Wildlife safari tours - what you need to know

The wide variety of safari options can be a bit intimidating, so the best way to narrow things down is to have a look at the safari ideas on this page and decide how you would prefer to adapt those to create your perfect safari. Then fill in the enquiry form on that safari idea page, and one of our safari experts will contact you to begin planning. Or, if you have something else in mind, fill in the enquiry form at the end of this page and stand by for one of our experts to contact you.

The art of safari packing lies in thoughtful curation rather than excess, and comfortable, casual clothes are best. Additionally, many lodges and safari accommodations have daily laundry services.

Muted colours and neutral tones such as beige, khaki and green are recommended for game viewing.

Game drives are conducted in the early morning and late afternoon, which can be very cold – especially in winter – so pack clothes you can peel off as the day warms up.

What should I wear on safari?

• Shirts with long sleeves (even in summer for protection from the sun and insects)

• T-shirts and cotton blouses

• Long socks as bug protection

• Light scarf or buff to guard against dust and sun protection

• Hat, cap or beanie to protect against both the sun and wind chill 

• Shorts or a light skirt (short skirts aren’t practical)

• Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days

• Jackets, sweaters, a scarf and gloves are recommended for early morning and evening game drives during winter

• Lightweight water-proof jacket

• Swim – and beach-wear

• Underwear – roads can be bumpy so suitable women’s attire is suggested

• Formal attire if you are staying at a prestigious hotel/luxury train

• Comfortable walking shoes and sandals (heels aren’t recommended)

Avoid: Bright colours like red, yellow, purple and white, synthetic fabrics that don't breathe, and anything that feels uncomfortable. 

Wellness & comfort:

• Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and after-sun care

• If you wear contact lenses, we recommend you bring a pair of glasses along should your eyes get irritated by dust

• Insect repellent with natural ingredients

• Personal medical kit with anti-malarial prophylactics

• Hydrating skincare for dry climates

• Quality lip balm with SPF

• Nice to have: Electrolyte supplements for active days

Practical luxuries:

• Insulated water bottle (stainless steel or premium materials)

• Quality headlamp 

• Portable phone charger or a power bank

• Waterproof document pouch filled with copies of your passport, visas and other key documents

• Cash in small denominations for meaningful tips (and envelopes for distribution)

• Notebook and pencil

• Relevant bird book or app – ask us for recommendations

• Favourite entertainment to relax – sketch book, colouring-in books, Kindle, books or magazines

• Lightweight backpack to carry essentials on walking safaris

• Tote bag / waist bag

• Sweat/gym towel

• Tissues / hand wipes / sanitiser. Pack a spare toilet roll, just in case

• Padlocks / cable ties to lock your luggage

• Ziplock bags of various sizes

• Ear plugs

• Travel pillow

• Country-specific plugs and adaptors

Photography & observation:

• Professional or high-end mirrorless camera with versatile zoom lens (24-200mm minimum)

• Quality binoculars (8x42 or 10x42

• Nice to have: Stabilising bean bag or lightweight tripod

• Weather-sealed camera bag

• Extra batteries and high-capacity memory cards

Each safari day follows the rhythms of the bush: early rise, to watch the animals as they move around in the crisp morning air.

 Dawn awakening (5:30-6:00 AM): Soft wake-up calls with steaming coffee or tea delivered to your private deck. The African dawn is a sacred time – when the golden light begins to paint the landscape and nocturnal creatures make way for the day shift.

Morning game drive (6:00-10:00 AM): The prime wildlife hours when predators are active and the light is photographer's gold. Your expert guide will navigate you through landscapes where every turn might reveal leopards draped in fever trees or elephants emerging from morning mist.

Midday sanctuary (10:00 AM-4:00 PM): Return to your lodge for an elaborate breakfast on your private deck. The midday hours are for restoration – perhaps a massage, a swim, or simply absorbing the sounds of the bush from your shaded veranda. Some camps offer cultural visits to local communities or guided walks.

Afternoon departure (4:00-4:30 PM): Tea and homemade treats before your evening game drive. This is when the African light begins its legendary transformation toward the golden hour.

Evening game drive & sundowners (4:30-7:30 PM): As shadows lengthen, the bush awakens. Your drive may extend into darkness with spotlights revealing the nocturnal world—a privilege available only in private reserves.

Night's embrace (7:30 PM onward): Multi-course dinners under star-scattered skies, often around the campfire where stories are shared and the sounds of the African night provide an ever-changing soundtrack.

True luxury in the African context isn't about ostentatious displays – it's about experiencing the continent's raw beauty without compromising comfort, privacy, or authenticity. The finest safari accommodations understand that luxury lies in the seamless integration of sophisticated comfort with profound wilderness connection.

Private safari villas: Exclusive sanctuaries for 6-8 guests with dedicated staff including private guides, chefs, and hosts. These offer complete flexibility in timing, routing, and experiences – the epitome of bespoke safari travel.

