Guide to Safari
When you think about once-in-a-lifetime kinds of trips, African safaris top the list. After all, who didn’t grow up watching TV shows featuring elephants meandering through savannas or visiting zoos and staring awestruck at the lions draped over tree limbs?
When you finally get to embark on an adventure of this magnitude, you’ll want to do it right. We’ve done our research to put together a guide to going on safari, so you can have the best experience possible on your bucket list trip!
When you finally get to embark on an adventure of this magnitude, you’ll want to do it right. We’ve done our research to put together a guide to going on safari, so you can have the best experience possible on your bucket list trip!
General Guidelines
Before we get into the details, we have a few general guidelines by which to abide.
Now, let’s get into the guide.
Types of Safaris
There are two parts to this section: the mode of transport for your safari and the level of independence.
Transport
Before we get into the details, we have a few general guidelines by which to abide.
- Extend your stay. It’s a good idea to book a few extra nights rather than limit your stay. There is always more to see, and if you are going through the effort of organizing an experience like this, you don’t want it to feel rushed.
- Work with a travel advisor. Although you can plan out all the details yourself, working with a travel advisor is advantageous. Once they get to know what you are looking for, an advisor can quickly identify the safari operators who will match your needs best, and they can leverage their industry connections to secure private experiences that may not be open to the public. In the long run, an advisor will save you time and money.
- Ask questions. From the time you start planning to your final game drive, ask as many questions as possible. This will only enrich your experience.
Now, let’s get into the guide.
Types of Safaris
There are two parts to this section: the mode of transport for your safari and the level of independence.
Transport
Safaris come in four main variants: walking, driving, a combination of walking and driving, and boating. The types of animals you want to see will influence whether you’re in a Jeep the entire time or if you’re trekking through the rainforest on foot.
An open car is the most traditional method of transport for safaris, but if you want to see the animals up close, going on foot can get you there. If you are most interested in seeing birds, taking a small canoe or boat can be an excellent way to get closer to these feathered friends.
Group, Guided, and Independent Safaris
Group Safaris
If you simply want to wake up and have your day’s activities planned out for you, going on a group safari could be the way to go. In this kind of trip, you trade customization for the convenience of leaving all the scheduling and decision-making to a pro.
With that said, there are often opportunities within group safaris to opt into or out of some activities. For example, once you reach a destination, you might be able to choose how you spend your day. Go on as many game drives as you like or lounge in a luxury tent watching the animals all day, the choice is yours!
Guided Safaris
Guided safaris share many similarities with group safaris, but you usually have a chance to do a little more customization before you even embark on the trip. You will still leave the task of booking everything to an advisor or an agency, but you can adapt your trip to your interests and you will only be traveling with people you know. This tends to be the most expensive option.
Independent Safaris
In this last option, you do all of the planning and get to choose how you spend every moment of your day. However, this independence does come with some drawbacks. Some parks will not allow independent travelers to go on all of the trails or drive at night, since these options require someone with more expertise in the area. If you are up for a challenge, this may be the way for you, but most people could benefit from having some guidance when planning a safari experience.
What to Expect
Game Drive Schedule
An open car is the most traditional method of transport for safaris, but if you want to see the animals up close, going on foot can get you there. If you are most interested in seeing birds, taking a small canoe or boat can be an excellent way to get closer to these feathered friends.
Group, Guided, and Independent Safaris
Group Safaris
If you simply want to wake up and have your day’s activities planned out for you, going on a group safari could be the way to go. In this kind of trip, you trade customization for the convenience of leaving all the scheduling and decision-making to a pro.
With that said, there are often opportunities within group safaris to opt into or out of some activities. For example, once you reach a destination, you might be able to choose how you spend your day. Go on as many game drives as you like or lounge in a luxury tent watching the animals all day, the choice is yours!
Guided Safaris
Guided safaris share many similarities with group safaris, but you usually have a chance to do a little more customization before you even embark on the trip. You will still leave the task of booking everything to an advisor or an agency, but you can adapt your trip to your interests and you will only be traveling with people you know. This tends to be the most expensive option.
Independent Safaris
In this last option, you do all of the planning and get to choose how you spend every moment of your day. However, this independence does come with some drawbacks. Some parks will not allow independent travelers to go on all of the trails or drive at night, since these options require someone with more expertise in the area. If you are up for a challenge, this may be the way for you, but most people could benefit from having some guidance when planning a safari experience.
What to Expect
Game Drive Schedule
Whether you choose to go on safari independently or with a group, your days will start early if you want to see the best wildlife. Many animals are active around dawn. Elephants, giraffes, and water buffalo will make their way to the watering holes in the morning, and the hunters will follow.
The next best time to see the animals is in the evening when lions, leopards, and other predators come out to hunt as the sun sinks below the horizon.
What to Wear
Many people think of extreme heat when they imagine Africa. While temperatures certainly can reach sweltering peaks, they can get chilly in the evenings. When it comes to selecting what clothing to bring on safari, it’s best to be prepared for anything.
