Visiting Africa, especially in the hope of viewing its iconic wildlife is one of the most sought-after adventure vacation options worldwide.  That said, it is quite unlike your typical beach break or cultural getaway.  Here, we take a look at what makes a safari holiday unique and how to optimize your experience.

Originating from the Swahili word for ‘journey’, the Oxford Dictionary defines a safari as “an expedition to observe animals in their natural habitat”.  The keywords in that statement are ‘expedition’, which implies uncertain prospects – and ‘natural habitat’, which infers that the wildlife is free-roaming in naturally sustained ecosystems.

A true safari is wildly (pun intended) different from a visit to a zoo, sanctuary or wildlife park.  In the majority of national parks and reserves across Africa, human interference in the natural processes of the ecosystem is kept to the bare minimum.  The habitat and its inhabitants are subject to times of both feast and famine, and the local vet will only intervene under very specific conditions.

The environment is typically rugged, dusty and at the mercy of the weather gods, and to make matters worse, the wi-fi is usually patchy at best.  On that note, in a society that craves instant gratification at every turn, short of a very expensive evacuation, you can’t just ‘nip out’ and buy your way out of a problem.  The point is, that to appreciate a safari, you’ll need to get out of your comfort zone (to a greater or lesser extent depending on your budget).

Going on safari is also a relatively active holiday.  There will be ample time to just relax but to experience the best it has to offer, the more you participate, the more you’ll get out of it.

While the vast majority of those who embark on a safari return with glowing reports, occasionally these are accompanied by the statement, “If only I’d known about such-and-such.”  While it would be impossible to list every potential pitfall, eventuality or likely outcome, shared experiences reveal that there are things one can do both before and during your safari that will make the experience that much more enjoyable… as if just being close to Nature wasn’t reward enough.

The Gosheni guides share many decades of experience leading safaris in one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations, interacting with people of all nationalities and walks of life.  So, the suggestions listed below are a combination of their hard-won experience of many years and miles on safari.  They are firm believers in the therapeutic qualities of Nature, while mindful that we are creatures of habit who think we know best.  Sure, you may be the one who discovers a more efficient way to get more out of your safari than those who’ve gone before you.  Or, take a moment to read through the points below and improve your experience regardless.

Researching and planning your African safari

For many, the excitement and anticipation of going on a safari starts well before the actual departure date.  Thanks to its popularity and the abundance of tour operators offering their services, it pays to identify just what it is you hope to get out of the experience.

Obviously, budget will be a factor so be sure to look around online for packages that tick as many of your boxes as possible.  Like any holiday, booking the cheapest option is bound to lead to disappointment in some way.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of dodgy operators whose ethics (both concerning their clients and the wildlife) are dubious.  So make sure to get reviews and assurances before agreeing to part ways with your hard-earned cash.  Some even go so far as to seek out specialist guides.  While this may up the cost, it will also up the quality of the knowledge shared.

As diverse as it is, Africa’s game parks vary greatly.  While the Ngorongoro Crater is teeming with wildlife, you won’t find a single giraffe.  Find out about the quality and diversity of the game viewing to avoid disappointment.

Given their popularity, it is best to book well in advance – up to a year or more to secure just the itinerary you’ve dreamed of.  While there is a post-pandemic trend to travel more spontaneously, if this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, you may as well book early.  Africa is not going anywhere.  You can learn a lot more about planning your first safari here.

Nature (IS NOT) on-demand when you’re on safari

Did you know it can take wildlife film crews up to five years to film a single hour-long documentary?  With the luxury of time, unlimited access (and copious editing), they can put together a seemingly chronological narrative that misleads some naive safari novices to think that it’s going to be a dramatic wildlife extravaganza from sunrise to sunset (and beyond).  Nope.