How to Plan the Safari You Deserve: 6 Pro Tips for a Life-Changing Wildlife Journey
“A safari isn’t just about what you see — it’s about how it shifts something inside you. The wild teaches patience, presence, and wonder, and those lessons stay long after the journey ends.”
Planning a safari can feel overwhelming — so many options, endless packages, and a flood of information. Throw in concerns about logistics, safety, and trust, and it’s easy to get stuck before you even start.
Africa is huge, with so many parks, camps, seasons, and price points. It's easy to get lost in the details—or even fall for generic "bucket list" tours that miss the real heart of the adventure.
I grew up in Zambia, surrounded by wild places, and have spent years behind the lens, photographing wildlife across East and Southern Africa. So here are a few pointers from someone who's lived and breathed this world — to help you plan a safari that's not just a trip, but an unforgettable experience.
There are plenty more tips I could share, but here are my top ones to get you started.
1. Don’t Chase Sightings. Chase Stories.
The most powerful moments in the wild aren't about quantity. They're about quality of presence. It's not just what you see. It's how you see it — and how it changes you.
There's no script in the wild. No guarantees. No control. You might spend hours tracking lions and never see them — or turn a corner and find them sprawled in golden light. Some days are quiet. Others are electric. And that unpredictability? That's what makes a safari so special.
It's tempting to focus on ticking off the Big 5 in a few days — but this mindset skips the soul of safari. If your safari feels like a race to see as many animals as possible, you're missing the magic. The real reward is in the stories that unfold when you slow down and truly connect.
The key is letting go of the checklist. Because when you stop chasing a highlight reel, you open yourself up to the moments that really stay with you. Imagine spending hours with a single cheetah as she stalks, hunts, and even misses—only to try again. Or following a lion pride over several days, watching the cubs grow bolder and the family dynamics unfold. It's about being still and watching a leopard carry her cub through tall grass, witnessing elephants meander and interact over time, or observing how a herd moves with intention.
These are the stories you remember. They unfold slowly. They make you feel. If all you're doing is dashing between animals, you're missing the magic.
It’s also about reconnecting with nature — and with your own wild self. Come with patience and an open heart. The wild always gives — just not always what you expect.
2. Where You Go Changes Everything
One of the most common questions I get is: “Which country is best for safari?”
But that’s a bit like asking which moment is more powerful — locking eyes with a lion at sunrise or sharing space with a mountain gorilla. It’s not a competition or what’s better — it’s about what resonates. To you.
Each country offers something unique — in landscape, wildlife, culture, and conservation ethos. But without first-hand experience, it can be hard to compare beyond what brochures or blogs say. So instead of picking based on checklists or what’s trending, think about the kind of experience you want.
Do you want vast open plains and big cat action? Water-based safaris and elephants by the hundred? Intimate camps in wild, off-the-beaten-path places? Or the soul-stirring stillness of a mountain gorilla encounter?
Here’s a glimpse of what different regions offer:
Kenya offers golden savannas in the Mara, red dust and rare species in Samburu, or the misty mountain forests of Laikipia.
Botswana gives you the surreal waterways of the Okavango Delta or Chobe’s massive elephant herds.
Zambia delivers raw, remote wilderness — think walking safaris in South Luangwa, the floodplains of Kafue, or watching elephants cross the Zambezi in Lower Zambezi National Park.
Rwanda and Uganda transport you to lush, ancient rainforests where mountain gorillas and chimpanzees offer life-changing encounters — not to mention golden monkeys and stunning birdlife.
Tanzania offers sweeping vistas in the Serengeti and the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater.
Once you decide the kind of safari experience you want — adventurous or luxurious, immersive or classic — the where becomes much easier to pin down.
3. Safaris Aren’t Cheap — But They Are Worth It
A safari isn’t just a vacation. It’s immersive, humbling, and often life-changing.
If you’re going to do it, do it well.
When it comes to safari pricing, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Budget or mass-market safaris may promise the world at a bargain — but often, the savings come by cutting corners on the experience that matters most. A cheap safari might save money upfront, but you risk missing out on the true magic of the wild.
The difference is night and day. And it all comes down to who you plan with.
Many cheap group tours include:
Hotels outside the park
Packed minibuses with closed roofs
Generic city drivers instead of trained guides
Strict, inflexible itineraries
Big groups and little connection
A well-planned safari, on the other hand, gives you:
Golden light at dawn
Fewer crowds
Deeper time with wildlife
A guide who tells stories, not just directions
To cut costs, many tours book accommodation outside the park or reserve. But that usually means long daily transfers, queues at the gate, and missing the golden hours when wildlife is most active — and the light is at its best for photography.
Of course, there are exceptions. Some conservancies or community-run areas border national parks and offer incredible experiences, often with fewer vehicles and more freedom.
But as a rule of thumb: the closer you are to the wild, the deeper your experience. If you're serious about sightings, photography, or simply soaking in the peace of nature — choose to stay in the park, reserve, or conservancy whenever possible.
Time is precious in the bush. Don't waste it commuting.
