African Safari Travel Guide

A day on safari is a unique experience that feeds your soul from sunrise to sunset. In this article, we highlight what you can expect.

Experience heart-pounding intensity one moment, followed by long stretches of searching the landscape for wildlife the next. All this is intertwined with quality downtime in some of Africa’s most luxurious and unique accommodations.

An African safari is unpredictable, with experiences that offer panoramic views of plains or rampaging herds, often at the same time. The following guide covers what a day on safari is like, illustrating how each may be similar in design, but with experiences that differ.

Botswana is one of the most desirable safari destinations in Africa and in this article we highlight seven reasons you should choose the country for such a vacation.

Waterways, vast desert pans, and dense forests are alive with wildlife, presenting an opportunity to discover Botswana’s fascinating topography and treasures.

The diverse landscape lends itself to drama and the range of options means the Botswana safari circuit is ideal for mix-and-match game escapes. Here, explore the reasons to consider Botswana for a safari.

The seven reasons to choose South Africa for your safari demonstrate how the country pairs miles and miles of outstanding wilderness and game reserves with sensational natural beauty.

Remarkable national and private wildlife parks and reserves deliver quality safari experiences that include sightings of the Big Five, a plethora of other game, and incredible birdlife.

As one of the best safari destinations in Africa, with breathtaking scenery, idyllic lodgings, and the opportunity to combine city and beach escapes, every kind of traveler can find and pair the ambiances they desire when choosing the country for a safari.

Synonymous with outstanding safari experiences, Tanzania boasts diverse landscapes and huge numbers of wildlife, and below we highlight 10 reasons you should choose the country for such an adventure.

Witnessing wildlife in famous and lesser-known game reserves and national parks is the highlight of such a trip, as is the Swahili tradition and culture found in every one.

Discover a variety of ways to enjoy your safari, from luxury lodges to humble fly camps. With the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar close by, enhance your experience by creating a bush and beach vacation that will leave you with lasting memories.

When one thinks of an African safari, immediately a vision of vast open savannahs, dramatic scenery, and a plethora of wildlife as far as the eye can see comes to mind, all just a few of the reasons you should choose Kenya for your safari.

The country is captivating year-round, with specific sightings prominent at certain times of the year and highlights such as the Great Migration a definite pull. Immerse yourself in Swahili culture as you get to understand this rich heritage, learn the Maa language from the Masaai, and indulge in cuisine with Arab, Indian and African influences.

A bustling capital city connects one to wildlife, with savannas, forests, lakes, and mountains forming a breathtaking and biodiverse landscape. Feast your eyes on the majestic Mt Kilimanjaro from one of the best viewpoints ever. All this makes Kenya the perfect place to safari and below we highlight why.

The continent of Africa hosts the perfect honeymoon destinations for those looking to embrace adventure, safaris, history, and beach experiences with a romantic twist. You are invited to embrace incredible insight into the natural beauty of hidden landscapes, welcome local culture, and witness breathtaking wildlife.

Elusive mythology captivates every visitor along the rolling sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, while historical trade routes reflect the combination of culinary traditions from India, Europe, and the Middle East. The continent has no end to the exciting, surprising, and majestic destinations for a unique honeymoon year-round. The following list offers a few top destinations for a unique and unforgettable honeymoon in Africa.

The Great Migration in Africa is one of the greatest wildlife shows on Earth and we share where travelers can experience the spectacle, when to visit Africa for the Great Migration, how to see it, and the best time to book for it.

From the thundering sound of pounding hooves to the endless sea of parading wildlife, the wildebeest migration across the African savannas, bushveld, and plains is an unforgettable highlight of an East African safari that falls within the prime migration time. With smart planning and our travel advice, you can ensure a front-row seat to this extraordinary wildlife performance.

Discover the best places to view the migration, the right time to plan your trip, and more with our ideas of how to get the most out of your Great Migration experience in Africa.

The thrill of an African safari is perfectly complemented by a relaxing beach break, and these seven African safari and beach holidays present the ideal combination of “beach and bush.”

The excitement of game viewing and lodge hopping gives a sense of being on the move, taking in unique sights, sounds, and experiences. Unwinding on a white-sand beach or at a remote seaside location after a safari or before offers the opportunity to reflect on the previous experience or prepare for the adventure ahead.

Showcasing two aspects of a destination, these African safari and beach holidays share inspiration for your adventure.

With your itinerary set and your tickets purchased, you may be wondering what to bring on an African safari. The following 12 tips will help answer some of those questions.

Questions such as how much luggage to take and what type of clothing and colors are appropriate for the bush? How much money will I need at the destination and what do I need to know about interacting with locals are just a few thoughts to work through as you prepare and pack.

Many online packing guides complicate matters with a seemingly endless list of “essential” items. This can be an issue when confronted with the luggage weight restrictions of light-aircraft flights to remote destinations or the logistical challenges of packing too much. Here is a simple guide on what and how to pack.

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.

Anyone looking to embark on an African Safari has heard the term “The Big Five,” but not everyone has heard of the “Little Five.” The Big Five are often the highlight of an African safari, and earning more about these animals and their place in the savanna is an essential part of any safari experience. Your knowledgeable guides will aim to take you on the adventure of your life as you discover the wonder of these incredible animals and so many more.

An Africa adventure doesn't start and end with a safari, and the six things to do in Africa beyond safari boast colorful, charming, and unique experiences that you can enjoy.

With over 10,000 miles of coastline, resplendent snowy mountains, vivacious cities, indigenous tribal lifestyles, and stunning marine life, each destination revels in its own sense of vibrancy and authenticity. From meeting with local communities to diving deep into the grandeur of untamed nature, venturing to a mountain peak or lounging on a white-sand beach, you can find endless surprises when in Africa.

