African Safari Travel Guide

Ideally located along Africa’s East Coast, Tanzania offers a world of exploration and is a destination to consider for your safari. 

Safaris and game adventures are the key focus for any visitor, with various options in location and opportunities to appeal to all safari inclinations. Famous game parks give way to lesser-known reserves, with Swahili tradition found throughout every property. 

With fantastic safari options complemented by the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar, you can create a safari vacation that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

The uniqueness of Botswana is what makes it one of the most desirable safari destinations in Africa.

Mystic waterways, vast desert pans, and dense forests are alive with wildlife charm, and there is much to explore. This experience can be described as a truly unforgettable, varied, once-in-a-lifetime type of adventure. The diverse landscape lends itself to drama in the bush, and the range of options means the Botswana safari circuit is ideal for mix and match game escapes.

Explore the many reasons to consider Botswana for your safari vacation.

You have booked your dream African Safari and now find yourself staring at your travel bag, wondering what to pack. How much do you need to take with you? What type of clothing and what colors are appropriate for the bush?

Packing your suitcase for a safari adventure can be intimidating, and many online packing guides complicate matters with a seemingly endless list of essential items. This can be challenging when confronted with the luggage weight restrictions of light aircraft flights to remote destinations. Here is a simple guide to show you not only what to pack but how.

Botswana embodies an effortless spirit of the wilderness and luxury, with some of the most incredible wildlife destinations on the planet and several must-see destinations. 

The humbling natural beauty presents scenes ranging from stark desert beauty to thickets of acacia trees down to the winding waters of the Okavango Delta. Exclusive safaris, adventurous exploration, and unforgettable wildlife encounters, Botswana is the ideal playground for any safari-seeker. 

The following information will help you understand and create your perfect Botswana safari.

Taking your family on an African safari offers all ages the opportunity to embrace nature and wildlife by the most incredible means imaginable.  These seven tips will help you think through the many details to build a foundation for your safari experience.

The idea may seem both exciting and, at first, a little daunting as you start to plan. From picking where to go to how long your journey should be to safety and comfort concerns, planning this vacation perfectly is key.

These tips will prepare you to work with your safari specialist to create an African safari vacation that you will never forget.

The thrill of an African safari is perfectly complemented by the relaxing escape of a beach break, presenting the ideal combination vacation of “beach and bush.” The excitement of game viewing and lodge-hopping can give one a sense of being busy, taking in sights and sounds and experiences somewhat unique and unprecedented. Unwinding on a white sandy beach or remote seaside location after a safari or even before, offers the opportunity to either reflect on the safari delight just experienced or provide the time and space to prepare for the adventure ahead. Two aspects of a destination’s highlights, two incredible and unforgettable journeys.

An African safari is defined by the properties you select. Most travelers have an idea of what they hope to see on a game drive, but few anticipate the quality and variety of safari accommodation available. Across the continent, African safari accommodations tend to exceed expectations. Lodges and camps are not just a place to sleep, but “art galleries in the bush,” boutique spaces that inspire and enchant with African influences and touches that cannot go unnoticed. There are three options for the luxury safari traveler, and good reasons to try them all.

With so many properties and regions to select from on safari, some consider a few days spent a luxury tented camp an essential experience. Classic luxury under canvas, set in secluded and idyllic locations on safari, would best describe a luxury tented camp safari.

A step up from a safari lodge and more luxurious than a mobile camp, this level of accommodation stands out as unique and exquisite. Mostly built on a solid foundation, perhaps solid walls, the high-ceiling, spacious roomed luxury tents offer a different viewpoint to the surrounding bush and are a popular choice with safari-goers.

There are many options to consider when it comes to where to stay on safari, and a game lodge most certainly provides the luxury and comfort to be expected on this type of journey. Most game parks and reserves will offer lodge-style accommodations only, splendid hotel-style establishments that blend with their surroundings, and offer service and facilities you would expect to find at any high-end hotel.

Ranging from small and intimate to large and expansive, lodge options vary in size and facilities to offer guests the perfect blend of style and safari in Africa.

With many properties to choose from while on safari, a mobile tented camp is perhaps the most unique. Adventure-seekers looking for something different while out in the bush may consider spending time in the remote wilderness on a mobile camping safari.

Lodges and luxury tents that stand permanently in place in a safari park or reserve may be more popular choices for where to stay on safari. Still, the freedom of moving from park to reserve or simply being set up in an intimate group in a remote location draws the attention of safari-goers everywhere.

Travelling between safari destinations can be as short as a light aircraft lodge hop or a days-long journey through the savanna, and how you choose to move between destinations can be a true highlight of your trip.

Journeys are a huge part of the African experience, elevated from functionality to memorable parts of a vacation. For some unique locations, getting from point A to B may be by humble boat, though most are by light aircraft or game drive. Africa is always an adventure, embracing the popular mantra that travel is as much about the journey as the destination.

South Africa is incredibly diverse, and the best time to visit will vary based on the goals of your trip.

