Have you always wanted to go on safari and see exotic animals in their natural habitat? There are hundreds of incredible safari destinations in Africa, and also lots of travel companies who can help you to enjoy the most amazing trip of your life.
A safari really is a bucket list adventure and something everyone should try to do at least once in your life. Not much compares to seeing exotic animals like lions, leopards, elephants and rhinos in the wild.
View our guide how to book the most incredible African safari trip with tips for where to go, what companies to book with and tips with important things to know before departing.
Africa Safari Travel Essentials
If you are looking to plan a trip to Africa or book a safari check out these websites:
• Search flights on Skyscanner
• Find accommodation on Booking.com
• Search overland tours and safaris in Africa with G Adventures
Best Countries to Go on Safari in Africa
You can find wildlife destinations throughout the African continent, but there are some of the most popular countries to visit:
• South Africa
• Kenya
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Botswana
• Namibia
• Zambia
Every country is different and offers a completely different experience. South Africa and Kenya are two of the most established and popular tourist destinations if you are planning your first safari trip but where you go really depends on the type of experience you are looking for.
For example, if it is your dream of seeing the endangered mountain gorillas, you will need to visit Uganda. You might also want to combine a trip with more sightseeing activities, like checking out the best destinations in South Africa and going on a safari as part of your itinerary.
If you have a flexible schedule and want to see as many places as possible, some travel companies offer overland trips in Africa which include lots of countries and safari parks in the itinerary. Some tours last weeks, whilst others can be joined for months where you can take in lots of the highlights of the African continent.
What is the Best Month to Go on an African Safari?
You can book safaris all year round. Generally one of the best times to visit Africa for wildlife is from May to September, this is winter. and also the dry season, where temperatures aren’t baking hot. During this time of year there is less vegetation, so you stand a much better chance of seeing animals as they tend to concentrate around waterholes and rivers, making them easier to spot.
Types of Trips
There are lots of different types of safaris perfect for all different travellers. Whether you are planning on travelling solo, as a couple, keen on a romantic honeymoon or travelling with family, there various different types of safaris including:
• Small group overland or mobile safaris
• Private safaris
• Africa honeymoon safaris
• Beach safaris
• Family safaris
• Birding safaris
• Walking safaris
The majority of safaris are conducted from within the safety of a vehicle but there are an increasing number of walking safaris becoming available. It can be dangerous to the animals to closely interact with humans so watching animals from the security of a vehicle offers greater protection for animals and humans alike.
Top Rated African Safari Companies
There are hundreds of local and international travel companies offering trips. If it is going to be your first time going a safari then we recommend booking with these companies:
G Adventures offer award-winning trips and safaris to Africa that put you on a first-name basis with the local people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife.
G Adventures offer close to 100 tours in Africa to destinations including Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Departures are available all year round.
Here are just a few of the benefits of booking a trip with G Adventures:
• 100% Guaranteed Departures
• Our CEOs (Chief Experience Officers)
• Lifetime Deposits
• Countless awards and industry honours
Best Safari & National Parks in Africa
To help you narrow down your list of potential destinations, view our guide to the best national parks and places to visit in Africa.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
The Kruger National Park is one of the most popular tourism destinations on the continent and home to the Big 5 animals as well as lots of world class accommodation.
The Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa, covering an area of around 20 000 square kilometres (7 500 sq/miles).
This National Park is home to a staggering number of animals including 12,000 elephants, 27,000 African Buffalo, 2,000 leopards and 2,800 lions.
Masai Mara, Kenya
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is situated in southwest Kenya on the border with Tanzania and covering an huge area of 1,510 square km (583 square miles).
The Maasai Mara is a pristine area of preserved wilderness, and an important area for conservation where you can see animals like lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos.
The annual wildebeest migration is one of the highlights to see for international tourists whilst when visiting you will also get to visit Maasai villages to learn more about the local people.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the most popular countries for tourists and it is easy to see why, there are bustling cities, some of the most pristine white sandy beaches in the world in Zanzibar and also lots of places to see wildlife in their natural habitat.
The Serengeti National Park is home to the highest concentration of large mammals in the world and you stand a really good chance to see elephants, hippos, lions and giraffes here. There are also more than 500 species of birds, including ostriches and flamingos.
Although not technically part of Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is recommended to see too. Located in the east of the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s sixth-largest intact volcanic caldera. It is now a popular location to see animals.
