Over 30 million tourists visit Africa every year, often to go on a safari.
Adding an African safari to your itinerary is a must as you can watch wildlife in their natural habitat, spot historical sites, and immerse yourself in the spectacular scenery. You’ll notice there’s a wealth of safaris which can feel overwhelming but luckily, we’re here to help!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to planning an African safari.
Decide Where to Go
The first step of planning an African safari is deciding where to go as there are two main regions, East or Southern Africa although both have key animals you’re hoping to see.
In East Africa, you can visit Tanzania, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater which is popular for tourists. If you want to take a safari tour in Southern Africa then visit Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, or Zambia.
Get Your Visas
Once you’ve decided where to go on a safari, it’s time to plan for your visas. Americans can enter Namibia and Botswana visa-free but you’ll need one for Zambia and Zimbabwe which you can do on arrival. If you’re going to East Africa, then get an East African Tourist visa so you can travel freely between Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda for 90 days.
Pack the Right Clothes
It’s important to wear the right clothes on your African safari vacation. You must wear earth-toned colors so you’re camouflaged and stay cool when spotting wildlife in the midday heat. Choose clothes that offer SPF protection and wick away moisture to help your body adjust to the temperature. Don’t forget to pack extra layers because it gets cooler in the evening.
Bring the Essentials
One of the most important African travel tips is to pack your essentials. So bring sunglasses, a full-brimmed hat, and thick-soled shoes that are comfortable to hike in. You should also pack your favorite toiletries and fragrance-free sunscreen as mosquitoes are drawn to sweet smells.
Remember you’ll drink bottled water during your stay but that doesn’t mean you have to use single-use plastic bottles. Instead, bring your reusable bottle and refill it with store-bought jugs of purified water to stay hydrated.
Don’t Forget Your Tech Gear
There are plenty of things to do in Africa so document your vacation. Buy an international electrical outlet adapter with multiple USB plugs and an extra battery pack so you can recharge your camera on-the-go.
Make sure you have a good camera with a great zoom lens so you can shoot long-distance photos of the incredible animals.
That’s How to Plan an African Safari
Hopefully, this post has helped you plan an African safari.
Figure out where you want to go, whether you and the group need visas, and pack the right clothing. You’ll also want a reliable camera with excellent zoom so you can revisit your memories of your safari forever. Enjoy!
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