Safari 101
A first safari, explained without the brochure voice.
Nine chapters on how a day works, where the days should go, what the sample prices on this site actually cover, and what to ask before anyone takes payment.
Start with thisWhat a day on safari is actually likeMost days are built around two outings, with a long quiet middle. The interesting part is how the place changes that pattern.Read the chapter
2 of 9Where to go, and how many days you needTwo areas, enough nights in each, beat a route that spends the week in airports and reception desks.
3 of 9Which kind of safari fitsThe vehicle, the rules of the land, and who sets the pace matter more than the brochure category.
4 of 9When to goRain, crowds, and the migration do not line up the same way in Kenya as they do at the Cape. Pick the month for the place, not for a continent-wide season.
5 of 9What a safari costsThe published sample trips on this site run from $1,680 to $6,400 a person. The number moves with the place, the privacy, and what is inside the rate.
6 of 9What to settle before you bookHealth rules, fitness, and the small print move faster than a safari brochure. Confirm them against your own dates.
7 of 9What to packNeutral clothes, a warm layer, and a soft bag if you are flying between camps. The rest is detail.
8 of 9In the parks: wildlife, safety, and the people who live thereThe rules are simple, and they are the guide’s job to enforce. Your job is to follow them and to remember that the park is not a theme park.
9 of 9Words you will hearA short list. The quote should still spell out what your own trip includes.
More planning notes, one topic at a time, are in the African Travel Blog.