1 Month+ Safari

What our customers ask about 1 Month+ Safari

• What's the best time of year to take a safari tour in Africa?

  For the best wildlife viewing, plan your trip between June and October. If you want to see the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River in the Serengeti and Masai Mara, September is perfect. For gorilla trekking in Uganda's Bwindi Forest, try to go during the drier seasons - either December through February or June through August when the hiking trails are less muddy. The Kruger National Park is great year-round, but you'll see more animals during the dry winter months from May to September. During these months, the sparse vegetation makes wildlife easier to spot as animals gather around water sources. Daytime temperatures are usually between 68-77°F (20-25°C), dropping to around 50°F (10°C) at night.

• What are the main highlights of a safari tour across Africa?

  You'll get to experience Africa's most incredible wildlife areas. Watch the Great Migration of 1.5 million wildebeest moving through the Serengeti and Masai Mara. Look for lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo in Kruger National Park. Trek through the forests to see mountain gorillas in Uganda's Bwindi Forest and spend time with wild chimpanzees. Take a boat trip on Botswana's Chobe River to see huge herds of elephants coming to drink. Explore the Ngorongoro Crater, where animals are concentrated in the volcanic caldera. After all the wildlife excitement, you can relax on Zanzibar's white sand beaches. Your accommodation ranges from luxury lodges like Ilala Lodge near Victoria Falls to safari tents in the middle of the Serengeti.

• What wildlife can I see on a safari tour?

  You'll see an amazing variety of animals in different environments. The Serengeti and Masai Mara are home to the Big Five - lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo - plus huge herds of wildebeest and zebras during their migration. Chobe National Park has more elephants than anywhere else in Africa. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, you might spot lions that climb trees. Along the Kazinga Channel, you'll see hippos and crocodiles. Uganda offers the chance to visit mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest and chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest. You might even spot rare shoebill storks in Uganda's Mabamba Swamp. The Ngorongoro Crater is packed with wildlife, including some of Africa's few remaining black rhinos.

• How physically demanding is a safari tour?

  While you'll spend lots of time in safari vehicles, some activities need a decent level of fitness. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest is the most challenging - you might hike anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours on steep, muddy trails. Tracking chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge also involves forest walks. If you do walking safaris in places like Matobo National Park, you need to be able to walk for several hours. Most wildlife viewing happens from vehicles, but days start early (usually 6:30 AM) and you'll spend time traveling between parks. Pack good hiking boots and be ready for bumpy rides during game drives.

• What cultural experiences are included in a safari tour?

  You'll meet people from many different African cultures. Visit Maasai villages in Kenya, meet San Bushmen in Namibia to learn about their traditional lifestyle, and spend time with local communities in Uganda. You can visit coffee farms in Tanzania's Karatu region, walk through historic Stone Town in Zanzibar, and meet various tribal groups. Past travelers really enjoyed visiting Tepesua Village near Masai Mara, where they learned about local women's projects and crafts. Many tours include dinner with local families, trips to craft markets, and visits to conservation projects like the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust.

• How much spending money do I need for a safari tour?

  While tour prices range from $9,000 to $24,000, you'll need extra money for optional activities and personal expenses. Popular add-ons include hot air balloon rides over the Serengeti ($599), helicopter flights at Victoria Falls ($175), and extra game drives ($50-100). You'll need money for some meals, especially in cities like Cape Town and Nairobi. Plan on $30-50 per day for meals not included in your tour, plus $10-20 daily for drinks and small purchases. Don't forget about visa fees, which can cost $50-100 for each country you visit.