Africa Safari: 53 guided trips in 8 countries

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

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

Our safari trips start at €869 for 4 days camping in Kruger National Park and go up to €11,199 for a 57-day overland trip from Cape Town to Nairobi. A 10-day lodge safari in Tanzania with Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar costs €2,699, a 12-day round trip through Namibia with Sossusvlei and Etosha €1,649. The price includes guide, vehicle, accommodation, most meals and the park fees. On top come flights, visa, tips and drinks. What exactly is included is listed under services on every trip.

It depends on what you want to see. Tanzania has the highest density of animals and the great migration, with Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Kenya has the Masai Mara and the shortest journey. Namibia combines desert, Etosha and self-driving on good gravel roads. South Africa has Kruger, malaria-free reserves and the Garden Route on top, with the most trips in the catalogue. Botswana is the wettest, most expensive and emptiest option, with Okavango and Chobe. For a 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, and the malaria-free reserves in the Eastern Cape and the Waterberg take children of any age. Long driving days and overland trucks are nothing for children under 12. The trip Family Adventure in Kruger National Park is built 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 arrive, on the last you leave, and in between you need time because the animals keep no timetable. Our trips last between 4 and 57 days, most of them 7 to 14. With 14 days you manage two countries, for example Tanzania with Zanzibar or Namibia with Botswana. From 3 weeks the overland trips from Cape Town to Victoria Falls or all the way to Nairobi are worth it.

Up at 5:30, coffee, off at sunrise, because that is when the animals hunt and drink. Three to four hours of game drive, breakfast in the bush or at camp. A break at midday, because at 1 pm the lions sleep too. From 15:30 the second game drive until sunset, in private reserves after dark with a spotlight. Dinner at 19:00, campfire, bed at 21:00. On driving days between the parks you sit 4 to 8 hours in the vehicle.

A yellow fever vaccination is mandatory on entry to Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda if you come from a yellow fever area, and for Uganda in every case. Hepatitis A and B, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and typhoid are recommended. You need malaria prophylaxis in almost every park apart from the Eastern Cape, the Waterberg and parts of Namibia. Talk to a travel medicine doctor 6 to 8 weeks before departure. The details per country are in the travel information for Tanzania and Uganda, and your own doctor has the last word.