Different types of African Safari
African safaris come in various shapes, offering a range of experiences to cater to different preferences (special wildlife or birding interests) and budgets, each offering a unique opportunity to explore the continent's rich wildlife, landscapes, and cultures.
Here are some common types of African safaris:
Traditional Game Drives
This is the classic (and most popular) safari experience, where visitors embark on guided tours in open vehicles through national parks, game reserves, or private wildlife conservancies. Game drives typically take place in the early morning or late afternoon when wildlife is most active, providing opportunities to see a diverse range of animals in their natural habitat.
Here are some common types of African safaris:
Traditional Game Drives
This is the classic (and most popular) safari experience, where visitors embark on guided tours in open vehicles through national parks, game reserves, or private wildlife conservancies. Game drives typically take place in the early morning or late afternoon when wildlife is most active, providing opportunities to see a diverse range of animals in their natural habitat.
Image: RobbReport
Walking Safaris
Walking safaris offer a more immersive experience, allowing safari-goers to explore the African bush on foot accompanied by experienced (and armed) guides. This type of safari focuses on observing smaller wildlife and learning about tracking techniques. Walking safaris are sometimes included in traditional game drive safaris as an additional activity.
Walking safaris offer a more immersive experience, allowing safari-goers to explore the African bush on foot accompanied by experienced (and armed) guides. This type of safari focuses on observing smaller wildlife and learning about tracking techniques. Walking safaris are sometimes included in traditional game drive safaris as an additional activity.
Image: Travel & Leisure
Fly-in Safaris
Fly-in safaris involve travelling between different safari destinations in small aircraft or helicopters, allowing safari-goers to access remote areas that may be inaccessible by conventional road transport. This type of safari is also suitable for exploring diverse landscapes and wildlife habitats within a limited timeframe.
Mobile Camping Safaris
Mobile camping safaris involve moving a tented camp from one location to another, typically in semi-permanent tented campsites. This allows visitors to experience genuine rugged African bush camping while exploring different areas within a particular wildlife reserve or national park.
Fly-in safaris involve travelling between different safari destinations in small aircraft or helicopters, allowing safari-goers to access remote areas that may be inaccessible by conventional road transport. This type of safari is also suitable for exploring diverse landscapes and wildlife habitats within a limited timeframe.
Mobile Camping Safaris
Mobile camping safaris involve moving a tented camp from one location to another, typically in semi-permanent tented campsites. This allows visitors to experience genuine rugged African bush camping while exploring different areas within a particular wildlife reserve or national park.
Image: Viator - Budget Safaris
Luxury Safaris
Luxury safaris cater to travellers who want a high level of comfort, service, and home-from-home amenities during their African adventure. Accommodations range from luxurious lodges and tented camps (glamping) to exclusive private villas, offering gourmet dining, spa treatments, and personalized safari activities.
Luxury safaris cater to travellers who want a high level of comfort, service, and home-from-home amenities during their African adventure. Accommodations range from luxurious lodges and tented camps (glamping) to exclusive private villas, offering gourmet dining, spa treatments, and personalized safari activities.
Photographic Safaris
Although all African safaris offer ample opportunities for amateur and professional photographers alike to capture stunning images of wildlife, landscapes and cultures, dedicated photographic safaris are specifically designed for photography enthusiasts and professionals, ensuring great photo ops. On these safaris, the guides will maximize photographic opportunities.
Specialized Safaris
These are tailor-made safaris, specializing in specific interests, such as birdwatching safaris, photographic safaris, gorilla trekking safaris (in Rwanda and Uganda), horseback safaris, and cultural safaris focused on experiencing local traditions and customs.
Although all African safaris offer ample opportunities for amateur and professional photographers alike to capture stunning images of wildlife, landscapes and cultures, dedicated photographic safaris are specifically designed for photography enthusiasts and professionals, ensuring great photo ops. On these safaris, the guides will maximize photographic opportunities.
Specialized Safaris
These are tailor-made safaris, specializing in specific interests, such as birdwatching safaris, photographic safaris, gorilla trekking safaris (in Rwanda and Uganda), horseback safaris, and cultural safaris focused on experiencing local traditions and customs.