Tips for Planning an African Safari

If you are looking for a unique and memorable vacation, a luxury safari should be at the top of your list! It’s the perfect mix of romance, luxury, relaxation, and adventure.

Mornings and evenings are typically spent on game drives spotting the local wildlife leaving your afternoons and nights free to relax and soak up the gorgeous surroundings of your luxury safari camp or resort.

Here are some of our top tips for planning an unforgettable safa in Africa…

Plan to Splurge

This is absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, and if ever there were a time to splurge on top-notch plans, this is it! I guarantee you won’t regret it.

While the price tag on your safari vacation may seem a bit steep, it’s important to understand what is included. Most safari lodges and camps are relatively all-inclusive.

Your nightly rate includes game drives, activities, meals, snacks, drinks, and assorted other amenities. You’ll want to be sure to budget extra for gratuities for your service staff as well as for extra indulgences such as spa services.

Trust me when I tell you this is one vacation that is worth every penny!

Prepare for luxury!

Many people are surprised to learn that a safari can be the ultimate example of luxury. They have a preconceived notion that going on safari is synonymous with “roughing it” and while that is certainly an option if that is what you enjoy, many of the safari lodges and camps we work with are the epitome of 5-star elegance and luxury.

From top-notch service to fine dining and gracious and sumptuous accommodations, you’ll be blown away by the experience.

A safari lodge or game lodge will typically feature more resort-like amenities while a luxury tent camp is often the ultimate experience that feels entirely authentic.

The primary differences between a safari camp and a safari lodge tend to be the size (lodges, in general, are bigger), amenities, and of course having four solid walls around you! Don’t let the name fool you; there are tent camps available that are almost decadent in their level of luxury!

Photo ©andBeyond

Choose your adventure

Your African vacation doesn’t have to be all-safari-all-the-time. Africa has so much to offer that it’s the perfect destination for all sorts of interests and experiences.

I often recommend that my South Africa safari clients begin with a few days in Cape Town giving them time to relax and unwind a bit. With beautiful beaches, spectacular scenery, fantastic dining, and a vast assortment of cultural experiences, it’s the perfect start to your vacation. If looking at East Africa, Micato Safaris  has you spend a few nights at the Fairmont Norfolk, the quinteseential pre safari hotel in Nairobi and you have lunch with the owners at their home before setting off.

The highlight of your trip will likely be your days on safari!

 I usually recommend that my clients plan to visit more than one safari lodge or camp as the experiences and wildlife can vary significantly from one location to the next. 2-3 nights in each is usually just about right. This gives you a chance to experience the unique eco-system in the area thoroughly and to enjoy the amenities of the camp or lodge without feeling rushed.

The destinations for your safari camps will usually be determined by what type of wildlife you hope to see, the time of your visit, and what else you have planned. Planning your African vacation is a bit likeputting together a puzzle… we want it to be picture-perfect, but if we aren’t careful, you’ll spend too much time traveling from one location to the next and won’t have time to relax and enjoy the journey.

After the adventure of your safari, you can round out your trip with a few days of relaxation at one of Africa’s breathtaking beach locations.

Seychelles, Mozambique. Zanzibar and Mauritius are popular beach destinations that can easily be combined with a safari (once again, this requires careful planning to make sure your destinations are easy to travel between!). Ending your travels with a few days of picturesque serenity will ensure you return home refreshed and relaxed.

Enlist the advice of an expert

Africa is one destination where the help of an expert travel consultant is invaluable!

From selecting the right location, the right time to see and experience the things you want to see, the perfect accommodations, the proper documentation, and the ideal safari guide, you’ll appreciate having someone “in-the-know” taking care of the details.

Not only can a travel consultant ensure that your trip goes off without a hitch, but he or she can also recommend and arrange some extraordinary experiences you may not have otherwise considered.

Imagine a private sunrise hot air balloon ride over areas of the game reserve not accessible by car – watching herds of animals running below you as the sun peeks over the horizon.

Or a private picnic on Honeymooner’s Beach on North Island (where the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge honeymooned).

 You can also adopt an orphan elephant and visit them at the David Sheldrick Trust in Nairobi. Your expert travel advisor can make it happen!

Ready to experience a luxury African safari for yourself? It all starts with a personalized vacation consultation. Click here to request a time for us to meet. We’ll discuss the details and what you are looking for. We’ll give you our suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan an unforgettable safari experience.