Planning the ultimate African safari adventure
There’s something about an African safari that gets under your skin, leaving you forever changed. Being immersed in the continent’s majestic landscapes while spotting big-game wildlife has a timeless allure that draws visitors back to the savannah again and again.
But with a continent that’s so big and so diverse, how do you plan the ultimate safari adventure? In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know, from selecting your safari destination to the different experiences you can expect along the way.
One of the most important parts of planning an African safari is selecting your destination(s), each of which has its wildlife highlights and unique features. You can tick off the “Big Five” in Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater along Tanzania’s “Northern Circuit” or watch the Great Wildebeest Migration on its journey to Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
In South Africa, you’ll find one of the continent’s most famous wildlife-viewing destinations, Kruger National Park, which is famed for its self-drive adventures. Neighboring Namibia stands out for its desert-adapted species that can be viewed amidst the spellbinding landscapes of Etosha and Namib-Naukluft National Park. Botswana has garnered a reputation for its high-end safari experiences in the majestic Okavango Delta and the huge herds of elephants in Chobe National Park.
To experience the thundering waters of Victoria Falls, you can head to either Zambia or Zimbabwe, both of which offer incredible wildlife viewing experiences beyond the Zambezi River. In Zimbabwe, you can explore UNESCO-listed Mana Pools National Park while Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park is the birthplace of the walking safari.
If you want to come face-to-face with mountain gorillas, then Uganda and Rwanda both offer unforgettable encounters. After trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you can embark on a classic game-drive safari through Queen Elizabeth National Park or follow up a gorilla experience in Volcanoes National Park with an exploration of the wildlife-filled savannah and swamps of Akagera National Park.
No two African safaris are ever the same, with different species encountered on each and every game drive. For many first-timers, ticking off the “Big Five” is high on their list, with several different reserves where you have a good chance of spotting lions, leopards, black rhinos, elephants and buffalos. Some visitors have their hearts set on seeing rare and endangered species, such as pangolins, honey badgers and African wild dogs, while others have their attention focused on Africa’s abundant birdlife.
Observing animals in their natural habitat is what going on safari is all about, whether it’s hippos wallowing in the seasonal pools of the Okavango Delta or giraffes spreading their legs to drink at a watering hole. Baby elephants can be seen playing animatedly at bath time while meerkats can be observed propped up on their hindlegs in the grasslands of the Kalahari Desert.
One of the most memorable wildlife experiences in Africa is undoubtedly the Great Migration, which sees millions of wildebeest and zebras traversing the Serengeti and Maasai Mara in search of fresh grazing pastures. Following them are opportunistic big cats such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs hoping to take advantage of this feeding bounty.
This year-round spectacle begins in January on the plains of the Southern Serengeti where the wildebeest give birth to their young before they begin moving north into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in April. By May, the herds begin to congregate along the Grumeti River and attempt to cross its crocodile-infested waters before doing the same along the legendary Mara River in August. After arriving on the grasslands of the Maasai Mara, they will stay and graze until around October before making the return journey south.
When you think of going on safari, being in an open-topped jeep on a game drive is probably the first thing that comes to mind. While this is an incredible way to observe Africa’s wildlife in its natural environment, it’s not the only option. In some reserves and parks, you can head out on foot to discover some of the smaller animals and floral species that you might otherwise miss in a vehicle. A walking safari is a great way to get a different perspective and time to really soak up the spectacular scenery.
Many species are only active at night, which is why a game drive after dark is not to be missed. With the help of an experienced guide, you’ll track and spot nocturnal animals who thrive once the sun goes down. One of the best ways to begin the day is by taking to the skies for a sunrise hot air balloon safari, which will take you high above the savannah for a bird’s eye view. If you’re visiting a park or reserve that’s traversed by a permanent waterway, then a boating safari can be an idyllic way to get around and observe animals as they come to refuel along the river banks.
While most safaris are focused on wildlife encounters, it’s important not to forget that Africa’s landscapes have been inhabited by tribal communities for thousands of years. Meeting and interacting with some of these cultural groups is always a highlight and offers an insight into what may be a completely different way of life.
In northern Tanzania and southern Kenya, you can meet the Maasai people and tour their bomas before witnessing their famous “adumu” jumping dance. In the Kalahari, you can join the San people as they illustrate their impressive hunting skills before learning about the ochre pigment that Namibia’s Himba people use to adorn their bodies. Several Samburu and Hadzabe groups also welcome their doors to visitors, as do Zulu communities in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal region.
Embarking on an African safari brings with it some responsibility in terms of helping to preserve the continent’s fragile ecosystems and wildlife. By supporting responsibly-run safari operators, lodges, and camps, you’re playing an important role in ensuring that local communities can thrive and that the native animals will survive for generations to come.
Before booking a safari, check to see what initiatives the safari operator is supporting and how your money will be put towards local conservation efforts. Opt to stay at lodges and camps that are funding grassroots initiatives and using their profits for the greater good.
Whether you’re a seasoned photographer with a high-end DSLR and multiple lenses or an amateur with a point-and-shoot, capturing images while on safari is always fun. For the best results, you want a camera that is designed for low-light conditions and can freeze fast action, as the animals are in constant motion.
A telephoto lens will enable you to capture up-close shots of wildlife, even when you’re far away, while a wide-angle allows you to incorporate Africa’s stunning landscapes into your shots. If you’re bringing heavy lenses or shooting at slow shutter speeds, consider packing a bean bag to help support and stablise them on the edge of the jeep.
If capturing professional-quality photographs is important to you, consider booking private game drives while on safari. This will allow you to head out at times that suit you and in the light conditions you prefer, as well as spend as long or as little as you like at a chosen destination. Experienced guides/drivers understand what it takes to get the most incredible shots and will go above and beyond to make it happen.
When it comes to packing for a safari, you want lightweight and quick-drying clothing, with layers that you can put on and take off as the temperature changes throughout the day. Opt for neutral-coloured garments that will help you to blend into the bush and won’t alert wildlife to your presence.
Remember to include warm clothing for the early mornings and evenings (which can be much chillier than you might expect) and a lightweight, waterproof jacket. You also want to ensure you have a long-sleeve top and full-length pants to wear in the early evening when mosquitoes are most active. If there’s a pool at your camp or lodge, don’t forget your swimsuit!
In addition to clothing, you should bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes and adequate sun protection in the form of a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Most lodges and camps will provide basic toiletries such as soap, shampoo and conditioner but it’s worth bringing mosquito repellant, plus any medication and go-to beauty products.
If you’re bringing electronic devices such as a phone, tablet or laptop, don’t forget to include an international plug adapter (or two). You might also want to pack a compact set of binoculars and a camera, plus a waterproof bag to store your valuables in when you’re out on game drives and boating safaris.
Until you go on safari, it’s hard to explain how emotionally and spiritually impactful it is to connect with animals in their natural environment. Whether it’s watching huge herds thundering along the plains or mountain gorillas embracing their young, the experiences are as diverse as they are moving. There are few people who return from their time in Africa without being profoundly changed by the experience and with a desire to return again and again.
An African safari is all about immersing yourself in the wonders of the continent and embracing the journey, with all of the adventures that await around each and every corner. It’s not just about the animals you encounter and the magnificent landscapes you bear witness to but the human connections and discoveries you make along the way.
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