What is an African Safari Like? (Is it Worth it?)

Last Updated on January 30, 2023 by Rose Morah

My husband and I are frequent travelers. We have in the past traveled to many different destinations. But most destinations felt so similar. This dared us to switch it up this year and go on African safaris.

So, what is an African safari like? An African safari has an incredible experience. The safari was like nothing we ever did before. We ended up traveling around Africa and went on different amazing safaris.

We went on safari in Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

This article explains what it’s like to go on a safari by breaking it down into the following segments:

Is an African safari worth it?
The best tips that I learnt from experience when planning and going on an African safari.
My best safari moments.

Is an African safari worth it?

Yes. An African safari is totally worth it. But to get the best out of your safari experience, you will have to do proper planning and pack right. Planning right includes choosing the best time of the year to go on a Safari.

Checkout: Best Time For An African Safari in Kenya.

Planning and packing are essential for a successful safari. If you’re a lady planning to go on an African safari, we have shared the ultimate women’s safari packing list.

You should also check out our article on what determines the cost of a safari to help you decide whether or not it is worth it.

5 things you should know about an African Safari

I will give you the best tips that I learned on our safaris to help you get a clear picture of what to expect on an African safari and get the best out of it.

1. Safaris aren’t cheap

If you plan to go on a safari, then be ready to spend more on your trip. This is because many factors affect the pricing.

Personally, I realized that when booking safaris through the local tour companies, I mostly end up saving and get the best experience.

Also, take note that you only get what you pay for!

This means that you get to pay for the level of service level you want on your trip. For example; You want more comfort on your trip? You will have to dig a bit deeper into your pockets.

2. Tailor your own itinerary

Tour companies usually have their own safari itinerary. However, this does not mean that you have to go with what they have.

But you can also make your safari experience the best before you tick off your bucket list.

So, do your research and know what you would like to see or experience on your trip. Then ask your company to tailor your package.

We realized that our package was very similar to what we had on our Tanzanian safari during a different safari destination in Zimbabwe.

So, after sharing more information about what we wanted to achieve by the end of the trip and which animals were a must-see, they agreed to tailor the package based on our preferences. This literary transformed our whole safari experience!

3. Invest in good binoculars

In the beginning, during our safari rides, it felt like we were hunting down animals just to see them. Well, at times, you could spot a lion from a far distance. But most of the time, it would be impossible to get a clear view of it.

If you own a good pair of binoculars, a good rule of thumb is never to leave them behind. Or, be sure to invest in good binoculars.

Additionally, if you are traveling during the low season when it is predominantly wet and the grasses are long, binoculars will improve your safari experience immensely. You will have a better view of the wild animals from a safe distance.

What are the features of good binoculars?

Personally, I have been using this binocular for a year now and have had a great experience on my safaris.

4. Choose your Safari Guide wisely

In most safaris, your tour guide is also your driver. The choice of your safari guide can make or break your safari.

If you are traveling on a budget, you may cut down on other extra services but make sure you pay for a great tour guide.

A good safari guide has a lot of experience and is well trained. This makes them incredibly smart and assures you of a better, if not an incredible trip.

From experience, during the safaris that we took with experienced safari guides, I recall seeing more wild animals, including all the Big 5. The guides also gave us great tips for enjoying an African safari.

I should also point out that, on our first safaris, we did not focus more on getting the best safari guide. The experience was good, but on most days, it turned out to be an unsuccessful wild goose chase to see the wild animals, especially the Big 5.

5. Wear the right clothes

By now, you already can tell that a safari is like no other trip. The following tips will help make your life easier on your African safari.

Wearing black clothes might leave very uncomfortable on your trip, especially when you are travelling during the hot and dry season. Since it is scotching hot during this time, they will hence absorb a lot of heat from the sun. I recommend getting neutral colors like green, brown e.t.c

Avoid black and navy blue clothes. You don’t want to be bitten by tsetse flies. These colors attract them. However, this depends on your safari destination. For us, we only experienced the tsetse flies in Serengeti.

Avoid clothes with heavy fabrics during the day. If you are traveling during the hot and dry seasons, you will not survive the heat.

Wear light shoes because of the hot weather and to avoid sweating in your shoes.

The above five tips will help you have an amazing Africa safari.

What were my best safari moments?

Going on a helicopter safari at Okavango Delta, nothern Botswana, was one of my best moments. It costed me about $130 for a 30 minutes flight. The experience was just breathtaking!

Waking up to the sound of a roaring lion and watching the wild animals walk by while we sat in our tents. It was scary but still felt like best feeling. Having watched wildlife movies and getting to literally hear the lion roar, felt unreal and amazing. I experienced it in Maasai Mara while sleeping in camping tents.

The morning and evening game drives and the food also made my best moments. I got a taste different delicacies that I had never tried before. Eating and enjoying the well-prepared African food has made me look forward to the next safari.