Typical Day on an African Safari

Have you ever wondered what a typical day on an African safari entails? Although each resort offers a unique experience, here’s a glimpse of our stay at two luxury resorts, one in Botswana and another in South Africa.

When I began researching my safari, I struggled to find a complete schedule outlining what to expect, which would help me know what to pack and prepare for. With 25 years of experience as a project manager, planning is important to me. So, here is my gift to you, providing an idea of what you can anticipate. Remember, each camp might vary slightly, but the two luxury camps we visited followed a very similar schedule.

We stayed at two different camps, Dulini River Lodge located in S. Africa and Kwara Camp in Okavango Delta (Botswana).

coffee break

5:15- 5:45 am

The time will vary depending on the season and sunrise. Wake-up call with an escort from your room.  For safety reasons you can not walk around in the dark. So a guide from the camp will walk you to and from your room.

The morning begins with a light continental breakfast that includes coffee, tea, juice, and typically breads and fruits. Make sure you use the restroom before you leave and try to limit your fluid intakes as your game drive will run around 3-4 hours.

6 AM

The Game Drive will begin right at dawn while the animals are waking up and the the temperature is cool that is when they are the most active. The drive lasts around 3-4 hours. Towards the end they will stop for a coffee break, accompanied by light snacks like bread or dried fruit and then another hour of drive before heading back to the lodge.

If you need to use the bathroom, it's outdoors behind a tree. The guide will ensure it's a safe area and there are supplies on board. I limited my fluid intake until we returned to camp.

Some mornings, after coffee, they provide a bush walk as you return to camp. This walk is approximately a mile from the lodge and takes about an hour to an hour and a half to finish. The experience was truly incredible and secure. I highly recommend it.

Brendan, our guide, educating us on animal tracks.

We treasured our breaks, often spent sipping coffee as we watched antelope and wildebeest wander 100 yards away. Those moments were truly surreal.

10:30 ish

Head back to your camp for brunch. Some camps serve brunch dishes, while others offer breakfast. At Dulini, it was a complete breakfast with coffee, whereas at Kwara, it was more like a lunch with an egg option.

In some camps, you'll have private tables, while in others, you'll dine in a group. All the lodges we stayed at had a maximum of 8 rooms, and it was enjoyable getting to know the other couples.

dining tables at Dulini River Lodge

Kwara- Campfire breakfast and dining underneath the tent

11:30 -3:00

This is your leisure time at the lodge, where you can work out, rest, relax on the deck and watch for animals, or swim.

Dulini provided lunch, and during breakfast, we informed our butler of our preferred lunch time. Kwara did not offer lunch.

Both of our rooms featured a spacious deck overlooking the terrain, providing excellent opportunities for animal viewing. At Dulini, we observed hippos and various antelope drinking from the river that bordered the lodge. We also saw over 30 elephants gathering at the water.

At Kwara Camp in the Okavango Delta, we saw various antelope and warthogs, along with baboons running across our deck and leaping from tree to tree. One baboon was particularly curious and came very close. He was very cute.

our view from the deck of our tent at Dulini River Lodge

4:00 ish

This marks the start of your afternoon game drive. Since Kwara didn't provide lunch, they served afternoon tea with snacks at 3:15 just before the drive. Dulini did not offer this.

Your afternoon game drive will last about 4-5 hours, including a Sundowner stop for a cocktail while watching the sunset. It may seem long, but with the stunning scenery, fascinating animals, and informative guide, the time passes quickly. I genuinely didn't want it to end.

We usually enjoyed our sundowners by a lake, observing the hippos. Although hippos are among the world's most dangerous animals, our guide assured us they wouldn't come near as long as we stayed away from the edge or the water. They are very territorial but will only approach if they feel threatened or if you encroach on their territory, with water being their safe haven.

Our sundowners concluded right as the sun was setting. Africa offers truly breathtaking sunsets and stunning pink sunrises. The sky remains so clear that even after the sun has set, the stars shine brightly. We could even spot various constellations.

As you return to your lodge in the dark, the guides will use spotlights to try and spot nocturnal animals. We came across several lions on the move, hyenas, and springhares.

9pm ish

Return for dinner, typically around 9 pm or 9:30 which depending on your lodge it can be private tables or communal. Dulini was private and Kwara was always communal.  There was always one evening where the lodge held a special dinner that included traditional African culture from the area we were staying. The team sang and danced songs from their villages while we were dining. It was such a wonderful experience.

When you're ready to retire for the evening, your guide will accompany you back to your room. Enjoy a restful night's sleep and prepare to embark on another safari adventure in the morning. Typically, guests stay for over three nights at each lodge. We noticed that most people stayed for three nights before moving to a different lodge in a new area. We had the same group with us throughout our stay and made some wonderful new friends.

Whatever your safari journey takes you, it will truly be the trip of a lifetime. What safari questions do you have?