You are probably full of questions if you’re going on safari for the first time. This blog is designed to provide you with a variety of practical tips to help you prepare for an African safari, no matter where or when you go. We’ve got you covered on everything from safari dos and don’ts to choosing between organised and self-drive game drives. This post should answer any questions you have about African safaris. Find out the truth!
What to Know Before Taking Your First African Safari
No matter how many photos you see or how high your expectations are, seeing African animals in the wild for the first time will be unforgettable.
First-Time Visitors to Africa: The Best African Safari Tips
When Is the Best Time to Visit Africa for a Safari?
Although Africa’s wildlife is present throughout the year, not all times are ideal for wildlife viewing, which is why you should research the best time to go on a safari in the specific location you intend to visit. The season in which you visit can make or break your vacation. Visiting during the rainy season keeps the animals hidden but limits your mobility because Africa’s dusty and sandy roads are extremely difficult to dry on. If you want to go on a safari in Uganda, for example, the dry season (June, July, August, September, January, and February) is the best time to visit because most animals go to water holes to drink, making it easier to spot them. If you want to see the annual wildebeest migration (which, by the way, is the greatest natural wonder that everyone should see), you should go to Kenya or Tanzania during the dry months of June to October, as both countries host this incredible wildlife spectacle. I’m sure you understand why it’s critical to plan an African safari during the appropriate season. However, most countries’ drier seasons are ideal for wildlife viewing. However, in some countries, drier does not necessarily mean summer. Botswana, for example, has a winter dry season, so the best time to visit is between May and early October. Rather than generalizing, learn the best times to visit each African country individually in order to plan the ideal itinerary.
Rise and shine!
Aside from getting that perfect photo of the amazing African wildlife with the rising sun as a backdrop, there are high chances of spotting wildlife in the morning, which is why getting up early is critical. Though some people associate the term “morning” with 10 a.m., the best time for wildlife viewing is between 6:30 and 7 a.m. Wild animals are most active in the morning, so they congregate in areas where they can be easily observed, as opposed to the afternoon, when they all seek shelter from the hot sun. As a result, most game drives take place in the morning and evening. So prepare your day’s gear the night before, and if you’re not a morning person, set an alarm clock to witness the magical African wildlife unfold.
Pay Attention To Your Guide And Follow The Rules
Many times, your guide will provide you with a set of rules to follow, and if you are not travelling with a guide, there are always rules posted by the park’s administration that you must follow.
The majority of these rules are intended to protect you, while others are intended to protect wild animals.
Some of the rules may appear to be “simple,” but they have the potential to make or break your trip. The following are some safari rules to follow:
avoiding getting out of the safari vehicle
Failure to provide food for the animals
Pay close attention if you’re on a walking safari.
Don’t let your excitement get the best of you and startle the animals.
Keep an eye out for wild animals.
Staying alert while game-driving is one of the most important African safari tips for first-timers. Safaris differ from zoos in that you can drive for hours without seeing any of the big five. Big cats, such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs, can be difficult to spot without even trying. So, as you drive, keep a keen eye out the window to avoid missing anything. This is why going on a game drive by yourself can be challenging at times, because you must drive while also spotting the animals. It is always preferable to have someone accompany you or, even better, hire a tour company to assist you in spotting animals. Because if you don’t see one, chances are someone else in the tour vehicle will, and guides are usually better at spotting big cats.
Frequently inquire
Another African safari tip is to ask as many questions as possible. If you book a game drive with a tour company, the tour guide assigned to you will gladly answer any questions you may have. So go ahead and ask away, and keep in mind that there is no such thing as a stupid question. The only way to get the most out of your trip is to be as curious as possible about African animals and the wild in general. You can ask about the behaviours of some animals, what the guides think of them – literally anything you want to know, and the guides are knowledgeable enough to provide you with answers. Make an effort to be friendly with the guides as this will bring them closer to you and encourage them to share more than just the animals with you. If you’re doing a self-drive, you can get any information you need from the staff at the lodge or campsite where you’re staying. You can ask them about the best times of day to see the Big Five or the best loops to take, and they will gladly oblige.
Take Your Own Camera
You’ll need a good camera to capture the incredible wildlife on an African safari. On a safari, a good camera is essential for fully capturing the beauty that Africa has to offer. If you’re not sure which camera to bring on a safari, this list of the best cameras for travellers can help.
Take Some Time To Unwind Nature’s Environment
Africa has some of the most beautiful wildlife in the world, if not the best, and rushing through it on a game drive would be a shame. There is so much to see, and various safaris will expose you to a wide range of landscapes that you should appreciate. When you see an animal, park your car or request that your guide stop and admire it. You might get lucky and see some of the spectacular scenes if you take your time. Seeing animals mating, fighting, or a lion chasing its prey is all possible if you take your time and enjoy the safari to the fullest. Taking your time, on the other hand, does not imply “hogging” the animals for hours on end. Don’t spend two hours looking for a large cat if you were the first to spot it. Move on so that others can also enjoy it.
