Safaris in Africa are about bird sounds, and croaking frogs, clear night skies, and of course, roaring lions. It’s about the wild, the openness, the African bush. It’s about exploring the bush with your guide in an open game drive vehicle.
Being prepared about what to expect when you go on safari can make the difference between having a great time and complaints. Let’s make sure that your expectations match the reality of a safari trip!
1. Know Your Safari Travel Style
You might be reading other blogs and watching vlogs of other people who have been to Africa, but usually, and I’m not knocking anyone at all, they only talk about one type of safari. The one that they personally went on.
Which is great, because they can talk about first-hand experiences.
However, having worked in the safari industry for almost 30 years, I want you to know that there are many, many different types of safaris that you can book.
You need to know what you’re booking before you book it, so that you know you are going to enjoy your time in the bush.
Fly-In Safaris
Fly-in safaris are costly because of the additional cost of small bush plane flights that fly you from camp-to-camp. Usually, the camps that you will stay at on a fly-in safari are more luxurious.
Read: Tips to Flying in Small Planes in Africa
Overland Safari Trips
Jumping into a truck with a group of others, just as excited as you, to get on the road? This could be the option for you. The distances are usually quite long and often the accommodation is camping style where camps are pitched in carefully selected areas.
Interest Safaris
These types of trips are often down as groups and are based on a certain interest. For example, photographic safaris, bird watching safaris, botany safaris.
Walking Safaris
A walking safari could be in a group, and you will walk, with an armed and qualified guide, for hours a day, walking from camp-to-camp.
Self-Drive Safari
Love the idea of freedom and flexibility? This could be something that you would enjoy. Rent a car and drive yourself to your camps. Explore the area but there are also restrictions, such as knowing that you cannot do your own game drives in private reserves. You can in national parks (generally) but you need to check before you decide on this type of safari.
Anyway, those are just a few types of safaris that you can get. So, if you are not into birding, don’t book a birding safari. If you want a luxury option, look at a fly-in luxury safari.
MISTAKES FIRST TIME SAFARI GOERS MAKE – add this in as a download
2. Early Mornings and Late Nights
When you book a safari, usually your game drives and activities are included in the rate (you do need to check this before you confirm your booking).
However, this doesn’t mean its necessarily relaxing.
Think about it. You are woken in the morning at around 05h00 to get up and have a bite to eat, like a small muffin or rusk and coffee. Then you hit the road to go exploring on your morning game drive. You return to the lodge for brunch, and then it is siesta time if you want to take a nap. but this could also be the time that you are going on a boat ride or chatting with your guide.
At 16h00-ish you are again gathering for high tea and heading out on your afternoon game drive. Back to the lodge afterwards for dinner, sitting around the campfire exchanging stories from the day, and then its bed.
And the same thing happens the next day.
So, is it peaceful? Yes. Is it relaxing? Umm…
My suggestion for you is to take a nap during the siesta time after brunch if you’re feeling tired. Also know that you don’t have to go out on every game drive. Very often wildlife does come into camp.
3. The Accommodation is All Different
Every single lodge that you go to will be different. It’s not like in a city when a 5-star hotel is usually quite similar to another 5-star hotel. It’s not like that on safari.
Tents vs Rooms vs Suites
Every camp is different – and that’s also part of what makes a safari interesting. Some lodges are brick and mortar, with proper windows and doors.
Most accommodation is, however, in a canvas tent (with a bathroom and everything you need). It’s the degree of luxury that changes with the tents. Higher end lodges have massive tents with lounges, private salas and private splash pools.
More basic ones won’t ha0ev the bells and whistles, but they will have the guides, the game drives and the great food. It depends on what you’re looking for.
4. Expect Communal Dining at Dinnertime
Many camps out in the African bush set dinner up around a long table so that all of the guests in camp can sit together with their guides and hosts, and talk about the highlights of their day. What sightings did they see? What should they look for tomorrow?
Great friends and connections are made through these communal dining feasts.
If you really don’t want to do this, you can request to have private dinners where your table will be set up seperately. If it makes you uncomfortable to be seated at your own table in the same area as the communal table, then you can have dinner set up at your tent or room, or at the pool area.
Dinner isn’t always like this but go into it with an openness and a willingness to try new things and meet new people. It’s quite fun and can be a great laugh!
5. Lodge Amenities Might Not Be What You’re Expecting
Depending on the type of camp, you might have bucket showers, which could have a variety of warm to hot water. It just depends. If you’re looking for a solid deep bath, you need to do your homework as not all camps have bathtubs.
Most lodges are also off the grid, which means they run off solar power and generators. This also means there is a limit to the power they supply. Previously, you weren’t allowed to take your own hairdryer for example, as they would trip the whole camp.