4. There’s No One “Best Time” for Safari
Your experience depends not just on where you go — but when. Every landscape has its own rhythm. Migrations, birthing seasons, dry spells, rains that reshape the terrain. And planning around that rhythm can change everything.
The internet might tell you that July or August is the “best” time to go. But best for what? Sure, it’s peak migration season in the Mara — but also peak crowds, peak pricing, and often a more rushed, tourist-heavy experience.
The truth is: each region has its own peaks, pauses, and quiet magic.
Here’s a high-level breakdown (note: local variations always apply, and climate change is making seasonal patterns increasingly unpredictable, with more extremes and shifting rain cycles):
East Africa (Kenya/Tanzania):
June-October: Dry season with excellent wildlife viewing and migration river crossings
November-December: Short rains bring lush landscapes and newborn animals
January-February: Short dry season with fewer crowds and great bird watching
March-May: Long rains transform landscapes (lower rates but some lodges close)
Southern Africa (Botswana/Zambia/Zimbabwe):
May-September: Dry winter months concentrate wildlife around water sources
November-April: Green season brings lush scenery, newborns, and dramatic skies
Those “shoulder” seasons — like June, October, or early December — are often overlooked. But they can be some of the most rewarding times to be in the bush. Plus, some parks shine in unexpected months such as gorilla treks in Uganda and Rwanda gorilla treks which are rewarding year-round.
Personally, as a photographer, I prefer the quieter months. The dynamics are different. So is the light, the pace, and even the animal behaviour. There’s more time to wait, watch, and connect with what’s unfolding — without ten other vehicles watching the same moment.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Just the right time for you — your interests, your travel style, and the kind of story you want to come home with.
And that’s where thoughtful planning makes all the difference.
5. How Your Safari Is Run Matters — To You, the Wildlife, and the Communities
A safari isn’t just about what you see. It’s also about how the experience is created — and who benefits from it, aside from you of course :).
The way your safari is run can either support or harm the very landscapes and species you’ve come to witness. It can uplift local communities — or bypass them. It can leave the land intact — or leave a mark.
Look for operators who do things right:
Professional guides who respect wildlife and never crowd animals for a better photo. Good guiding leads to better sightings, safer interactions, and a more respectful experience.
Camps and lodges that genuinely reduce their environmental impact — from solar power and waste reduction to sustainably built structures.
Locally rooted teams — not just employing communities, but empowering them through training, leadership roles, and long-term investment.
Conservation-minded operators who contribute to protecting the very ecosystems they rely on, whether through fees, partnerships, or active projects.
Now, let’s be honest — it’s hard to be completely eco in the bush. We still use diesel vehicles, and remote camps need supplies transported in. When we travel on safari, we try our best to work with teams who care — who try to make better choices every step of the way and do what we can to make the trip as eco-friendly as possible.
You’ll feel the difference. And long after the trip ends, so will the people and wildlife you helped support.
6. The Guide Makes the Safari
I can’t emphasise this enough — I find most underestimate the importance of this key team member.
You could be surrounded by wildlife and still feel disconnected… or be in a quiet reserve and come home changed.
The difference? Your guide.
The best guides don’t just drive. They read the landscape. They anticipate animal behaviour, track with intent, answer every question (even the odd ones), and share the kind of bush stories that stay with you for life.
A great guide knows when to speak and when to let silence tell the story. They understand animal behaviour intimately, teaching you to spot subtle signs in the landscape. They create safety while fostering connection. They translate not just what you're seeing, but why it matters.
They turn sightings into moments — and moments into memories.
Choose people, not packages.
Finally, here are a few quick answers to the most common safari questions I receive — based on my own travels and feedback from guests over the years.
Q: How much should I budget for a quality safari?
A: For a well-planned, immersive safari experience staying within parks or reserves with professional guides, expect to invest $600-1000+ per person per day, depending on the country, accommodations, and exclusivity.
Q: How many days do I need for a fulfilling safari?
A: For a meaningful connection with the wilderness, plan for at least 6-8 days of actual safari time (not including travel days).
Q: What's the best way to book my safari?
A: Work with specialized safari planners who have personal experience in your chosen destinations. Ask about their recent visits, conservation partnerships, and how they select guides. Avoid generic travel agencies without specific wildlife expertise.
Q: What's the biggest mistake first-time safari travellers make?
A: Packing too much into too little time. A rushed safari with one-night stays and long transit days defeats the purpose of connecting with wild places. Better to experience fewer areas deeply than many superficially.
Q: Can I bring children on safari?
A: Many lodges welcome children, but age restrictions vary. For families, look for properties with specialised family programs, guides experienced with children, and accommodations designed for family safety and comfort. I would also recommend brining children aged 8-10+, they appreciate the experience more and likely to remember it.
Your Wild Journey Awaits
A safari isn't just about what you see — it's about how it shifts something inside you. The wild teaches patience, presence, and wonder, and those lessons stay long after the journey ends. Whether you're dreaming of your first safari or planning your next adventure, we’d love to help you create an experience that resonates deeply with what matters to you.
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