Africa is a continent of contrasts - roaring wildlife, silent deserts, lush deltas, rich culture, and snow-capped mountains. With so many unique ways to explore its raw beauty, the word "safari" goes far beyond a 4x4 drive across the plains.
If you're dreaming of wide-open savannas, dramatic landscapes, culture, and thrilling wildlife encounters, there's no better adventure than an African Safari. Whether you're planning a romantic honeymoon, seeking an adrenaline-pumping aerial safari, or preparing for the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa offers something truly extraordinary.
In this guide, we'll explore the diverse range of safari experiences - from luxurious to rugged, serene to heart-racing - and help you choose the perfect adventure to suit your safari goals.
1. Big Five Safaris - The Classic African Experience: Named for the most iconic and challenging animals to spot - lion, elephant, rhino, water buffalo, and leopard. A Big Five Safari is guaranteed excitement for iconic animal sightings and a must-do for bucket-list travelers.
Top Destinations:
- Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
- Kruger National Park, South Africa
- Masai Mara, Kenya
2. Aerial Safaris - Soar Over The Wild: Experience Africa from above with hot air balloon rides, helicopter flips, or scenic light aircraft tours with your bush pilot. It's a stunning, quiet, and magical way to see wildlife and landscapes.
Best Spots:
- Balloon over Serengeti or Masai Mara at sunrise.
- Fly over Namibia's Skeleton Coast or Sossusvlei Dunes.
- Helicopter over Victoria Falls or the Okavango Delta.
3. Walking Safaris - Back to the Wild
If you're looking to gain a deeper understanding of ecosystems, close-up encounters with smaller species, plants, and birds, this might be the perfect safari for you. Guided by expert trackers and armed rangers for protection, walking safaris immerse you in the bush. Learn to read tracks, identify birds, and other animal species - sense wildlife the old-fashioned way - on foot.
Best Locations:
- South Luangwa, Zambia - the birthplace of walking safaris.
- Rusha, Tanzania
- Greater Kruger, South Africa
4. Water Safaris - Game Viewing Boat: Water Safaris take you off the road and onto rivers and wetlands by canoe, houseboats, and mokoro (dugout canoe) rides, showing you a different perspective of African wildlife. You'll get opportunities to observe hippos at eye level, sunbathing crocodiles, elephants wading, and other animals gathering to quench their thirst. Also a great opportunity to bird watch and for close-range photography.
Best places to experience a Water Safaris are:
- Okavango Delta, Botswana
- Chobe River, Botswana/Namibia
- Zambezi River, Zambia/Zimbabwe
5. Nile River Safaris - Ancient Waterways: This is the perfect safari for history buffs, slow travelers, and culture lovers. You will explore the Nile River by traditional felucca or luxury cruise, gliding past ancient temples, timeless villages, and wildlife along the river banks.
Where to Go:
- Egypt - Luxor to Aswan on luxury cruises.
- Uganda - Source of the Nile at Jinja (combine with gorilla tracking)
6. Horseback Safaris - Ride With The Herds: If you're a Cowboy or experienced rider, this one is for you. Imagine riding silently alongside the herds of zebras, gazelles, and antelopes, or silently riding past giraffes. Horseback safaris offer intimate, low-impact wildlife encounters - and a rush of adrenaline.
Best Locations:
- Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana
- Laikipia Plateau, Kenya
- Waterberg Region, South Africa
7. Desert Safaris - Dunes, Silence & Stars: Trade lush greenery and savannas for arid, serene desert beauty by camel, and 4x4 dune bashing. Expect traditional tea, and nights under infinite stars.
Desert safaris are not about observing abundant wildlife. Desert safaris offer peace, exploring ancient cultures and history, and stark landscapes where animals adapt to extremes. Make sure to be prepared for the drastic temperature fluctuations. Daytime temperatures soar to over 100 degrees with no shade for reprieve, while nighttime temperatures can go down to 25 degrees.
Highlight:
- Namib Desert & Deadvlei, Namibia
- Sahara by Camel, Marocco
- Desert Meets History, Tunisia & Egypt
8. Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Expedition - The Top of Africa: If you're looking to add an epic achievement to your safari, climbing Kilimanjaro is the ultimate adventure. Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa. It's peak is at over 19,000 ft. A trek to the peak will take about 5-9 days, depending on the route and your pace. You don't need to be an expert mountaineer, but you'll need to be in good physical shape with a strong mindset, as part of the climb can prove to be challenging. You'll need stamina to cope with long days of hiking and the ability to manage the effects of altitude. I highly recommend preparing yourself for this epic experience with endurance training ahead of the trip and obtaining the proper gear.
