10 Tips For Your First Safari

Going on a safari is a dream for many travellers, as it offers a unique opportunity to witness the beauty and diversity of wildlife in their natural habitat. However, planning a safari trip requires more effort than a typical holiday, as it involves several factors that can affect your experience. Having recently gone on a winter safari in East Africa, I can affirm that it was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. In this article, I will share my top tips for your first safari, so you can make the most out of your adventure.

Tip One

Your daily itinerary will be in sync with the sun's natural cycle, which means that early mornings and early bedtimes are required. To ensure you make the most of your time, your knowledgeable guides will provide you with the best meeting times for the following day. Being flexible and heeding their advice will be crucial to ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Tip Two

It would be wise to pack some long-sleeved pyjamas for your trip to East Africa during the winter season, which falls between June and September. While the daytime temperatures may be warm, it's important to note that the nights can be quite chilly. Don't get caught off guard without proper attire for the cooler evenings.

Tip Three

When it comes to choosing accommodations, the quantity of lodges you opt for can significantly impact the quality of the vehicle at your disposal throughout the day. During our stay at the wonderful Kichwa Tembo camp by &Beyond and the outstanding Elsa's Kopje by Elewana Collection, we were delighted to find ourselves with open-sided 4WD vehicles. These vehicles, apart from offering enhanced visibility, also provided exceptional photography options without any obstructions in every direction. It's also worth mentioning that the mini-bar in our lodgings was fully stocked for our convenience. Delightful!

Tip Four

When planning a safari, keep in mind that many destinations can be difficult to reach. Additional transportation is often necessary, either by car or light aircraft. Overland safaris are cheaper but involve love bumpy drives, while fly-in fly-out safaris are faster but more expensive. Consider your budget and time when deciding which option to choose.

Tip Five

This leads me to explain that Lightaircrafts often don't always follow their schedules. We experienced many on the day time changes as companies assess their routes daily depending on their customer's location and crew availability. There were many times that we has to stop off at multiple other landing strips so this does mean taking off and landing on repeat to collect and drop off other passengers before heading to your destination.

Tip Six

Get used to going to the loo outside. Game drives can be anywhere between 1.5 - 5 hours and there are no public toilets out in the wild so you'll have to go for scenic wee right at the back of your 4WD.

Tip Seven

You don't always need the room upgrade. With a morning and afternoon drive your day on a safari doesn't necessarily give you enough time to enjoy much time in your room so paying for an upgrade isn't always essential. That being said pick a lodge with a beautiful outdoor pool for some swim time in between outings.

Tip Eight

Make sure you have a professional camera. We all love an iPhone because they're small, easy to use and do a great job capturing most moments however wild animals are not necessarily that close so professional cameras with a long lens are essential when out on your drive.

Tip Nine

Tipping culture is big. In luxury lodges, you will often be allocated a game driver, wait for staff and housekeeper for your room so they can get to know you and standards can be consistent. They will never ask for a tip but it is polite and custom to tip at the end of your stay, often in cash.

Tip Ten

Your bags must be a maximum of 15kg. Yes, we are all used to luggage allowance but a safari trip takes it to the next level only allowing 15kg for everything you are carrying including a handbag, checked bag and camera equipment. Luckily most lodges offer complimentary washing so you don't need to pack as much as you think.

Going on a safari can be a life-changing experience that requires careful planning and preparation. By considering the different factors that can affect your trip and following the tips of experienced travellers, you can make the most of your safari adventure and create unforgettable memories. So, start planning your safari trip today and get ready to witness the beauty and wonder of the African wilderness firsthand.

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