Skip to content
Call Us: +256782105855 Email: info@gorillatrackings.com | sales@gorillatrackings.com
How To Make The Most Of Your African Safari

How to Make the Most of your African Safari

How to Make the Most of your African Safari.

Check out these helpful hints and pointers for a hassle-free and enjoyable trip to Africa before you set out. These are only a handful of the countless lessons we have gained from our decades of combined safari experience in Africa.

Tip #1: Have a flexible mindset and be willing to adapt.

The secret to enjoying the trip with all of its surprises, characters, and difficulties is to have an open and adaptable mindset, especially when traveling in Africa. Bronwyn, one of our most renowned travel experts, suggests:

“Emphasis on attitude. A grin and a positive outlook go a long way.

The second tip is to participate in as many of the optional activities as you can.
Utilize as many of the additional activities as you are able to. Try to budget for the many exciting supplementary activities that are typically available on safari. You are out in the sticks for a different experience, so the lodge’s pool and bar are perks, but they aren’t the main attractions.

For a variety of reasons, some safaris provide more activities than others. Therefore, carefully review the daily schedule or inquire with your tour operator (ideally us) about what is included and what is not.

The third tip is to go digital.

For lengthy overland journeys, bring an iPad and headphones. Avoid becoming bogged down in endless Sudoku when you could be using your tablet or smartphone to access safari apps or watch movies. When you need time to think while driving, having music and entertainment close at hand is also a fantastic way to take a break from interacting with others.

With their wealth of useful features and information, safari apps can help you get the most of your safari experience. There are some fantastic safari applications available that let you share your amazing photos on social media and store your wildlife encounters to maps. People, leave the tatty maps and dog-eared field guides at home.

You’ll be more alert for those rapid action photographs and wildlife sightings if you have a good cell phone with a great camera.How to Make the Most of your African Safari

Tip #4: Prepare and do some homework.

First and foremost, read your itinerary and pre-departure information. These documents include a wealth of helpful information, so if you dismiss it like small print, you will miss everything.

Next, consult your travel advisor, who may also offer a plethora of helpful information. It is actually preferable to be aware of certain things beforehand, such as this advice from Bronwyn:

“Make sure you have given us your insurance details and emergency contacts.”

For example, being aware of the season you are visiting will help you prepare for the safari’s circumstances. In addition to getting you enthusiastic, learning a little bit about your locations will help you understand what to anticipate, what activities are available, and where. If you are hoping to swim and snorkel in warm waters, it can be disheartening to mistake Cape Town’s beaches for the Bazaruto Islands. It’s also helpful to know that game viewing in Namibia’s Etosha Park and Botswana’s Okavango Delta differs greatly from that in Tanzania’s Serengeti plains.

Tip #Five: Relax and become a part of the global village

Avoid group politics, particularly when on the larger overland safaris. The wheels of diplomacy should continue to turn smoothly if one is kind and courteous. Peace usually prevails because most people are on safari to discover and have fun, so there’s no need to worry too much.

Develop your curiosity and cosmopolitanism. Bronwyn’s wise counsel:

“Talk to all of you, but especially to the team. The cook and driver can contribute just as much as the trip leader. locals as well.

An engaging conversation can be had in a diverse safari group, which is a great opportunity to learn more about new things and various cultures. You can improve your listening abilities, focus on speaking more effectively, and form wonderful friendships while learning to appreciate the subtleties of many cultures and accents. It may be quite amusing how we say the same things in different ways!

“Solo Safari: why joining an African tour could be your best holiday ever” and “How to travel with strangers, and love it” by seasoned author Jo Duxbury are two excellent books about traveling in a group.

Tip #6: Add extra nutrients to your unique diet

You’ll be alright (somewhat) if you’re a vegetarian, but be ready if you’re a vegan (particularly for the lunch stops along the way). On safari, a little preparation and forethought regarding vegetarianism will pay off well. If you’re a herbivore, it’s worth bringing some dried fruit, nuts, and other nutritious snacks, especially vegan ones. I would bring soy, rice, and almond powder (or any vegan milk alternative) if I could go back in time to my most recent journey. Avoid overindulging in fresh fruit, as it will not survive the African heat for very long and is unlikely to cross borders and veterinary fences (especially in Botswana). The large fruits also take up too much room, are difficult to transport, and draw wild animals like monkeys and other primates.

Coffee drinker who is religious? Yes, I am. Take a high-quality instant coffee maker or even a portable coffee plunger with you if enjoying a decent cup of coffee is an essential part of your day. This is, of course, unless you’re a coffee-snob and adore instant coffee-chicory drinks like Ricoffee, Nescafe, and others. As a devoted coffee drinker, I would advise other coffee enthusiasts traveling on low-budget safaris to bring a sturdy French press or a tiny coffee flask (thermos) and some “real” coffee.

Tip #7: Take a little solo exploration.ie

You can take a break and do some independent exploring. When there aren’t any activities scheduled, there are chances to separate from the group along the way. You have the opportunity to take in all of the incredible people, places, and things you come across on safari when you take some time to yourself and think. Traveling with others is both amazing and difficult, especially if you’re not a very gregarious person. Occasionally going out on my own has provided me a break and added adventure to my safaris.

To prevent raising the alarm and getting lost, make sure to let your guide know about your wanderings.

Travel light, but wisely, is tip #Eight.

Pack wisely to minimize the amount of luggage you bring. Check the requirements for fly-in safaris because tiny aircraft flights frequently have baggage restrictions. The most important item on the list of things to bring is a sarong, sometimes referred to as a kikoy. The sarong is a safari essential, according to our top travel advisors Bronwyn, Claire, and Ingrid.

Pay attention to what our seasoned traveler, Bronwyn, has to say:

“a sarong is always useful as a towel, head covering, shawl and skirt.”

Ingrid, one of our best travel advisors, suggests packing a tiny fleece blanket. Like the useful kikoy, the fleece blanket serves multiple purposes, as Ingrid explains:

“It doesn’t take a lot of space, but is a winner for those early morning game drives or in the truck when itā€™s chilly, or when the sleeping bag is just not enough at night, or when you need a pillow etc etc.”

This packing advice, provided by safari diva Ingrid, is truly priceless:

“Also handy to have for travel in Africa are wet wipes or hand sanitizer and pocket tissues … for those ā€˜nature stopsā€™.”

To ensure responsible and intelligent safari travel, heed Bronwyn’s advice:

“Instead of candy and money, provide kids’ exercise books and pens along the way. The crew will always introduce you to their favorite charity.

Antiseptic cream (known as Zam-Buk in South Africa) is a useful item to bring on safari in case of insect bites, etc.
sports bra for safaris that involve gorilla hiking (as alerted by Bronwyn)
Sun hat, sunglasses, and insect repellant
Flip-flops and walking shoes (also known as sandals or thongs in Australia)
lip balm or ice and water bottle
binoculars
Not very helpful, may have been left at home:
pocket knife with thread and needle
Evening attire (formal tops/blouses, lovely skirts, and lovely shoes)
clothing that creases too quickly
Jewelry and cosmetics
Consider bringing extra of the following: memory cards, cozy socks, and pants.
money, crackers, and tampons:)