African safari travel guide for your unique experience
African safari is a special journey that you will remember for the rest of your life. You can observe the mighty lions on the Kalahari dunes, watch the elephant bathe in the midday sun, or pack wild dogs at high speed.
How a safari trip goes depends on the passengers themselves: what do you want to see, how do you like to travel and what kind of experience do you want? In the meantime, we hope that the ideas below will inspire you to go on a African safari. These are our suggestions.
Safari is a Swahili word that originated in Kenya and means travel.
When someone talks about a African safari, the first thing that comes to mind is watching wild animals in the wild. However, the safari was once regarded as hunting and killing African wild animals. Fortunately, this has been strictly forbidden by law for many years.
What places to visit on safari?
There are several countries in Africa where you can go on safari. Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Namibia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Botswana. But the first two are certainly the most common destinations and places that most people visit.
An eternal dilemma. Each country has its advantages and disadvantages. Each has something that the other does not have. But which one to choose?
It can be said that it is a safari country, and this is confirmed by the fact that there are up to 16 national parks in Tanzania, of which in 15 you can see wildlife walking completely free. Nowhere but nowhere in the world can one see so many animals as in Tanzania. We will highlight the four national parks Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Manyara Lake.
Each of these national parks hides its own story, waiting to be told.
https://youtu.be/zU7YkmqiqPI
Serengeti - for many tourists the best and most famous safari in Africa. The Serengeti is otherwise known for its great migrations. Each year, more than 8 million animals cross the plains, of which only 1.5 million gnats and 300,000 zebras, cross the plains going to Kenya. They are usually accompanied by big cats, lions, leopards, and cheetahs that go in search of food, and they are not far from hyenas and jackals.
In the Serengeti, you will see incredible landscapes and animals that move freely. You will realize that such a scene and such a feeling are hard to describe.
https://youtu.be/JQrQQO0HPUs
Ngorongoro National Park is known for its volcanic crater, one of Africa's natural wonders. It's a whole different world. Imagine a place where a bunch of animals walking on top of a volcanic crater. You didn't expect that, did you?
Here you have the opportunity to see the big five: rhino elephant, lion, leopard, hippos, buffalo, but also cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, monkeys, and many more.
https://youtu.be/yMDsMC9W1gQ
Tarangire National Park is the place with the highest concentration of elephants on the planet. Nowhere else is it possible to see so many elephants in one place. In addition to elephants, this national park also has lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and gnomes.
One part of the park is called Little Serengeti and with its natural beauty reminds strongly of its big brother.
Lake Manyara, surrounded by over 600 meters of brown and red rocks, is best known for lions climbing trees in a cinematic manner. Furthermore, you can observe numerous flamingos, pelicans, and other birds.
DID YOU KNOWDid you know that the word Simba, the name of the main character of the Lion King in Swahili, means lion and that many of the cartoon scenes are real scenes set somewhere in the wild plains of Tanzania?
https://youtu.be/FForvEQevKI
Unlike Tanzania, Kania has a smaller selection of safaris. There are five good ways to try it: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Samburu, Tsavo, Nakuru Lake, and Amboseli National Park.
Named after the Masai people, this park is home to an enormous concentration of animals, especially lions and cheetahs.
If you dream of visiting Kenya, going on safari, and seeing all these animals in their natural habitat, be sure to pay attention to the Great Migration, this natural cycle of animal movements in search of water and food that never ends. Here, you can see all the beauty and cruelty of nature, the fight for life and death, zebras and gnats on the one hand, and their predators - lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, and alligators on the other, constantly watching them and waiting for the right opportunity.
In Kenya, you will find snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and vast plains. Apart from the famous safari parks, which are rich in wildlife, Kenya has a rich culture, history, beautiful and hospitable people. This country also has an incredible coastline with beautiful beaches and coral reefs. More than a million tourists visit Kenya every year.
The land area is 582 thousand square kilometers, while the population is just over 38 million. Kenya is located on the equator and is surrounded by five countries: Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Tanzania. Because of its fertile land, Kenya is one of the most productive countries in Africa.
The second highest mountain in Kenya is located in the central part of the country. The country got its name from this mountain.
