The possibilities for an African safari are truly infinite and whilst for many, researching and planning these holidays is often half the fun, knowing where to start can be an overwhelming task.

For those looking to organise their first safari in Africa, or even for experienced travellers looking for something a little different, our team have put together a list of some of the most important considerations which we think should help you begin planning your perfect safari holiday.

• Your preferred guiding style
• How much down-time would you like?
• How much travelling are you prepared to do?
• When would you like to travel?
• What type of excursions are you looking for?
• Who are you travelling with?
• How much are you prepared to spend?

Your preferred guiding style:

Are you looking for an exclusive fully-escorted wildlife holiday? Are you happy to take excursions with other lodge guests? Or are you looking for a self-drive adventure?

These fundamental questions will really help narrow down the options for your first safari. If possible, we think it’s hard to beat travelling with your own naturalist guide as part of a fully-escorted holiday. Under this option, our Naturetrek Tailormade experts will hand-pick a specialist naturalist guide, many of whom we have worked with for years, if not decades, and are the finest in the industry. Should you have a particular wildlife interest, be that birding, botany or even something more specific, we will ensure we choose a guide to match your interest. We would recommend fully-escorted holidays in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia, Ethiopia and Madagascar.

In some countries, and particularly in certain private-guide game reserves, it is not always practical or possible to travel with your own guide, and so you would join excursions with lodge guides instead. All of the lodges we work with are carefully selected to ensure that the guides are able to uphold the high standards expected by our guests. In the majority of cases it is considerably more expensive to hire a private vehicle at these lodges, and so it is most likely that you would share excursions with other guests (usually no more than six in a vehicle). However, for larger parties or families, exclusive vehicles can be more economical. We love the sense of companionship that these lodges offer, and in our experience, fantastic friendships can be forged over sun-downers in the evening, discussing what sightings have been enjoyed on previous days, and you’re sure to come away with plenty of tips for your next wildlife adventure! We would recommend lodge-guided holidays in Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, the Congo and Namibia.

The final option is a self-drive safari. Usually we would not recommend self-drive safaris for the first-time visitor, as African roads can be very chaotic and overwhelming! However, for those willing, we will provide tips for areas of interest, driving directions and 24/7 emergency contact details for both our partners on-the-ground, and our office staff here in the UK. There’s nothing quite like the achievement of independently scoping out a rare species or behaviour, and travelling on a self-drive holiday allows total flexibility to travel at your own pace. Our clients’ safety is of paramount importance, and consequently we only organise self-drive holidays in countries where we feel completely confident that we can provide sufficient on-the-ground support to those travelling without a guide. For this reason we would currently only recommend self-drive holidays in South Africa and Namibia.

How much down-time would you like?

An African safari is the perfect opportunity to get away from it all. Many will wish to spend every waking minute in the pursuit of wildlife; others may seek a slower pace or wish to include time on the beach to relax and rejuvenate. We’re happy to cater to all such preferences and have recommended three destinations which offer very different experiences and paces.

Malawi – for a relaxing wildlife holiday

This undiscovered gem offers some of the most beautiful landscapes and relaxed safari-viewing in Africa. The very low number of visitors means that safaris are tranquil and it is possible to be completely alone whilst also in the heart of the action. The low number of predators in and around Liwonde also allows for walking safaris, and the spectacular Lake Malawi is best enjoyed by boat, kayak or through snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters. The remote and intimate lodges of Malawi offer peace and serenity like nowhere else, and for a more intense wildlife experience, a holiday to Malawi can easily be combined with Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, one of our favourite African game reserves.

