Embarking on an African Safari adventure is a dream for many to witness the wild and untamed beauty of the continent’s extraordinary landscapes and captivating wildlife. The mere thought of a safari stirs the soul, igniting a yearning for the thrill of spotting lions prowling the savannah, elephants trumpeting in the distance, and giraffes gracefully nibbling the treetops.
With several game reserves established across Africa, the safari industry is now one of its leading tourist destinations.
But as the desire to embark on this awe-inspiring journey takes root, so do many questions.
Which African safari is right for you? How do you choose from the kaleidoscope of options that this vast continent offers?
Fear not, fellow traveler, for our Safari Quest is here to guide you through the wilderness of choices, helping you select the perfect expedition that aligns with your dreams and desires.
Join us on this exhilarating journey as we unravel the secrets of choosing the right African safari, ensuring that your expedition into the heart of Africa becomes an unforgettable odyssey.
How do you know which safari to go for? In this post, we will discuss choosing the right African safari.
1. What Type Of African Safari Experience Are You Looking For?
You need to understand the kind of safari experience you are looking for. But just in case you don’t know what they are, I will look at a few of them.
- Jungle camping safaris: This kind of safari experience is not for the faint-hearted because it will most likely bring you close contact with some of the wildlife. Like the name spells, Jungle camping involves camping with a tent in the open with easy access to view and observe nature first-hand. The camp could be mobile or permanent.
- Resort safaris: This is likely the most common form as tourists visit the safari lodge in a hotel or resort for the night(s). From here, a tour guide is available upon request to guide you through the wilderness while offering more information.
- Hiking safari: This is also not for the faint-hearted, as it involves much walking under the sun. However, a rewarding feature of this is learning how to track wildlife as part of your walking experience.
2. Choose A Period To Visit
Just like your regular soccer or Basketball league has its season, visiting a safari is also seasonal. As such, deciding when you would like to see it is better for observing.
If you visit Kenya between March and May, your visit falls within the rainy season. June to October is the perfect season for safari visits. December to March, if you visit South Africa, falls within the rainy season.
You should note that visiting during the rainy season would allow less crowded places. Furthermore, the kind of clothing you would pack for a visit during the rainy season should be slightly different (different, at least) from what you would pack during the dry season.
3. What Kind Of Animals Do You Want To Observe?
When deciding on your safari visit, you must consider the animals you want to see. For instance, you could visit the National Park in South Africa or Kenya to observe the Big Five.
If you want to see other kinds of animals aside from the big five in droves, countries like Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Uganda are places you can visit.
4. Have A To Do List
A to-do list is the best decision you can make before embarking on a safari exploration. The list could contain a number of animals you must sight before you consider your journey concluded, a list of activities you must engage in, or even experiences you want to gain during your trip.
5. Travel Companions
Your travel companions also play an essential role in choosing the African safari to visit. As most people have agreed, for a family (i.e., parents and kids), South Africa is the best place for you to see.
However, countries like Kenya and Tanzania are better options if you want to visit a safari as a newly married couple or as a bae-cation.
African safaris are the best in the world for persons looking to observe nature at its best.
Below is a list of safari locations you can pick from:
- Kruger National Park, located in South Africa, is home to several species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and even rare wild dogs.
- Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, is as large as Kruger Park and houses the Big Five, cheetahs, and Zebras.
- Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, where you can see lions, cheetahs, rhinos, and other animals.
- Serengeti National Park is located in Tanzania. At the Serengeti, you might get lucky and spot the Big Five, including giraffes, impalas, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards.
- The Okavango Delta is located in Botswana and is home to crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and birds like Eagles and Storks.
- Chobe National Park is also located in Botswana and is home to herds of several water-loving animals like hippos, elephants, and crocs