To combat the heat and sun, you’ll want to bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen. Lightweight pants and long-sleeve shirts can also protect against the sun, and pants will be required for walking safaris.
On safari, leave your heels behind and opt for comfortable hiking boots or sneakers. Be sure to take a waterproof and windproof jacket as well, and don’t forget a travel daypack to store things like your passport, money, water, and other small items you may need throughout the day.
Earth-toned clothing is best, as it is the least distracting to the animals. Just be sure that you do not bring any camouflage clothing, as those patterns are illegal for civilians to wear in several African countries.
What to Bring
These are just a few other non-clothing items to bring on your safari:
General Etiquette & Staying Safe on Safari
To have the best experience possible, it is important to follow some safari guidelines.
The next best time to see the animals is in the evening when lions, leopards, and other predators come out to hunt as the sun sinks below the horizon.
What to Wear
Many people think of extreme heat when they imagine Africa. While temperatures certainly can reach sweltering peaks, they can get chilly in the evenings. When it comes to selecting what clothing to bring on safari, it’s best to be prepared for anything.
To combat the heat and sun, you’ll want to bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen. Lightweight pants and long-sleeve shirts can also protect against the sun, and pants will be required for walking safaris.
On safari, leave your heels behind and opt for comfortable hiking boots or sneakers. Be sure to take a waterproof and windproof jacket as well, and don’t forget a travel daypack to store things like your passport, money, water, and other small items you may need throughout the day.
Earth-toned clothing is best, as it is the least distracting to the animals. Just be sure that you do not bring any camouflage clothing, as those patterns are illegal for civilians to wear in several African countries.
What to Bring
These are just a few other non-clothing items to bring on your safari:
- Bug repellant
- Camera and associated equipment (pack more batteries and SD cards than you think are necessary!)
- Electrical adapters - check which one(s) you will need for the countries you intend to visit
- Binoculars
General Etiquette & Staying Safe on Safari
To have the best experience possible, it is important to follow some safari guidelines.
General Etiquette
If you’re going on a safari, you’re there for the animals. And so is anyone else that you may be traveling with. Silence is the golden rule for observing animals up close and personal; they might be accustomed to the sound of a running car, but our voices can frighten them and cause them to run away.
On a similar note, do not leave the car on a game drive unless you are told to by your guide (if you have one). Once again, your presence might scare the wildlife.
Do ask questions of your guide. It is their job to be knowledgeable about the animals in the bush, and they can serve as a wonderful experience-enriching resource for your safari.
Take tons of pictures, but share the view with others.
Finally, keep track of your trash. Most animal lovers aren’t going to intentionally litter and put the animals in danger, but sometimes trash can jostle out of the vehicle. Pay attention to your trash so that it doesn’t end up somewhere it shouldn’t!
Staying Safe on Safari
If you’re going on a safari, you’re there for the animals. And so is anyone else that you may be traveling with. Silence is the golden rule for observing animals up close and personal; they might be accustomed to the sound of a running car, but our voices can frighten them and cause them to run away.
On a similar note, do not leave the car on a game drive unless you are told to by your guide (if you have one). Once again, your presence might scare the wildlife.
Do ask questions of your guide. It is their job to be knowledgeable about the animals in the bush, and they can serve as a wonderful experience-enriching resource for your safari.
Take tons of pictures, but share the view with others.
Finally, keep track of your trash. Most animal lovers aren’t going to intentionally litter and put the animals in danger, but sometimes trash can jostle out of the vehicle. Pay attention to your trash so that it doesn’t end up somewhere it shouldn’t!
Staying Safe on Safari
Your guide is your most valuable resource on your safari, so please adhere to their instructions and trust them to do their jobs. If anything unexpected happens, your guide is trained to react. They know the behavior of the animals best, and they will recognize when they should stand their ground, make a distracting noise, or follow any other course of action appropriate to the situation. If they tell you to do something, do it. It will keep you, your group members, and the animals themselves safe.
While on a game drive in an open vehicle, stay seated as much as possible. If you stand up, it changes the shape of the vehicle and it can spook the animals. Some animals are more prone to being frightened by this sort of change than others.
When leaving your camp, always go with a guide. Predators have adapted over thousands of years to camouflage with their environment and you never know what might be lurking in the bush.
Africa Is Waiting!
While on a game drive in an open vehicle, stay seated as much as possible. If you stand up, it changes the shape of the vehicle and it can spook the animals. Some animals are more prone to being frightened by this sort of change than others.
When leaving your camp, always go with a guide. Predators have adapted over thousands of years to camouflage with their environment and you never know what might be lurking in the bush.
Africa Is Waiting!
Now that you’ve gotten an overview of what to expect on safari, are you ready to pack your bags? Life’s Journey Travel will be taking an exclusive group on safari in 2021 to South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Check out that trip here, or get in touch with me directly!
