Planning your first safari
How to choose a region, a season and a lodge, and what really happens between dawn and the last drink by the fire.
Start with the right question
Before choosing a lodge, decide what kind of trip you want. Big cats and the classic Big Five? The great wildebeest migration? Walking, birding or simply time in nature? For first-timers, two regions stand out: the private reserves around South Africa's Kruger National Park and the parks of northern Tanzania, including the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.
Why private concessions matter
In national parks, vehicles stay on roads and popular sightings can draw a crowd. Private concessions and reserves limit the number of vehicles, often allow guides to drive off-road, and may offer night drives and guided walks. On a first trip, that difference is huge.
Seasons in brief
In both southern and East Africa, the dry months, broadly June to October, thin the vegetation and draw animals to rivers and waterholes, which makes game easier to find. The green season brings fewer visitors, lower rates, newborn animals and excellent birding, at the cost of some rain and thicker bush. The wildebeest migration moves through the Serengeti region on a yearly cycle, so check where it is likely to be in your month.
The shape of a day
Wake-up calls come before dawn, with coffee by the fire. The morning drive lasts a few hours, followed by a late breakfast or brunch. Midday is for rest, the pool or a nap. In the afternoon, a light tea leads into a second drive that continues past sunset, with a drink stop along the way, before dinner back at camp. Most lodges price meals and activities into the rate.
Packing and health
- Soft bags: light aircraft between airstrips usually set strict weight limits.
- Muted colors and layers; dawn drives can be surprisingly cold.
- Good binoculars, ideally one pair per person.
- A hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Speak with a travel clinic well before departure about malaria prevention and vaccinations.
Traveling with children
Many lodges set minimum ages for game drives or walks, and some are adults-only. Others offer family suites and dedicated children's programs, so check the policy before you fall for a place.