Most lodges and safari camps have a way for your to power your devices and batteries. Most of them are also switching to USB ports and have a variety of plugs.
To make sure your batteries are 100% charged all the time, I would recommend that you take your own international adaptor with you.
Things are slowly changing so you can request a fact sheet from the lodge if you don’t find the information online, if these types of things are important to you. It can help set your expectations for your safari.
6. Wild Animals
You are in the bush, out on the savannah and you’re in Africa. And Africa is known for its wildlife. That’s the whole point of going on a safari. This can range from lions and elephants, to hares and tortoises. And if you’re really lucky, you might spot a pangolin or aardvark.
The animals are well camouflaged and have adapted to living in the bush. When you go out on a game drive, sometimes these animals do come right up to the vehicle. Just listen to your guide and sit still, don’t talk, and you should be fine.
Read: Know How to Stay Safe Around Wild Animals
Some lodges are fenced, to keep the wildlife out. But most of them aren’t. Very often camps and lodges that are highly geared to cater for families or family groups, will be fenced.
But to me there is something special about hearing the animals snuffle around your tent during the night.
7. Bush Toilets
There aren’t any toilets when you’re out on a game drive. If you need to go and cannot hold it, tell your guide, he’ll throw you a roll of TP and find a safe place for you to go and do your business.
8. Sundowners Are Amazing
When you go out on your afternoon game drive, your guide will find a safe place to park, usually with a beautiful view. One of my best was along the Zambezi River with the hippos honking from the water. He’ll set out a table with snacks and drinks for you to enjoy a happy ‘clink-clink’ to end off your day.
9. There is A Lot of Food
Do not for a second think you’ll go hungry on a safari. If you have booked a package where everything is included, you’ll honestly feel like you never stop eating! You have a bite to eat when you wake up in the morning, followed by a late brunch. Next thing its high tea, then sundowner snacks and then dinner. It might not sound like much but trust me, you’re going to feel like you need to hit the gym to lose that weight most of us pick up during an African trip!
10. The Roads are Bumpy!
Ladies, I’m not being funny here, but I highly recommend you invest in a sports bra – expecting smooth, tarred roads is unrealistic. It’s mostly sandy roads, ditches, climbs and hills. And game drives last a few hours. You’ll want to be well prepared for bouncing around in the back of a game vehicle.
Real-Life Examples: When Expectations Don’t Match Reality
“We Wanted Luxury… and Got Bats in the Bathroom”
Sometimes these things happen. Bats, frogs, giant ants, scorpions, and the occasional snake – it happens.
Don’t forget that you are in the bush. You’re in the wild. You’re in their territory. This is where they live. Most of those types of animals can fit through the smallest gaps – a gap in the window lining, a gap in the zipper, a tiny hole in the roof.
Just call your camp manager and they will assist you. They will either remove it, or move you to another room if they have the availability to do so.
Remember that these creatures aren’t out to get you! Just check your shoes, under your bed and under your duvet before you climb in.
“We Thought It’d Be Quiet… But It Was Basically Animal Party Hour”
There is nothing that tells you more that you’re in the bush, than when it’s time to hit the hay. I’ll admit that it can get your heart racing a little, but I absolutely love it!
Everything is quiet – people have stopped laughing and talking, game drive vehicles are quietly parked away, and when you’re lying in bed and the lights are off. Just listen. Owls hooting, animals scurrying, ‘something’ walking past the tent.
I remember on one of my first safaris to Botswana, there was definitely something digging under the side of the tent. And while that was going on, something else was scraping against the door of the tent (it was a solid door).
In the morning my guide told me that there were elephant tracks outside the door. He said that he or she was most likely brushing his trunk up against the door and that’s what I heard.
So yes, traffic and city sounds are gone. But they’re replaced by hoots and scuffles and other wild sounds.
How to Choose a Safari Camp That’s Right for You
When choosing a safari camp, think beyond just the photos or price—make sure it aligns with the kind of experience on your bucket list, whether that’s tracking lions on foot, enjoying sundowners in style, or seeing the Great Migration.
The season and location will heavily influence what wildlife you see and how comfortable the climate is, so timing is key.
Finally, take time to read accommodation and safari reviews carefully, looking for clues about the camp’s vibe, service, and setup to ensure it matches your personal travel style.
Quick Tips for First-Time Safari Travelers
- Don’t be afraid to ask ‘silly’ questions. Guides will gladly answer you.
- Always check the camp’s website and guest photos
- Read reviews online on sites such as Tripadvisor
- Read all of your travel documents before you travel
If you travel with an open mind and a sense of adventure, and understand this is not going to be the same as any other vacation you have ever taken, you will have an amazing time on your safari.
