Some of my favorite vacations are African safaris! Typically, what people call safaris are called ‘game drives’ in Africa. If you love wildlife, game drives are a perfect fit and they are never the same trip twice. Below are my top tips for planning an African safari.
1. Figure Out What Animals You Want to See
People going on safari for the first time often want to see the “Big 5” animals – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant. While there is no guarantee you’ll see all these animals no matter where you go, there are only a few parks and reserves with the right mix of habitats and space to accommodate them all.
Some animals prefer a specialized habitat which can only be found in a few countries such as mountain gorillas, camels, or black rhinos. This also applies to seasonal phenomena like the yearly Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra.
2. Understand You May Not See Everything You Want
No matter how much you plan, you may not see everything on your list. Game drives are not the zoo; these are wild animals who are relatively unpredictable. There may be hours when you don’t see anything big. Or your guide may hear of an important sighting (like a cheetah or leopard) but be too far away to get there in time for you to see it. If this happens to you, don’t be disappointed. Everyone’s experience is different but that doesn’t make it bad. Appreciate the quiet moments as well.
Also keep in mind that safaris aren’t just about seeing a handful of animals – the Big 5 included. I have been on more than a dozen game drives and have never seen a leopard. Focus on enjoying everything you encounter on your trip: mongooses, baboons, birds, giraffes, hippos, jackals, lizards, zebras, and all the different types of antelopes.
3. Recognize That Time of Year Changes Your Safari Experience
When planning a trip to southern Africa, visitors often go in the dry season which runs in sync with vacations schedules for many international guests. For sub-Saharan Africa, this generally runs from June to October. However, dry season varies from country to country.
In most places, the number of animals doesn’t change during the year, but their visibility does. When there is low vegetation and water sources are scarcer, animals tend to gather at waterholes. They are also easier to see without leaves on trees and bushes or a thick layer of undergrowth.
The ‘green’ or rainy season is also a wonderful time to visit. Lush backdrops help wildlife pop in photos – during the dry season, lions and impala can fade in with the dull branches and leaves. Green season also brings births of foals, fawns, calves, and cubs. I was able to see so many adorable miniatures of my favorite African wildlife. Prices are regularly lower in the off-season as well.
Are you considering an African safari during the green/rainy season? Check out my 10 Reasons to Travel Southern Africa During Green Season.
4. Choose Your Safari Lodging
There are places to stay for almost any budget. Tented bush camp sites cater to smaller budgets. These are often low-tech, self-catering, and more rustic; although there are also luxury tent options at many parks. Game lodges are typically more expensive but include more amenities like guided drives and meals. Some companies even offer open air treehouses so visitors can spend the night under the stars.
You need to consider the total cost and what is included in your room fees. While an all-inclusive game lodge might seem pricey, they usually include all meals, guided game drives, and sometimes drinks and laundry.
When you know what experience you’re looking for, review these 12 Tips for Choosing a Safari Game Lodge.
5. Figure Out How Long Your Safari Will Be
The length of your safari may depend on your budget and trip goals. I recommend at least 2 nights at each park or reserve. That typically gives you 4 game drives – one on the afternoon you arrive, two on your full day, and one the last morning before you leave. A week is probably the maximum for each place.
In my travels, I have found 3 to 4 nights to be the perfect amount for me. This gives you enough flexibility to account for bad weather or a slow wildlife sighting day. Twice I have gone on safari where we didn’t see a major Big 5 animal – once lions, once Cape buffalo – until our very last full day in the park.
6. Research Luggage Requirements
You may have to take a bush flight or small plane to your safari location. Make sure to double- and triple-check your luggage restrictions. These flights typically have weight and/or size requirements. This is where learning to pack light comes in handy.
On my international flight to Johannesburg, South Africa I had two small bags on the plane and a checked bag. Flying into the smaller Kasane airport in Botswana, the carryon bag that always fits beneath my seat, was not even close to fitting in the minimal overhead.
This is nothing compared to some small planes which have very strict restrictions and aren’t capable of accommodating all of your luggage. You may have to leave large or heavy luggage in storage until your return.
7. Be Prepared to Run on a Different Schedule
Most game drives happen at dawn and dusk when animals are most active. This means waking up at 3:30 or 4:00 in the morning and often not falling asleep until 9 at night or later. So, catch sleep when you can!
In Pilanesberg National Park, we fell into the habit of getting up early for the morning game drive, then having breakfast, taking a nap, and snacking on a late lunch. Next, we’d take the dusk game drive, eat dinner, set up our gear for the morning, shower, and then fall asleep. The only change for Chobe National Park was that we had lunch-time river cruises, so our naps were moved after that.
8. Realize You Will Be Surrounded by Other Tourists
Safari game drives are a popular vacation/holiday activity. Especially during peak season, wildlife encounters are full of tourists. Peak season means that lodges will use all their game trucks and each vehicle will be packed with other guests. There can be 20 to 40 game trucks and vehicles surrounding a pride of lions. This not only limits your ability to get a clear view but also can agitate the animals.
