Tips for Ultimate African Safari

An African Safari is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that deserves to be unforgettable! Use my tips to ensure your journey is smooth and leaves you with cherished lifetime memories.

Choose the Right Time to Visit

• Africa is located in the Southern Hemisphere. If you live in the U.S. or Europe their seasons are reversed from yours.

• Consider the dry season (typically from May to October) for optimal wildlife viewing, as animals congregate around water sources.

• We went in May when the snakes and larger spiders were hibernating; temperatures were beginning to decrease, and the rainy season had not yet begun. Temperatures ranged from 55 during the evening and highs 75-80.

  • Summer can be quite hot, with daytime temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Animals tend to be less active in such heat. It's better to visit during cooler temperatures.

    
    

Research the Areas you want to travel

• Research the countries vaccine requirements

• Political safety of area

Use a qualified African Travel Planner

I usually organize all my trips to various vacation destinations myself. However, for this journey, safety was my top priority. We had multiple transfers by car and flights between locations, so I wanted an expert to handle the coordination to make our travel experience smoother and minimize any unexpected itinerary disruptions or frustrations.

During our trip, we heard terrifying stories about people getting flat tires and missing their flights. Most camps are located 1-2 hours from the nearest airport, and you can't simply call an Uber from these remote areas if your car breaks down.

We were also concerned about safety during our safari stays. Some camps hire inexperienced young boys, aged 14 or 15, as game guides. The travel agent we used carefully selects all their camps and staff to ensure we have experienced game drivers and trackers who meet specific safety standards.

We utilized African Adventure Consultants, and they were truly exceptional. They organized all our excursions, dinner reservations, coordinated flights within Africa, and arranged transfers. Additionally, they reached out to us each evening with updates and schedules for the following day. We received a highly detailed daily itinerary through an app. Everything ran smoothly, with no delays, and every driver contacted our hotel in advance to share the day's logistics. We simply relaxed and enjoyed our vacation!

Pack Appropriately

• Lightweight, breathable clothing in neutral colors.

  • Bright whites will scare off elephants.

  • Bright colors will attract attention from animals. You want to blend with your safari vehicle and the animals will be more comfortable and not run away.

• Comfortable shoes for walking safaris. An extra pair if you are visiting during the rainy season.

• Binoculars and a good camera with a zoom lens.

• Insect repellent and sunscreen. Although luxury resorts will supply insect repellent.

• Apply repellent to your clothing before heading out. This will help prevent mosquitoes from biting through your clothes. They are persistent little nuisances.

• Check with your lodging what outlet adapter you should bring. Don't spend a ton of money if you don't have to. All of the luxury resorts we stayed in had USB ports.

• Hand sanitizer will also be provided by most camps.

Stay Hydrated and Healthy

Drink plenty of water. Most camps will provide a refillable water bottle. We also brought our Savannah Bee immunity support and electrolytes and made sure a couple of weeks ahead of our trip we were being extra cautious not to get sick.

Before your trip, your travel planner will advise you on the best time to visit Passport Health. You will need to schedule an appointment with them to discuss any necessary vaccines for your destination and any medications.

We were advised to consider additional vaccines that were not mandatory and chose not to get them. This is a personal decision. We did not regret our choice. Regarding malaria pills, they can have side effects, so select the one with the fewest side effects and ensure you take it after eating, not on an empty stomach.

We also packed a steroid, antibiotic, cold medicine, and pain reliever just in case something happened during our travels, as we were in remote areas. I always bring peppermint or ginger tea to soothe my stomach in case I eat something that disagrees with me. Make sure to follow all guidance of your travel advisers. We only drank bottled water and used it to brush our teeth.

Be Patient and Observant

Wildlife viewing requires patience. Spend time in one spot and remain quiet to increase your chances of seeing animals.

Remember, you are in a vast area spanning thousands of kilometers. The reserves we visited covered over 40,000 square kilometers, and animals roam freely. Often, you come across amazing sights by chance, but a significant part of the experience is watching the Observer as they track the animals they wish to find.

Consider Guided Safaris On a Private Reserve

Opt for guided tours to benefit from the expertise of local guides who can enhance your experience with their knowledge of the wildlife and environment.

Private Reserve vs National Park

We visited both and our preference was the Private Reserve in every respect.

	Private Reserve	National Park
Off roading	Allowed	Not allowed
Land mass	Smaller (40-65,000 acres approx)	Larger (2 million acres for Kruger National Park
Accommodations	more luxurious	more budget friendly
Guide/Tracker	Higher qualifications and experience required & they get to know the animals better with small property.	Self drive or pay for safari ride.
Vehicle comfort	Animals are used to vehicles and know they are not a danger and the drivers stay out of their way and respect boundaries so animals tend to hang around and get closer to vehicles.	Large amount of vehicles tend to scare off the animals. less predictable sightings and less likely animals just hang around vehicle.
Proximity to animals	very close, within a few feet for a greater amount o time. Only 2-3 vehicles are allowed in one animal spotting. Animals are more likely to sit vs run away	no restriction on vehicles so large # of vehicles tend to scare of animals. You can get a few close by but they are typically running away or walking past.
Density of animals	Can be fewer animals but higher likelihood to view them	greater amount of wildlife but more spreadout can be less predictable.
Access	Must be staying on property to access	Public access

Sabi Sands Private Reserve game drive with only 6 of us in vehicle, off-roading

Respect Wildlife and the Environment

• Maintain a safe distance from animals.

• Follow park rules and regulations.

• Do not litter and leave no trace.

• As a visitor in the animals' habitat, remember this is not a zoo; the animals are wild and move about freely. While they usually avoid humans, it's essential to adhere to all the safety guidelines provided by your guide.

go on a bush walk

• A bush walk lets you leave the safari vehicle and experience African nature and wildlife up close. It is always guided by an experienced guide.

• The guides carefully inspect the area for any large animals before setting out, and the walk stays within a mile of the camp. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience, walking near antelope and exploring plant life. I also never expected to identify different animals by their dung.

savor every moment

• There's a reason this is referred to as a bucket list trip. I felt apprehensive before going, but now that I'm back home, I'm eager for my next African Safari.

• Take photographs but be mindful of not disturbing the animals or their habitats while doing so. Which means stay seated. The last thing you want to do is fall or drop something out of a jeep and catch an animal off guard.

  
  

can i use my iphone to take pictures?

• I brought my Sony a7iii mirrorless camera for photos. but many people were using iPhones during their safaris. It depends on what your photography goals are. Don't feel like you have to spend a ton of money.

• You may also find someone during your safari that is taking professional photos that will be happy to exchange contact information and share photos with you at the end of the trip.

• Because our safari's were in a private reserve we were able to get very close to animals which allotted for those with Iphone's to grab beautiful shots.

What to Pack for a Safari, coming soon