No matter when you travel to South Africa, you will have a memorable and completely different experience. Situated among the majestic wildlife and fascinating landscapes, witness leopards near the water holes or discover hippos bubbling in the river or escape to the coast or savor the best of the South African Winelands.

The following information is your guide to planning your ideal South African safari vacation.

South Africa is a wild and wonderful destination for wildlife and offers one of the world’s most comprehensive safari experiences. The wide variety of animals in close proximity creates an unparalleled, intimate experience, whether witnessing the Big Five or enjoying the sensational views of the landscape from the comforts of your lodge. 

From big cats to antelopes, the diverse range of wildlife only captures the natural beauty enhanced by the dramatic setting. For optimum game viewing, consider the cooler months of May through September for your safari, and here are just some of the wildlife you may encounter during your South Africa safari.

South Africa is the embodiment of drama and diversity, and these must-see destinations display them both. 

With unparalleled natural reserves and breathtaking scenery, one moment you can be immersed in the wonder of the “Big Five” and find yourself just hours later in a cosmopolitan city. Discover sights and sounds never before experienced with both wildlife and winelands, both towns and tides. 

This list of our must-see destinations is an insight into what awaits you on your vacation to South Africa.

Tanzania has become a stalwart safari destination for a reason, and there are several ways to determine the best time to visit for your safari. 

As the second-largest country in East Africa, the idyllic setting between the western mountains and eastern Indian Ocean coastline reflects a fantastical landscape perfectly suited for hosting majestic wildlife and breathtaking beach escapes. 

While Tanzania is perfectly pleasant year-round, knowing that you can have a completely different experience at different times of the year will help you figure out when is best for your visit.

Tanzania has a vast and varied wildlife showing off some fan favorites and introducing several less-known animals that call the national parks home.

The idolized photos of a safari only begin your story with unique landscapes, captivating culture, and wildlife abundance completing the script. Witnessing animals in large herds or spotting the elusive species hiding in the bush, any sighting is sure to thrill.

The following article can guide you on the wildlife you may encounter in Tanzania, from predator to prey.

Kenya is a prime safari destination with abundant wildlife, dynamic scenery, and incredible safari experiences. 

When one thinks about the word safari, an image of classic khaki and colonial lodgings in the great African country of Kenya often comes to mind. With great predators and epic herds traveling during the Great Migration, it feels as though the entire landscape wakes and heaves with the call of the wild.

Kenya is exciting and captivating year-round, with highlighted sights and sounds present at various times. From savannas to forests, lakes, and a cultural experience like no other, Kenya is the perfect place to safari, and below are some of the reasons why.

Kenya is a land of abundant wildlife and dynamic scenery, making it a prime destination for unparalleled safari experiences. 

With great predators and epic herds traveling during the Great Migration, it feels as though the entire landscape wakes and heaves with the call of the wild. Kenya is a fascinating and dazzling place to visit year-round, but the different seasons can affect your experience. 

Use the information below to help you navigate your perfect Kenya safari.

Kenya’s stirring must-see landscapes conjure the perfect image of an African safari with an epic setting of calderas and mountain ranges divided by the majestic Great Rift Valley. 

The topographical diversity quickly immerses you in the relative harmony of the natural world, impressive lakes and throngs of wildebeest thundering across the plains during the Great Migration. Kenya's colorful coastline compliments the browns and greens of the safari savannas and forest and makes for the perfect beach and bush combination. 

Any safari in Kenya is an unparalleled experience, and there are several must-see destinations you can enjoy during your trip.

While all safari destinations will deliver an outstanding experience, South Africa should be considered a top contender. 

An African Safari is a unique and exciting experience with safari parks and reserves located throughout Southern and East Africa. With many incredible options to choose from, narrowing it down to just one park or lodge can be challenging let alone which country. 

Here are a few reasons to consider South Africa for your safari vacation.

Kenya offers an exceptional experience of abundant wildlife, stirring landscapes, and is home to a wide variety of fascinating and incredible animals. 

When you imagine the beauty of a safari, you are most likely thinking of Kenya. As the savanna stretches endlessly to the horizon, the snow-capped mountains straddle the equator, and the harsh desert terrain seems a world away from the lush setting of the Great Rift Valley. 

The variety of animals and wildlife is yours to explore, and these animals listed below are just the beginning.

Knowing your budget is an essential component of any trip planning process. Whether the sky's the limit or you have specific parameters, Zicasso is here to help you set our priorities in planning to maximize your investment. Your interests and preferences on a couples trip will differ from a family-friendly vacation, while a highlights tour will result in wildly different experiences than one designed to take you off the beaten path. There are three steps in considering the costs of your trip, as a customized vacation that has been designed for you allows maximum flexibility with your spending.

You can book a trip with Zicasso to nearly any destination in the world. Our goal is to make the planning, booking, and travel process easy and enjoyable as you create the experience that you want most. The world overflows with wonders, and the sheer number of choices is exciting. Your decision to work with a destination expert on where to go, how to get there, and how long your trip should be simplifies your planning process significantly.

There are three main considerations to planning your trip: