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."

Safari Tours & Trips in Africa

10 best Safari Africa 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
18 to 35s Epic East Africa: Gorillas, Chimps and Safaris (19 destinations)
Duration
19 days
Destinations
Uganda Kenya Tanzania
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
20% Off
From $7,510
US$6,008per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Safari
Botswana Adventure
4.0 (11 reviews)
"This 10-day trip through Botswana was better than expected. To see such a large group of hippos in the water and to have lions walk by casually were much more than I'd seen in Kruger Park."
Martin, traveled in September
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
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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
20% Off
From $2,925
US$2,340per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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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
Kruger National ParkVictoria FallsChobe National ParkOkavango+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
25% Off
From $2,680
US$2,010per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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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 $5,405
US$4,594per person
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Safari
Kruger to Vic Falls
4.4 (13 reviews)
"This was a highly enjoyable trip, the group was tight and our guide, driver and chef were excellent."
Aslaug, traveled in January
Duration
8 days
Destinations
South Africa Botswana Zimbabwe
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
20% Off
From $2,490
US$1,992per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Safari
Vic Falls to Stone Town
4.7 (16 reviews)
"Victoria Falls was exhilarating. The game drives to see rhinos, elephants, lions, hippos were great."
Max, traveled in September
Duration
17 days
Destinations
Zimbabwe Zambia Malawi Tanzania
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
20% Off
From $2,380
US$1,904per person
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Safari
Premium Kenya & Southern Africa Highlights (15 destinations)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Kenya South Africa Zimbabwe Botswana
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Premium
10% Off
From $18,260
US$16,434per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Safari
Southern Africa Encompassed: Bush Camps & Wildlife Spotting
4.7 (29 reviews)
"Had an amazing time with spectacular sightings of animals and a great group."
Alexandra, traveled in May
Duration
15 days
Destinations
South Africa Botswana Zimbabwe
Age Range
Ages 18-39
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
20% Off
From $2,449
US$1,959per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Safari
Southern Africa Safari
5.0 (86 reviews)
"Our trip to Southern Africa was amazing and so memorable."
Rosemarie, traveled in April
Duration
22 days
Destinations
South Africa Zimbabwe Zambia Botswana Namibia
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
10% Off
From $6,575
US$5,918per person
+$466 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
Okavango Experience
4.6 (63 reviews)
"The experience was great. Need to expect long days, bumpy roads and lots of heat."
Eric, traveled in October
Duration
10 days
Destinations
South Africa Botswana Zimbabwe
Age Range
Ages 15+
Regions
Victoria FallsChobe National ParkOkavango+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
10% Off
From
US$1,700per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Safari
8 days: Best of Zambia, Botswana (Chobe) and Zimbabwe (Zambezi) Wildlife Safari Tour
3.9 (26 reviews)
"Our experience with Lochinvar Safaris was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. This is a team that delivers not just a safari, but memories for a lifetime."
Chris, traveled in July
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
Stone Town to Vic Falls
4.2 (9 reviews)
"Great crew, amazing tour."
Aditi, traveled in June
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Tanzania Malawi Zambia Zimbabwe
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
25% Off
From $2,600
US$1,950per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Safari
Nairobi to Joburg Overland: Craters & Camping
4.4 (8 reviews)
"We covered so much ground but particularly the areas that I wanted to see including Lake Malawi, the Serengeti and, my favourite, Victoria Falls."
Emma, traveled in July
Duration
27 days
Destinations
Kenya Tanzania Malawi Zambia Zimbabwe Botswana South Africa+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18-39
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
15% Off
From $4,999
US$4,249per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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