What Is A Safari In Africa REALLY Like?

An African wildlife safari is a very extraordinary expertise, however what’s a safari actually like? Many safari goers are first-time vacationers to Africa and have little concept of what to anticipate on safari.

We didn’t know the primary time we set out on safari in South Africa and blasted The Lion King soundtrack. Now, with over 100 safaris throughout 14 international locations beneath our belt, we take into account ourselves well-versed within the discipline.

If you end up with questions on what’s about to occur – worry not! Right here’s what your days on safari in Africa will appear to be!

What’s a Safari Like? A Typical Day on an African Wildlife Safari

05:00-05:30 – Good Morning

There’s no sleeping in on an African safari. Early morning is when all of the safari animals are out and about. It’s earlier than the solar and the warmth of the day units in, so the sooner you get up and are out of your tent, the higher.

Most of our safari days start between 5 am, and 6:00 am. Relying on the lodge you might be staying at, you’ll have an early morning knock in your tent by one of many lodge workers. In case you’re fortunate, they might have even set tea or espresso outdoors your tent to present you that wake-up you want.

I personally don’t want a lot time to prepare whereas on safari. It’s typically too sizzling for make-up and doing my hair – and nobody cares, particularly not the African wildlife.

06:00 – Breakfast Time

Breakfast is commonly served proper after your wake-up name earlier than you allow to your morning safari. In most safari locations we’ve been to, breakfast is a communal affair and set round a bush fireplace whereas watching the buffalo roam by. You may count on pastries, fruit, cereal, and eggs for breakfast.

06:30 – Morning Exercise

Proper after breakfast, the morning exercise begins. Typically for me, this can be a sport drive by means of the bush whereas I’m nonetheless waking up. Nevertheless, the morning can be an excellent time to go on a bushwalking safari if the park you might be in permits that. In case you’re someplace just like the Masai Mara, it’s additionally potential to ebook a once-in-a-lifetime balloon safari.

Morning sport drives are a good time to catch all of the animals waking up and beginning their day. That is when they’re most lively as they’re usually out grazing earlier than the noon solar comes and it will get unbearably sizzling.

Morning safaris have been the place I’ve seen just a few of our greatest wildlife experiences. This has included a wild canine kill in Hwange Nationwide Park, a leopard kill in Kafue Nationwide Park, and a lot extra!

08:30 – Bush Espresso

On most safaris we’ve been on, there’s been a cease for bush espresso midway between your morning sport drive. This lets you get out of the sport viewer, stretch your legs, and get up with contemporary espresso and chatter. Ask your safari information to carry some Amarula to get pleasure from a real bush espresso!

10:30 – Relaxation Time

Morning actions are inclined to final just a few hours. Relying on what you see, you may count on to be out within the bush for 3+ hours. After you get again to the lodge, you’ll have an opportunity to clean up and loosen up earlier than lunch. That is usually once I prefer to bathe if it’s been tremendous sizzling, learn a ebook, stroll round camp, or shut my eyes for a bit.

12:00 – Lunch

Lunch on safari is commonly served on the lodge you might be staying at. As a rule, lunch can be a communal meal the place you may benefit from the firm of the opposite safari company. Nevertheless, we did have the superior alternative to have lunch on a solar-powered pontoon on the Kafue River (pictured above).

13:00 – Relaxation Time

After lunch is when you’ve free time to do no matter you need. Whether or not this implies a fast exercise, dip within the pool if there may be one, or taking a correct nap is as much as you. Relaxation occasions are gratifying and permit you to benefit from the camp you might be staying at. I additionally usually have to relaxation for an hour after 05:00 get up.

15:30 – Tea Time

Britain colonized many African nations. Which means having afternoon tea whereas on safari is sort of a given. We’ve had elaborate tea occasions the place we’re typically served a second lunch. (You by no means shed pounds on safari!). I really like tea time, which implies I get extra espresso to maintain going for the day.

16:00 – Afternoon Exercise

After tea comes the afternoon exercise. This implies both one other sport drive, river cruise for those who’re close to a river, mokoro trip for those who’re in Botswana, strolling safari, or perhaps a horseback trip for those who’re having fun with a horseback safari lodge.

Afternoon actions are shorter than the morning actions, given the solar usually units round 18:00-18:30. I really like afternoons within the bush because it means I’m going to see one more superb African sundown (they NEVER get previous).

18:00 – Sundowners

Throughout your afternoon exercise, the solar will set, marking one other day completed in Africa. That is typically my favourite time because it means it’s SUNDOWNER time! What’s a sundowner?

An African sundowner means to have a drink whereas the solar is setting. Typically in Africa, this implies a Gin and Tonic and extra snack objects like peanuts, pretzels, and biltong. It’s one other nice time to cease doing what you’re doing and replicate on the day with the corporate round you.

19:00 – Evening Drive

Relying on the place you might be on safari, you could possibly get pleasure from an evening sport drive again to the lodge. That is your likelihood to identify all of the nocturnal African bush animals.

Your information will usually get out of the highlight and begin trying to find elusive animals like leopards, hyenas, porcupines, African bush cats, and Aardvarks. In case you get fortunate – and I imply actually, REALLY fortunate you would possibly even see a pangolin (however don’t rely on it).

20:00 – Dinner

Don’t fear. There’s no manner you’ll ever go hungry whereas on safari. African wildlife safari firms stuff you with meals, so plan on weight-reduction plan whenever you get dwelling.

Round 20:00 marks time for supper. Typically, dinners are in a communal setting, or generally, you’ll get pleasure from a non-public dinner along with your social gathering. Dinners are sometimes served with bottomless wine or three or five-course. Although, a few of the extra mid-range tour operators could make a buffet dinner.

22:00 – Bedtime

You’ll not typically discover me in mattress at such an early hour, however on safari, you’ll be begging for a cushty mattress. These are lengthy and early days with a variety of exercise. I’m usually zonked by the point I roll into my room or tent after dinner. It’s bathe time and lights out!

WAKE UP AND DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!

Hopefully, that helped reply what a safari is like. As you might even see, an African safari isn’t a very stress-free vacation however an thrilling and once-in-a-lifetime alternative. You’ll, undoubtedly, have one million improbable experiences you may solely have in Africa, so profit from it!

Get up early, drink sundowners across the campfire till you may’t preserve your eyes open, and experience all of the magic that the animals of Africa carry. Then after your safari is over, head to the coast and luxuriate in sleeping within the white sand seashores!

Ebook A Safari in Africa

Historically for those who needed to ebook a safari, you’d need to go to a journey agent and have them ebook your safari for you. They counsel camps and lodges then current you with a big invoice. Many of the trade nonetheless operates on this vogue.

Nevertheless, Timbuktu is a brand new platform that permits you to choose the lodges you’d like and see the pricing per day that manner. You may choose the very best itinerary for your self. They may then contact the lodges and enable you to by means of reserving your safari. Consultants on employees may present ideas and prepare the little particulars like a journey agent.

What to Pack for an African Safari

Packing the proper safari garments is at all times a good suggestion, however it’s by no means important as a result of you may put on no matter you need. We additionally go in-depth on the finest ladies’s safari garments!