Guide to planning the best safari in Africa

Choosing the Best Safari Destination in Africa

Before you can plan your African safari, you need to decide on your destination. No two African countries are the same. So, whether you’re after the South African safari experience or fancy getting to know the lions in Kenya, it’s best to map out your destination first. Africa has a lot to offer – here are some of the most popular African safari destinations:
 

Kenya: Masai Mara

Masai Mara is an African safari world-renowned for diverse wildlife and the Great Migration – an annual phenomenon where millions of herbivores migrate across the vast plains. It’s an event unlike any other, a natural wonder, and an incomparable sight. This may be one of the most expensive safaris, but the sheer numbers and variety of wildlife make it clear why.

Tanzania: Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater

The Serengeti is an iconic location rich with stunning scenery and abundant wildlife. It’s a compact safari trip that lets you see all of Africa’s iconic animals. Ngorongoro is a section of the Serengeti, giving you a higher chance of seeing animals in a smaller area. If you’d like a good chance at seeing every animal on your list, this may be the safari for you.

South Africa: Kruger National Park

This is a well-developed park with luxury lodges and excellent infrastructure, so you don’t need to tent up in the wilds. This could be one of the best safaris in Africa for families, or those looking to experience an African safari for the first time. It’s ideal if you think you’ll appreciate the comforts without the creatures after a long day in the wild.
 

Botswana: Okavango Delta

If you think the wildlife is better down where it’s wetter, then you’re after a different kind of African safari experience. The Okavango Delta has incredible traditional and water-based safaris that’ll give you a rush. This vast delta is teeming with sprawling grass plains and its inland river. Flooding season leaves the land abundant. Navigate past hippos, elephants and crocodiles by canoe or boat.

Namibia: Etosha National Park

Prefer to venture off the beaten track? Etosha National Park is ideal for those seeking a quieter African safari adventure. Despite being set on a salt pan so large you can see it from space, wildlife is abundant. With many sightings of cheetahs and four of the Big Five, you get a great experience without being surrounded by tourists.

Planning Your Safari Experience
 

Duration:

Your safari experience can be as long or short as you want it to be, but a good ballpark is seven to ten days for a comprehensive experience. You’re not going to explore these diverse biomes and catch a sighting of every animal there in 24 hours. It’s a long journey to reach your destination, so make the most of it and stay in Africa for several weeks if you can.

For first time explorers you may want to consider a shorter safari trip of three days to a week. You could even combine two shorter trips, so you get a breadth of locations and a little break in between. If you do this, try considering time for travel and rest, and any accommodation needs. Are there any other locations in Africa you might like to visit? Try cultural and metropolitan cities like Nairobi, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Arusha. They’re all considered gateway cities to safari destinations and offer plenty to see and do.

Types of Safaris:

• Self-drive safaris – in a self-drive safari, you get behind the wheel. That means driving from Point A to Point B through wildlife regions. You’ll need to be confident behind the wheel and ready for anything. Just don’t to try to race the cheetah.
   
• Fly-in safaris – a fly-in safari lets you hop between hotspots via light aircraft, saving you some travel time between attractions and offering a unique perspective on the vast plains.
   
• Walking safaris – lace up your walking boots, because this type of safari is exactly what the name implies. It’s a good way to really immerse yourself in your surroundings but could be taxing for some.
   
• Mobile safaris – mobile safaris focus on moving as a group and setting up camps in different locations. Think of it like a group expedition.
   
• Mountain bike safaris – cross extreme sports with a safari, and you get mountain bike safaris. Perfect if you want a side of adrenaline with your awe-inspiring sights.
   
• Water safaris – water safaris let you explore by canoe, kayak, boat or a mokoro (think of it like a spacious canoe). It’s an experience that can be incredibly relaxing and lets you see life from a different angle. Houseboats are a less common but incredibly interesting way to tackle the waterways.
   
• Primate safaris – primate safaris let you explore jungle regions to specifically seek out monkeys and apes in Africa.
   
• Guided game drives – these are the “traditional” safari experience. Tackle the safari with a guided tour by 4x4 to observe to local wildlife in the region. Your expert guides know all the best locations to spot the Big Five and make it their mission to tick them off your bucket list.
   

Accommodation Options:

Your accommodation options are central to your experience but will often be dictated by the type of safari you’re on. Be honest about your expectations – you don’t have to be a rugged, wilderness explorer. If you want comfortable lodging after a day of roaming the plains then choose that.

When it comes to lodgings, location will have an impact on cost. For example, being in the heart of a wildlife hotspot will usually cost more than being on the fringes. Likewise, you’ll pay for service. Staying longer in one place may work out cheaper than visiting a lot of different locations to stay. If budget is a concern, maybe forgo some of the luxury of a lodge for the unforgettable experience of a tent camp.

When to Go on Safari
 

Seasonal Considerations:

Only you can choose where and when to go, so try to consider the following:

• What type of safari do you want?
• What kind of animals do you want to see?
• What kind of environments do you want to explore?
• What is the weather like in the locations you’ve selected?
• How crowded will those locations be?

As an example, if you want to see the Great Migration then you’ll need to be there at the right time of year. It takes place from mid-June to November, depending on your location in Africa. That means you’ll need to plan and do some research.

Think about the weather too and consider how the heat, humidity and its impact on insect populations can change the experience depending on whether you visit during the wet or dry season.

Peak vs. Off-Peak:

You’ll need to decide whether the rewards of seeing all the animals at the height of the season outweighs the inevitable crowds. Large groups of tourists can change your safari both in terms of booking accommodation and excursions but also how the wildlife reacts too. A lot of traffic may make wildlife more skittish, and unfortunately sometimes large crowds of vehicles can gather in a single location if animals are spotted.

You can avoid peak season but there may still be major natural events that take place throughout the year. If crowds are a concern, the Great Migration could be something you want to avoid (or find a less common way to view it).

Travel Insurance for Your Safari
 

Importance of Travel Insurance for your African Safari:

Before you set off, get your travel insurance sorted so you’re protected from any mishaps form the moment you touch down on African soil. Safaris are exciting, but they aren’t quite the same as relaxing poolside at a hotel. That’s why it’s important to have protection in place.

At Sainsbury’s Bank, we offer single, multi and extended trip policies – with optional extras for a protection package as inclusive as your next adventure. With a 24/7 helpline in case of medical emergency and cover for a range of pre-existing medical conditions, you’ve got everything you need to tackle any adventure.

Travel money for your safari
 

Tipping and Additional Expenses:

Get your travel money sorted before you fly with Sainsbury’s Bank in a few clicks online, so you’ve got cash to cover your safari experience and any time spent back in the cities.

Gratuities are customary in Africa – but not obligatory. It’s always a good idea to have cash on hand to compliment any services you might receive.