What to Expect on a Luxury South Africa Safari
An African safari is a once in a lifetime experience. I have been to Africa four times, all of which were among the best trips of my life.
A luxury South Africa safari will open your eyes to a new world with amazing people, vibrant culture, and exotic animals.
This guide to a luxury South Africa safari will explain what to expect on your trip and how to best plan it. If you are not convinced that this is a trip you need to take, you will be after reading this post.
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Why a Luxury Africa Safari Needs to be on your Bucket List
My first time in Africa was a day stop in Egypt on a cruise. Just a taste of this amazing continent had me hooked and wanting to return.
My second visit was a luxury safari in Kenya and Tanzania. This was hands-down the best trip of my life. My third visit was to Tanzania to volunteer in a local hospital, which was both rewarding and incredible.
Finally, my most recent trip to this vibrant continent was a Southern Africa safari that departed from Cape Town and went through Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
As mentioned above, an African safari needs to be on everyone’s bucket list and the below reasons are why.
I have visited all seven continents and more than fifty countries. The luxury South Africa safari I went on was my best trip to date. Take my word for it!
1. Experience New Culture
On safari, you will meet many local people and get to be a part of their life for a short period of time. You will meet safari guides, drivers, hotel owners, hotel staff and community members.
As you can imagine, life is vastly different in the African bush than it is in a United States city. However, there are a lot of similarities as well.
One of my favorite aspects of travel is learning from others and experiencing other cultures first-hand. The interactions you will find on safari will change your life for the better.
2. See Amazing Animals Up Close
The most common reason people go on safari is to see the animals. Besides the zoo, an African safari is the only place to see animals such as hippos, elephants, lions, rhinos and much more. And let’s be real, seeing these animals in the zoo is not the same thing.
On safari, your experienced guide and driver will navigate the bush to ensure you see as many animals as possible. While nothing is guaranteed, you will likely see all the big 5: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo. In addition, you will see other big cats, many species of gazelle and hundreds of birds.
Best Luxury South Africa Safari Outfitters
When planning a luxury South Africa safari, choosing an outfitter will determine the success of your trip. The outfitter will plan everything from hotels to activities to transportation.
Different tour companies provide different levels of service, price points and itineraries.
Abercrombie and Kent Safari
Abercrombie and Kent is my number one recommendation for a luxury safari outfitter. They have coordinated my two luxury safaris, both of which were exceptional. A&K is known for luxury, personalized service, and engaging tours.
On my first Abercrombie and Kent east Africa Safari, we visited Kenya and Tanzania for two weeks. The group consisted of four families and 16 total people.
Each family had a dedicated driver, and we all shared the same guide. Although I was wary of a small group trip, it turned out better than I could have imagined.
Everyone on the trip was friendly and by the end, we were all friends. A&K perfectly balanced group time with personal time for each family.
My second trip with A&K was this luxury South Africa safari. It was a similar layout to the above trip but visited South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
Again, Abercrombie and Kent delivered an amazing, diverse itinerary with exceptional service.
While I have not traveled with them, some other great luxury safari outfitters are Micato, And Beyond and Rothschild Safaris.
All the mentioned options offer small group journeys and tailor-made private tours.
Typical Itinerary on an African Safari
Expectations of a One- to Two-Week Safari
Safari Lodges
Each of the above companies will offer slightly different itineraries and lodging options. However, you can expect a similar day-to-day itinerary with all the outfitters.
Each safari trip will typically last one to two weeks with a variety of different camps or hotels. You will usually stay two to three nights at each accommodation.
Accommodations can be resorts, safari lodges or luxury tents. The best itineraries combine a variety of these accommodations.
Itineraries
Throughout the safari, expect to visit areas with different climates or animal populations. For example, on my recent southern Africa safari, we stayed in the desert, on a river, and at a river delta.
Game Reserves vs National Parks
Most time will be spent in private game reserves or national parks. Visiting a variety of locations will allow you to see the diversity of each African region.
Some common game reserves you will encounter on a Southern African safari are Sabi Sand game reserve, Madikwe game reserve, and Kruger national park.
