A Beginner’s Guide to Safari

I’ll always remember the primary time I went on safari. It was the spotlight of my first go to to South Africa and if I’m sincere, all I actually wished to do once I acquired right here. I’ve since realized there’s after all rather more to South Africa than simply safari. After dwelling in Cape City for nearly a yr, I’ve actually come to respect the meals and wine tradition, limitless day hikes on provide and weekend escape. However if you happen to’re right here since you are planning your first safari, that is the whole newbie’s information to safari.

Select how to guide your safari

Your first consideration when planning a safari is who to guide with. Africa is among the solely continents on planet earth the place it’s not solely beneficial to guide with a journey agent, however needed. Prior to now, I’ve travelled with corporations straight like And Past, however this yr I selected a full-service company referred to as Ubuntu Journey. That manner you’ll be able to go to just a few totally different camps from varied corporations and get a personalized journey only for you. They may also maintain your inside flights (referred to as bush flights), advise on visas and so they may even get you a greater deal in your worldwide flights.

Select which nation you’ll go to

Your subsequent consideration shall be which nation to go to. Having visited a lot of the nations one considers when planning a safari, I’ll advocate simply my 4 favourites. There are just a few different nations I completely adore that aren’t talked about on this record, nonetheless, if that is your first safari expertise I might advocate one (or two) of the nations listed under.

South Africa

South Africa is the most well-liked selection for first-time safari-goers. The nation is probably the most developed nation in Africa, which makes it really feel like a secure possibility for Western vacationers. That isn’t to say different nations are unsafe – however there are sometimes altering political conditions in different nations that make it much less sure. By way of political stability, South Africa is among the surest bets. But it surely isn’t simply security that makes this nation probably the most interesting to travellers. South Africa additionally has an important meals and wine scene and lots of extra adventures past the safari. Town of Cape City is usually an enormous drawcard for travellers, plus it’s a quick drive from there to the Cape Winelands. South Africa is a good possibility if you need to go on safari, but in addition need to expertise extra.

Botswana

Botswana is my private favorite selection to go on a safari. It has been dubbed the final “genuine safari” as a result of there are fewer crowds and you actually really feel such as you’re within the coronary heart of Africa, relatively than on a tour. Furthermore, there are some nice pure phenomenons to uncover. The flooding of the Okavango Delta is a must-see if you happen to go to within the moist season. Plus the meerkats within the Kalahari Desert are one other nice spotlight.

Tanzania

East Africa is the place you’ll journey if you’re on the lookout for the quintessential “Out of Africa” expertise. In the event you haven’t seen the movie, I extremely recommend you watch it earlier than your journey! My private favorite nation to go to in East Africa is Tanzania, thanks to fewer crowds within the Serengeti (as opposed to the neighbouring Maasai Mara) and the addition of the tropical paradise that’s Zanzibar.

Kenya

That’s not to say I didn’t love Kenya – as a result of I solely did! Kenya is nonetheless one of the vital standard selections to go on safari, which means you’ll typically be joined by many different autos at animal sightings. This makes the expertise really feel rather less private, nonetheless, the Maasai Mara continues to be a giant drawcard.

Know what to Anticipate

Maybe the most effective recommendation I can provide you on your first safari is to know what to count on. Whereas the packing aspect of issues is detailed down under, this rationalization will share with you the standard safari expertise.

The place to land in Africa

Whenever you fly into Africa you’ll land in a capital metropolis earlier than you transit to a smaller plane. This will generally nonetheless be a business plane, however is usually a bush flight which inserts simply 2-6 passengers.

In case you are occurring safari in South Africa, the most effective metropolis to land in is Johannesburg. From there you’ll be able to join to the Kruger Nationwide Park or any one of many close by reserves.

In case you are occurring safari in Botswana, you’ll possible land in Johannesburg earlier than catching a smaller plane to Maun. From there, you’ll catch a connecting bush flight to your safari camp. These flights typically have a number of stops alongside the best way, so be ready for a protracted day of flying.

In case you are occurring safari in Tanzania, you’ll possible land in Dar es Salaam. From there you’ll catch a connecting flight to both Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport. From there, it is going to be a brief buck flight to your safari camp.

In case you are occurring safari in Kenya, you’ll possible land at Nairobi Worldwide Airport. From there you have to to change airports because the home bush flights take off from one other airport about 40-60 minutes away (relying on visitors). From the Wilson Home Airport, you’ll take a bush flight to the Maasai Mara.

Whenever you arrive at camp

With all that flying out of the best way, you might be possible to be jet lagged and barely delirious. Don’t fear, it’s completely regular! However don’t let that cease you from embarking on a recreation drive that night.

When you arrive at camp you’ll meet your information, tracker, plus a few of the service employees. They are going to present you to your room and provide you with a tour across the camp so the place every little thing is.

A typical day on safari

Every day on safari begins at round 5:00am with a get up name and low. Shortly thereafter you may be stepping into your safari car because the solar rises. A morning drive will final wherever between 3-5 hours.

After your morning drive, you may be taken again to camp for breakfast, extra espresso (duh!) and be given time to calm down. I might undoubtedly advocate utilizing this time to take a nap, learn a guide or mirror in a journal about your expertise.

Lunch shall be served round 1:00 pm and I often like to take the time afterwards to calm down by the pool (if there’s one) or whip out my yoga mat.

Afternoon recreation drives depart round golden hour and are available again after darkish, round 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Dinner is served afterwards after which it is going to be time to get some sleep earlier than one other early begin the following morning!

Know what to pack

This is among the hottest questions I get from first time safari-goers. It is necessary to be ready earlier than you journey as you received’t have the option to store when you get there or obtain an Amazon supply!

The necessities

Bug spray, solar display, a hat, sun shades and good strolling sneakers are a should. Additionally, you will need to bear in mind your passport, visas if relevant, journey insurance coverage paperwork and your airplane tickets. Then after all you’ll be able to’t neglect any prescription drugs, your toiletries and skincare regime.

Tech to pack for Safari

As a result of occurring safari is such a as soon as in a lifetime expertise, you don’t need to neglect your digital camera! Don’t neglect to additionally convey further batteries, chargers and in case you have them, binoculars. In the event you’re making an attempt to {photograph} animals from the car, think about investing in a telephoto lens.

Garments to pack for Safari

The trick to packing for safari is to convey impartial colors (khaki, browns, beige) and bear in mind you’ll be able to all the time layer. It may be scorching in the course of the days and drop to chilly temperatures at night time. I might additionally advocate packing two sorts of sneakers. Some cozy closed strolling sneakers (sneakers) and a pair of flip flops or Birkenstocks.

E book your journey with Ubuntu

As I discussed earlier, reserving with a journey agent is important when planning a go to to Africa. They are going to match lodge costs, get you an important deal on airfares and can maintain you when issues go mistaken on the bottom. I travelled with Ubuntu Journey for my most up-to-date safari and never solely would I like to recommend them, I had a lot enjoyable travelling as a part of the group! It made my safari a lot extra enjoyable than earlier solo endeavours.

E book with Ubuntu

A very heat thanks to the staff at Ubuntu and And Past for welcoming me as a media visitor for the rhino conservation journey. All opinions and images are my very own.