Some of the best places for first-time safaris are national parks like the Kruger and the Serengeti, which are publicly owned areas protected by the government.
The Big Five refers to five of the largest animals that can be seen in certain areas of Africa on safari - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo.
Botswana, Safest Country in Africa for SafariIn addition to being ranked as the safest African safari country, Botswana is also one of the most rewarding safari destinations. Although it is not the cheapest country in Africa for a safari, it is also not the most expensive.
For Kenya, most travel advisories suggest staying away from the country's northern borders with Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan. That said, at present, Tanzania is rated a safer country overall to visit than Kenya. But both countries are really safe for visitors going on safari.
If you're a first-time safari-goer, we highly recommend planning a longer trip to make it well worth your while. As a general rule of thumb about two weeks (or 10 full days minimum) is a good amount of time to properly enjoy your first time in Africa.
Toilet Stops on SafariThis is one of the most common safari questions that we receive. Going to the bathroom while on safari is a little different from going at home. Actually, it's a lot different. Park entrances, picnic areas and lodges usually have bathrooms but on game drives and walks, you 'go' in the bush.
in South Africa, you have a greater chance of seeing a higher density of wildlife in a short time due to fenced-in park parameters, as opposed to Kenya's wilder safari experience. Sabi Sand in South Africa is a prime place for focused sightings for travellers with less time to spend on safari.
For a safari experience, we recommend a safari budget that typically falls between $1,000-$2,000+ per person sharing, per night. This safari budget would include accommodations, meals, internal air and most activities.
Shoulder season — the times between the high season and green season, March to May and October to December — usually offers moderate temperatures and just an occasional storm. This time can be a great option for travelers since this is when you can get better pricing while still enjoying prime wildlife viewing.
If you're a first-time safari-goer, we highly recommend planning a longer trip to make it well worth your while. As a general rule of thumb about two weeks (or 10 full days minimum) is a good amount of time to properly enjoy your first time in Africa.
About Big Four huntingOnce upon a time there was the Big Five, a list of the most dangerous and desirable game animals in Africa: Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Buffalo.