Do you dream of traveling on safari in Africa? Choosing a safari destination can be complicated. We have created a safari guide to help you find the best safari!
How do you know what is included, why the big price difference, what is the difference between a national park and a private reserve, which destinations should I choose and what do I get for my money?
After 21 years in Africa, GET Africa Travel knows most of the safari destinations in southern Africa and is happy to help you fulfill your safari dreams! Choosing the right safari destination can help protect the animals from poaching and generate income for the local community.
SAFARI IS NOT JUST SAFARI
There are a host of campers, lodges, reserves and national parks to choose from in Africa. The standard, what is included and the safari experiences can differ greatly. In addition, different countries can offer their unique experiences.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE?
Choose your safari destination according to what you want to experience. Is it the "big-five" safari, the unique wild dogs or hippos you are looking for. Then you may want to inform us in advance. So that you do not risk traveling to a reserve or a country where these animals do not exist. If you dream of experiencing a safari in mokoro, Okavango in Botswana is your destination. If you have a desire to experience "the great migration", you must go to Kenya / Tanzania or to Liuwa Plains in Zambia.
Do you want to travel on a traditional safari by car, or do you want to travel on a boat safari? If foot safaris are the main goal, we recommend looking for lodges / campers that specialize in this, for example in South Luangwa, Zambia.
PRIVATE WILD RESERVES OR NATIONAL PARKS?
We usually recommend safaris in private game reserves. In private game reserves, it is regulated who is allowed to drive - often only a few cars. Thus, there are fewer guests and cars on the safari and you can enjoy the wilderness. In national parks, on the other hand, everyone can go on safari, even with their own car. In Kruger National Park, for example, you can risk standing in line to see a herd of lions or a leopard up in a tree.
In private game reserves it is usually possible to drive off-road, while in national parks you have to stick to the marked roads. By giving the ranger the opportunity to drive off the dirt road, guests have the opportunity to get even closer to the animals.
Often there are also more luxurious lodges in private game reserves that invest in taking care of the animals and nature. They focus on hiring the locals. Local cooperation can create understanding and prevent conflicts between humans and animals.
WHY DOES SAFARI COST?
Most safari lodges operate with prices per person instead of per room. On safaris you pay for more than just rooms, usually all meals, at least two safaris every day and in some places local drinks are included. Our experience is that there is a big difference in the service level, facilities and safari experiences at 4 or 5 star lodges compared to 3 star.
Many safari lodges are located out in the "bush", inaccessible for easy delivery of goods. At some camps in Botswana, all goods must be transported by plane or small boats on the river. Maintaining maintenance and making improvements in such inaccessible places makes the safari experience costly.
Good safari destinations use resources to have trained guides / ranger, staff and kitchen staff. As a guest it is reassuring to know that the ranger / guide has good knowledge and experience with wildlife. Many lodges also want to hire locals. In this way, locals get the benefit of preserving wildlife and protecting the environment.
QUALITY, STANDARD AND SERVICE
The quality of the ranger / guides, safari cars, the service, the food and the standard of the safari cabins can vary greatly. Our experience is that there is a big difference between 3 star and 4 / 5 star lodges in Africa. At four and five star lodges / campers it is usually good standard at most.
Are all meals and activities included at your safari site? We use to send our guests to lodges that include all meals and at least two safaris each day (morning and afternoon) in open safaris. As a rule, the lodger / camper includes all meals (and some local beverages). When you live in the African wilderness, there are not many other options.
CHECKLIST WHEN CHOOSING SAFARI - “TICK THE BOX”
Below is a recipe for what to look for and ask about when looking for your dream safari destination:
Safari in private game reserves or national park?
What is the standard of the lodge / camp?
What is included? All safari lodges we use usually include all meals, at least two safaris (morning and afternoon) and in some places local drinks are also included.
Is the safari in open safari cars and with trained guides / rangers and track fins. We recommend safaris in open cars, without too many guests.
What do you want to experience? Are the animals you want to see in the reserve or the country you want to travel to?
What time of year are you going to travel? The safari can be quite different in different seasons in some areas.
What do you want to experience in addition to safaris? Some destinations are better suited than others to combine multiple experiences.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO TRAVEL ON SAFARI?
What animals do you want to see, what kind of landscape do you want to experience, what time of year do you travel and what standard of accommodation do you see for yourself? All of these questions you may want to consider before deciding on a safari destination.
Different countries and reserves offer different experiences.
SAFARI IN SOUTH AFRICA:
South Africa is a great safari destination with usually extremely good standards of facilities, guides, food and service! We especially recommend safari lodges in private game reserves both in KwaZulu Natal and around Kruger. Some sites are malaria-free.
Where: private game reserves around KwaZulu-Natal, Kruger National Park and the Cape area.
Season: All year! November to February / March is warm all over the country, then the landscape is lush and the best time for newborn baby animals. The best time for safaris is May to August, with lower temperatures and more active animals.
SAFARI IN BOTSWANA:
Botswana is considered the crown jewel of all noble safari destinations. Authentic, exclusive and wild!
Where: Okavango Delta, Chobe and Khalahari
Season: The period from November to March is counted as rainy season. Then there are a lot of animals in the Kalahari areas. June to October is considered the dry period. Then there is the highest density of animals in the Okavango Delta and it is the perfect time for boat or mokoro safaris.
SAFARI IN ZAMBIA:
In Zambia you really get to experience the wild Africa at its best. Here you will find a rich wildlife and raw wilderness. Liuwa Plains is home to the second largest gnu migration in Africa, and South Luangwa is especially known for walking safaris.
Where: South Luangwa, Liuwa Plains, Lower Zambezi, Kafue National Park.
Season: The "dry" period from May to October is considered the best time for safari. During the rainy season from December to April, it is more difficult to find the animals and dense vegetation.
SAFARI IN ZIMBABWE:
Zimbabwe is an undiscovered gem with stunning wildlife and beautiful scenery. Here you can still go on safari without seeing other cars in the area. Hwange also has a population of elephants of about 40 individuals.
Where: Hwange National Park, Mana Pools and Lake Kariba
Season: The best period for safari is in the dry period from July to October.
SAFARI IN NAMIBIA:
Namibia is mostly desert landscape, but that does not mean that the safari is dull, on the contrary. The safari landscape is completely unique and very different from everything else. In Damaraland you can experience the adaptable desert elephants, while in the south-east you will find the large Khalahari lions.
Where: Etosha, Khalahari and Damaraland
Season: The best time for safari in Namibia is May - October. This is before the rain falls in the north and a particularly good time to see animals gathering at watering holes.
SAFARI IN KENYA:
Kenya offers endless plains with savannas and rich wildlife. Here you can also witness "the great migration". A safari in the Masai Mara can be well combined with some relaxing days in Zanzibar.
Where: Mara Naboisho and Masai Mara
Season: From July to November, the world-renowned migration takes place. This is completely unique to bring. At the same time, Kenya and Tanzania are extremely beautiful safari destinations with lots of animals year round.
Choosing a safari destination is not easy. That's why we always want to talk to you about planning. That way, we can to understand your expectations, desires and fulfill your safari dream. Feel free to contact us.
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