You'll be hiking with a team of professional guides (I happen to know an excellent and very kind local experienced guide and tour operator, who lives on the mountain), porters, and cooks, trekking through various terrains and weather conditions as altitude changes. At lower levels, you'll experience warm weather and humidity, hiking through a rainforest, which will lead you to mid-level moorland and alpine desert with unpredictable weather - sunny one moment, cold and windy the next - before you reach the Uhuru peak.
My personal recommendation is to combine this incredible Kili climb with a Serengeti or Ngorongoro Safari and relaxation on Zanzibar's white sandy beaches for a full 360 African adventure experience.
The Main Routes:
- Marangu Route (Coca Cola Route): Popular route but can be a bit crowded and has huts or accommodations.
- Machame Route (Whiskey Route): Scenic and slightly more challenging; involves camping.
- Lemosho Route: A bit quieter, beautiful, and has a good acclimatization profile.
- Rongai Route: Another less busy route from the North.
9. Budget Safaris - Adventure Without the Price Tag: A safari doesn't have to be expensive. From group camping trips to local-run lodges, there are many ways to explore Africa's wild side on a budget. Great for solo travelers, students and people with a a minimalist lifestyle.
Budget Tips:
- Choose group over private safaris
- Travel in the shoulder season
- Look for overland tours
Destinations for Budget Travel:
- Uganda or Tanzania (shared itineraries)
- Self drive safaris in South Africa
- Affordable overland packages in Namibia
10. Luxury Safaris - The Best of the Best for high-end travelers, honeymooners, and other special occasions. Luxury safaris deliver impeccable service, gourmet dining. stunning accommodations, private plunge pools, butler service, designer tented camps or eco-lux lodges, scenic flights, fine dining in the bush and often exclusive wildlife access. Think five-star accommodations in the middle of nowhere.
Some of the Top Choices:
- Singita & Londolozi, South Africa
- &Beyond and Sanctuary Camps, Tanzania/Kenya
- Mombo Camp, Botswana
11. Wildly Romantic Honeymoon & Anniversary Safaris: Enjoying the thrill of the wild while having moments of intimacy and luxury, honeymoon safaris are all about combining romance with adventure for an ultimate romantic setting. Think intimate luxury lodges, private plunge pools, outdoor showers, champagne breakfast & candlelit dinners in the bush, private safaris, couples' spa treatments and sunset cruises. Combine this safari with a romantic visit to the Seychelles or Zanzibar's white sandy beaches.
Top Destinations:
- Okavango Delta (intimate water lodges), Botswana
- Tanzania's Serengeti (great migration & luxury), Tanzania
- Masai Mara (romantic tented camps), Kenya
12. Cultural Safaris - Connect with the African People & History: Africa is often synonymous with incredible wildlife safaris, but there's an entire world beyond the "Big Five" to explore. Cultural safaris offer an authentic experience that goes way beyond sightseeing. Cultural Safaris invite travelers to learn about Africa's history, interact with local communities, participate in time-honored rituals, allowing visitors to engage with Africa's rich traditions, music, art, dance, and storytelling that have been passed down through generations.
A Few Popular Cultural Safari Destinations aside from the ones I have already mentioned:
- Masai Mara, Kenya
- Omo Valley, Ethiopia
- The San People, Botswana
- The Himba Tribe, Namibia
Africa offers a safari experience like no other, whether you're chasing the thrill of spotting the Big Five, climbing Mount Kili, seeking the serenity of a luxury or family safari, or immersing yourself in local traditions, there's a safari style for everyone. Each type of safari unveils a new layer of Africa's vibrant and stunning beauty, ensuring that your journey is as unique as the continent itself. In the coming weeks, we'll explore each of these safari styles in greater detail, giving you a deeper insight and understanding of Africa.
To find and book the right safari for you, and all other travel needs, contact your Lexi at Dreamscape Adventures By Lexi. Subscribe and follow us on Facebook.
Happy Travels
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