How to plan an African safari
The best country for a safari depends on several factors. These include when you plan to travel and the weather at that time, whether you’re going with kids, if you want to enjoy some beach time, your budget, and what types of safari activities you want to experience for lasting memories.
Should I visit East Africa or Southern Africa?
The main decision is whether to travel to East Africa or Southern Africa. Each trip we organize will change depending on what kind of experience you want.
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda are the main countries in East Africa. They are well-known for places like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Masai Mara, great migration, Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Zanzibar, among others.
East Africa has many types of beaches, and the Indian Ocean is close to amazing adventure experiences. East Africa has a warm equatorial climate and dry weather during the summer.
South Africa is a famous place for safaris. The main countries in Southern Africa for safaris are Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa. Notable attractions include the Okavango Delta, Chobe, Kruger, Luangwa, and Victoria Falls. Beach trips to places like Southern Mozambique, Mauritius, and the Seychelles are usually harder to get to. Keep in mind that when it’s summer for us, it’s winter for them. Also, Mauritius and the Seychelles are great places for families with children.
What are the times and the cost?
How to plan an African tour
Think carefully about how much time you want to spend on adventure and, if you choose to, at the beach. It’s clear that longer trips usually mean you can’t spend as much on quality. However, most tourists typically choose shorter safaris (3-4 days) or longer ones (7-8 days); very few opt for safaris that last even longer. Remember that safaris can be tiring because of long drives and early mornings.
Usually, tours in Southern Africa range from $700 to $1,500 per person per night. In East Africa, they usually cost between $400 and $800. Most guests typically go on a short safari (3-4 days) or a longer one (7-8 days). It’s uncommon to find safaris longer than 8 days because they can be exhausting with early mornings and long drives. It’s important to balance your safari time with some beach time.
Where to stay during your vacation.
The main goal is to choose the park or parks that provide the best game watching and activities for the season you are visiting. After that, there are usually many types of places to stay, including mobile tents, small tent camps, bigger permanent lodges, and big hotels. Tented camps can be quite luxurious, often featuring private plunge pools and other nice amenities. However, mobile camps that follow the movement do not have permanent plumbing.
Things to do on a safari.
Each country and park has its own rules. Northern Tanzania and Kenya mainly focus on game drives, with walking and boating trips being rare exceptions. Zambia and Botswana have a wide range of things to enjoy, including walking, boating, and both night and day game drives. Namibia is mainly a place to visit for its beautiful scenery.
To experience a great African tour. It’s a great idea to speak with one of our tour experts if it’s just for a few minutes. We believe that our knowledge helps us know the right questions to ask, which allows us to create different travel plans. We can make the itinerary better once we get a bit more comments.
booking with us is cheaper than contacting each lodge yourself. Plus, we promise to match prices from other trusted tour operators to ensure you have a great trip experience.