South Africa – for an action-packed adventure

Morning and afternoon game drives are the norm in most of Africa’s game parks, as this is generally the most productive time for game-viewing. However, for those that do wish to venture out for a full-day safari, the hotter times of day see far fewer tourists and are generally limited to those travelling with their own private guide or on self-drive safaris. The sheer size of South Africa’s Kruger National Park makes it a great destination for multiple full-day safaris. Guided night drives can be booked for extra cost at any of the government run rest camps, or these are included as standard in many of the excellent surrounding private concessions such as Sabi Sand. For those wishing for a more varied holiday outside the Kruger, the Western Cape offers a fascinating history and culture, decadent vineyards, stunning scenery, and one of the world’s most vibrant spring floral displays each austral spring.

Tanzania – for the best of safari and beach

The ‘Great Migration’ in Tanzania is surely one of the world’s most impressive wildlife phenomena, as up to 1.2 million Plains Zebra and Blue Wildebeest congregate in the Ndutu Plains of the southern Serengeti each February, perfectly timed for Brits to escape a gloomy British winter! Tanzania is also blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches and coral islands in Africa, and so for that added taste of sunshine, why not include some time in Zanzibar, or on Pemba Island, Zanzibar’s less visited neighbour.

How much travelling are you prepared to do?

Some African countries are much better connected to the UK than others, so it’s important to establish how much time you would be prepared to spend travelling to your chosen destination, and subsequently how much time you wish to spend travelling around when you get there.

Best for direct international flights – Kenya, South Africa and Ethiopia – Each of these countries is well-served by daily direct flights from the UK, as well as a good network of internal flights, thus making them a great choice for those with limited time.

Best for overland adventures – Rwanda, Namibia and Uganda – Each of these countries offers a fantastic diversity of landscapes and habitats and can easily be traversed overland. Whilst Rwanda is a tiny country and so is very easy to take in within a limited time frame, the distance between parks in Namibia is vast, and so we would recommend a holiday of three weeks or longer to explore the country fully.  

Best holidays with internal flights – Botswana, the Congo and Zambia– In many African nations a lack of infrastructure means it is often easier to travel by air than overland, and this allows access to some of the most remote and least disturbed wilderness areas. Within Botswana’s permanently flooded Okavango Delta, it is simply not possible to reach the various camps by road. Food, furniture and supplies also need to be flown in, thus making it one of Africa’s most exclusive but expensive wildlife havens. By contrast, Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park is simply too far from the main international airport to access by road and so a small charter flight must be taken to the park’s entry point of Mfuwe. It should be noted that in many cases, internal charter flights have limited payloads and consequently reduced baggage allowances so may not be suitable for photographers or those unable to travel light. Speak to one of our experts about the possibilities, and possible limitations, of internal air travel in Africa.

Best single-centre safaris – South Africa and Kenya – After long international flights from the UK many guests enjoy the benefits of a single-centre safari, allowing the freedom to unpack, relax and really get to know your surroundings. South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Kenya’s Masai Mara are two of our favourite parks for single-centre safaris. The wildlife is so profuse that no two game drives are ever the same, and the accommodation options are also plentiful so can cater for those looking for the most simple rest camps, right through to some of the most luxurious lodges in Africa.

When would you like to travel?

For those who are restricted to travelling in school holidays or have limited windows for travel due to work or other commitments, choosing a safari holiday can be even more complicated. Here we have listed the pros and cons of travelling at different times of the year, and offered a few suggestions.

January to March – January to March is the very best time to witness the ‘Great Migration’ in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, perhaps the greatest wildlife spectacle of all. The European winter is also the very best time for birding in Africa as northern migrants bolster resident populations. Outside of Africa, this is also the best time for a Tiger safari in India, with dwindling water sources and game-viewing conditions at their very best. It is also a wonderful time to see Blue Whales off the coast of Sri Lanka, and this could be combined with a visit to the beautiful Yala National Park for chances of Leopard and Sloth Bear.

