Do your research
Where do you want your safari to take you? What main sights do you want to see? Dying to see the big five in Kruger National Park? Curious to go off the beaten path and camp inside a game drive and wake up to lions roaring in the middle of the night? Head to Zambia for that along the Zambezi River. Want to wrap up your sightseeing with the spectacular Indian Ocean for whale watching, snorkeling, and relaxation beach time? Head to the coast of Mozambique.
Choosing a safari is very overwhelming with many fine details to be mindful of and with so many tour operators to choose from the decision making seems endless. The best rule of thumb is to really narrow down and to finally make your decision by focusing on the content, not the frame. Make a detailed list of what it is you really want to see. Take a look at the countries you want to go to. Check out Drifters Tours (based in Johannesburg) which gives you the options of longer safaris as well as short tours.
I took an unforgettable 24 day safari which included South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique with the main highlights of Victoria Falls, Chobe National Falls, Mount Mulanje hike in Malawi, camping on Lake Malawi, and sleeping in beach bungalows in Inhambane, Mozambique. For shorter safaris around South Africa check out Nomad Tours that depart from a few different places in SA. I did a 7 day unforgettable Swaziland and Kruger Tour that blew my mind. With regular game drives, free time in our base camp in bee hive huts in Swaziland and night game drivers followed by campfires under the stars in Kruger, my time there was well spent while spotting the big five.
Get all immunizations
As malaria is common in Africa with all of the mosquitoes, talk to a specialist on the topic of proper malaria medicines you need and whether or not you need a yellow fever shot. Your safari operator may be able to give you some tools and advice as well. Two weeks before departing from Johannesburg for my safari I began taking malaria pills. These pills gave me wild and crazy dreams, not to mention deep sleeps where I slept like a rock for up to nine hours without waking up. It took a while for my body to adjust especially with the wild food cravings I started to have. Be sure to take your prescribed meds after meal as I learned this the hard way.
Pack in layers
Like anyone planning to take a once in a lifetime safari might think that because they are going to Africa it is going to be stiffing hot the whole trip, wrong. I took a 24 day safari in June and because southern Africa is in the southern hemisphere the climate is opposite of my summer back home in Connecticut. As the sun was strong during the daytime the evenings became very cool where many layers were needed as the nights became freezing in the bush. I can distinctively remember opening my suitcase in the middle of the night to find more sweaters and long shirts to layer myself with because I was that cold. Just know that evenings may be chilly depending on which country and time of the year you are traveling.
Put down your camera
Of course you want to take loads of pictures to share with your family and friends back home but after a while looking through a lens during a once in a lifetime moment doesn’t really capture the moment. After a few game drives I literally had to just put the camera down to truly be in the moment to establish my reality. Viewing a mommy elephant with her baby crossing a river together during sunset doesn’t do itself justice when you are more concerned about getting the best shot. I distinctly remember paddling in my canoe with my group along the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia with crocodiles sunbathing without moving an inch. To my left I watched a family of elephants playing in the water at sunset. In these moments I had to pinch myself, asking myself If I had died and gone to heaven and was looking down at this beauty, if I was dreaming this, or if yes, this was reality. You will reach a moment in time during your safari where you literally put away your camera and just sit an awe of what you are viewing. I sure hope this happens to you.
Once in a lifetime memories.
Final Words
Finally, with all the tips here to gain so that you can truly have a once in a lifetime safari don’t forget all of the great things to come. Whether you are doing a five night or twenty four night over landing safari tour you are bound to create beautiful friendships with those traveling with you from all over the world. Imagine yourself under the stars at night drinking a hot tea sharing your travel experience with those on your tour. I won’t forget those experiences and I’m sure you won’t either. As most travelers are open minded, get yourself ready to exchange contact details at the end of your safari with beautiful photos and memories that will last you a lifetime. Lastly, put down your camera and enjoy with your own pair of eyes the majestic wildlife and scenery around you.
travelwithalana.wordpress.com 