Best African Safaris Tours and Holiday Packages 2022
African safaris involve taking journeys into the wilderness of Africa and spending some quality time viewing different game species. In summary, literally, any trip into the wilderness of Africa to see wildlife is a safari, although it sometimes also includes other activities such as community visits, bird watching, and many others. The word safari is literally a Swahili Word that means “journey” and definitely not a trip for the khaki-clad bushwalkers as most people perceive it.
In general, African safaris are about undertaking adventure and outdoor activities, experiencing different African cultures, touring historical sites and sightseeing as well as visiting breathtaking places and natural wonders. Also, the majority of the African safaris involve overland trips with opportunities of exploring destinations by road (with fly-in trips being an option). National Parks and Game Reserves are the main natural highlights of these safaris with the most popular ones being Masai Mara National Reserve of Kenya, Serengeti National Park of Tanzania, Kruger National Park of South Africa, Etosha National Park of Namibia, and Chobe National Park in Botswana.
Notable types of African Safaris
As earlier mentioned, African safaris come in different types that include;
Game drives
Game drives are undeniably the staple activity for African safaris and involve driving through savannah National Parks and Reserves on-board pop-up roof vehicles. In most cases, these drives are accompanied by an expert Park guide for 3-5 hours to search and identify the different games of the African Wilderness. The Highlights of most game drives are lion pride, leopards, cheetahs and other predators in addition to elephants, giraffes, and antelopes. Game drives are totally different from wildlife viewing in zoos because animals are not stationed in one place and therefore travellers have to drive through game tracks to find them.
Primate trekking safaris
Primate trekking tours can also be undertaken during African safaris and mainly involve tracking gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys among others. Of the many Primate destinations in Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar offer more organized primate trekking safaris.
Walking and hiking safaris
Walking and hiking safaris usually offer more insight into the natural habitat of animals, breathtaking views as well as birds, and involve walking in the company of an expert guide as well as an armed escort for protection against unexpected animal attacks.
Cultural safaris
Africa is a melting pot with breathtaking cultures and for every country or safari destination visited, be sure of discovering exceptional ways of life, traditional dishes, cultural dances, and tools used.
Birding Safaris
The African Continent is one of the most outstanding destinations with diverse vegetation ranging from the semi-arid, open sweeping savannah plains, Tropical rainforests to the mountainous ecosystems. These places are wonderful habitats for over 2500 bird species that include about 66% that are endemic to the beautiful Continent of Africa. Learn More
Family Safaris
A number of African destinations make it possible to enjoy family safaris, with numerous child-friendly activities.
Other exceptionally rewarding types of African safaris are Eco safaris, horseback safaris, culinary safaris, safaris for seniors, cycling safaris, mountaineering safaris, historical safaris, photographic safaris, sport fishing safaris, canoeing safaris, whale watching safaris, helicopter tours, and many others.
Popular destinations for African safaris
Almost every part of Africa is capable of offering a remarkable safari experience but the most popular ones include;
South Africa safaris
Most South Africa safaris lead to the popular Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant Park, Cape Town, KwaZulu-Natal ad Garden Route among others.
Kenya Safaris
The existence of Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo National Parks, Lakes Nakuru, and Naivasha as well as Samburu Game Reserve among others makes Kenya safaris magical.
Botswana Safaris
How boring can a Botswana safari get without visits to Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi, Okavango Delta, Kalahari, and Moremi?
Uganda safaris
For memorable Uganda safaris, just make sure that places like Murchison Falls National Park, Jinja, Bwindi Impenetrable, Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Parks don’t miss on your bucket list.
Namibia Safaris
Your Namibia safari will lead to Etosha National Park, Windhoek, Namib Desert, Fish River Canyon, and Swakopmund among others.
Tanzania safaris
Unforgettable Tanzania safaris don’t miss out on Serengeti National Park, Zanzibar Islands, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Selous Reserve, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Lake Manyara National Park.
Zambia Safaris
The breathtaking Victoria Falls, Livingstone, South Luangwa, and Kafue National Parks shouldn’t miss on your bucket list for Zambia safaris.
Other thrilling African safaris worth exploring are Malawi Tours, Zimbabwe safaris, and Madagascar Tours among others.
Cost of African safaris
The overall cost of African safaris is determined by a number of factors that include the destination visited, chosen activities, accommodation type, transport means, number of people undertaking the trip, and also the number of days you are planning to spend during the African safari. A budget gorilla safari can actually cater for a midrange wildlife tour for the same number of days because prices are likely to sour up to $1500 for the gorilla permit alone for Rwanda.
Where to stay during African safaris
Places to stay during African safaris are as many attractions as you will encounter. The beauty about safari destinations is that they have a wide range of facilities for all categories of travelers (budget, midrange, and luxury) in form of Tented Camps, Safari Lodges, Hostels, Hotels, Resorts, and Campsites.
When is the best time to go on African safaris?
The best time to go on African safaris largely depends on the country or safari destination, although these safaris are conducted all year round. In whatever country you are visiting, the dry season is wonderful for game viewing when vegetation is scarce as well as fewer watering points that attract animals to quench their thirst.
Packing List for African safaris
Your packing list for the African safari depends on your personal experience and activities to undertake but the bottom line is packing comfortable, breathable, lightweight clothes of neutral colors, sunglasses, journal, comfortable shoes, sandals, medication (rehydration, pain-killers, anti-diarrheal medicine, cold/flu tablets, and anti-malarial tablets), toiletries (dental floss, sanitary towels for female travelers, conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm, face moisturizer, tweezers, sunscreen, and lip balm), first aid kit, camera, underwear, cotton socks, rain jacket, hiking boots, lightweight daypack, safari hat, universal travel adaptor, insect repellant, sunglasses and flashlight among others.