April to June – Throughout southern and eastern Africa, the period from April to June marks the end of the green or ‘emerald season’ when the once dry and barren river beds resume to full flow and the lush green grasses conceal the vulnerable fawns, cubs and pups of the new generation. Although the more dense vegetation may make wildlife-viewing more challenging at this time of year, the clearer air, better light and reduced tourist numbers make it a great time to visit many of Africa’s parks. In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the waters are at their highest in May, and mokoro excursions are all the more exciting. This is also a wonderful time to visit Namibia, when cooler temperatures and clear blue skies offer a comfortable safari experience.

July to September – This period is considered by many to be the prime time to visit southern and east Africa. Much of the continent experiences dry weather with more comfortable temperatures than later on in the season. It is at this time that the huge herds of Wildebeest and Plains Zebra make their treacherous journeys across into Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park, making it a great time to visit the reserve. Whilst the mammal-viewing of South Africa’s Kruger is similarly at its best during these months, the Western Cape is also awash with colour and Southern Right Whales can be seen congregating along the coast. In September, the banks of Zambia’s Luangwa River are ablaze with crimson, as Southern Carmine Bee-eaters flock to build their nests, making this one of the most extraordinary times to visit the park.

October to December – These months largely mark the transition between the starkly parched and arid dry season, and the dramatic beginning of the wet season. For many, the period from October to early November is their favourite season for safaris, as the dry landscape means wildlife is drawn to the waterholes, and the sparse vegetation cover means that sightings are much easier and visibility is better. It should be noted, however, that this period also generally coincides with the hottest weather, so those who suffer in the heat might prefer to travel earlier in the season. October is also perhaps the best season to visit Madagascar offering the best weather, and it is also when the infant Lemurs are at their most active.

What type of excursions are you looking for?

Game drives are the only option in many of Africa’s popular government-run game reserves. However, this is not the case in all countries, and even in some private game reserves whose limited visitor numbers and less stringent restrictions mean that different types of activities can be offered. For those who would prefer to stretch their legs and limit their time in vehicles, several choices stand out.

The best for a relaxed walking safari – Walking safaris offer a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the wider ecosystem and search for tracks and signs of more elusive creatures. They offer a fantastic complement to traditional game drives and facilitate a feeling of total immersion that is difficult to replicate from a vehicle. Walking safaris were first made popular by pioneering conservationist Norman Carr within Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. 60 years on, South Luangwa remains one of the world’s best loved locations for relaxed walking safaris. One of our favourite experiences is a camp-to-camp walking safari between some of our very favourite bush camps in the heart of the park.

The best for a wildlife and trekking holiday – Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest of all Africa’s peaks, and this scenic trek is understandably the most popular in Africa. The airport that serves Kilimanjaro is also conveniently located for the country’s most popular safari circuit which incorporates the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, two of the continent’s most celebrated safari destinations. For those more interested in simply enjoying wildlife amongst spectacular scenery, Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains are a great choice. Treks can last several days, accompanied by an experienced guide and muleteers, or for an easier option you may choose to take day-walks from one of the highest permanent lodges in Africa.

The best for boating safaris – Traditional dugout canoes known as ‘mokoros’ are the primary means by which to explore Botswana’s otherwise inaccessible Okavango Delta. These tranquil boats allow you to blend into the natural landscape, and ensure wildlife is not perturbed by noisy engines. Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park is another location that is best explored by boat. Hippos laze in the languid waters and the area is particularly well known for its high density of Elephants.

The best for night safaris – Night safaris are not permitted in the majority of Africa’s national parks, and to enjoy this particular style of safari it is usually necessary to visit some of the private concessions adjacent to the public reserves. Some state-run parks do operate a limited number of shared night drives led by park rangers. South Africa’s Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one such example where elusive species such as Aardwolf, Honey Badger, Brown Hyena and Bat-eared Fox have all been recorded. Other parks such as Zambia’s South Luangwa include spotlighting as a standard activity within their daily excursions, and after a sun-downer cocktail in a scenic place, the adventure continues. This is often the best time of day for witnessing predator action, particularly for cats including Lion and Leopard.

Who are you travelling with?

