Going on a safari is a dream holiday for many travellers, but before you book your trip, there are a number of things to consider before booking a trip.
A safari offers you a unique opportunity to see and understand wildlife roaming free, often in protected parks, living the way nature intended.
The modern safari involves viewing, photographing, and experiencing animals in their natural habitats. Many people associate the idea of going on safari with Africa, but actually there are many safari destinations throughout the world. It is possible to go on safari trips in India, Australia, Antarctica, Alaska, Brazil or Peru.
Whether you’ve always wanted to explore South Africa or have dreamt about seeing animals in the wilds of Kenya, here are some tips on how to pick the right safari for you.
1. Where to Go
The first thing to bear in mind is where you want to go in Africa. There are plenty of destinations that offer a variety of different safaris, with each having something unique to see.
If you choose a safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara or South Africa’s Kruger National Park, you have a good chance of seeing the Big Five – lions, leopards, elephant, buffalo and rhino. This could be the main reason why you’ve come to Africa, and going on a jeep tour of the savannah plains gives you a good opportunity to see some, if not all, of these wild creatures.
Alternatively, you might want to enjoy a different type of safari; for example, a trip in a dug-out canoe in Botswana, where you can get close to animals, such as hippos, elephants and crocodiles. If you stay in Okavango safari lodges, you may even be able to see some creatures from your accommodation.
2. When to Go
Once you have chosen the destination, the next thing to consider is what time of the year to go. In order to make the most of animal-watching opportunities, you’ll want to visit when the savannahs become most populated.
In the Okavango Delta, for example, this is during rainy season between April and October as the land fills with water from the Angolan highlands, tempting creatures from afar to visit for some refreshment.
If you want to go to the Serengeti on Tanzania safaris, you may wish to time your trip with the annual migration of animals over the border to Kenya. From April, you can expect to spot herds stampede across the landscape to the north as the heavy rain begins to fall in Tanzania.
Alternatively, you could see the mass movement as the creatures make their way from the Maasai Mara to the Serengeti from November. Therefore, when you go on a safari will very much determine what you are likely to experience when you are out there.
3. Where to Stay
Something else to consider when picking a safari holiday is what type of accommodation you can stay in. For a luxury trip, you can enjoy grand tented camps, where you sleep in four-poster beds, have romantic candlelit dinners and enjoy impressive views of the savannah.
However, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to this type of luxurious holiday, why not consider a camping safari? This will give you the opportunity to get close to the African wilderness as you sleep in tents in the outback. It also enables you to see as much as possible, without having to break the bank. Join a large camping group, and you can enjoy a good atmosphere as you listen to the sounds of the wild creatures in the distance before going to bed.
4. What Do You Want to Do?
Another thing you might want to think about is what type of activities you want to take part in while on safari.
You might simply wish to head to Africa to hop in a jeep and see the likes of wildebeest, gazelle, zebra and giraffe graze on the land, or you could opt for some additional excursions that will make your trip one to remember.
Why not consider a walking safari, where you can come face-to-face with some of the wildlife? Or, you might prefer a hot air balloon safari where you can see the impressive landscape from the sky.
Walking safaris are often seen as a more genuine experience to get as close as possible to wildlife in its natural habitat. However, dangers such as unpredictable animals, challenging terrain and the possibility of being isolated from facilities, as well as the impact on wildlife and their habitats can raise questions about the suitability of these. In Africa alone, there are elephants, hippo, rhinos, lions and buffalo who could all take offence at the proximity of people disturbing their peace, but problems are rare and an experienced guide should be able to read any warning signs.
Many walking safaris are accompanied by armed guards who can fire a warning shot to scare off an animal who may attack. Groups are usually restricted to low numbers and some of the more popular national parks do not allow walking safaris. It is better to choose a safari which offers trained, knowledgeable guides who know how to keep the group and the animals safe. Guides experienced in the field will know when elephants could be more volatile such as when their young are nearby and therefore move their group out of harm’s way and cause minimal distress to the animals.
The presence of humans in national parks has brought with it increased problems for wildlife and its habitat so it is important that you are aware of the potential dangers your presence can cause animals. You can help prevent threats to wildlife by ensuring your guide adheres to all restrictions relating to wildlife safaris.
5. What Company to Book With?
The last thing you should do when choosing a safari holiday is make sure that the company you book with is reputable.
You will require guides when out in the wild, so it is important that you are with trained leaders who you can trust. It is also worth researching the tour operator so you can be sure you are getting the best trip for your money.
I recently wrote a guide to the best small group tour operators – most of which offer African safaris. If I was to recommend just one company, it would be G Adventures – the are highly recommended and help thousands of travellers book trips and safaris every year.
