African safari
We don’t recommend a self-drive or DIY trip for such a memorable holiday. You don’t want to come home with regrets about what you could have done or wondering if you were overcharged because you were a newbie. This is one time when you get what you pay for.
It’s best to go through experts who have decades of experience. Consider booking your African safari with Naturetrek, who have a solid relationship with the trackers, guides, and lodge owners.
Another important reason to book through an agent is the 24/7 safari support you get. A knowledgeable provider will match the locations to your goals, comfort level, and the month you plan to travel. They will recommend the perfect safari itinerary for you and deliver a vacation that you’ll treasure for the rest of your life.
You can be assured of having expert trackers and guides, who will be able to answer questions, know where to find the animals, keep you from getting stuck in the mud, and make sure you stay safe. (You don’t want to be charged by an elephant, do you?)
ⓘ TIP: There is no way to guarantee what you will see on safari because animals and the weather can be unpredictable. However, if you really want to see a certain animal or bird, your guide might be able to take you places where they like to hang out.
What type of African safari do you want?
Gone are the days of cookie-cutter safari vacations. You can tailor today’s African safaris to your unique preferences, from romantic escapes to family-friendly adventures.
To embark on your ideal safari, consider these five popular types of experiences:
● Overland safari
When someone mentions going on safari, this is what usually comes to mind. It’s the ultimate way of exploring Africa’s wildlife, complete with the pleasures of old-school camping.
Overland safari trips are typically small group adventures. They’re reminiscent of the excursions embarked upon by 13th-century hunters, and there’s a real sense of excitement being out in the open.
● Beach safari
Some safari adventurers, especially first-timers, may find the African safari to be a rewarding but exhausting experience. This is due to the fact that safaris typically demand endurance and a high level of energy, even when they take place in stunning locations.
Finishing your vacation with a beach retreat is a great way to make romantic memories with your partner. Two excellent locations for this are the coast of Malawi and the scenic beaches of the Seychelles.
● Family safari
Traditional safaris, where primitive camping is an integral part of the journey, aren’t very suitable for families with young children. But this doesn’t mean you have to postpone your African safari dreams until your kids are old enough.
Times have changed. The once hectic safaris, tailored for the fearless traveler, have evolved into something entirely different. These days, a safari can be as mainstream and child friendly as you need.
Family-oriented safaris can offer convenient accommodation and also include a variety of activities to keep little ones as entertained as the grown-ups.
● Honeymoon safari
There are many options available to make the perfect African safari experience more romantic for newlyweds.
A honeymoon safari package will often include comfortable, high-end accommodation choices with breathtaking views, a remote location away from prying eyes and the commotion of other holidaymakers, and, of course, a stunning beach.
● Birding safari
Many people don’t realize that Africa’s birdlife is just as fascinating and extensive as the other wildlife on the continent.
Along with being home to the biggest game safaris, Africa is a fantastic place to spot some of the most charismatic and rare species of birds. You can see everything from bee-eaters and finches to weavers, flamingos, and ostriches.
Some of the best places for the avid birdwatcher include Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, and Tanzania.
What to pack for an African safari
As far as packing for an African safari, ‘less is more’ is not a good idea. On other trips, you can pack light and purchase everything you need from local shops at your destination, but on a safari, it’s a completely different story.
Out there, chances are you’ll have no local amenities. Exposure to the elements necessitates carrying everything you might need for the day.
ⓘ LUGGAGE TIP: Checked baggage on small planes is subject to strict weight restrictions. If you plan to fly to your resort, avoid wheels and opt for a duffel bag like this one. It will be at least 12 lbs lighter.
Here’s a list of safari must-haves to pack for your trip:
- A good African safari field guide.
- High-quality binoculars
- Bug spray
- Earth toned clothing
- Comfortable walking shoes for game walks
- Cap or hat
- Windbreaker or fleece jacket for game drives and cool nights.
- Two pairs of jeans
- Swim suit
- T-shirts for day wear.
- Absorbent socks
- Toiletries
- Medication
When is the best time to go on safari?
The success of any safari experience depends on several factors, but timing is the most important. Your trip can be significantly impacted by the dates you choose to travel. It would be heartbreaking to arrive in the Serengeti and find that the migration herds have moved down to Kenya.
But with a vast stretch of land that’s 4 times larger than the continental US, it can be pretty tricky to say when is the best time to visit Africa. This diverse continent has dense forests, massive deserts, snowy mountains, and lush grasslands.
