How to Choose the Right African Safari for You

At least a dozen elephants stood on a hillside amid Aberdare National Park’s dense greenery, a few bathing themselves in water from a nearby fall while the others grazed lazily. Later that afternoon, we caught sight of a spotted hyena seemingly grinning for our cameras, then set out on foot to see zebras and giraffes wandering among acacia trees.

It was my first ever trip to Africa—a 10-day safari through Kenya that included a visit to its legendary Maasai Mara, home to one of the largest concentrations of wildlife on the planet—and one that ended up being everything I was hoping for, and more. 

Kenya is home to some of the earliest safaris. It was also once a favorite filming location of Hollywood elite, who brought its vast savanna and majestic wildlife to the big screen through films like Out of Africa and King Solomon’s Mines. However, it’s just one country in a continent of many.

Africa: Ample Adventure Opportunities

Africa comprises 54 countries, some sporting slow-moving water bodies brimming with hippopotamuses and crocodiles, others with long-tailed primates found nowhere else on Earth. By specializing exclusively in nature travel, we at Nat Hab are well-versed in providing personal, close-up wildlife encounters while limiting our impact on these fragile places we treasure.

However, choosing just the right trip can be tricky for our travelers. Whether it’s two weeks of game drives through storied parks and reserves or river meandering aboard a private boat, followed by a visit to the world’s largest salt pan, where black-maned lions thrive, each of our Africa-based trips puts its own spin on the word “safari.” Ultimately, it all depends on what you’re looking for. 

For instance, Kenya often tops the list for a traditional safari adventure. It’s also home to the great wildebeest migration, in which 1.5 million wildebeest, 400,000 zebra, 12,000 eland and 300,000 Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles embark on a round-trip trek across the plains—from Tanzania to Kenya—following the seasonal rains. Not every visitor to Kenya gets a chance to experience this jaw-dropping natural wonder, though it’s the focus of our eight-day Great Kenya Migration Safari trip.

Still, many travelers prefer the mix of wildlife, coastal landscapes, and culture that you’ll find in South Africa or would like something a little more off the beaten path, such as a trip to Botswana or Zimbabwe. In recent years, a lot of travelers I know have made a beeline for Namibia, lured by its otherworldly landscapes—including Sossusvlei, a stunning salt and clay pan surrounded by towering red dunes—and rare desert-adapted wildlife. 

When it comes to choosing the right safari for you, how do you even start? 

Asking the Right Questions 

Before beginning to research the scope of African wildlife trips, think about the wildlife you hope to see. Is it the continent’s coveted “Big Five,” which includes lion, buffalo, elephant, rhino and leopard, that you’ve set your sights on? Countries such as Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe each offer good chances for spotting this famous quintet (just remember that nothing is guaranteed!).

Or maybe watching gorillas in their natural habitat has always been at the top of your wishlist. If so, Nat Hab hosts trips to Uganda and Rwanda, each of them countries where populations of these great apes thrive. 

A good way to think about an African visit is by putting yourself in the shoes of travelers to North America. First-timers to the U.S. often stick with coastal areas such as California and New York City (i.e., places that are the epitome of what they’ve seen in movies and on TV) and then head to more specialized locales on later visits. 

Travelers who are making their inaugural trip to Africa may want to consider something like Nat Hab’s 14-day Pride of East Africa: Kenya & Tanzania, which showcases four legendary nature preserves, including Tanzania’s iconic Serengeti, renowned for its large lion population and Kenya’s fabled Maasi Mara, another stop on the trip. For those who’ve already been on an African safari, something more specialized—like a 16-passenger luxury riverboat across the waters of Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba or a new itinerary exploring Botswana during the green season, when newborns abound—might be ideal. 

Consider Your Personal Travel Style 

Along with the kinds of things you’re hoping to experience and the types of wildlife you’re longing to see, remember that your personal travel style should also come into play. Are you someone who prefers spending the night in rustic camps and snuggling up with hot water bottles for warmth, or is a bit of luxury more your speed? Is the chance to photograph wildlife up close on guided walks and dugout canoe excursions something that you find especially appealing? Nat Hab hosts excursions covering all of these bases. 

Current Fitness Level

Nat Hab’s Uganda Gorilla Tour requires an ability to trek through rainforests for anywhere from 15 minutes to eight-plus hours, searching for mountain gorillas. Not only can the terrain be uneven and strenuous, but the weather is often quite humid and rainy. Know your fitness level and plan accordingly. 

Fellow Travelers

Think about who you’ll be traveling with. Is this a solo excursion or a family trip composed of your in-laws, grandparents, and kids? If it’s the latter, Nat Hab’s 10-day Family Botswana Adventure is geared toward multiple generations, with opportunities for a village visit, a walking safari in the company of local Kalahari bushmen and a privately guided tour of Victoria Falls. 

Nat Hab also offers the choice between small-group and custom trips. Our small group adventures, averaging just nine travelers, have set departures and planned itineraries, so the footwork has already been done for you. Custom trips allow for more flexibility, such as the chance to arrange a private safari guide or tack on a trip to, say, Tanzania’s lesser-known Ruaha National Park for some highly coveted birdwatching.

Length and Time of Travel 

Nat Hab’s small-group African safaris range from eight days to nearly three weeks. We also offer a range of add-ons, like four days in South Africa, experiencing the coastal beauty of Cape Town, hobnobbing with the penguins of Boulders Beach, and sipping Cabernet Sauvignon in Stellenbosch, the heart of the local wine region, or a trip to northern Tanzania’s seldom-visited Tarangire, the “Baobab Capital of the World.” There’s also the option of back-to-back trips, transforming an unforgettable African safari into an even deeper delve. 

You should also consider the time of year you intend to travel. The African continent generally experiences its wet season between October and March and its dry season from June through August. However, the Maasai Mara has a different rain pattern than the rest of Kenya, which drives the migration. July through October is the best time to catch this incredible show. 

Narrowing it Down 

Once you’ve determined just what it is you want—and need—from an African safari, it’s time to start perusing the various trip itineraries and deciding what’s the best fit for you. 

Nat Hab’s Africa trips are divided into East Africa safaris, Southern Africa safaris and photography adventures (ideal for amateur and pro picture takers alike). Along with details on day-to-day excursions, accommodations, departure dates, and prices, each itinerary has its own “Know Before You Go” section providing pertinent info on local weather and climate, what to pack, and regional wildlife.

There’s also a section on conservation initiatives so that you can see the various organizations Nat Hab is partnering with in each specific area, and a bit of trivia to test out your wildlife knowledge. Tips on trip highlights—for example, one of the main draws of Nat Hab’s 13-day Madagascar Wildlife Adventure is “Lemurs, lemurs, and more lemurs!” while our Great Namibia Wildlife Safari offers the rare opportunity to track endangered desert rhinos on foot—are another great feature. 

Nat Hab itineraries also have traveler reviews. Read them and get to know what other travelers’ liked most. Finally, Nat Hab has a roster of in-house safari experts ready to assist. They can give you the lowdown on which safari vehicles different camps use (say, Landcruisers with pop-top roofs as opposed to open-sided 4WDs) and what trips provide a better chance of seeing leopards, hornbills, and warthogs in the wild.

Check out all of our Africa adventures and start planning your dream safari today!