An African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime, magical experience like no other. It has all the ingredients of an exciting adventure: the thrill of seeing wildlife up close in their natural habitat, watching game gather at the waterhole from the closeup vantage point of a hide, sitting around the campfire at night and hearing lions roar in the distance, seeing the glinting eyes of hyenas on the fringe of the bush camp in the dark, witnessing the most stunning, dust-infused sunsets in the African bush… and the silence.
it is an experience like no other on earth.
it is an experience like no other on earth.
However, many people may be unsure of just what to expect when going on an African Safari. After all, it’s not exactly like your run-of-the-mill European tour where the itinerary consists of moving from one museum or landmark to the next. This is Africa we're talking about. Is it safe, are the animals dangerous? Will it be something like the Africa that Hemingway wrote about so poignantly in The Green Hills of Africa?
Let’s take a look at what you can expect when going on an African safari:
Safari guides
Every African safari has a knowledgeable tour guide. He is your go-to guy for any questions you may have concerning safety protocols or information about wildlife. These guides are extremely knowledgeable and can provide interesting insights into animal behaviours, often sharing fascinating facts, anecdotes, and stories about wild game.
The guides are skilled, having had to pass examinations to become qualified, accredited tour guides. They play a crucial role in making sure that guests have a safe, enjoyable, and informative experience.
Furthermore, guides are adept at spotting wildlife. They know the movements of the animals, their habitats, and the signs to look out for to locate them during game drives or walks (animal spoor, dung, etc). They also know the African bush like the back of their hand.
Wild animals are dangerous and can be unpredictable, so it’s the responsibility of the guide to make sure that guests are safe and follow safety protocols at all times. Additionally, their job is to deal with any questions or concerns, provide information and assistance, and ensure that guests are comfortable throughout the safari.
What To Expect: A Typical Day on An African Safari
Wildlife Viewing
The biggest attraction for most of us (probably all of us) on an African safari is the chance to see wild animals up close in their natural habitat.
Depending on the location of your safari, you may encounter the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo. You may also see a myriad of other animals, such as giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hippos, a wide variety of antelope species, and countless other species.
Observing these animals up close while on a game drive is a unique and thrilling experience like no other.
Let’s take a look at what you can expect when going on an African safari:
Safari guides
Every African safari has a knowledgeable tour guide. He is your go-to guy for any questions you may have concerning safety protocols or information about wildlife. These guides are extremely knowledgeable and can provide interesting insights into animal behaviours, often sharing fascinating facts, anecdotes, and stories about wild game.
The guides are skilled, having had to pass examinations to become qualified, accredited tour guides. They play a crucial role in making sure that guests have a safe, enjoyable, and informative experience.
Furthermore, guides are adept at spotting wildlife. They know the movements of the animals, their habitats, and the signs to look out for to locate them during game drives or walks (animal spoor, dung, etc). They also know the African bush like the back of their hand.
Wild animals are dangerous and can be unpredictable, so it’s the responsibility of the guide to make sure that guests are safe and follow safety protocols at all times. Additionally, their job is to deal with any questions or concerns, provide information and assistance, and ensure that guests are comfortable throughout the safari.
What To Expect: A Typical Day on An African Safari
Wildlife Viewing
The biggest attraction for most of us (probably all of us) on an African safari is the chance to see wild animals up close in their natural habitat.
Depending on the location of your safari, you may encounter the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo. You may also see a myriad of other animals, such as giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hippos, a wide variety of antelope species, and countless other species.
Observing these animals up close while on a game drive is a unique and thrilling experience like no other.
Game Drives
Most African safaris typically involve game drives, which means riding in a rugged open vehicle specifically adapted for game viewing. Game drives usually take place during the early morning or late afternoon when wildlife is most active.
Walking Safaris
Some safaris offer guided walks as an added attraction, allowing you to explore the African wilderness on foot. In this case, you will be accompanied by one or more experienced (and armed) guides. Going on a walking safari in the African bush is thrilling and exciting, especially when encountering wildlife up close.
Birdwatching
For those interested in birdwatching, Africa is home to a diverse species of birds, making it a paradise for enthusiastic birdwatchers. Many safaris often include birdwatching tours led by a knowledgeable guide to identify the various species and describe their breeding habits, behaviours, etc.
Photography Opportunities
Whether you're a professional photographer or simply enjoy taking snapshots to commemorate your exciting African safari, you will have countless opportunities to capture stunning images of wildlife, birdlife, landscapes - and those glorious African sunsets.
