What to Know Before Booking a Safari: 7 Questions to Ask

Written by: Faith K. Benson, Local Expert

Booking a safari to East Africa takes time to plan. It involves choosing when to go, selecting your desired country, booking the ideal safari with the right tour operator, and packing suitable clothing, among other important matters. If you are not sure where to go, what to bring, or even what to expect on an African safari, you’ve come to the right place.

Here is a list of important questions to ask before booking a safari, along with information on things to consider when planning your once-in-a-lifetime journey.

With our help, you can leave your worries behind, relax and enjoy incredible wildlife sightings, and take amazing memories (and pictures!) back home with you.

1) Where should I go on safari?

Africa is a massive continent with several countries boasting robust wildlife. Natural World Kenya Safaris (Natural World Kenya Safaris) provides customizable safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda. Figuring out what animals you want to see will help narrow down the list of countries to visit.

Kenya and Tanzania are the stars of safari tourism, offering a number of national parks teeming with wildlife, including the coveted Big Five — lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and cape buffalo.

If you are looking to catch a glimpse of the greatest migration on earth, choose Tanzania and Kenya. For guaranteed sightings of the Big Five, you can’t go wrong with a week-long safari in either Tanzania or Kenya, visiting Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara Natural Reserve.

If you’ve always dreamed of seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park provide opportunities to see these endangered animals up close.

2) How much is a safari?

A typical safari vacation costs anywhere from $200 to $1,000 or more per person, per day. An African safari seems like an expensive ordeal, and it can be if you add private bush planes, butlers, and luxury tented camps with plunge pools overlooking the savanna. However, with the right safari operator, you can cut costs while still experiencing a memorable trip.

If flying from park to park isn’t in your budget, hire a local tour operator like Natural World Kenya Safaris to drive you around. Though it may take you longer, it could end up saving money and giving you an unique opportunity to experience the vast and gorgeous landscape. For those looking for a quick getaway, Natural World Kenya Safaris also offers Fly-In Safaris that cost slightly more per person.

3) Where should I stay on a safari?

The cost of a safari vacation varies depending on the type of accommodations — whether you are comfortable with basic lodging or a more luxurious experience in a tented camp in the middle of the wilderness. The price also increases if you are opting for bush planes to get you from park to park.

The price also depends on the month of your visit. High season (June to October) and the holidays (late December and early January) are more expensive and require advanced booking.

At Natural World Kenya Safaris, we offer competitive rates for safari journeys that are inclusive of game drives, park entrance fees, meals, and accommodations. We operate 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeeps to pick up/drop off from the airport/hotel and bring visitors to various parks. Visitors have a range of accommodation choices, ranging from basic to comfort to luxury.

4) When is the best time to go on safari?

The best time to go on a safari in Kenya and Tanzania is during the dry season, which coincides with the high season. Weather is pleasant, with warm days and cooler nights. Vegetation is low and animals congregate near watering holes, making game viewing easier.

The ideal time to visit Rwanda and Uganda is between June to September during the drier season. Fewer showers make for ideal conditions for trekking and viewing gorillas and chimpanzees.

5) How long should a safari be?

Give yourself at least a week for a fulfilling safari experience. A week or two-week safari trip may include visiting Tanzania’s northern circuit national parks: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara.

With two weeks, it is also possible to see Kenya’s popular parks, including Amboseli, Masai Mara Game Reserve, and Samburu Game Reserve.

In Uganda, opt for a 5, 7, or 10-day safari to see gorillas and chimpanzees at various natural wonders, such as Mgahinga National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge, and Kibale Forest National Park, among others.

In Rwanda, visit the spellbinding, mountainous Virunga volcanoes in Volcanoes National Park to see endangered great apes and track chimpanzees; look out for other primates in Nyungwe Forest National Park on a 5 to 10-day trip.

6) What can I expect on a typical day on safari?

A typical day includes two game drives, one early in the morning and another in the evening. Animals are most active in the wee hours of the day and rest in the afternoons.
Be prepared to hit the ground running with a 5AM game drive on your safari vacation.

Taking a cue from the animals, safari goers can relax in the afternoons and be ready for the evening safari to watch the magical landscape enveloped in the golden color of the setting African sun.

Some important questions to ask a safari tour operator about your safari include:

• what vehicle they will be using
• how many guides will be provided
• How old are the vehicle(s)
• Do the vehicles have pop up or roll back tops

Be sure to also inquire whether water, binoculars, and wildlife books will be provided in the vehicle.

7) Other Considerations: Packing, Visas, and Vaccinations

One of the first things to do when planning a trip to East Africa for a safari is to check your vaccinations and passport’s expiration date, as well as requirements to enter specific countries. Check the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and WHO (World Health Organization) websites for guidelines about traveling to your desired countries, and find out information on PCR test requirements and if proof of vaccinations is needed to enter.

It is recommended that you have your COVID-19 vaccination to travel internationally. If you are not up-to-date on your vaccinations, be sure to get shots for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Rabies, Meningitis, and Tetanus, among others. Keep in mind that Rwanda is free of Yellow Fever, so no vaccination is required, but be up-to-date on your Diphtheria, Polio, and Tetanus shots.

Visas are required to enter countries in which Natural World Kenya Safaris operates. Passports must have at least six months of validity left from the day of departure from your point of origin.

Now that you’ve booked your flights and the tours, the next thing to do is pack your bags. Dress in earth-toned, lightweight clothes in layers on game drives. Bring a light rain coat or a fleece for early morning and evening game drives, as the weather tends to be chilly during these times.