An African Safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows you to get up close and personal with Africa's most exotic wildlife. If you're planning on going for an African safari holiday, here are a few things to get you started:
Africa's best safari destinations
Many African countries offer safari, but Tanzania, Kenya and Botswana are the three best African safari destinations.
1. Tanzania
Tanzania is Africa's best safari destination, with key attractions including:
- The Serengeti
- Ngorongoro
- Tarangire
- Great Migration (Oct - Jun)
Tanzania is also home to Mt Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, chimpanzees and much more, making it the best place for your first African adventure.
2. Kenya
Kenya offers the best great migration safaris in Africa and is home to the some unforgettable safari parks, including:
- Masai Mara (best Jul - Sep)
- Amboseli
- Tsavo
- Sambura
- Lake Nakuru
- Nairobi National Park (excellent for rhino and single day safaris)
3. Botswana
Botswana offers a unique safari experience with jeep, boat, canoe, and cruise options. Botswana safaris tend to be a little more expensive, but are also more unique. Botswana's best safari parks include:
- Okavango Delta
- Chobe National Park
Best time of the year to safari
Time of year depends on which country you want to safari in. Here is a guide to help:
- East African (Tanzania & Kenya)
- Best between July - September or January - March.
- To avoid the crowds, visit in June or March. Avoid August.
- Southern African safari (Botswana, South Africa & Zimbabwe)
- Best between May - October.
- To avoid peak season pricing, visit in late April or in late October.
As a general rule of thumb, temperatures across Sub-Saharan Africa are very pleasant, mostly ranging from 10 - 20 degrees Celsius in winter and 20 - 30 degrees in summer.
How much does a safari cost?
African safaris can range from:
- Budget: USD$200 - $400pp/day
- Mid-range: US$400 - $800pp/day
- Luxury: US$1,000+pp/day
Pricing is highly dependent on:
- The number of people in your group
- More people help cover fixed costs like the safari jeeps (approx. US$300 - $500/day).
- Time of year
- Peak season accommodation pricing is often 2 - 4 times higher than low season.
- The length of your safari
- Destination
- Cheapest: South Africa
- Best game viewing: Tanzania & Kenya
- Most unique: Botswana is aimed at the luxury market and is more expensive than most other destinations.
We hope this information was useful, and if you would like to know more see
our comprehensive guide to going on a safari in Africa.
Alternatively, book a consultation with a safari expert to start planning your trip...
