How To Choose the Best Safari for You

A safari is often a once-in-a-lifetime journey, which means it needs to be right for you. There is no single “best” safari, only the one that best matches your travel style, interests and comfort levels. From ultra-luxury tented camps to family-friendly lodges, from classic Big Five game drives to walking safaris and river cruises, the choices are endless.

Here are the key things I recommend you consider when choosing your perfect safari.

1. Start with your “why”

Before you get lost in lodge names and locations, come back to the simple question: why do you want to go on safari?

Common “whys” I hear from clients:

• “We want to see the Big Five and feel like we’re in a nature documentary.”
• “We want an intimate, boutique experience with beautiful food and wine.”
• “We’re a family and need something safe, fun and educational for the kids.”
• “We love photography and want time and flexibility for that perfect shot.”
• “We want to combine safari with a beach stay or a city break, like Cape Town.”

Once we are clear on your “why”, we can narrow down:

• The right country and region
• The style of lodge or camp
• The best time of year to travel
• The kind of activities that will suit you

2. Choose the right destination for your style

Africa is incredibly diverse. Different countries and reserves offer very different experiences. Here is a high-level overview to help clients understand the feel of some of the most popular options:

East Africa (e.g., Kenya, Tanzania)

Ideal for: Iconic, cinematic safaris; vast open plains; the Great Migration at certain times of year.

Feel: Classic “Out of Africa” landscapes, big skies, huge herds of wildlife. Often combines well with beach time in Zanzibar or the Kenyan coast.

Southern Africa (e.g. South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia)

Ideal for: Varied experiences; high-quality lodges; excellent guiding; great for first-timers and repeat visitors.

Feel: From the lush wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the dramatic deserts of Namibia and the winelands and coastline of South Africa.

Within each country, different reserves and parks have their own character:

Private reserves often have fewer vehicles, more flexible game drives, and a greater sense of exclusivity.

National parks tend to be larger and can feel wilder, but can also be busier in peak seasons.

This is where tailored advice matters, because the “best” location for a honeymoon couple may not be the “best” for a multigenerational family.

3. Decide what level of comfort and style you want

“Safari camp” can mean many things: from simple tented camps with fire buckets and lanterns to ultra-luxury suites with plunge pools and butler service.

One is not better than the other; it is about what suits you. Things to think about...

Accommodation style:

Authentic tented camp, lodge, or a mix of both?

Intimate bush camps with a handful of tents vs larger lodges with more facilities?

Comfort level:

Do you like a bit of rustic charm, or do you prefer high thread-count sheets and air conditioning?

Is a private plunge pool, spa or gym important to you?

Atmosphere:

Quiet and romantic, ideal for honeymooners?

Sociable with shared dining and a “campfire” feel?

Family-focused with kids’ activities and flexible meal times?

Clients often love the idea of being “in the wild” but also want good food, comfortable beds, and reliable hot showers. It is perfectly possible to have both.

When I recommend camps and lodges, I match the level of comfort to what you would normally enjoy on holiday, so the experience feels magical but not intimidating.

4. Clarify your priorities: wildlife, comfort, budget, or exclusivity?

On safari, there are some natural trade-offs. It helps to be honest about your top priorities. For example:

Wildlife density and sightings

If your dream is to see the Big Five and predators such as lions and leopards, we will focus on areas known for strong concentrations of game and excellent guiding.

Privacy and exclusivity

If you want to avoid crowds and vehicle traffic, we might look at private reserves or more remote areas, where you may see fewer vehicles but enjoy a much more exclusive feel.

Level of luxury

Do you want high-end design, fine dining, and a wine cellar, or are you happy with simpler, comfortable accommodation as long as the wildlife experience is superb?

Budget

Safaris range widely in price. Park fees, quality of guiding, remoteness, and number of guests all influence the cost.

A slightly smaller number of nights in a superb, well-located camp can sometimes be a better value than more nights in a less productive area.

Working through these priorities with you helps ensure we invest your budget where it matters most to you.

5. Choose the right time of year

There is no single “best” time for safari, but there is often a “best” time for your goals. Key things to consider:

Weather patterns

Dry seasons often mean thinner vegetation and animals congregating around water, which can make wildlife easier to see.

