What are the best times of year to see wildlife on an African safari?

The prime wildlife viewing seasons differ across Africa's regions. East African destinations like Kenya's Masai Mara and Tanzania's Serengeti draw visitors from July to October during the Great Migration. The dry winter months from May to October bring excellent viewing in Southern Africa's Kruger and Chobe parks as animals congregate near water sources. A recent visitor to Chobe shared: "We saw so many animals at a close distance - hippos elephants Cape buffalo giraffes zebras crocodile wild dogs. We even watched a pride of lions for over an hour!"

What accommodation options are available on African safaris?

Safari lodging spans from high-end lodges to authentic tented camps. The Mdluli Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park provides luxury tents with private bathrooms air conditioning and infinity pools with bush views. For a more traditional experience mobile tented camps in the Okavango Delta put guests closer to nature. The Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge in Uganda features rooms that look out over the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

What's included in typical safari tour packages?

Standard safari packages cover lodging professional guides 4x4 game drives park fees and most meals. Mukisa Safaris in Uganda includes full board accommodation English-speaking guides all game drives boat rides and gorilla permits. Extra activities like hot air balloon rides over the Masai Mara ($500) or Victoria Falls helicopter tours ($150) cost additional fees. While local transport is included international flights usually are not.

Are African safaris suitable for families with children?

Many safari operators welcome families though age limits exist for certain activities. Gorilla tracking in Uganda requires participants to be 15 or older. Family-friendly destinations include Kruger and Chobe with their child-oriented lodges and malaria-free areas. Timeline Travel DMC Safari accepts children aged 6 and up with reduced rates for those under 12 sharing rooms with parents.

What medical precautions should I take for an African safari?

Visit your doctor 6-8 weeks before departure to discuss required vaccinations and malaria prevention. While lodges like The Victoria Falls Hotel and Chobe Safari Lodge maintain first aid facilities travelers should pack personal medications and basic medical supplies. Protection from sun and proper hydration are essential. One experienced traveler advises: "Bring good insect repellent and sunscreen and be prepared for early mornings and long days which can be physically demanding."

African Safari Tours

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10 Best African safari tour packages

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Safari
Cape Town, Kruger & Victoria Falls
3.3 (3 reviews)
"Excellent trip, my family of 5, went on this great tour"
Dorca, traveled in July
Duration
10 days
Destinations
South Africa Zimbabwe Zambia
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Little Roz Tours
From
US$3,250per person
+$1,000 local payments
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
Vic Falls to Stone Town
4.7 (16 reviews)
"We had great encounters, up close, with the wild life and now have our own video documentaries."
Blaine, traveled in May
Duration
17 days
Destinations
Zimbabwe Zambia Malawi Tanzania
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
From
US$2,595per person
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Price based on Shared Room
Intrepid Travel offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $130
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Safari
Botswana Adventure
4.0 (11 reviews)
"Trip was highly organized and included excellent experiences."
Rita, traveled in March
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Namibia Botswana Zimbabwe
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
20% Off
From $6,495
US$5,196per person
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Price based on Shared Room
Intrepid Travel offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $260
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Safari
Zanzibar to Vic Falls
4.7 (3 reviews)
"Thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The campsites were really nice."
Susie, traveled in February
Duration
19 days
Destinations
Tanzania Malawi Zambia Zimbabwe
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
30% Off
From $2,850
US$1,995per person
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Price based on Shared Room
Intrepid Travel offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $100
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Safari
18 to 35s Epic East Africa: Gorillas, Chimps and Safaris
Duration
19 days
Destinations
Uganda Kenya Tanzania
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
15% Off
From $7,511
US$6,385per person
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Price based on Shared Room
Intrepid Travel offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $319
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Safari
Botswana Highlights (including Divundu)
4.0 (11 reviews)
"The trip was well planned. We always were informed."
Rachael, traveled in June
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Zimbabwe Botswana Namibia
Age Range
Ages 15+
Regions
OkavangoVictoria FallsChobe National Park+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
15% Off
From
US$4,195per person
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Price based on Shared Room
Intrepid Travel offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $210
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Safari
18 to 35s Real Southern Africa
5.0 (1 review)
"I couldn't have asked for a better, more eventful, and more memorable experience. It was very eye opening and I felt privileged to have met locals and share our stories with them."
Matthew, traveled in July
Duration
17 days
Destinations
South Africa Botswana Zimbabwe
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Regions
OkavangoKruger National ParkVictoria FallsChobe National Park+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
15% Off
From
US$2,700per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Safari
Kruger to Vic Falls
4.4 (13 reviews)
"It was a great group of travellers. Lots of fun and experiences."
Leo, traveled in January
Duration
8 days
Destinations
South Africa Botswana Zimbabwe
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
15% Off
From
US$3,040per person
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Price based on Shared Room
Intrepid Travel offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $152
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Safari
Experience Southern Africa
4.2 (6 reviews)
"Everything was fantastic, and we could not have asked for a better African experience."
Phoebe, traveled in October
Duration
16 days
Destinations
South Africa Botswana Zimbabwe
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
15% Off
From
US$6,340per person
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Price based on Shared Room
Intrepid Travel offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $317
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Safari
Africa Encompassed Northbound
5.0 (2 reviews)
"All you knew about Africa, forget it and learn it again. Highly recommend it, wish I could live there full time."
Karl, traveled in June
Duration
64 days
Destinations
South Africa Namibia Botswana Zimbabwe Zambia Malawi Tanzania Kenya Uganda Rwanda+4 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
15% Off
From
US$13,650per person
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Price based on Shared Room
Intrepid Travel offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $683
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Safari
Okavango Experience (8 destinations)
4.6 (64 reviews)
"Amazing trip! Very memorable."
Siew, traveled in August
Duration
10 days
Destinations
South Africa Botswana Zimbabwe
Age Range
Ages 15+
Regions
OkavangoVictoria FallsChobe National Park+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
15% Off
From
US$1,920per person
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Price based on Shared Room
Intrepid Travel offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $96
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Safari
Southern Africa Safari
5.0 (86 reviews)
"The itinerary was perfect and I feel like I saw everything I'd want to see in the locations we visited."
Shara, traveled in May
Duration
22 days
Destinations
South Africa Zimbabwe Botswana Namibia
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
10% Off
From $5,956
US$5,360per person
+$466 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
Contiki offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $268
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Safari
Stone Town to Vic Falls
4.2 (9 reviews)
"All of the little details were taken care of so we didn't need to worry about anything except experiencing the amazing countries firsthand."
Heather, traveled in June
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Tanzania Malawi Zambia Zimbabwe
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
30% Off
From $2,396
US$1,678per person
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Price based on Shared Room
Intrepid Travel offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $84
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Safari
8 days: Best of Zambia, Botswana (Chobe) and Zimbabwe (Zambezi) Wildlife Safari Tour
3.9 (26 reviews)
"We have learnt so much during our trip. About the culture, history and lifestyle especially in Zambia."
Kathleen, traveled in September
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Zambia Botswana Zimbabwe
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
National Park
Victoria Falls
Operated in
English, French,Spanish+1 more
Operator
Lochinvar Safaris
25% Off
From $3,780
US$2,835per person
+$180 local payments
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
South Africa Escape with Victoria Falls
5.0 (1 review)
"Interesting places, nice people and beautiful nature."
Vlad, traveled in April
Duration
17 days
Destinations
South Africa Zimbabwe Botswana
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English
Operator
Travel Chasers formerly Expat Explore
25% Off
From
US$3,895per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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