Want to go on safari but not sure where to go?

September 15, 2023
9:55 am

Okay, and firstly this is a big question, Africa is a very large continent with so many fantastic options for safari that a ‘one size fits all policy’ absolutely doesn’t apply. One thing is for sure, Africa has a safari destination that suits all tastes, and the joy of safari is so overwhelmingly amazing that everyone should experience this, even if it is just once.

There are a number of factors that are particularly useful to take into consideration when trying to narrow the destination choices down. The key initial things to consider are the following:

When do you want to travel?

This is one of the most useful things to know when we are making suggestions. Because Africa is so vast different countries within the continent have different seasons at different times of year. For example, weather in Tanzania is generally considered best between June and September whereas these times of year are winter in South Africa where you will see much cooler weather and rains. Another thing to bear in mind is that travelling outside of peak season can bring a number of benefits so perhaps consider travelling in the ‘shoulder season’. If you are completely flexible with the time of year, then we can make suggestions based purely on your interests.

What do you want to see?

This may not seem like an obvious question but if you have a desire or interest in seeing particular animals this is really useful to know. For example, if you wanted to see rhino then we would suggest South Africa or possibly Namibia because the rhino populations are particularly strong there whereas these are less common in other areas of Africa. If you wanted to see as many elephants as possible then Tarangire or Ruaha in Tanzania, or Chobe in Botswana would be particularly brilliant. If it is wild dog then Nyerere in southern Tanzania or leopard then the Kruger comes to mind. If birding is of interest then perhaps the floodplains of the phenomenal Okavango Delta would delight.

There are so many areas in Africa that offer fantastic overall wildlife viewing that also provide specialist or particular interest wildlife that it is possible to combine most interests.

Do you want to combine a safari with another destination, beach for example?

Another thing to think about is whether you want to enjoy a pure safari experience or include an add on destination. Thankfully you are spoiled for choice with some of the most incredible additions available including the picture-perfect beaches and incredible marine life of the Zanzibar Archipelago working very well for a Tanzania safari combination. The modern and beautiful Mauritius being a fine pairing with South Africa and Namibia and the mighty Victoria Falls works particularly well with a visit to Botswana and also Namibia and South Africa. Although logistics are a consideration, with everything that we do being completely tailor-made, it is possible to mix any destination with another and include any add on highlight with any country so don’t let traditional combinations dictate what you want to see or where you want to go.

What cost are you comfortable investing into your experience?

Another crucial element of any safari is the overall cost, which differs considerably between different destinations and countries. For example, the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the feature of so many wildlife documentaries, are some of the best places on earth to enjoy the magic of safari. Because of this acclaim, and the incredible ever-present wildlife, these destinations carry a higher cost. If you are prepared to self-drive then South Africa and Namibia are particularly rewarding for wildlife at a much lower cost on account of avoiding costly light aircraft flights and making your own way between destinations. Having an idea of the sort of cost that you are comfortable with is very useful, so it is worth bearing this in mind.

What is the best country in Africa for safari?

This is such a big question because what might be the best experience for one person another might not enjoy. This is where our tailor-made and unbiased suggestions, based on your likes and wants, really make the difference between an okay safari and the wow factor experience that you will remember for a lifetime. If we were forced into making a choice, then Tanzania would probably stand at the top of our hitlist but, like being asked to choose your favourite child, it really is very hard to say!

What to do now?

Once you have had a think about all of the above then getting in touch with us for an informal chat about accommodation suggestions, wildlife experiences and destinations within the country, or countries, that you are interested in is very useful. Based on your thoughts and ideas we will then design your tailor-made holiday which can then be tweaked as many times as needed until everything is perfect, just for you.

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