Chobe National Park, Botswana
The Chobe National Park is situated in northern Botswana near the Okavango Delta. The park is famous for its large wildlife population, with an estimated 50,000+ animals living here including the Kalahari elephants, the largest in herd size of all known elephant populations. In the The Chobe National Park you can also see Cape buffalo, lions, antelopes and hippos.
Etosha National Park, Namibia
The Etosha National Park is located in northwestern Namibia and it is one of the largest national parks in Africa. The Etosha National Park is one of the best value safari destinations in Southern Africa.
Animals you can see here include lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, cheetah, hyena, mountain and plains zebra, springbok, kudu, gemsbok and eland. Other smaller species you will find jackal, bat-eared fox, warthog, honey badger and ground squirrel.
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Zambia is a really underrated safari destination with around 30% of Zambia’s 752 614 square kilometers being reserved for wildlife.
There are 20 national parks and 34 game management areas in Zambia, with the South Luangwa National Park being one of the most popular tourism destinations in the country.
Located in eastern Zambia and known to locals as simply ‘the South Park,’ it was initially founded as the Luangwa Game Park in 1904, and converted to one of three game reserves in 1938.
You can expect to see lots of animals here including elephants, buffalos, hippos, lions, nile crocodiles, warthogs, puku, impala, spotted hyena, greater kudu and eland common. Unique to the Luangwa are the Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay’s zebra, which are found nowhere else.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
If you have always wanted to see the elusive and endangered mountain gorillas in real life then the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda is the place to go. Here you can find the largest population of mountain gorillas and 1,100 bird species.
How to Choose an Ethical Safari
Safaris are a multi-million pound industry but at what cost to wildlife? Many governments have guidelines in place to help minimise the impact of visitors on wildlife and by adhering to these, you can help to ensure that both humans and wildlife can benefit.
Many companies guarantee a percentage of their profits are used to help support the conservation of endangered species, protection of wildlife from poachers and habitat destruction. It is recommended that you always check with your tour company what they do to preserve wildlife for future generations and their policies on minimising any negative effects on wildlife as a result of safaris.
Please be responsible in how you choose your tour operator, using your money as a positive influence on animal welfare and conservation rather than against it.
How Much Does a Safari in Africa Cost?
The price really depends on your destination, time of year and the company you book with. An average African safari can cost between $100 and $1,500 per person per night. A budget safari averages $100 per night, mid-range $250/$500 and luxury $500+. The more luxurious safaris can easily go up to $1,000+ per night, or more depending on the accommodation and level of comfort.
Whereas in the past safaris were reserve for the rich and wealthy travellers, now safaris are more accessible and affordable than ever before. Generally the earlier you book, the cheaper the prices will be. Some companies also offer last minute special offers too, but then leaving it late to book can mean flights are more expensive.
What to Pack
Some of the most important things not to forget are comfortable footwear, clothing for both boiling hot sun and also chilly nights, swimwear, hat, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellant, any medication you take, reusable water bottle, toiletries and travel towel.
How to Stay Safe
Most national parks, reserves and conservancies have set guidelines for safaris conducted within their boundaries. If you care about minimising the impact of your experience on the wildlife you want to see then ensure you, your tour operator and fellow travellers follow these guidelines.
• Your safari vehicle should always keep to the main tracks to avoid damaging vegetation or harming small animals concealed therein.
• Maintain a distance of at least 20 metres from animals. Do not hang out of windows, stand on vehicle roofs, follow animals when they move away or disturb them with loud noise.
• Most guidelines advise a maximum number of vehicles allowed near a group of animals at any one time, please ensure your guide keeps to this and waits until another tour has moved on before approaching the group. You should not stay for more than 10 minutes.
• Speeds are restricted and your guide should keep to the stated speed limits. Animals will always have right of way and make sure that you slow down when passing grazing animals.
• Some animals are day hunters and can be sensitive to disturbance by safari vehicles. Be aware that your presence could disrupt their feeding patterns.
• Do not remove any bones, skins, horns, teeth, hair, feathers, eggs, rocks, plants, seeds, cadavers, nests of shells. Do not touch any animals, alive or dead.
• Do not collect firewood. Do not light fires or discard cigarettes.
• Do not litter and take all rubbish with you to be disposed of properly.
• Pets should not be taken on safari.
• Stay in your vehicle at all times unless on an authorised walking safari.
• Never feed any animal.
If you are unhappy with how the safari is conducted, then voice your concerns immediately.
Going on a safari really is a once in a lifetime experience and we hope our guide has helped you to plan and create the ultimate trip.
