What’s a Safari in Africa REALLY Like?

An African wildlife safari is a really extraordinary expertise, however what’s a safari actually like? Many safari goers are first-time vacationers to Africa and have little thought 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 nations beneath our belt, we contemplate ourselves properly versed within the area.

If you end up with questions on what’s about to occur – concern 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’re staying at, you’ll have an early morning knock in your tent by one of many lodge workers. If you happen to’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 usually 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 on 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 anticipate pastries, fruit, cereal, and eggs for breakfast.

06:30 – Morning Exercise

Proper after breakfast, the morning exercise begins. Usually for me, it is a recreation drive by the bush whereas I’m nonetheless waking up. Nevertheless, the morning can also be a great time to go on a bushwalking safari if the park you’re in permits that. If you happen to’re someplace just like the Masai Mara, it’s additionally doable to e-book a once-in-a-lifetime balloon safari.

Morning recreation 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 sometimes out grazing earlier than the noon solar comes and it will get unbearably sizzling.

Morning safaris have been the place I’ve seen a number of 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 recreation drive. This offers you an opportunity to get out of the sport viewer, stretch your legs, and get up with recent espresso and chatter. Ask your safari information to convey some Amarula to get pleasure from a real bush espresso!

10:30 – Relaxation Time

Morning actions are likely to final a number of hours. Relying on what you see, you’ll be able to anticipate 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 sometimes once I wish to bathe if it’s been tremendous sizzling, learn a e-book, stroll round camp, or shut my eyes for a bit.

12:00 – Lunch

Lunch on safari is commonly served on the lodge you’re staying at. Most of the time, lunch can also be a communal meal the place you’ll be able to benefit from the firm of the opposite safari friends. 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 could have free time to do no matter you need. Whether or not this implies a fast exercise, dip within the pool if there’s one, or taking a correct nap is as much as you. Relaxation instances are pleasing and assist you to benefit from the camp you’re staying at. I additionally sometimes must relaxation for an hour after 05:00 get up.

15:30 – Tea Time

Britain colonized many African nations. Which means that having afternoon tea whereas on safari is sort of a given. We’ve had elaborate tea instances the place we’re usually served a second lunch. (You by no means shed pounds on safari!). I 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 recreation drive, river cruise when you’re close to a river, mokoro trip when you’re in Botswana, strolling safari, or perhaps a horseback trip when you’re having fun with a horseback safari lodge.

Afternoon actions are shorter than the morning actions, given the solar sometimes units round 18:00-18:30. I 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 usually 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. Usually in Africa, this implies a Gin and Tonic and extra snack gadgets 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 – Night time Drive

Relying on the place you’re on safari, you might be able to get pleasure from an evening recreation drive again to the lodge. That is your probability to identify all of the nocturnal African bush animals.

Your information will sometimes get out of the highlight and begin looking for elusive animals like leopards, hyenas, porcupines, African bush cats, and Aardvarks. If you happen to get fortunate – and I imply actually, REALLY fortunate you may even see a pangolin.

20:00 – Dinner

Don’t fear. There’s no method you’ll ever go hungry whereas on safari. African wildlife safari corporations stuff you with meals, so plan on weight-reduction plan while you get residence.

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

22:00 – Bedtime

You’ll not usually 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 sometimes 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’s a safari like. As you might even see, an African safari is just not a totally stress-free vacation however an thrilling and once-in-a-lifetime alternative. You’ll, indubitably, have one million improbable experiences you’ll be able to solely have in Africa, so take advantage of it!

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

E book A Safari in Africa

Historically when you needed to e-book a safari, you’d must go to a journey agent and have them e-book your safari for you. They counsel camps and lodges then current you with a big invoice. Many of the trade nonetheless operates on this trend.

Nevertheless, Timbuktu is a brand new platform that permits you to choose the lodges you’d like and see the pricing per day that method. You may choose the perfect itinerary for your self. They are going to then contact the lodges and assist you by reserving your safari. Specialists on workers can even present recommendations 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, nevertheless it’s by no means important as a result of you’ll be able to put on no matter you need. We additionally go in-depth on the greatest girls’s safari garments!