Written by Rachel Hedgepeth
African safaris offer more than just the thrill of seeing majestic wildlife in their natural habitat. Here are five surprising secrets about African safaris for luxury travelers with deluxe to luxury budgets. For more detailed information about South African safaris, check out our South Africa travel guide.
1. Wildlife Is Abundant and Easily Seen
You don’t need to go searching to see an incredible variety of wildlife on African safaris. You might be imagining yourself trekking through the wild, eyes squinted toward the horizon, looking for hiding animals. It’s not like that! The first time we saw wildlife on our safari, we had just rounded a corner in the Land Cruiser. We were suddenly face-to-neck with a majestic pair of giraffes and their adorable, clumsy little one. The feeling was incredible, but we barely had time to take it all in before we encountered more. We saw an ostrich… followed by a herd of antelope… then zebras… and more giraffes… This was all before we’d even arrived at camp! It quickly became clear that a safari is not about searching for wildlife. They are everywhere. In fact, you may not even need to pile into the Land Cruiser to see the fauna. There will be times when you’ll see animals, from monkeys to elephants, right there in your camp.
To learn more about the efforts to protect Africa’s diverse wildlife, visit the Wildlife Conservation Society’s website.
2. “Glamping” Elevates Your Safari Experience
“Glamping” can take your safari to the next level of luxury. Before I went to Africa, I pictured myself huddled by the fire at night, eating sandwiches or hot dogs before retiring to my tent. That would have been fine. But Sheila, my amazing travel agent at Carefree Romantic Vacations, surprised me, as she does on all my travels! I thought I was going to be “roughing it,” based on what I spent. But she put together a luxurious itinerary on my budget. I safaried by day, and escaped to lush resorts at night. I sipped South African wines, enjoyed relaxing spa treatments and the plentiful activities, such as horseback riding or yoga. Some of my best memories from my safari are little on-resort moments that I never expected. Like taking in a wild thunderstorm from a whiskey bar perched on stilts above a hippo pond, or enjoying a cultural performance of music and dance by the local Samburu people.
3. No Need for Specialized “Safari Clothes”
When you decide to book your African vacation, Sheila provides all sorts of helpful information about how to prepare and what to pack. You may be surprised to know that you don’t need a specialized wardrobe! Despite the popular image of travelers on safari wearing khaki canvas and pith helmets, the reality is that you’ll be in a Land Cruiser or similar vehicle for the majority of the time. You can even go in shorts and flip-flops if you want. It’s not as if you’ll be trekking through the bush! The mornings can be a tad chilly, so dressing in layers is appropriate, but that can be jeans, a T-shirt, and a sweater.
4. The “Off-Season” May Be the Best Time to Safari
Conventional wisdom says that the best time to go on safari in most African countries is from summer to fall. I beg to differ! The winter can be an even better time to go. Not only are prices lower during these months, but the savannah is green and beautiful, weather is moderate and pleasant, and you don’t have to worry about tsetse flies or other pests. My husband’s birthday is on New Year’s Eve, so we wanted a special way to celebrate, and Sheila delivered. The Maasai sure know how to throw a party! We had a great time learning the adumu, or famous jumping dance, and playing games with tribal elders as we counted down the last seconds of the year. In the morning, we watched the sun rise from a hot air balloon high above the savannah, and when we landed, there was a champagne brunch set up for us out in the middle of nowhere. Now, I tell everyone that the winter holiday season is an amazing time to go on African safaris.
5. The “Big Five” Are Only Part of the Thrill
You may be familiar with the famous “Big Five”: lions, leopards, black or white rhinos, African elephants, and African buffalo. Many safari itineraries will give you the chance to see all of these, and each is exciting in its own way. However, the reality is that no matter where you safari, these are only a fraction of the diversity of wildlife you’ll encounter. Some of the animals that will delight you the most might be ones that don’t usually grace the front of the brochures. I never realized that warthogs would be so cute until I saw how the little ones run right after their mommas in straight lines with their tails lifted high in the air. And the birds! There are so many wildly different types of birds. I was exhilarated watching huge secretary birds stalking the ground for snakes, and I always loved the grey crowned cranes, with their punk rock mohawks. One of the most moving moments of our safari was when our guide, Benson, who’d been taking travelers into the bush for decades, was awed to silence by the sight of a rare Egyptian vulture in a tree overhead. Yes, the lions and leopards will have you saying “Oh My!”, but so will so many other animals on African safaris.
Conclusion
Embarking on an African safari is an extraordinary experience, filled with surprises and unforgettable moments. To ensure your safari is perfectly tailored to your desires, consider booking with Carefree Romantic Vacations. They specialize in creating luxurious, stress-free vacations that exceed your expectations. Complete their Vacation Planning Information form for African Safaris today and make an appointment to start planning your dream African safari!
