Africa Safari: 56 small-group trips

Three decisions are enough for the beginning: which animals you want to see, how many days you have, and how you want to sleep. The great animal migration is called Serengeti or Masai Mara, elephants in mass is called Chobe, desert and animals together is called Namibia. With 7 to 10 days you stay in one country, from 14 days two are worthwhile. Lodge, camping or overland decides the price. The rest, that is dates, park fees, transfers, and guide, is taken care of by the trip itself. If you are unsure: send us the three answers, we will send you three suitable routes.

In the dry season, because the animals then gather at the waterholes and the grass is short. For Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, this is from June to October; for Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, it is from May to October. July and August are the busiest months with the highest prices. Those who want young animals and green landscapes and can live with afternoon rain should travel to East Africa in January and February or to the south in November. The exact months per country are in the travel information.

Our safari trips start at €869 for 4 days in Kruger National Park and go up to €11,199 for a 57-day overland trip from Cape Town to Nairobi. A typical lodge safari of 10 days in Tanzania costs around €2,700, a camping safari of 12 days in Namibia around €1,500. The price includes guide, vehicle, accommodation, most meals, and park fees. Additional costs include flights, visas, tips, and drinks. What exactly is included is listed under services for each trip.

It depends on what you want to see. Tanzania has the highest animal density and the great migration with Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Kenya has the Masai Mara and the shortest travel time. Namibia combines desert, Etosha, and self-driving on good tracks. South Africa has Kruger, malaria-free reserves, and the Garden Route, with the most trips in the catalog. Botswana is the water-richest, most expensive, and emptiest option with Okavango and Chobe. For the first safari, we recommend Tanzania or South Africa.

Yes, from about 6 years old in lodges from 8, on camping safaris from 12. Many lodges in South Africa and Namibia have family rooms, the malaria-free reserves in the Eastern Cape and Waterberg accept children of all ages. Long travel days and overland trucks are nothing for children under 12. The trip Family and Friends in South Africa is designed for families. Tell us the age of the children, and we will tell you which route fits.

At least 4 days in the park, better 7 to 10. On the first day, you travel there, on the last day, you depart; in between, you need time because the animals do not have a timetable. Our trips last between 4 and 57 days, most from 7 to 14. With 14 days, you can do two countries, for example, Tanzania with Zanzibar or Namibia with Botswana. Starting from 3 weeks, the overland trips from Cape Town to Victoria Falls or to Nairobi are worthwhile.

Get up at 5:30 AM, coffee, departure at sunrise because the animals hunt and drink then. Three to four hours of game drive, breakfast in the bush or at camp. Lunch break because at 1 PM the lions also sleep. From 3:30 PM the second game drive until sunset, in private reserves also afterwards with spotlight. Dinner at 7 PM, campfire, bed at 9 PM. On travel days between the parks, you sit 4 to 8 hours in the vehicle.

Vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory upon entry to Tanzania, Kenya, or Uganda if you are coming from a yellow fever area, and generally for Uganda. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and typhus are recommended. Malaria prophylaxis is needed in almost all parks except in the Eastern Cape, the Waterberg, and parts of Namibia. Consult a tropical medicine specialist 6 to 8 weeks before departure. The information for each country is provided in the travel information, but your doctor's advice is binding.