The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa – for he has so much to look forward to. [Richard Mullin]
The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa – for he has so much to look forward to. [Richard Mullin]
There’s nothing like it. And there never will be.
A safari isn’t just a trip. It’s a shift. A stirring. A story you’ll keep retelling—though you may struggle to find the words.
Because how do you explain the deep, earthy scent of morning in the bush? Or the way your pulse spikes as you lock eyes with a lion? Or the absurd but mesmerising strength of a dung beetle at work?
It’s hard to put into words. But it’s impossible to forget.
To call a safari life-changing feels too easy. Yet that’s exactly what it does—rearranges your sense of scale, slows you down, draws your attention outward. The land, the wildlife, the people—Africa’s magnetism is undeniable. Stay long enough, and it stays with you.
No two game drives are ever the same. No two moments, even. One morning you’re observing a chameleon’s slow shuffle. That afternoon, you’re in full-throttle pursuit of African wild dogs on the hunt. You might laugh. You might cry. You might hold your breath without meaning to.
You’ll witness life, possibly death, humour and heartache. This is not nature on display. This is life, unfolding.
And the continent? Vast doesn’t begin to cover it. Africa is nearly three times the size of the United States. You won’t see it all in one go—and that’s the point. Take it slowly. Let one region captivate you before reaching for the next. Each has its own rhythm, creatures, cultures, and flavours. Each deserves your full attention.
Besides, you’ll be back. Africa does that to people.
So, what kind of safari are you? Do you picture yourself sipping a G&T on the timeless plains of East Africa, surrounded by cinematic Out of Africa beauty? Or are you drawn to the thrill of tracking wildlife off-road, close enough to hear the low rumble of a lion before you see it? Maybe you’d rather slow the pace with a guided nature walk. Or stay perfectly still, poolside.
And when the safari ends—what then? A culinary deep-dive in the Cape winelands? A barefoot island escape? A few spirited days in a vibrant city?
This is your adventure. Shape it your way. There’s a safari for every rhythm, every appetite, every kind of traveller.
Planning your first safari can feel overwhelming. That’s natural. First-time travellers have all the right questions. Which country should I choose? How long should I stay? What should I wear? What should I pack? Is it safe to bring my children?
You’re not alone in wondering. No question is a silly one.
From practical advice and packing tips to safari lingo, local insights, and a few common myths—consider this your starting point. A thoughtful, all-in-one guide to help you plan with confidence.
Your first decision is a big one: public park or private reserve? Both offer unforgettable safaris—but the experience differs.
Public parks and national reserves are government-owned and managed. They allow both guided and self-drive safaris, but they come with structure: set hours, fixed roads, no off-roading, and little control over how many vehicles gather at a sighting.
Private reserves, by contrast, are independently owned and operated. Numbers are tightly controlled, with fewer vehicles and limited access at sightings—so the wildlife experience feels quieter, more considered. Safaris here are always guided, often in vehicles permitted to go off-road for special sightings. You’ll also have access to activities not often available in public parks, such as nature walks and night drives.
So, what’s right for you?
If you’re after a self-drive safari that’s budget-friendly and flexible, a public park is your best bet. Think Kruger National Park in South Africa or the Serengeti in Tanzania—wild, iconic, and open to all.
If you’re looking for a more tailored, low-impact safari—with expert guides, fewer people and a deeper sense of place—a private reserve is well worth the investment.
By now, you’ve likely got a sense of how you’d like to travel—guided or self-drive, private or public, self-catering or fully hosted. The next step? Choosing where to go.
Africa is made up of 54 countries—but just a handful are celebrated for their safari experiences. Nine stand out. Each offers its own rhythm, its own landscapes, its own way of seeing the wild.
There’s no single “type” of safari per country—each destination holds a range of experiences. But if you’re starting your journey, here’s a simple guide to help frame the possibilities.
Home to the continent’s largest national park—Kruger—and a collection of world-class private reserves, South Africa offers both iconic landscapes and intensely rewarding wildlife encounters.
Most reserves here are classic bushveld terrain—rich in biodiversity, home to the Big Five, and known for remarkably relaxed big cats. Leopard sightings are a highlight across the region, particularly in well-established reserves with a long history of conservation and guiding. At &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve, you’ll find strong lion dynamics—including the rare white lions—and thriving packs of African wild dogs. &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve offers exceptional viewing of cheetah, black rhino and even pangolin—one of Africa’s most elusive species.
Travellers often base themselves at one or two lodges, with easy access via road or air between properties. Days follow a natural rhythm—twice-daily game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, with the freedom to off-road (in private reserves) for exceptional sightings.
East Africa’s tree-dotted plains have long captured the safari imagination. While most travellers come for the icons—Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti—there are also private concessions within these national parks. Places like &Beyond Kichwa Tembo and Klein’s Camp (to name a few) offer a more refined, less crowded way to experience the wild.
These vast, unfenced national parks teem with wildlife year-round—from lion prides on the move to the thunder of hooves during the Great Migration, one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles. To the west, Uganda and Rwanda offer a different kind of encounter: tracking chimpanzees through the forest or meeting the gaze of a mountain gorilla.
Unlike South Africa’s popular self-drive model, safaris here typically follow a well-connected circuit, with short, scenic flights linking each lodge. Guests often spend full days out in semi-open 4×4 safari vehicles, covering ground with the help of a well-stocked picnic hamper and a sharp-eyed guide.
Off-roading isn’t permitted in the national parks, and sightings can draw a crowd—but the sheer scale of the land, and the density of wildlife, keep the experience feeling wild and wonderfully alive. The key is choosing a reputable operator with responsible, expertly-trained guides—those who can read the landscape, respect the wildlife, and gently steer you away from the busiest sightings for a quieter, more authentic experience.
Once travellers have experienced the quintessential safari circuits of the south or east, many find themselves drawn even deeper. Southern Africa offers a different kind of wild—one shaped by shifting sands, silent waterways and vast, star-filled skies.
There’s the quiet drama of Botswana, where game viewing unfolds on land and water. Namibia, with its elemental beauty where ancient dunes roll into the ocean. Zambia, where walking safaris invite you to feel the wild at eye level. And Zimbabwe, where safari meets adrenaline near the thunderous cascade of Victoria Falls.
You might drift through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro (dugout canoe), watch the sun rise over Sossusvlei’s ochre dunes, or track the elusive Sossusvlei Seven. You might spot elephants crowding the Chobe River, float above the desert in a hot air balloon, or gaze up at one of the darkest skies on Earth, lit by a galaxy of stars.
Whether it’s your first safari or your 15th, the magic endures. Africa always gives you something new to feel.
Talk to one of our travel specialists to tailormake your stay to any of our destinations