The best safari parks are Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Nakuru and Naivasha.
Although the Kikuyu tribe is the largest ethnic group, the Masaai are the most popular due to their long preserved culture. They are important for the development of tourism. In 1963, the people of Kenya fought for independence from Great Britain, which ruled the country for about 100 years.
You should know - there is no cheap safari.
African safari is considered an expensive trip because you can pay over $300 in one day of a luxury safari, but you should not try to save money on this trip because it will be unforgettable. So try to get the best out of it. Again, there are various offers, and there will be something for all tastes and budgets.
Prices also depend on whether you are traveling in a private group or five, six and what time of year you are going. During the rainy season, prices are lower, but there is also a lower chance that you will see all the animals you have planned to see. The dry season, which lasts from June to September, is slightly more expensive, but it is the best time to leave.
What do you need to know before going on an African safari?
Medicines and vaccines needed for Africa
Before embarking on this exciting adventure, you need to be aware of the vaccines and get them. This is a lengthy process and should not frighten you. You are receiving precautionary vaccines as a precaution, and this is a regular protocol for this type of travel.
It is not a sign that this journey is dangerous, you want to put your safety first.
If you visit your doctor, inform him about the country you want to visit. For this trip, you will need vaccination against yellow fever and tetanus.
Do not wait until the last minute to receive the vaccine. We recommend that you get vaccinated at least one month before your trip.
After receiving the vaccinations, you will receive a yellow card that says what you have received. You must carry it with you, as you must show it before entering the country. It only indicates that everyone is your safety first. Our recommendation is to scan the yellow card and always have it on your mobile phone, because you may lose it.
What about the malaria vaccine???
The malaria vaccine does not exist, despite other assumptions.
Wearing long sleeves and mosquito repellent was the best prevention. Remember that there are more mosquitoes in the rainy season, so if you are afraid, visit Africa in the dry season.
What is to be taken from the medication?
Mosquito spray is number one on your list. Buy a spray that contains DEET as an active ingredient because it is great for tropical conditions and protects not only against mosquitoes but also against other insects. It is sufficient that the percentage of this artificial substance that you can read on the label of the product is 25%.
Also, pack other medications that you will need before each trip. It is recommended to take a probiotic, an anesthetic that you normally use, and an antibiotic. For hygiene, it is a good idea to have dry and wet hand wipes.
There is no space for consideration here health insurance is mandatory for this type of trip. Choose health insurance that also covers medical evacuation. If you need it and hopefully not want to feel certain that your insurance covers all possible cases.
What do you bring to Africa?
No matter what time of year you choose to go on African safari, you will almost always carry similar things with you. Tanzania and Kenya are very close to the equator, so the weather is very similar throughout the year with slight temperature fluctuations.
It is rarely too hot or too cold.
What is the best month for a African safari?
The best days for your safari in Africa are from May to September. It is the dry part of the season, and due to the lack of water, the animals are concentrated around rivers and waterfalls, making it easier for visitors to see them.
Comfort comes first here. The most important thing is to dress comfortably because you are on the road all day. If the safari lasts a few days, you should wear something that dries quickly in the rain. As for the color, it would be ideal if the things you wear were in shades similar to the environment.
We have certainly seen many safari photos, and most people are dressed in earthy/brown tones. If you are wondering why this is and why a safari simply has an eye-catching style, you should know that some recommendations are not to wear white, as it reflects light that disturbs and frightens animals, and that applies to the colored ones. Also, you should not wear black because of the Ce-Ce flies, because these colors attract them and how they should be kept in neutral, earthy tones.
You are in the van all the time on safari, so these rules don't have to be so strict. It's important to choose materials that dry quickly and don't worry much about colors.
These rules for wearing clothes in earth tones have of course their logic and application. I would say that they apply to people who will be in nature and savannah for a long time and who are planning more serious outdoor retention, that is, people who approach animals in nature.
Basic Safari packing list
- 2-3 pairs of long pants ( jeans are also a good choice
- 1-2 pairs of shorts
- 1-2 sweaters
- T-shirts for 7-10 days
- windproof jacket
- Closed shoes
- Sun hat
- Sunglass
- Suncream
- Mosquito cream
- Camera
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