When is the Ideal Time to Start Planning Your Safari?

The impact of lockdowns, quarantines, curfews, and stay-at-home restrictions was felt most acutely by those of us who enjoy traveling. We yearn to return to Africa’s vast open spaces and fall under her spell once more. While many countries welcome visitors with open arms and strict COVID standards, we understand if you are hesitant to pack your bags just yet. So we’d like to propose that the anticipation and enthusiasm that comes with travel planning could be the remedy to the travel blues.

We’re frequently asked, ”When is the ideal time to plan an African safari?”. The simple answer is six months to a year, ideally. So now is probably the best time to consider the following questions: And, of course, we’d love to start talking about making your safari fantasies a reality.

Why Go On An African Safari

This is what safari life is all about: wide open plains, wildlife encounters that are as close as possible, the chance to meet people from all over the world, and the opportunity to help save the places and animals you’ve come to see. Natural habitats are vastly different from what you’ll see in the wild when you’re not separated from the animals by fences or interrupted by commercial breaks on National Geographic.

Photo by: Lauren Bath

A safari is also an opportunity to learn about African culture. It will give you a new perspective on life by exposing you to a variety of cultures and allowing you to engage with locals in a unique way.

Conservation cannot exist without tourism. It provides much-needed funding for conservation activities by generating revenue. Poachers are deterred by the presence of tourists as well as the revenue they generate for park maintenance and conservation efforts.

It’s a respite from the daily grind, a change of scenery, an adventure, and perhaps even a cultural shock to go on safari. Your breath will catch and you will welcome the solitude of these moments, knowing that they will live in your memory long after you have gone home from your trip to Africa.

Where to Go?

When planning a safari, you’ll have to decide what sights and activities you want to experience. This may include seeing a herd of elephants, a pride of lions, or witnessing thousands of wildebeest and zebra in one of the greatest migrations in the world. You can choose between a more relaxed or an adventurous safari. Take your time deciding. Our Safari Experts are more than capable to design your dream itinerary.

When is the Best Time to Go?

As we mentioned before, you should start planning your dream safari six months to a year in advance. However, when you do start planning, you should consider your preferences. For example, if you’re interested in experiencing the zebra migration, you should visit Botswana between December-January or March to April.

This period also marks green season in Zambia. If you’re leaning towards a safari in Zimbabwe, you may want to book your trip between May and November, this is considered to be peak safari season in the country and prime time for you to marvel at the diversity of wildlife Zim has on offer. Our Safari Experts are able to help you decide which seasons are most suitable to your preferences and expectations.

Do You Have a Certain Travel Style?

Once our Safari Experts have an idea of your preferences and your expectations, we can assist you with an ideal itinerary. You should start thinking about:

• Will you be travelling with any children?
• Which country would you like to stay in?
• Which camp would you like to stay in?
• Do you prefer a relaxed or a more adventurous safari?
• Do you prefer a more social safari or a more secluded one?

What’s Your Budget Like?

We know how to keep costs down without sacrificing quality, whether it’s the level of luxury, the number of destinations, or the logistics in between. We are quite picky when it comes to the quality of the services and accommodations, but this is especially true when it comes to the guides, who will have a significant impact on the success of your safari and the lasting impressions you will have of Africa. The most important thing for us is to deliver a top-notch service.

What Can You Expect at Our Camps?

African Bush Camps has 15 luxury tented safari camps and lodges across Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Each of these destinations have unique luxury camps available to you. If you’re planning an African safari, you may be surprised to learn that the best safari camps book up six months to a year in advance.

If you’re eager to get started with your family safari prep, most of our camps are family-friendly, and have programs running to keep your little one’s entertained.

Prepare for Your Armchair Safari

Relax and enjoy the anticipation of the trip once the planning phase is over and your itinerary has been booked and confirmed.When planning a trip, do your best to learn as much as you can about the places you’ll be visiting. Put some of your favorite motivational films on Netflix and get your creative juices flowing.

Make sure you practice snapping photos with the camera you intend to carry on your trip so that you don’t waste time fiddling with the settings when the opportunity presents itself.