African Safaris – the Trip of a Lifetime.

Well here we are again, this time I’m going to cover Africa, and we’re going to cover adventure holidays. I think that an African safari qualifies as one of those lifetime events. We may return to our favourite cities like Paris or New York, but for most this is a once in a lifetime trip.

Whether you’re on Safari in Africa, seeing the Galapagos, watching the northern lights, sailing down the Nile on an archeological tour or experiencing the Antarctic via an expedition ship, you don’t have to rough it to experience any of it!

So let’s talk African Safaris – covering what I see as the 8 core countries to experience The Big 5 (Lions, Buffalo, Elephants, Rhinos, Leopard) with some offering the added bonus of Gorillas, glorious red sand deserts, hippos, alligators, Mount Kilimanjaro and Victoria Falls.

If you’re looking to travel alone, as a couple or for group bookings, contact me and I’ll work to put together an package for you. See my How It Works page for details.

African Safaris

So let’s start with an African safari. There are several countries to choose from, but for me I automatically think Kenya/Tanzania or South Africa. However, there are several countries that offer these experiences. In brief, each one offers something different, so it depends on what you are looking for.

Botswana: Peak season is April to October
Botswana offers pristine wilderness, they have the best model for low-density tourism. There is a brilliant private concession system where there are typically just 2 to 3 safari camps with exclusive rights to tens of thousands of acres.

Kenya: Peak season is July to October during the Great Migration
Kenya offers the classic safari experience – where it all began. And if you’ve ever watched any kind of African nature documentary, they have the Masai Mara Game Reserve. And it remains the most prolific area for big cat viewing and arguably the best game viewing overall. Seasonally the already top wildlife viewing is augmented by a portion of the great migration.

Namibia: Peak season June to October
Namibia has some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa with the Namib desert pushing against the cold Atlantic ocean coastline. The Skeleton Coast is one of the most desolate and remote places on earth, and the red sand dunes at Sossusvlei are truly a sight to behold. Generally speaking Namibia is best for its scenic landscape, remote wilderness adventures and wildlife specialties like tracking black-rhino or searching for desert adapted elephant.

Rwanda: Best time to go Gorilla trekking any time – permit needed.
Rwanda is most known for wonderful gorilla trekking and that is the driving force for the bulk of tourism. Gorilla trekking is definitely one of the pinnacle wildlife experiences. Rwanda has the best logistics for high quality gorilla trekking, and because it is a very small country it is possible to get a lot of flavor for the place during a 2 to 3 night stay to focus on the gorillas.

Uganda: Best time to go June to September – permit needed for gorilla or chimpanzee trekking.
Gorilla trekking is the driving force of tourism in Uganda as well as their excellent chimpanzee treks making this the ultimate country for safari focused on great-apes. Between Bwindi (where the gorillas are) and Kibale (where the best chimp viewing is) lies Queen Elizabeth National Park so it is usually included as well, to see general game for those doing both gorillas and chimps. 

Zambia: Best time to go June to November
Zambia is often referred to as The Real Africa. Of course all other safari areas are very real too, but Zambian safaris are rightfully distinguished by the expedition of old adventure that they deliver under the care of exceptional guides, in out of the way wilderness areas teeming with wildlife. South Luangwa National Park is the birthplace of walking safaris. It is a rare treat to walk in areas where animals are habituated to humans on foot. In Lower Zambezi National Park river activities add to the adventure, with canoeing and power boating. Game drives can be exclusive with very few vehicles in the areas. Night drives are extremely good in the Zambian parks as well.

Zimbabwe: Best time to go for Victoria Falls February to May
Zimbabwe is best known as the home of Victoria Falls, and that remains its biggest attraction. Many safari goers to Botswana and/or South Africa add on Victoria Falls but do nothing else within Zimbabwe. Safari insiders know that Zimbabwe is legendary for its guides. Zimbabwe has the most stringent guide exams, much of it focused on walking.

South Africa: Best time to visit is May to October
The best place for safari is in private reserves adjacent to the Kruger National Park. This is without a doubt the easiest quality area in Africa to see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), and often times you may see all 5 species in a single day. And the premier location to see leopards. The lodging tends to be very upscale walled chalets, and tented camps are few. It is common for lodges to have internet connections, gyms, and spas to use between game drives.

A safari means different things to different people, I’m all about the Big 5, but you may want your own Gorillas in the mist experience, or you’re all about the stunning landscape. Whatever your reasons, Africa has it all.

Looking to book? Remember, I’m here for all your luxury travel needs.

Because each share truly helps me out, please consider sharing!
Thanks – Maria