Cultural Experiences
In addition to wildlife viewing, some safaris offer opportunities to interact with local communities and learn about their culture and traditions. This might include visits to nearby villages and seeing cultural performances such as traditional dances, for example, a variation of the Zulu reed dance where young Zulu girls sing and dance, preparing for womanhood.
There are also various opportunities to buy unique handmade African curios such as carvings, woven baskets, masks, and other handcrafted African artefacts.
Adventure Activities
Depending on the location of your safari, you may have the opportunity to participate in additional adventure activities such as hot air ballooning, bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, elephant riding, night game drives, or following the waterways on a mokoro (African canoe) or even gorilla trekking in destinations like Rwanda or Uganda.
Most African safaris typically involve game drives, which means riding in a rugged open vehicle specifically adapted for game viewing. Game drives usually take place during the early morning or late afternoon when wildlife is most active.
Walking Safaris
Some safaris offer guided walks as an added attraction, allowing you to explore the African wilderness on foot. In this case, you will be accompanied by one or more experienced (and armed) guides. Going on a walking safari in the African bush is thrilling and exciting, especially when encountering wildlife up close.
Birdwatching
For those interested in birdwatching, Africa is home to a diverse species of birds, making it a paradise for enthusiastic birdwatchers. Many safaris often include birdwatching tours led by a knowledgeable guide to identify the various species and describe their breeding habits, behaviours, etc.
Photography Opportunities
Whether you're a professional photographer or simply enjoy taking snapshots to commemorate your exciting African safari, you will have countless opportunities to capture stunning images of wildlife, birdlife, landscapes - and those glorious African sunsets.
Cultural Experiences
In addition to wildlife viewing, some safaris offer opportunities to interact with local communities and learn about their culture and traditions. This might include visits to nearby villages and seeing cultural performances such as traditional dances, for example, a variation of the Zulu reed dance where young Zulu girls sing and dance, preparing for womanhood.
There are also various opportunities to buy unique handmade African curios such as carvings, woven baskets, masks, and other handcrafted African artefacts.
Adventure Activities
Depending on the location of your safari, you may have the opportunity to participate in additional adventure activities such as hot air ballooning, bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, elephant riding, night game drives, or following the waterways on a mokoro (African canoe) or even gorilla trekking in destinations like Rwanda or Uganda.
Bungee Jumping At Victoria Falls
Accommodations
African safaris offer a varied range of accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets. The norm is a rustic bush camp with tented accommodation, but many safaris offer luxury stays in upscale lodges with a distinctly African flavour. While some accommodations offer lavish amenities with trained chefs on standby, others focus on providing a rugged and authentic African bush experience.
Many lodges and camps are located within or near game reserves or abundant wildlife areas, so don’t be surprised if you see a warthog or two strolling through the camp, or a hippo wallowing in the local pond!
Safari Cuisine
While luxury lodges may have highly-skilled chefs at their disposal, serving 5-star multi-course meals on pristine linen tablecloths, fare in the rugged tented safari camp deep in the heart of the bush may be more basic and down-to-earth, but delicious, nevertheless.
In a bush camp, dinner is mostly served around the campfire at night, where guests sit around the fire, comparing notes on the wild game they had seen that day, accompanied by a beer or two, or perhaps a glass of wine.
It's often a buffet help-yourself affair, and meat (sometimes game) is usually barbecued on the fire while guests enjoy the firelight and the night sounds of the African bush. And let’s face it, what better, mouth-watering aroma is there than meat barbecuing on an open fire?
A campfire, the thrilling (and perhaps scary) sound of lions in the night, civilization a million miles away, and the pleasure of good company. What else could one possibly wish for?
(For the vegans out there, arrangements will be made to accommodate your preferences.)
African safaris offer a varied range of accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets. The norm is a rustic bush camp with tented accommodation, but many safaris offer luxury stays in upscale lodges with a distinctly African flavour. While some accommodations offer lavish amenities with trained chefs on standby, others focus on providing a rugged and authentic African bush experience.
Many lodges and camps are located within or near game reserves or abundant wildlife areas, so don’t be surprised if you see a warthog or two strolling through the camp, or a hippo wallowing in the local pond!
Safari Cuisine
While luxury lodges may have highly-skilled chefs at their disposal, serving 5-star multi-course meals on pristine linen tablecloths, fare in the rugged tented safari camp deep in the heart of the bush may be more basic and down-to-earth, but delicious, nevertheless.