No matter the kind of experience you prefer, you can create an elegant addition to a safari itinerary to uncover how much more there is to your Africa trip.

The coastline along sub-Saharan Africa boasts pristine sands to inviting shores, and the five finest beaches you can visit during your Africa trip will complement the dramatic interior landscape, wildlife wonders, and most memorable experiences.

The beaches can range from indelibly tropical, fringed by coconut palms and postcard panoramas to epic in scale with forests and mountain backdrops that feel guarded by the natural habitat. From fine sands to warm waters, broad boulders to curling waves, the beaches across the continent are diverse and mesmerizing.

Spending time on an African beach can immerse you in the beauty of the Indian Ocean coastline for the perfect way to accentuate your adventure as you explore or unwind under the African sun.

Africa is truly intriguing, with cities and towns waiting to be discovered and a certain uniformity regarding the vibrancy, unique character, and charm in each of the top 7 cities and towns you should visit during your trip to the continent.

While some African metropolises have grown skywards, many have expanded outwards, creating a collection of villages and suburbs set in urban gems. Main streets buzz with a sense of organized chaos, while local traditions take precedence in rural areas.

From towns seemingly off the beaten path to cities nestled below mountains or on a coastal curve, Africa’s cities delight visitors with bustling market places, monuments, and museums that pay homage to their past, with authenticity a key component of any African itinerary.

The African continent is full of incredible natural wonders, from breathtaking canyons to copper sand dunes, the roar of a thundering waterfall to mighty mountains that you can discover during your trip to Africa.

It is easy to feel like you have been transported to a fantasy land, as Africa compels visitors with dynamic natural creations that beg to be explored, blending picturesque scenery with ultimate experiences such as safaris and city escapes.

These unique destinations are regular parts of an African itinerary, with famous lakes providing serene days, while tumultuous rivers offer unique adventure. Here are six natural African wonders that are not to be missed.

The inventory of safari destination types can be baffling and understanding where to safari requires knowing what each park and reserve has to offer.

National parks, private concessions, conservancies, and private game reserves, the options are all fantastic, yet come with key differences. National parks are a country's flagship protected areas, filled with unrivaled animal abundance, while national conservation areas see wildlife and locals coexisting.

Private concessions lie within a national park, belonging to an area's broader ecosystem, and a private game reserve is smaller and standalone, offering fewer restrictions on activities and proximity to animals, and a more intimate safari.

The inherent idiosyncrasy of safari is fueled initially by the diversity of Africa's landscapes and habitats that you can explore during your African safari.

Wild, untrammeled, redolent, vivid, the African landscape creates canvases of eclectic spectacles that extend in a variety of directions, showcasing a patchwork of colors. Open landscapes allow you to see more of the wildlife quickly on the horizon. Closed habitats offer a more hidden wildlife view. Find a salt pan that blinds nature's antiquity or a tangled forest scarred by rumbling elephant herds, a mammoth baobab tree, or the babble of snaking waterways.

Understanding the habitat is essential for what you will see and the intimacy of your experience when on safari, which will brim with infinite possibilities.

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.

From Mount Kilimanjaro to the wild trails of the Great Rift Valley and the breathtaking views from atop Table Mountain, Africa is crisscrossed by a series of intrinsic mountains, trails, and hiking expeditions.

Many African countries display a unique range of towering mountains that set the scene for a dramatic landscape or form the backdrop to cities, game parks, or lakes, and all offer an opportunity to hike, admire from afar, or even sleep under the stars.

Whether embarking on one-day excursions with primates or ten-day treks into the clouds, there are a few rocky masterpieces that stand out and discovering any of them will leave adventurers truly reaching for the stars.

Thousands of miles of African coastline offers breathtaking beaches, colorful coves, and magnificent marine life to give you exceptional diving or marine experiences when visiting the continent. The cool Atlantic merges with the warmer Indian Ocean unveiling a dynamic underwater world.

From diving with great white sharks to swimming with dolphins and watching whales breach in a deep blue sea, the ocean and its inhabitants offer adventurers an unforgettable experience above and below the water.

Certain sites and experiences stand out when it comes to diving, snorkeling, and general marine-life wonders, and we want to share some of Africa’s gems with you.

Planning your dream safari experience can be challenging and knowing there is someone to walk you through each step, from the initial, introductory conversation about your safari destination right down to the last detail, is a great comfort.

Safari experts are dedicated to working with you to create your ultimate travel experience, listening to your desires, offering sound advice about parks, reserves and styles of accommodation, and ensuring good communication is adhered to at all times.

Trusting someone in the know will ensure your safari planning process goes smoothly. Here are some key reasons you should consider booking with a travel specialist.

An African safari is one of the world's greatest adventures and several components play a role in determining the cost of your African safari.

Understanding your priorities allows you to maximize your budget and creating your customized adventure with a safari expert will ensure you gain the most from this truly remarkable adventure.

From when to safari to where, the following information will guide you on which factors impact cost as you prioritize what is ideal for your journey.

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 your 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.

Explore the world with Zicasso and work with a top travel specialist to bring your dream vacation to life. The world overflows with wonders to explore and the sheer number of choices is exciting.

Our primary goal is to make the planning, booking, and traveling process easy and enjoyable as you create the vacation experience you want most. No matter where you go and what you do, Zicasso can help you experience the best of travel without the stress.

Working with our destination experts you can plan a trip to anywhere in the world and suit your travel style. Using insider knowledge of your chosen destination, itinerary ideas, and planning strategies, your chosen  Zicasso travel specialist can guide you through the following three steps.