Going on a safari is one of the most incredible ways to travel. You’ll discover stunning landscapes, observe incredible wildlife, and meet wonderful people. You can take many different kinds of safari trips, so I created this ultimate guide to an African safari.
I’ve got everything you need to know about planning a safari – where to go, what to bring, when to go, where to stay, how much to budget, and more!
If someone asked where they should go in Europe or the United States, you’d probably say, “it depends on what time of year you’re traveling.” Well, the same goes for Africa (which is three times as big as the U.S. and Europe combined)!
Climates and temperatures vary from country to country, so there’s no single best time to go on a safari. As a general rule of thumb, the dry season is the best time to visit because wildlife will be easier to find around water holes. If you have a specific safari destination you want to visit, determine its dry season and choose to go during one of those months.
If you have a specific month you want to go on safari, check out my month-by-month safari destination guide to determine which countries have the best safari experiences during the month you’ll be visiting.
Once you’ve determined when you’ll be going on safari, you can decide where you’ll go. Ask yourself these questions when deciding where to go on safari:
-Are you wanting to witness a specific wildlife event? For example, if you want to see The Great Migration, you should visit Tanzania.
-Are you wanting to combine a safari with a city break, such as Cape Town? If so, pick a safari destination that’s a short drive or flight from the city you’ll be visiting.
-Do you want to road trip to see several different destinations? If so, my top recommendations would be Namibia or South Africa.
-Do you want to see a specific natural wonder, such as Victoria Falls or Mount Kilimanjaro?
-How much time do you have for your safari? Do you have time to visit multiple destinations?
My guide for choosing a safari destination will take you step-by-step through determining the perfect place for your safari!
Less is more when you’re packing for a safari, so be selective and strategic. But also remember that when you’re on safari, you can’t just go to a shopping center if you forget something. Some safari lodges have stores, but they will be for souvenirs, not travel items you might have forgotten.
Pro Tips: Choose comfort above all else! If you are taking a bush flight, there will be strict limitations on the size and type of bag you can bring, so double-check these requirements. Stick with neutral colors and avoid dark colors because they’ll attract flies and make you very visible to wildlife. If you’re on a walking or riding safari, avoid white clothes because they’ll get VERY dirty VERY quickly and make you stand out for wildlife.
Here’s my safari packing list:
1-2 Sun hats. Make sure they have a neck strap to keep them from blowing away and that they’re not a heavy material that will make you sweat.
Light scarf to protect your neck from the sun, cover your face when it’s dusty, and cushion your neck from a camera strap.
Binoculars. Most lodges won’t have enough extras for every guest.
Socks & Underwear. Bring more than you think you’ll need. You get dirty and sweaty on safari, so you’ll want to constantly change your socks and undies to feel fresh and clean. Many safari lodges have laundry services, but they usually won’t wash underwear for cultural reasons.
Sports Bras. Bring the most supportive sports bras you own. Game drives are VERY bumpy, so you want to bring bras that will give you the comfort and support you’ll need.
You will want layers in the mornings and evenings that you can take off when it gets warmer in the afternoons.
Comfy Pants – a pair of leggings or sweatpants.
Dinner Dress & Cardigan.
Romper, Midi, or Tunic Dress. These are great for looking nicer in the evenings or layering with a cargo jacket and boots for a game drive.
Swimsuit and Kimono or Cover-Up.
Boots. You will wear boots 95% of the time on your safari, and you don’t want to use up luggage space with more than one pair. So bring your comfiest most broken-in pair of boots, and wear them on the plane to save packing space. If you buy new boots for your safari, get them at least a couple of months before your trip to have plenty of time to break them in.
Portable Charger & Spare Batters. You don’t want your phone, GoPro, or Camera to die on you when you’re out looking for wildlife.
Backpack if you’re going on a walking or riding safari.
Your safari accommodation will set the tone for your entire trip. Unlike hotels where you come and go, your lodge will be where you spend most of your time. And in most cases, your safari lodge will also provide the game drives and any other activities you want to do.
For better or worse, your safari lodge will likely be the only place you interact with on your trip. So before you commit, do your due diligence.
Ask yourself these questions to determine what type of safari lodge is for you:
-What kind of room do you want to sleep in? Bush tent, private bungalow, glamping tent, treehouse, or something else? There is a safari accommodation for every preference!
-What amenities do you want your lodge to have? Wifi, shared pool, private pool, multiple restaurants, adults-only, etc.?
-Do you want to do more activities than just game drives? Every lodge will have game drives, but if you want to do bush walks, riding safaris, visit local villages, or other activities, you’ll need to confirm that a lodge offers these options.
-Is a safari lodge you’re considering an ethical accommodation? Safaris are centered around safely and responsibly entering animals’ habitats without adversely affecting the wildlife. Sadly, too many companies prioritize profit over environmental welfare. So do your due diligence in researching a safari camp’s policies on interacting with wildlife, their habits, and local populations.