In a bush camp, dinner is mostly served around the campfire at night, where guests sit around the fire, comparing notes on the wild game they had seen that day, accompanied by a beer or two, or perhaps a glass of wine.
It's often a buffet help-yourself affair, and meat (sometimes game) is usually barbecued on the fire while guests enjoy the firelight and the night sounds of the African bush. And let’s face it, what better, mouth-watering aroma is there than meat barbecuing on an open fire?
A campfire, the thrilling (and perhaps scary) sound of lions in the night, civilization a million miles away, and the pleasure of good company. What else could one possibly wish for?
(For the vegans out there, arrangements will be made to accommodate your preferences.)
Camaraderie
What you don’t read about in safari guides is the wonderful camaraderie among safari-goers when in a group. It’s often a huge part of the fun on a safari. You’re all in this magical alien world and wonderful adventure together. It’s a great bonding experience with perfect strangers. By the end of the safari, you will be firm friends with some of them – sometimes, staying in touch for life.
Oh, those unforgettable safari nights, sitting around the campfire until late at night with your comrades-in-arms. In the African bush together on this amazing adventure, the pungent smell of smoke filling the air, the mesmerizing flames of the fire, and the exotic sounds of the night; crickets chirping loudly, a lion occasionally grunting in the distance, the cackle of a hyena nearby…. It’s the perfect time to discuss the game seen that day, reliving the exciting – and sometimes a little scary – events of the day.
Did we get too close to that herd of elephants? Did you see how the matriarch was glaring at us? I thought she was going to charge! And that lion kill we witnessed this morning? That was like something straight out of a National Geographic documentary! And did you see those crocodiles when we did that river crossing over that low ford this afternoon? I didn’t know they were that big!
And leaving camp on an early morning game drive with the dew still wet on the grass and a low mist hanging over the savannah, and the early morning sun casting long shadows across the valley. And the excited chatter among the group about what animals we might encounter that day. After all, the game ranger in the camp that morning had said that a huge pride of lions had been spotted earlier on the banks of the river two kilometers away… and suddenly, a leopard streaks past the front of the vehicle and everyone whoops with delight, cameras clicking madly.
“Did you see that? Did you see that leopard running past? If I had blinked, I would have missed it!” And that would make another wonderful anecdote around the campfire that night
The camaraderie among the group on an African safari. It’s such an important part of the experience.
Final thoughts
An African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's an adventure that connects you with nature and the wild animals that roam free on this amazing continent in a profound and unforgettable way. It's an adventure like no other, the adventure of a lifetime.
What you don’t read about in safari guides is the wonderful camaraderie among safari-goers when in a group. It’s often a huge part of the fun on a safari. You’re all in this magical alien world and wonderful adventure together. It’s a great bonding experience with perfect strangers. By the end of the safari, you will be firm friends with some of them – sometimes, staying in touch for life.
Oh, those unforgettable safari nights, sitting around the campfire until late at night with your comrades-in-arms. In the African bush together on this amazing adventure, the pungent smell of smoke filling the air, the mesmerizing flames of the fire, and the exotic sounds of the night; crickets chirping loudly, a lion occasionally grunting in the distance, the cackle of a hyena nearby…. It’s the perfect time to discuss the game seen that day, reliving the exciting – and sometimes a little scary – events of the day.
Did we get too close to that herd of elephants? Did you see how the matriarch was glaring at us? I thought she was going to charge! And that lion kill we witnessed this morning? That was like something straight out of a National Geographic documentary! And did you see those crocodiles when we did that river crossing over that low ford this afternoon? I didn’t know they were that big!
And leaving camp on an early morning game drive with the dew still wet on the grass and a low mist hanging over the savannah, and the early morning sun casting long shadows across the valley. And the excited chatter among the group about what animals we might encounter that day. After all, the game ranger in the camp that morning had said that a huge pride of lions had been spotted earlier on the banks of the river two kilometers away… and suddenly, a leopard streaks past the front of the vehicle and everyone whoops with delight, cameras clicking madly.
“Did you see that? Did you see that leopard running past? If I had blinked, I would have missed it!” And that would make another wonderful anecdote around the campfire that night
The camaraderie among the group on an African safari. It’s such an important part of the experience.
Final thoughts
An African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's an adventure that connects you with nature and the wild animals that roam free on this amazing continent in a profound and unforgettable way. It's an adventure like no other, the adventure of a lifetime.