Visiting in the low season can decrease the odds of having to deal with these kinds of encounters and increases the likelihood of having fewer people in your game vehicle.
9. Understand Game Drive Rules and Etiquette
Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask your guide questions! If you are wondering something, odds are that other people in your group are as well. Your guide is a wealth of information about the area’s wildlife, landscape, and history. Feel free to ask them about their own experiences in the park as well. If you are someone who likes to ask questions or wants to hear everything the guide says, you should sit near the front of the game truck to hear better. That being said, please keep in mind the noise etiquette below.
Noise: While on game drives it is important not to yell or call out to animals. Many safari animals are dangerous, and noise will startle or agitate them. One day, our vehicle was surrounded by a herd of spooked elephants and we had to stay completely silent and motionless until they calmed down and moved away. It was an incredible experience I will treasure; however, it easily could have turned ugly if we had not followed our guide’s advice.
Also, be respectful of others in your group by not talking loudly even when not at a sighting. We were on a drive once where a girl pulled out her cell phone and was on a call for 20 minutes. It was incredibly frustrating for the other 7 of us in the vehicle.
Safety: These are wild animals who will attack if they feel threatened or aggravated. While on game drives, it’s important to stay inside your vehicle unless your guide says otherwise. Wildlife sees the game truck as one big animal – as long as you don’t call attention to yourself this illusion holds – so don’t stand up or lean out.
10. Know How to Use Your Camera
I recommend bringing a camera outside of your phone. These are typically once-in-a-lifetime experiences, so you’ll want to capture the memories as clearly as possible. On my first safari, I brought a point-and-shoot camera so I took some good photos, but I wish I had a higher quality camera like the one I currently use.
If you can’t afford or don’t want to buy an expensive camera or lens, many lodges and tour companies will rent camera gear. Zoom lenses anywhere from 200mm to 400mm are perfect for most sightings.
It’s vital to know how to use your camera beforehand.
- Don’t use flash photography; you don’t want to disturb the animals.
- It helps to set your camera to burst mode – that way you get multiple shots quickly, especially if your subject is moving.
Want more tips on how to use your camera? Check out my 12 Tips for Better Safari Photography.
11. Stay Healthy
As with most travel, you should do the following to stay healthy:
- Check which vaccines you need, which vary by country, and get them prior to your trip. If you plan to be in a malaria area, pack insect repellent and discuss antimalarial medication with your doctor.
- Get good sleep. Go to bed as early as possible and grab a nap if you can.
- Drink plenty of water. In some places, you may need to drink only bottled water. Typically, your lodge or guide will provide these. You may also choose to bring a filtered water bottle.
- Bring a basic first-aid kit (e.g., bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointment, pain/fever relievers, motion sickness pills or bands, anti-diarrhea medication pills or chews)
- Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunblock, a hat, and long sleeves or a jacket if possible. Even though our open-air 4×4 had a roof, my arm got a horrible sunburn one day.
- Stretch your body. Usually, safaris involve you sitting in a game vehicle for hours on bumpy roads. In between drives, try to go on a walk or stretch your limbs.
12. Follow Tipping Etiquette
Tipping is not mandatory, but it is expected and appreciated. The standard rate, per person per day, is $10 for guides and rangers, $5 for trackers, and $5 to $10 for general staff. Of course, you can always give more for excellent service. You should have cash for the tips, either in US dollars or the equivalent rate in the local currency.
You should give tips for your entire stay at the end of your safari. If you can, hand the tip directly to your guide or employee. If that is not possible or if you have a tip for the general staff, there should be a tip box or collection in the reception area. Most places will have envelopes so you can separate the money. If the tip is for a specific person, be sure to write their name on the outside of the envelope.
I hope my tips will help you when planning your next African safari!
Love this post! I have wanted to go on an African safari ever since I was young. COVID came along and made us realize that you can’t put off your dreams forever. I am bookmarking this in anticipation of when we can travel again!
Thanks Linda! Thankfully I was able to go right before COVID-19 lock-downs started. I agree that you have to take opportunities when you can. I will definitely go on another safari in another country when I can.
Agree with all of these, especially understanding you may not see *all* the animals you expect. My mom was disappointed we didn’t see much wildlife until our last couple of days (which I’m sure more than made up for it!), but it’s definitely important to remember. We wouldn’t have been able to see a Leopard if it wasn’t for our guide (and I BARELY managed to see his face through binoculars haha!)
I’m so glad you had some good viewing days at the end of your trip! We were fortunate to spot some cheetahs early one morning. It was the only sighting of them on this trip and my trip a few years ago. We felt very lucky indeed 🙂
The ONLY good thing about the pandemic is the time we’ve had to plan a trip as extensive as a safari.. Steph, these blogs are so informative that so far I have no questions. Not to say there won’t be but as of now, I believe you’ve covered it all. A safari is a must.
Thank you Liz! I’m so happy that you’ve found all the safari blogs so helpful! I’ve loved my trips and love that my knowledge and experiences may be helping others ?