Plan your ideal travel dates in advance, as places to witness seasonal events tend to book months in advance. The peak period of July to October sees the highest rates and most visitors, while the green period from November to May sees fewer people. It’s a bit challenging to see wildlife then, but you can still enjoy other activities.
To help you enjoy your trip as much as possible, here’s a brief overview of the different seasons in Africa:
The Peak Season
This is when the animals are abundantly present and most visible.
For example, animals are most plentiful in the Maasai Mara National Reserve during the period of July to October when 2 million animals migrate from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
On the other hand, the Serengeti is better to visit during the December to June period as all the migrating animals are going to be in that area.
The Dry Season
In places where water holes provide the best viewing, it’s best to plan your visit during the dry season.
The dry season in Namibia’s Etosha National Park runs from May to October and does offer the best viewing experiences.
The Green Season
This is the time when rain brings about plenty of green life.
This season is usually the cheapest time to visit. It may seem like a good way to cut back on some expenses, but there are a few points to consider.
For example, the more it rains, the more foliage appears. This will make it harder for you to see animals. Also, due to the extra water, animals that usually gather around water holes can easily find water somewhere else, making it even harder to find these animals.
Another thing to keep in mind is that in some places, like Kenya, parks will close to visitors during the green season due to the impassability of the dirt roads.
TL;DR: The green season is an excellent time to go on an African safari if you’re interested in natural beauty. However, if your focus is wildlife, you may want to choose another time.
The Shoulder Season
The shoulder season, which falls between the two seasons we previously discussed, is often referred to as a lottery.
Sometimes the animals will stay for a bit longer after the official peak season has ended if there’s more food available in the area. However, this is not a certainty and varies significantly from year to year.
For example, November is the shoulder season in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. But if there have been more rains in Kenya during the preceding few months, there’ll be more grass to feed on, and the animals on The Great Migration will stay for long past their typical departure date of October.
In fact, this happened in 2016, and visitors who came to the area around early November were able to see significantly more animals than they would have seen in other years.
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Where is the best place to see animals on a safari in Africa?
Africa offers safaris for all types of tourists, but it’s a huge continent. Where do you go with so many options?
Since wild animals are the main target, most visitors focus on ticking off the Big Five—lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant. Many parks boast of these five superstars, but some offer much better chances to see them than others.
Here’s a list of the best countries for a safari vacation. We’ve included their top tourist attraction to help you choose the best place to go on safari.
● Uganda:
The largest population of mountain gorillas and 1100 bird species.
● Tanzania:
The starting point of the Great Wildebeest Migration, Big Five, and over 1000 bird species.
● Rwanda:
Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, Big Five.
● Malawi:
The warm heart of Africa, Lake Malawi, The Majete Wildlife Reserve, which has over 3000 animals, including more than 300 elephants, 200 hippos, impalas, and bushbucks.
● Kenya:
A focal point of the Great Migration, Nile crocodiles, Big Five. Large animal herds, 1100 bird species, reptiles, amphibians.
● South Africa:
Big Five, African wild dog, cheetah.
● Zambia:
Exclusive walking safaris, hippos, leopard.
● Zimbabwe:
Victoria Falls, Cape wild dog, Big Five
● Botswana:
One of the hottest tourist destinations. Great for Big Five, 900 bird species.
● Mozambique:
Luxurious accommodation, white powdery beaches, romantic getaway.
● Seychelles:
Bright white sand beaches, perfect for honeymooners, Aldabra, a raised coral atoll where almost 150000 giant tortoises reside.
● Namibia:
The largest colony of Cape Fur Seals, elephants, cheetah, lion.
Don’t have a specific goal in mind? Do a bit of research to find out what activities spark your interest, or just contact your African safari experts and tell them what you like and dislike on a holiday. They should be able to help you figure out what your perfect African safari would look like.
Where is the best place to stay on an African safari?
Knowing when to go on an African safari and what places you want to visit isn’t enough to make your trip a success. You also need to figure out where you’re going to stay.
Concerning this aspect, there are 3 main areas where you can stay while on a safari:
1. Stay within the park
For the larger parks of Africa, such as the Serengeti in Tanzania, staying within the park is the best option. Staying within the park places you in the heart of the action and provides you with quick access to and from wildlife viewing.
Otherwise, you’d be too far away from areas where the animals gather.