Green seasons can be incredibly beautiful, with dramatic skies and fewer visitors, but wildlife may be more dispersed.

Migration and seasonality

Iconic events, such as the Great Migration, move throughout the year. The exact timing varies and can never be guaranteed, but we can aim for the best windows.

School holidays

If you are bound by school dates, we can look at which regions work best during those times and which to avoid due to extreme heat, heavy rain or crowds.

Planning around the seasons is something I take very seriously, because the same camp in a different month can feel like a different world.

6. Understand the activities on offer

A “safari” is not just about sitting in a vehicle. Different areas and lodges are licensed to offer different activities, so it is important to match these to your interests and comfort level. Possibilities include:

• Morning and afternoon/evening game drives
• Guided bush walks (age and fitness permitting)
• Boat safaris on rivers and lakes
• Mokoro (canoe-style) trips in certain wetland areas
• Night drives (where permitted)
• Photographic safaris with specialist guides
• Conservation-focused experiences, such as learning about anti-poaching work or tracking with researchers

I also ensure that any suggested experiences respect animal welfare guidelines. That means no elephant riding or bathing, no attractions with captive dolphins or whales, and no activities that involve handling, feeding or having close-contact photos with wild animals.

A good safari should feel immersive and respectful, where wildlife is observed at a safe distance and on its own terms.

7. Think about who you are travelling with

A solo traveller, a honeymoon couple and a family with young children will all experience the safari differently. Some things to consider:

Families

• Minimum age restrictions may apply for certain lodges, game drives or bush walks.
• Some lodges offer fantastic family tents or interconnecting rooms, flexible meal times and dedicated activities for children.
• Safety is key, so I ensure the lodges I suggest take this seriously and are suitable for the ages of your children.

Honeymooners and couples

• You may want smaller camps, private dinners, outdoor baths or showers and rooms with a bit of distance from other guests.
• If you are combining safari with beach or city time, we can plan the pacing so you have the right balance of adventure and relaxation.

Multigenerational trips

• It helps to choose lodges with a variety of room types and communal spaces, and perhaps a private vehicle so you can enjoy activities together at your own pace.

8. Understand what is included

Safari pricing can look high at first glance, but many options are very inclusive once you are in camp.

Typical inclusions at many lodges and camps may be:

• Accommodation
• Most meals and often drinks
• Daily game activities (such as game drives and sometimes walks or boat safaris)
• Park or conservancy fees (in some cases)

It is important to be clear on:

• What is included and what is extra
• Whether park fees or conservation levies are paid separately
• Whether premium drinks, spa treatments or certain activities carry a supplement

I always break this down clearly for my clients so you can compare options fairly and understand the true value of what you are getting.

9. Consider how you get there and get around

Travel time is a key part of your experience. Some camps are accessible by road transfer, others via light aircraft, and some by a combination.

When planning your safari, I will look at:

• The international flights that best suit your schedule and preferences
• Whether short internal flights will save you valuable time and energy
• How to minimize backtracking and long travel days, especially with children
• How to build in rest days or relaxing stops such as Cape Town, the Winelands or an Indian Ocean beach

A well-designed itinerary should feel like a smooth journey, not a logistical puzzle.

10. Work with a dedicated safari specialist

Online research and glossy photos can be inspiring, but they rarely tell the full story:

• How busy does this park really get in August?
• Is this lodge genuinely child-friendly, or just “accepts children”?
• Which areas are best avoided at certain times of year?
• Is the focus on quantity of sightings or quality of guiding and fewer vehicles?

This is where working with a dedicated Travel Counsellor really makes a difference.

I take the time to:

• Understand your interests, comfort levels and budget
• Explain the pros and cons of different regions and seasons in clear terms
• Handpick lodges and camps that fit the experience you are looking for
• Arrange all the logistics, transfers and details so you can simply enjoy the journey
• Provide support and peace of mind before, during and after your trip

Ready to start planning your safari?

The perfect safari is deeply personal: the right wildlife, the right atmosphere, the right level of comfort and the right pacing for you.

If you would like help choosing the best safari for you, I would be delighted to design a completely tailor-made itinerary, from the first idea to the final sundowner in the bush.

Contact me today to start planning your African safari adventure, or for an informal chat about which safari experience would be best for you.