My guide for choosing the right safari camp will take you step-by-step through selecting the best accommodation for your safari.
Most people have sticker shock when they see the cost of a safari. Safaris are expensive, but you get what you pay for, so don’t skimp.
Remember that safari accommodations are usually all-inclusive, where all your food, lodging, alcohol, game drives, transfers, and other activities are included. So the only additional costs would be your flights and tips.
I recommend opting for all-inclusive options, unless you’re road tripping. If you’re staying at a different accommodation every couple of nights and/or hiring a driver or guide, the all-inclusive rate might not be the best choice.
As a general rule of thumb, you should plan on spending a minimum of $1,000 per night per person at an all-inclusive resort. You can find cheaper options, but this is a red flag for your experience, the service you’ll receive, and how the lodge treats wildlife and locals.
If you need to reduce your safari costs, take a shorter trip. A three-day safari at a lodge of your dreams will be a better trip than a week-long safari at an accommodation you have to settle for.
Browse my ultimate guide to budgeting for a safari to break down the financial details of your trip!
The first thing to decide when you’re planning a safari is when you’re going to be traveling.
If someone asked where they should go in Europe or the United States, you’d probably say, “it depends on what time of year you’re traveling.” Well, the same goes for Africa (which is three times as big as the U.S. and Europe combined)!
Climates and temperatures vary from country to country, so there’s no single best time to go on a safari. As a general rule of thumb, the dry season is the best time to visit because wildlife will be easier to find around water holes. If you have a specific safari destination you want to visit, determine its dry season and choose to go during one of those months.
If you have a specific month you want to go on safari, check out my month-by-month safari destination guide to determine which countries have the best safari experiences during the month you’ll be visiting.
The Best Safari Destinations in Africa:
1. South Africa
2. Botswana
3. Kenya
4. Tanzania
5. Zambia
6. Zimbabwe
7. Namibia
8. Rwanda
9. Uganda
10. Mozambique
Pro Tip: go on safari in the dry season when wildlife is easier to find around water holes.
If someone asked where they should go in Europe or the United States, you’d probably say, “it depends on what time of year you’re traveling.” Well, the same goes for Africa (which is three times as big as the U.S. and Europe combined)!
Climates and temperatures vary from country to country, so there’s no single best time to go on a safari. As a general rule of thumb, the dry season is the best time to visit because wildlife will be easier to find around water holes. If you have a specific safari destination you want to visit, determine its dry season and choose to go during one of those months.
If you have a specific month you want to go on safari, check out my month-by-month safari destination guide to determine which countries have the best safari experiences during the month you’ll be visiting.
Safari Tipping Guide:
Restaurants: 10% of the bill (always check to see if this is automatically included in the check).
Hotel & Safari Lodge Staff (Servers, Housekeepers, etc.): $15 per day per guest.
Safari Guides & Trackers: $20 per guest per day for a guide and $10 per guest per day for a tracker. If you have different guides and trackers during your stay at a safari lodge, make sure to note your staff’s names.
Tour Guides & Drivers (not at camps or lodges): $10 per guest for a half-day, $15 for a full day.
Taxis Drivers: $5 per guest per drive.
Airport & Hotel Porters: $5 per bag.
As a general rule of thumb, you should avoid dark blue and black clothing, socks, and shoes on safari. These colors attract tsetse flies. If you’re doing a walking or riding safari where you’re not in a game vehicle, you should avoid white clothes. White will get VERY dirty VERY quickly, and it will make you extremely visible to wildlife.
Safari Tipping Guide:
Restaurants: 10% of the bill (always check to see if this is automatically included in the check).
Hotel & Safari Lodge Staff (Servers, Housekeepers, etc.): $15 per day per guest.
Safari Guides & Trackers: $20 per guest per day for a guide and $10 per guest per day for a tracker. If you have different guides and trackers during your stay at a safari lodge, make sure to note your staff’s names.
Tour Guides & Drivers (not at camps or lodges): $10 per guest for a half-day, $15 for a full day.
Taxis Drivers: $5 per guest per drive.
Airport & Hotel Porters: $5 per bag.
The Serengeti and Masai Mara are both incredible safari destinations, and they will give you very different scenery and experiences. The Serengeti has more concentrations of wildlife than the Masai Mara, but the Masai Mara is less spread out than the Serengeti. I highly recommend visiting both of these places!
The Best Safari Destinations in Africa:
1. South Africa
2. Botswana
3. Kenya
4. Tanzania
5. Zambia
6. Zimbabwe
7. Namibia
8. Rwanda
9. Uganda
10. Mozambique
Pro Tip: go on safari in the dry season when wildlife is easier to find around water holes.
This guide to an African safari is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this guide to an African safari are entirely my own. Some of the links in this guide to an African safari are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this guide to an African safari.
August 13, 2022
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