You are ready to plan the trip of a lifetime, but you don’t know where to start. We get it! There are many questions swirling: Where? When? What to see and how? Having a clear vision of how you want your trip to look is essential. Beacon & Burgundy Travel is sharing this Beginner’s Guide to Planning an African Safari so you can create the right itinerary for your travel goals. Contact a safari specialist like me or another experienced agent at Beacon & Burgundy who has first-hand knowledge of what each country offers. We can plan you a customized safari adventure and make your travel wishes a reality.
1. Where Should I Go?
To select the perfect safari country for you, consider what you wish to see. If you would like the see the Great Migration of wildebeests and zebra, then Kenya or Tanzania is your destination. To see large herds of elephants, then a trip to Botswana is in order. For gorilla trekking, you must travel to Uganda or Rwanda. The Big 5: elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and Cape buffalo can be found in most Southern and East African countries, so the answer may come down to what else you would like to do while you’re there. If you want to go wine tasting after your safari, then head to South Africa. Do you want a side of beach with your safari? Then Tanzania followed by Zanzibar is the way to go. Maybe you are interested in high adventure like white water rafting or ziplining. Then Zimbabwe and Zambia’s Zambezi River has what you’re looking for. If you want to learn about the culture of the Maasai tribe, then you must visit Kenya or Tanzania.
2. When Should I Travel ?
The best time of year to go on safari depends on similar considerations – what you want to see! The Great Migration and river crossings (when large herds cross the Grumeti River and Mara) are best viewed from June to September in Tanzania and Kenya. For gorilla trekking, the drier months of June to September and December to early March are considered to be the best. To view large herds of elephants in Botswana, June through November is a great time. Much of this has to do with the rains. It is easier to spot wildlife during the dry season. During this period, animals gather around watering holes to drink, which means you see larger concentrations of animals together, and you may see large predators hunting their prey. However, animals can be viewed all year long. There are benefits to traveling during non-peak seasons like lower crowds and cost!
3. How Far in Advance Should I Book a Safari?
The larger the group, the earlier you need to plan! Finding space for two for a honeymoon will be easier than finding space for a group of 12 friends or family members. Booking a year in advance is beneficial – especially for travel in the peak summer months. Availability at luxury safari camps will disappear quickly starting at the one-year mark. You can use the extra time to get your passport, vaccinations, visas, international flights and safari attire in order. If you are interested in planning a safari inside of 6 months, don’t despair! A travel agent who specializes in safaris can help you find availability! It’s never too late.
4. How Do I Book a Safari?
Using a specialized travel planner is highly recommended for booking a safari. There are many companies offering “bespoke” tours for clients. However, many of these companies are large and do not have the time to give clients personalized attention and advice. Travel agents are trained across tour companies and suppliers and can offer more unbiased advice. They will make sure you are seeing the things you wish to see at the budget you set, oftentimes without added cost to you. Do not just turn to the internet and click “book” for a package or tour company you aren’t familiar with. (This rule applies to ALL vacations – read our article about why using a TA is so important!) For example, did you know there are different kinds of safari vehicles? Open safari vehicles allow you to feel closer to the wildlife and nature as well as offer great visibility and awesome photography opportunities. Not every company uses open safari vehicles. Travel agents can help you research this and other distinctions when it comes to a safari.
5. How much does a safari cost?
The cost of a safari can range widely depending on the level of luxury, destination, and time of year, but generally, a budget safari may cost around $150 per person per night, a mid-level safari can cost about $350 per person per night. Some luxury safaris can be up to $1,500 per night! You can do a safari on a shoestring, however. There are several reputable and even award-winning companies such as G Adventures that allow for this. Joining a group safari can save money vs. a private, custom safari. Safari itineraries that provide ground transportation from one city/National Park to another are less expensive than fly-in safaris. Once again, an experienced agent can direct you to the right company that will get you the most value for your dollar.
6. Is a Safari Safe for Kids?
Yes! In fact, I encourage you to take your kids on safari. I did! However, many lodges have age requirements. Some lodges have age cutoffs somewhere between 5 – 8 years old. They are all different and that is a question for your TA! Aside from the age requirements, there are some considerations for children on game drives. Safari drives are long and bumpy rides. They can be up to 3-4 hours and some leave before sunrise. During that time, children must be able to remain seated. Driver guides will issue safety rules such as keeping hands and feet inside the vehicle and remaining quiet and still when close to animals like lions, rhinos, Cape buffalo and elephants. There are some regulations set by parks for certain types of safaris. Children must be 15 to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. Some “walking safaris” (a guided walking tour led by park rangers) require a minimum age of 14-16. Discuss any concerns with your travel agent who can guide you to a company that provides safe and fun safari experiences for families!
7. Will I Need to Take Malaria Pills and Get Special Vaccinations?
Probably and maybe. Malaria is a parasitic disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. It is endemic to most countries that are safari destinations: Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. South Africa and Namibia are exceptions, but they have some regions where it is prevalent. It is best to consult your general practitioner who can prescribe malaria pills, and be sure to check the CDC guidelines. Special vaccinations like yellow fever and typhoid may be required for entry to certain countries, and you must carry your vaccine cards to gain entry. Make an appointment at a travel clinic in your area for a consultation combined with the administration of any required vaccines. They will tell you what is required and what is recommended based on your destination. This visit can cost roughly $200 per person but is an essential part of traveling to Africa. Even children and infants can be vaccinated and take appropriate doses of malaria prevention medication.
8. How Long Should I Stay at My Destination?
The flights to Africa are expensive and long, so you may want to stretch your adventure over more than a week. A 10 day to 2 week long safari allows you to visit a couple of destinations (like Cape Town and Kreuger National Park in South Africa or the Serengeti and Zanzibar in Tanzania) and makes it worth the flight over. You might not spend more than 3 nights at one lodge before moving to a lodge in a different region to experience another landscape and its animals. When going to Kenya, I recommend checking out Masai Mara and then taking a flight to Lewa Conservancy to view their large concentration of rhinos. Are you heading to Tanzania? You may want to check out the Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater and then climb Mount Kilamanjaro (that is a goal of mine). If you are visiting Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls, then you will want to head to Botswana’s Chobe National Park and Okavanga Delta for the large herds of elephants.
Who is ready to plan this trip of a lifetime? There is still time to plan for summer of 2025. Let us know in the comments which African country sounds like the best opportunity for your safari! Beacon & Burgundy Travel agents are standing by to help you plan your adventure.