Going on safari in Africa is one of life’s great experiences and for many it’s an ultimate bucket list adventure. You really cannot beat getting up close and personal with wild animals in their natural habitat, whether that’s walking amidst them in Zambia, sat quietly watching them from a dug out mokoro on the Okavango Delta in Botswana, or sitting speechless in a 4 x 4 as a crocodile takes down a buffalo during a migratory river crossing in Kenya.
Whenever I start planing a safari for a client, whether it’s their first time or they are a seasoned safari goer wanting something a bit different, there are always lots of questions to be asked to ensure the experience matches expectations. If you have ever wanted to go on safari, but are unsure where to start, please read on through my tips and advice, which you may find useful.
Where to go on safari?
There are over 50 countries in Africa, eight of which are renowned for world-class safaris: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda and Rwanda. Each country offers its own unique charms and wildlife encounters. Therefore, when a client first comes to me about going on safari, I always delve deeply into what they want to get out of their safari from the landscapes to the animals they want to see.
Malaria is also an important consideration too. If, understandably, the risk of malaria weighs on your mind, especially if you are travelling with young children, and you want a fully malaria-free safari experience, then you have to head to South Africa. Other countries all carry a malarial risk, albeit to varying degrees.
How long to go for?
If you are unsure whether a safari is for you, I would definitely suggest having it as part of a longer trip. South Africa works perfectly for this. You can visit Cape Town and the Winelands and do a two or three night taster safari, may be as part of a Garden Route self-drive if you don’t want to fly into Kruger or Madikwe. If wildlife is your passion, I would say a week on safari is sufficient. Try combining two different areas in the same country such as South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi in Zambia, which will give you a contrast in landscapes, animal sightings and both water and land based activities.
Can children go on safari?
Absolutely! Kids love to watch animals in real life, so why wouldn’t they be able to go on a safari? But as mentioned above, you may want to consider a non-malarial area and also the age of your children, as there is a lot of sitting about quietly and patiently admiring the animals.
To make sure a safari is both fun and educational for younger children, you need to select a lodge with a dedicated kids program and it’s also a good idea to incorporate a mixture of elements throughout. The game drives are the foundation of the trip, but should be interspersed with other non-vehicle based activities such a horse riding, camel riding, bike rides, swimming in waterfalls or visiting local villages. A private vehicle is also a great option (usually available at an additional cost) as it means you are not infringing on other guests and can return to camp when the children have ‘had enough’.
What animals will I see?
Most people on their first safari want to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo). Although it is very special if you spot them all, you should also spare a thought for the many other species of plains game and smaller African safari animals, as well as the colourful birdlife that can all be equally as rare and magical. However, I do understand the appeal of the big cats and prehistoric looking rhino as well as the impressive elephants, so if you’re interested in seeing a particular animal then some locations are definitely better than others. But you must always remember that the animals are wild and it’s not at a zoo, so sightings are never guaranteed.
For a second or third safari you may want to see the gorillas of Rwanda or Uganda or the wonderful chimpanzees of Greystoke.
Where should I stay?
I often get asked “Don’t all safari lodges give the same experience?” I’m afraid not. There are thousands of lodges to choose from and often many in the same location, which is why booking your trip with someone like me, who has the experience and knowledge, is really important to ensure your lodge is matched with your requirements.
Some people want the romance of staying in a tent where the animals can roam freely through camp and the bathrooms are open to the elements. Whilst others feel more comfortable staying in a hermetically sealed room where it’s less likely the bugs will get in.
Some camps are very sociable and meals are shared with other guests around a communal table, but others are more suited to honeymooners or those who want to share time with each other. In addition, some camps have private houses, which you can take in their entirety, and that works perfectly if you are travelling as a family or a small group. They come with private chef, your own safari vehicle and guide and often work out better value than taking separate rooms and paying extra for a private vehicle and guide.
The actual location of your lodge is also important. How exclusive and remote is the area where your lodge is situated? How many other lodges are located nearby? How many other game vehicles are driving their guests around? At a private game reserve (as opposed to a national park such as the Masaai Mara), the sightings tend to be more intimate, so you won’t end up in a scrum with dozens of other cars trying to spot a kill and you will get to spend real quality time observing the animals.
What about an “add-on”?
A typical day on safari often starts around 5:00am (depending on the time of year) and finishes with drinks in the bush as the sun sets, as either end of the day are when animals are most active, so early starts and late finishes are your best chance of seeing as much wildlife as possible. But this pace can be exhausting. An “add-on” gives another dimension to your trip, as well as enabling you to set your own schedule, doing as much or as little as you like. Maybe a few days at Victoria Falls after a safari in Zambia or Botswana, or in the Winelands after a South African safari? Or for a more restorative end you could include some time relaxing on the beach. Zanzibar can be easily combined with a Kenyan and Tanzanian safari. Or after a South African safari you can easily add on the beaches of Mauritius or a stunning island resort in Mozambique.
If you would like to find out more information about going on safari and to discover whether it’s for you, then please do get in touch and we can chat through the options available and the best times to travel. Every safari I work on is truly bespoke and will be designed around you.
{Photographs: Lesley-Ann Birley}