Daily Expectations on a Luxury Safari Trip
Morning Game Drive:
Each morning expect to rise early for a sunrise game drive. This is the best time to see animals before they seek cover from the daytime heat.
Enjoy a quick breakfast before packing into a safari vehicle for a three-hour drive around the national park or private game reserve you are in. Often, you will stop midway for a coffee and snack in the bush.
Lunch and Relaxation:
Next, you will return to the hotel for lunch and downtime. Lunch is typically table service for the entire group.
People will share stories and photos from the morning drive. The rest of the afternoon is usually at your leisure to relax at the pool or spa.
Afternoon Game Drive and Happy Hour:
In the late afternoon, head back out for a sunset game drive. This is when many animals leave their shade and search for food.
As with the morning, you will drive for approximately three hours, searching for more animals. My favorite part of the afternoon game drive is the sundowner happy hour that will follow.
One of my favorite travel memories is enjoying a cocktail in the middle of the African bush with the sounds of nearby animals.
Dinner and Evening Activities:
After a day of game viewing, you will again return to the hotel for a luxury three-course dinner then bedtime.
Every meal I have had on safari has been outstanding. Expect a variety of food options with amazing spices and fresh ingredients.
In addition to the standard daily schedule and game drives, expect some fun additions. This may include kayaking, a hot air balloon ride, a trip to Victoria falls or a visit to a local school.
These activities create a well-rounded and memorable trip.
Packing for an African Safari
Packing for a safari takes a bit more consideration than the average trip. You must consider comfort, colors and packing limits.
Since many safaris use small bush planes to travel, guests are often limited to 30 pound soft-sided duffel bags. Some companies may provide the bag as part of the tour. Either way, this is a small allotment for a multi-week trip.
To maximize packing space, utilize a capsule wardrobe with versatile, mix and match pieces. Bring many basics and layers that can be rearranged to create a variety of outfits throughout the trip.
In addition, consider which colors you pack. Some colors such as navy, black and white can attract bugs and mosquitos.
Bright colors can scare off wildlife. Opt to pack clothes that are tan, beige, light blue and green for the best experience.
The above green & grey and brown & blue collages illustrate how to pack within the color-code to be able to mix and match pieces.
Although the trip is luxurious, casual attire is appropriate throughout the day and night. Pack sturdy shoes and comfortable layers, leaving your strappy sandals and fancy dresses at home.
Find my complete packing list here.
Safari Photography Tips
If you have been thinking of investing in a nice camera, going on a safari is the perfect excuse to go for it. While iPhones take amazing photos, a good camera can do much better in this case. A camera will offer better zoom and clarity for far away animals.
I highly recommend this camera for a great starter option. Mirrorless cameras are great for travel since they are much lighter than typical DSLR’s.
If you do not want to invest in a camera, you can still get great photos with your phone. For added zoom, take photos through your binoculars.
It can take a bit of practice to line up the camera with the lens, but once you get the hang of it, you will get great quality photos easily. You can also buy a zoom attachment like this for your iPhone if you prefer.
Be sure to utilize your guides for getting great photos. They go on safari every day, so they know the tips and tricks for framing and capturing a great photo. They will give you pointers or even snap the pictures for you.
While safari is a great place to get amazing photos, be sure to enjoy the scenery through your eyes, not just the lens. At the end of the trip, set up a drop box to collect photos from the entire group so you do not have to worry about missing anything.
Is a Luxury South Africa Safari Worth It?
Overall, a luxury South Africa safari is notorious for being an expensive trip. While you can opt to travel to Africa on a budget, I highly recommend going in luxury at least once.
A luxury safari will offer you the comfort, safety, and small touches that other options cannot.
To cut down on the costs, save by booking discounted flights or traveling during off season. This way, you can stick to a budget without sacrificing amazing hotels, guides and experiences.
Final Thoughts: Luxury Safari Travel
As I mentioned above, my luxury African safaris were the best trips of my life. I truly believe this is the trip of a lifetime for any travel enthusiast.
From the connections with people, to the nature you will experience, I can guarantee you will not regret this trip.
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below. If you found this article helpful or inspiring, please share on Pinterest for others to find.
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