Take a lot of photos.
Take plenty of photos while on safari, not only to relive your trip even years later, but also to capture the incredible beauty that can only be found in Africa. I don’t mean taking 500 photos of an elephant when I say take a lot of photos. On my first safari, I must admit that I was guilty of this. I was obsessed with capturing the perfect shot, which drove me insane, so I photographed everything, and I mean everything. Taking a lot of photos, on the other hand, implies that you have enough storage space to store them. Carry extra memory cards to avoid missing out on amazing moments due to a lack of memory.
Always exercise caution.
An African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it also comes with a number of risks if you are not cautious. To begin with, you are in the presence of wild animals, which means that doing anything that makes them feel threatened may result in an attack.
To stay safe, make sure to follow the park rules while enjoying the wilderness. Some tips for staying safe while on safari include:
Stay on the marked game paths if you’re driving yourself.
All of the preceding rules must be followed.
Roll up the windows if the wild animals are so close to your vehicle.
Back up slowly if an animal approaches you while on a walking safari.
In case of an emergency, keep a first-aid kit on hand. This first aid kit is small enough to fit in your safari day pack, but it contains everything you might need.
Keep Your Health in Check While on an African Safari
Remember to take care of yourself by staying healthy during your first African safari. Though it may be difficult to do on a game drive, there are a few things that will help.
Here are some tips for staying healthy while on safari:
Keep Your Health in Check While on an African Safari
Remember to take care of yourself by staying healthy during your first African safari. Though it may be difficult to do on a game drive, there are a few things that will help.
Here are some tips for staying healthy while on safari:
Keep hydrated at all times. Carry a water bottle with you to avoid running out. This small travel water bottle is ideal for a safari in Africa.
Bring mosquito repellent or antimalaria medication with you. Malaria remains a major problem in Africa, despite the efforts of every African government to eradicate it. You can use this insect repellent while also consulting your doctor about anti-malarial medications.
Keep the Status Quo
It’s incredible to see your first African animal, especially if it’s one of the big five. I mean, I’ve seen so many of them, but every time I see one, I get excited. So, while it’s natural to be excited, don’t let it get out of hand to the point of screaming.
Yes, some people scream when they are excited, but you must keep it under control here.
When conversing with others, keep it low and avoid yelling at the animals.
Animals Must Be Respected
Someone entering your home should be respectful, and the same is true here. As a visitor to wildlife habitats, you should be respectful of the wild. This includes not littering – seeing people dumping trash in national parks and reserves is sickening. Don’t be the guy who gets the “what are you doing?” look from me. Also, avoid attempting to manipulate the animals by misbehaving. Some people have made noise in their vehicles in order for the elephants to trumpet. For their own amusement, the elephants are literally being disorganised. However, do not flee if they lose their cool and decide to charge you.
The Sunset Game Drive should not be missed.
Like an early morning game drive, a sunset game drive increases your chances of seeing animals. The animals can now come out of the shade now that the heat of the day has passed, making it easier to spot them.
There’s no guarantee you’ll see any wildlife.
Another consideration before embarking on a safari is that you will be entering a game park rather than a zoo where animals will be waiting for you. You’ll have to hunt them down here, which means there’s no guarantee you’ll find them. Though you will see elephants and antelopes because they are literally everywhere, big cats are not as common, but they are the ones that everyone wants to see. But don’t let the fact that you didn’t see all five of the big five on your first safari ruin your entire trip. Because almost every game drive offers something new, there is always a chance to see them on the next safari.
Where You Stay During Your Safari Is Critical
Where you stay is an important consideration before going on an African safari. The most expensive tented camps and lodges are not all in prime locations. This, however, is dependent on your personal preferences. Whether you want to see wild animals near your hotel or not, which I’m sure you do because that’s why you went on a safari in the first place. Animals are more likely to be found in some areas than others. To conduct research in order to find the best location. For example, while on game drives in Botswana, I never saw any Hyenas, but one appeared in the middle of the night right at our campsite, and I finally got to see it. Elephants were frequent visitors to our campsites, as were hippos on occasion. This demonstrates how where you stay can have a significant impact on your first safari in Africa. Staying somewhere far from where the majority of the wild animals are concentrated, on the other hand, means that you will always have to make long drives before you can start seeing anything.
Consider these factors when deciding where to stay on your African safari.
Have a Good Time on Your First African Safari
Finally, have a good time on the safari. Africa is so beautiful that you should visit whenever you get the chance. If you’re open-minded and friendly, I guarantee you’ll have the best time ever. Rather than focusing on the negatives, try to learn more about African culture and be more understanding. And if something goes wrong, don’t let it ruin your entire trip.