Luxury safari camps: Thoughtfully designed camps that disappear into the landscape, offering canvas pavilions with hardwood floors, en-suite bathrooms, and private decks overlooking untouched wilderness. Each accommodation tells a story of place.

Mobile luxury camps: For the ultimate in exclusivity, these camps move with wildlife migrations or position themselves in areas inaccessible to permanent structures, offering front-row seats to nature's greatest spectacles.

Conservation-first lodges: Properties where your stay directly contributes to wildlife protection and community development, offering the satisfaction of meaningful travel alongside exceptional comfort.

The timing of your African journey depends on your expectations. Each season offers distinct advantages for the discerning traveller seeking unique experiences.

Dry season drama (May to mid-November): The classic safari season when wildlife congregates around permanent water sources and predators are in action. Vegetation is sparse, making game viewing exceptional, and the weather is most comfortable for extended outdoor activities. The later in the dry season, the better the wildlife encounters will be, but be aware that temperatures can be very high in October and November.

Migration magic (specific timing varies by region): The great wildebeest migrations in East Africa and Zambia's Liuwa Plain offer once-in-a-lifetime spectacles, as do the zebra migrations in Botswana and bat migration in Zambia's Kasanka, but timing is crucial and advance booking is essential for prime locations.

Green season tranquillity (November to April): Often overlooked by conventional tourism, this period offers dramatic skies, newborn animals, resident predators, spectacular bird life, and fewer crowds. The landscape transforms into an emerald paradise.

Photographic considerations: Each season offers unique lighting and compositional opportunities. Dry season dust and smoke, and wet season clear skies transform your photo into works of art.

We maintain impeccable safety standards while preserving the authentic wild experience that makes Africa extraordinary. Your safety is paramount, managed through experience, preparation, and respect for the natural world.

Wildlife encounters: Professional guides with years of experience read animal behaviour like a familiar book. Following their guidance ensures both your safety and the well-being of the wildlife you've come to observe.

Remote location protocols: Luxury camps maintain comprehensive communication systems, emergency medical facilities, and evacuation procedures. Many employ resident medical staff or have partnerships with medical evacuation services.

Personal security: The remote locations where you'll spend your time are remarkably safe, far removed from urban concerns. Your primary considerations are following camp protocols and guide instructions. When in cities, adopt the usual safety procedures to avoid crime that you would anywhere in the world.

Transportation safety: We use premium operators who maintain their vehicles to exacting standards and employ only highly experienced drivers who understand both the terrain and wildlife behaviour.

An authentic luxury safari represents a significant investment in transformative travel. Budget approximately $1,000-$3,000 per person per day for truly exclusive experiences, with private villas and mobile camps commanding premium rates.

Included in premium experiences:

• Domestic flights to camps (often in private aircraft)

• All meals and premium beverages

• Private guide and vehicle

• All game activities and cultural experiences

• Laundry service

• Emergency medical evacuation insurance

• Conservation fees and community contributions

Additional considerations (which we can arrange for you):

• International flights to gateway cities

• Visa fees and travel documentation

• Gratuities for exceptional service

• Personal shopping and spa treatments

Recognition of exceptional service is deeply appreciated in African hospitality culture. Guidelines suggest $50-75 per day for your private guide, with similar amounts for camp staff (distributed among the team).

The finest safari experiences balance connectivity with digital detox.

Wifi: Most luxury camps offer WiFi, usually in common areas, while encouraging guests to disconnect from digital distractions and reconnect with the natural world.

Photography & charging: Camps provide 220V power with multiple outlet types, often solar-powered for environmental responsibility. Camera charging stations are standard, with some camps offering equipment cleaning services.

Communication: Satellite communication ensures emergency connectivity, though mobile coverage varies greatly. Some camps maintain no-device policies during game drives to preserve the immersive experience.

Africa Geographic has been handcrafting experiential safaris since 1991. Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?

Booking through a respected tour operator with many years of experience means that all you need to focus on is helping us design your safari and then having a superb vacation. The rest - all the nitty-gritty detail and admin is done while you relax. Our 24/7 concierges take care of problems such as flight changes and missed flights, last-minute road transfer and lodge changes due to unexpected events, and itinerary changes requested by you.

Remember that you will not save money by attempting to book and manage your own safari, but you will inherit mistakes and problems that arise.

Yes, your money is safe. Your payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability. See what travellers say about us.

By booking your safari with Africa Geographic, you make a significant difference because:

• We donate a portion of every safari sold to selected conservation efforts at ground level

• Your safari supports our conservation publishing efforts, which educate the world about Africa's incredible biodiversity and the local people who protect it

• Our chosen lodges support local community initiatives, ensuring that tourism benefits the nearby villages directly. They also adhere to strict environmental practices, such as limited vehicle numbers and sustainable camp operations, which help protect the ecosystem

YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!