African Safari

A GUIDE TO PLANNING AN AFRICAN SAFARI

The range of possibilities for your safari is immense, depending on various factors including your required activities, preferred accommodation style, travel dates and budget.  Each itinerary is vary carefully tailor-made to each client's specific requirements.  As a result, our itineraries vary enormously.  Your safari may be as active or relaxing as you wish; we can arrange walking safaris over several nights, or lodge-based safaris in which you can take time out with your watercolours or a camera.
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A GUIDE TO PLANNING AN AFRICAN SAFARI

The range of possibilities for your safari is immense, depending on various factors including your required activities, preferred accommodation style, travel dates and budget.  Each itinerary is vary carefully tailor-made to each client's specific requirements.  As a result, our itineraries vary enormously.  Your safari may be as active or relaxing as you wish; we can arrange walking safaris over several nights, or lodge-based safaris in which you can take time out with your watercolours or a camera.

We strongly recommend you pick up the phone to discuss your safari plans with us but consider just how active you would like your African Safari to be.  If you have very young or elderly family members travelling with you, your itinerary will be tailored to suit.  It is worth mentioning any artistic, sporting or cultural special interests early in planning process!  And whether your budget is £3,000 or £30,000... there is a range of options. 
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AFRICAN SAFARI ACCOMMODATION

The essence of the safari experience is obviously the spectacular African wilderness and wildlife - but your accommodation is a big part of the experience too.  Your safari can be simple and rustic (bucket showers, no electricity), or fantastically luxurious, chic and stylish (with fine wines and dining, spa treatments and every comfort),  with lots of options in between...
The terminology for all the accommodation options on safari can be confusing! Here is our quick rundown: 

On Safari - Mobile Fly Camp

A private, mobile fly camp is packed up and pitched on a fresh patch of wild park each day. This can be as elaborate or simple as you are prepared to pay for; but carrying cooks and supplies, mess tents and showers is always going to be an expensive, if wonderfully personal and exciting, business. Tents are usually small and fairly basic. Some safari lodges offer single nights fly-camping in the bush.  This is definately one of the best safari holiday experiences we recommend
Example – Sand Rivers Selous
 

On Safari - Semi-permanent tented lodge

An alternative form of mobile camping is becoming increasingly popular, as operators (such as Nomads and &Beyond) recognise the value of setting up a camp close to the migrating herds. These camps are really semi-permanent tents, very big and luxurious, and you will not notice their ‘mobility’! Your camp will be prepared before your arrival, and remain in place for the duration of your stay.  This is really the only way to guarantee peak migration game viewing.
Example – Serengeti Under Canvas  Show me more >

 

AFRICAN SAFARI ACCOMMODATION

The essence of the safari experience is obviously the spectacular African wilderness and wildlife - but your accommodation is a big part of the experience too.  Your safari can be simple and rustic (bucket showers, no electricity), or fantastically luxurious, chic and stylish (with fine wines and dining, spa treatments and every comfort),  with lots of options in between...
The terminology for all the accommodation options on safari can be confusing! Here is our quick rundown: 

On Safari - Mobile Fly Camp

A private, mobile fly camp is packed up and pitched on a fresh patch of wild park each day. This can be as elaborate or simple as you are prepared to pay for; but carrying cooks and supplies, mess tents and showers is always going to be an expensive, if wonderfully personal and exciting, business. Tents are usually small and fairly basic. Some safari lodges offer single nights fly-camping in the bush.  This is definately one of the best safari holiday experiences we recommend
Example – Sand Rivers Selous
 

On Safari - Semi-permanent tented lodge

An alternative form of mobile camping is becoming increasingly popular, as operators (such as Nomads and &Beyond) recognise the value of setting up a camp close to the migrating herds. These camps are really semi-permanent tents, very big and luxurious, and you will not notice their ‘mobility’! Your camp will be prepared before your arrival, and remain in place for the duration of your stay.  This is really the only way to guarantee peak migration game viewing.
Example – Serengeti Under Canvas
 

On Safari - Tented Lodge / Camp

A tented lodge or camp is a permanent structure, which never moves, in which accommodation is under canvas. Most have solid, wooden floors, proper bathrooms, running water and will include a fully solid structure bar and restaurant area. Experience the sensation of a night under canvas, with tent flaps pegged open to the stars, the sound of the African bush all around you, but the comfort of real porcelain and heavy, wooden beds... Tented Camps are just as well appointed as a lodge (see below), in terms of comforts such as swimming pools etc.
Example – Selous Safari Camp
 

On Safari - Safari Lodges

The definition of a lodge is less clear.  This is a term used for a smaller, often owner-run accommodation, as distinct from a large hotel.  They are usually truly luxurious and beautifully appointed, usually have swimming pools and almost all have their own resident vehicles, trackers and guides.  A lodge is a typical place to stay on safari.
Example –
Safari hotels tend to be much larger, less personal and less intimate than lodges.  As a matter of course they tend not to have their own safari vehicles, or guides, and so we would arrange a private safari for guests and use the hotel simply for board and lodging.
Example – Serengeti Serena Hotel
 

Safari House

There are a few private houses available for rental in Africa, either on safari or at the beach.  This is a great way for a group of friends or a family to enjoy a private, self-contained holiday
Example – Chongwe River House

Villa
(This is a beach concept only.)  Many of the larger beach resorts, in an effort to attract a higher spending client, have built a number of stand-alone villas hidden away from the rest of the hotel.  These offer more space and privacy than a conventional hotel room or suite, and tend to be ultra luxurious, often with private plunge pools and butlers.
Example – The Ocean Suite
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ACTIVITIES ON AN AFRICAN SAFARI

Depending on the country and area you are visiting, and your own preferences, your safari might include 4x4 driving expeditions, walking, boating in motor boats or man-powered mokoros, or watching wildlife from horseback or a hot air balloon! We have highlighted many of the individual options on our Other Interests  page, but do let us know your interests and preferences at the outset.
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ACTIVITIES ON AN AFRICAN SAFARI

Depending on the country and area you are visiting, and your own preferences, your safari might include 4x4 driving expeditions, walking, boating in motor boats or man-powered mokoros, or watching wildlife from horseback or a hot air balloon! We have highlighted many of the individual options on our Other Interests  page, but do let us know your interests and preferences at the outset.

Driving Safaris

We specialise in private safaris, either with your own driver-guide or as a morning or afternoon safari expedition from your lodge or camp.  Some camps encourage very early morning starts, with a drive lasting a few hours, returning to the lodge for lunch or staying out with a picnic. Invariably the wildlife action and interest of the landscape is such that the time flies, although we do not tend to recommend this type of safari to those with young children.  Different parks and reserves have their own rules and regulations; in Tanzania, for example, there are predominantly closed-sided vehicles in the north of Tanzania, and open-sided vehicles in the south. 

Walking Safaris

Please see our Walking Safaris page for more details about enjoying the best of the African wilderness on foot. It is a joy to walk in such glorious natural landscapes, but obviously great care must be taken depending on just how much dangerous wildlife you may encounter on the way!
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