We appreciate that it can be difficult to plan a holiday which ticks all the boxes, particularly when travelling as part of a multigenerational family, or a group of friends with differing interests. Below we have selected a few of our favourite holidays for different ages and group structures.

Best for children under 10 years old – Over recent years a number of Africa’s lodges have worked hard to become more child-friendly and now offer some fantastic experiences for younger guests. Zebra Hills is a private lodge in South Africa’s Kwazulu Natal National Park which offers the perfect base for a multigenerational family or group of friends with young children. The property can be hired out exclusively, and guests will enjoy private use of the pool and safari vehicles. We’ve found this works brilliantly for families with young children as daily schedules can be left completely flexible. Other lodges in Kenya offer children the chance to become ‘junior rangers’ and learn how to identify footprints, bones, leaves and plants, and how to make bows, arrows and spears – we find kids love these entertaining and enriching activities.

Best for teenagers – A holiday to Africa offers not just a fantastic adventure and a chance to reconnect as a family, but for teenagers these holidays also offer a virtually unrivalled educational opportunity to experience different cultures, ecosystems and ways of life. Almost any of our holidays to Africa would be suitable for families with teenagers, but for a varied combination of wildlife, history and culture South Africa would be hard to beat.

Best for honeymooners – No two couples are the same, and so when choosing a location for the perfect honeymoon we would recommend looking at our other questions and considerations for inspiration. For those looking for a classic safari and beach honeymoon we think it’s hard to beat a combination of Tanzania’s Serengeti, and the white sand beaches of Zanzibar or Pemba Island.

Best for a major birthday or retirement – Many different personal factors can influence the choice of the best locations to celebrate a major milestone. Some might be looking to tick off a particular bucket list experience, for example trekking with Gorillas, a balloon ride over the Masai Mara, or swimming to the edge of the Victoria Falls. Others might be looking for a more slow-paced relaxing holiday, sipping sun-downers from your private veranda whilst watching a family of Warthogs drinking from the adjacent waterhole, or a sunset boat cruise across the Zambezi before a candlelit dinner under the stars. We would highly recommend looking at the suggestions for the other questions in this article to help provide ideas, and our team of experts will always be on hand to discuss what would work well for you. 

How much are you prepared to spend?

There are many seemingly obvious factors that will influence the cost of a holiday, for example whether you would like to include flight upgrades or more luxury lodges. But if value for money is a big consideration, it’s also important to consider when, where and how you would like to travel.

Large savings can be made through travelling at less popular times of year, and in countries such as Botswana, travelling in the middle of peak season can often cost almost double that of travelling during the green season, so it is worth considering whether you really do need or want to travel at the most popular times of year. Some countries are also inherently more expensive than others due to the style of tourism that they target. Kenya has implemented a high-volume tourism model, and has built a huge number of lodges to cater for as many people as possible during the most popular times of year. This leads to considerable competition between lodges, particularly during the less popular times of year, which subsequently drives down prices and means that Kenya now offers some of the very best value for money in Africa. Botswana on the other hand, currently targets a low volume of high spending clients. The limited number of lodges are in huge demand and means that the lodges can afford to charge much greater premiums. It’s also important to consider exactly how you would like to travel. In Madagascar, costs can be kept well down by foregoing a permanent naturalist guide and instead travelling with a driver who will introduce you to park guides at each location. This is not possible in all countries, and travelling with a permanent naturalist guide is also not always the most expensive option. In Kenya and Namibia, it is often cheaper to travel overland with your own private guide than to fly between locations, and take shared safaris with other lodge guests.

As you begin to plan your safari adventure we would recommend discussing your preferred budget with our team of experts. This will then ensure that we are able to offer the very best value for money, and the very best experience available to you. 

These ideas have only really scratched the surface of the complexities of planning a holiday in Africa, and we would highly recommend phoning our experts to help plan your perfect safari. Call us on 01962 733051 for friendly, expert, advice, and we can help you to start planning your perfect safari holiday.