When you think of Africa, chances are you lump it all in together. That is, you think of Africa as one giant destination where the cities, towns and wildlife parks are all relatively similar. And yet there is so much diversity across Africa, each country and region has something unique to offer. Even the wildlife is different depending on where in Africa you actually are.

So, it’s no wonder that when it comes time to choose an African safari, it can be a daunting experience. There are so many different options of where to go and what to see, where do you even begin?

If you find yourself lusting after an African adventure, if a safari is on your bucket list or you have dreams of your own Out of Africa or Lion King experience then read on because we’ve got five tips to help you find the right safari.

1. Know what you want to see. Wildlife, duh! Not all parks, or all countries will provide the same experience when it comes to wildlife so the more you can narrow it down to what you actually want to see, the better experience you’ll have. For instance, if you desperately want to see a meerkat in its natural environment, you’ll need to go to Namibia. Want to go trekking for gorillas? There are very few places, even in Africa that are home to these beauties, so if that’s a must-see for your African trip you’ll need to go to Rwanda, the DRC or Uganda. Want to see the Big 5? You’ve got more chance in the Masai Mara in Kenya than the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, but if it’s elephants you’re after, make sure you include a stop at Amboseli; for flamingoes, you’ll want to add Lake Nakaru but if you really want to see hippos then you might want to go to Lake Navaisha… You see what we mean? You’ll have an amazing time in each, but you don’t want to miss your favourite wildlife now, do you?
2. Know how you like to travel Do you want to stay in a national park? Stay in luxury or is a tent more your thing? Many of the countries in Africa may be considered ‘developing’ but there is no shortage of the types of accommodation you can stay in. You’ll find luxurious lodges scattered throughout the continent, in the national parks and outside. Some safaris, like our Kenya Soul tour, will include a night under the stars in tents for that up close and personal experience – you’ll hear the hyenas laughing and the lions roaring throughout the night and will get to feel like you’re truly a part of the jungle. Two very different experiences, equally magical depending on your preferences.
3. Know what experiences you want We mentioned earlier that each destination in Africa offers something a little different, Uganda is well known for its gorilla trekking, but also for the friendliness of the Ugandan people. Truly you’ll go for the wildlife, but be blown away by the hospitality of its locals, not to mention the stunning landscapes. In Kenya and Tanzania, you’ll be overwhelmed by the wildlife, while in Madagascar you’ll see wildlife and some amazing beaches. Ethiopia will fill you with wonder with its amazing history and intriguing architecture and the DRC will thrill you with its massive volcanoes and stunning walks. Before you pick a tour, think about your likes and dislikes and what Africa means to you. If you want to add a trek up Kilimanjaro or a walking safari, be sure to factor that into where you travel to. Africa is a big continent and it can take a long time to get from one location to another – there is a reason they talk about the African massage and it has something to do with the state of the roads in many of the less populated areas!
4. Know what you want to do Do you want to volunteer overseas? Take epic photos? Have a family adventure? There are tours that focus on volunteering, tours that focus on photography, tours that focus on experiencing as much wildlife as you can, tours that focus on hiking… The list is endless. You can visit coffee plantations, unbelievable waterfalls, stunning beaches. Just because someone else spent five days chasing the Big 5 in the Masai Mara, doesn’t mean you will want to do the same. You might prefer to spend two days on a beach or in a resort swimming pool, two days on Safari and a day visiting local communities. Don’t be tempted to simply recreate someone else’s holiday unless that really is the way you like to travel and mirrors the things you are interested in.
5. Who will you go with? Ok, we know you are well sorted on that front, we assume you’ve figured out whether you’ll be travelling with friends, with kids, with your significant other or on your own. But once again, there are different tours that cater to different types of groups and tours that either allows you to join with other travellers or to create your own bespoke tour. You won’t want to turn up on a family-focused tour if you’re hoping to have a romantic African getaway with your significant other.

There are so many choices when it comes to planning your African adventure, but it really comes down to knowing yourself, how you like to travel and what you want to see. A little bit of research at the start will ensure you have the best experience possible – for you!