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In planning our African safari, we were inundated with information, some of which was contradictory or not very clear. There are a number of national parks in Southern Africa that offer a safari experience, but selecting the right safari option was a real challenge for us. Now, fresh back from our trip to South Africa, we’re sharing our experiences on how to plan a safari.

To plan your safari, you need to answer a few basic questions:
1. Which park or nature reserve do you visit?
2. What type of safari will you do?
3. How will you book your safari experience?
4. How do you arrange the transfers?
5. Which time of year should you go?

 Our expert tips on making it a seamless process:

1. Know When You Want to Go

In Africa, timing is everything. Most of the continent’s best safari experiences depend entirely on naturally occurring factors, like seasonal rainfall. This means that having preferred travel dates will make a big difference to your itinerary – you don’t want to be in the Serengeti when the millions of wildebeest are already mowing down fresh grass in the Masai Mara!

Knowing how many days you want to spend in Africa and at what time of year is very important information to have when you start planning your itinerary. Not only will this influence what you’ll see and experience, it also has a big impact on your budget. If your safari goal is a seasonal event, it is likely that the best places to experience it will be booked up well in advance, which means you want to know the ideal travel dates as soon as you start planning. 

2. Know Where You Want to Go

Start with having a specific goal for your safari. Maybe you’ve dreamt of seeing gorillas since you were a child, or witnessing Victoria Falls in full flood, or seeing all the Big 5 in the wild. What animals or experiences are at the heart of your dream safari? The answer will more than likely help determine your ideal destination.

Ask your travel consultant:

• Where is the best place to see the animal you most want to see?
• Where is the best place to experience what interests you the most?

When you have a primary destination and rough travel dates, you can explore which attractions and experiences combine well with your goal. This is the main reason we curate and publish tour packages and itinerary ideas

Part of our service is to make sure your journey is tailored around your unique travel wishes and concerns. For example: if you’re travelling with your young children or elderly parents, celebrating a special occasion, use a wheelchair or dietary requirements, or simply prefer private residences to hotels – we tailor your itinerary around your needs and preferences.

If you don’t yet have a specific safari goal, we recommend that you do a little research to find out what really interests you. A good source of inspiration and advice is our weekly newsletter – sign up for it here.

3. Have a Budget Estimate

An African safari is not an inexpensive holiday. Even though there is a wide range of available itineraries and travel styles, there are a lot of logistics involved in going on safari in Africa. It’s also worth keeping in mind that safari lodges must deliver excellent service, food and accommodation in very remote destinations – and that costs much more than delivering the same standard of comfort in a big city.

4. Know Your Travel Style

Your travel style is a matter of personal preference and influenced by the people you intend to travel with, your budget, and the time you have available for your vacation. If your budget is limited, you’ll want the most affordable options. If you have limited time, you’ll want the most efficient travel logistics.

Which One of These Travel Types Do You Prefer?

Tailor-made Trips:

Our tailoring service doesn’t cost you anything extra – it’s the value you get when you book through Africabooking. Our Safari Experts match your wish-list, preferences and budget to the most suitable accommodations, activities and locations, and make sure you get the best value for your time and money.

Private Tailor-made Trips:

Perhaps you're planning a romantic honeymoon or want to travel with young children? If you want a completely private experience with features like your own dedicated guide, exclusive-use safari vehicle or private helicopter transfers, then chat with your  Safari Expert about the options.

Set Departures Dates:

These safari experiences start and end on fixed dates during the year. This type of travel includes luxury train journeys and mobile safari expeditions (such as following the Wildebeest Migration in East Africa). The rest of your itinerary can still be tailor-made to your wishes.

5. Choose an Established Travel Agent