2. Next to a major park
Your second option is to stay within a conservancy adjacent to a major park.
The main advantage of staying in conservancies attached to major parks is that you’d have to deal with far less vehicular traffic. This is because they usually charge an additional fee for entry, so many people refrain from coming in.
During peak season, when certain parks may experience traffic jams, this can be especially beneficial. (Sitting in traffic does not make for a perfect African safari vacation.) In this case, the adjacent conservancy will have just as many animals… but with fewer vehicles, you’ll have better wildlife viewing opportunities.
3. Stay outside the park
The third option is to stay outside a park. If you choose a place very close to a park, you won’t actually need to stay in the park. Not only will you save the park fees by doing so, but you can still enjoy animal viewing.
That’s because animals don’t recognize park boundaries. It’s likely that you’ll be able to spot some animals from the comfort of your camp.
Know your budget.
An African safari revolves around logistics, with resort owners tasked with delivering top-notch services to their guests.
Mind you, they have to offer the best food and supplies in a desolate and remote place. This will cost several times more than offering a similar service in a large city.
African safaris are not cheap, so be sure to discuss your budget frankly with your agent. Once he or she understands your financial requirements, your agent will do everything possible to make your trip a reality.
Choose your travel style.
Before you set out, consider your budget, available time, and travel companions. Do you wish to travel on a romantic trip, with friends, or with families and children? And what about your sleeping arrangements?
You can’t have a perfect African safari without the perfect accommodation. There are two types of accommodation to consider when planning an African safari:
- Lodge-style—this style is similar to that of a hotel or some sort of self-contained chalet.
- Luxury tents—this “glamping” option is preferred by many. Often larger than most hotel rooms you’ve stayed in, they can include anything from services such as Wi-Fi to luxurious decorations like chandeliers.
All resorts typically serve meals in a common open-air area. This tends to be one of the most beautiful parts of any accommodation.
Please note that most safari accommodations are full board, meaning they provide all food—3 meals a day, although drinks can cost extra. Some places do provide access to a kitchen, though, so self-catering can be a good option for budget travelers.
Additionally, many places (particularly tented camps) uphold a minimum age restriction, so you’ll need to check with them before booking.
All these are matters of personal preference.
The best part is that you’re the one who gets to decide which type of African safari fits right.
Your safari expert will match your needs to the best possible experience. You’ll get the accommodation, location, and activities you prefer and get the optimum value for your money.
ⓘ TIP: You can also ask your agent to create a tailor-made safari. This should include a good dedicated guide and a game drive vehicle for exclusive use. But it also can include a variety of unique activities, like hot air balloon rides and transfers by private helicopter.
Tips for the best African safari
- Avoid safari destinations that charge in USD. If you’re traveling on a tight budget, the exchange fee will add to the cost. One such option is the Kruger National Park in South Africa, which charges in local currency.
- Look for camps that offer the most game drive time. As game drives are the heart of an African safari experience, the more time you spend in a vehicle searching for animals, the better.
- Be mindful of when you’re scheduling your game rides. For game drives, the best times for viewing are the 30 minutes before sunrise and 60 minutes after sunrise, as well as 60 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunset.
- Avoid self-driving on a game drive. Instead, stick to local drivers. Local drivers have the most knowledge to keep you safe, they have a network to find the best animal sighting, and they have a reliable support network in case your vehicle breaks down.
- Soak in the atmosphere. Every safari is a unique experience, so take time to appreciate all the sounds and smells. This can change your life.
- Bring insect repellent. Be mindful of common diseases such as yellow fever and malaria. You can visit your doctor beforehand if you want to get the necessary shots.
- Put your phone away. Just carry a camera and binoculars. Disconnect with the world and immerse yourself in nature for these once-in-a-lifetime moments.
- Ask about the freight rate. Groups of four or more may be able to book a freight seat on the small planes. They offer an additional 75kg baggage allowance and cost the fare of a child ticket.
- Always make copies of your travel documents.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash.
- If your aim is gorilla trekking, timing is critical. In Rwanda, you’ll want to avoid April, May, and November. However, you should consider visiting Uganda during these months, as you can take advantage of significant discounts on accommodation and permits.
Ready to go?
An African safari is an unforgettable experience that is well worth the investment. Follow the advice in our guide, and it’s going to be a journey that you’ll remember and cherish for the rest of your life.
