9 nightsFirst-timer favourite
Cape & the Kruger
Cape Town · Winelands · Sabi Sand
Table Mountain and ocean drives, then straight into the finest Big Five country on the continent. The classic South African debut.
from $6,900 ppTailor this →
The Complete 2026 Guide
Planning Your First Safari
Everything you need to plan an unforgettable African journey — when to go, where to stay, what it truly costs, and how to travel well. Written by our Cape Town travel team.
10,000+Safaris planned
18 yrsOn the ground in Africa
4.9★Average guest rating
100%Private & tailor-made
The Beyond Africa View
Planning a safari isn't a spreadsheet exercise — it's choosing moments you'll remember for decades.
Green season or dry? Bush or beach? Lodge or tented camp? We've planned 10,000 safaris; these are the questions that actually matter.
01
When to Go
Africa rewards travellers all year — the art is matching the season to what you most want to see.
June – October
Dry Winter · Peak Season
The finest big-game viewing. Thinning bush and shrinking waterholes draw animals into the open. Cool mornings, warm days, clear skies.
Best for: Big Five · Photography · First-time safaris
November – March
Green Season · Migration
The bush comes alive with newborns, migrant birds, and dramatic afternoon storms. The Great Migration calves in the southern Serengeti.
Best for: Migration · Birding · Lower rates
April – May
Shoulder Season
Fewer visitors, lush landscapes, and excellent value. Some camps close for maintenance, but the wildlife viewing remains strong.
Best for: Value · Solitude · Flexible dates
01·5
Your Safari, Month by Month
Tap any month to see what Africa is doing right then — the migration, the weather, the value. Planning starts with timing.
JulyDry season
Migration reaches the Mara
The Great Migration pushes into the Masai Mara — the first Mara River crossings begin. Prime big-game viewing everywhere.
02
Where to Go
The regions that matter — each with its own character, wildlife and perfect season.
Cape Town
South Africa
Table Mountain, penguins, vineyards and the coast — the perfect city add-on before or after the bush.
Kruger & Sabi Sand
South Africa
The finest Big Five viewing in Africa. Private reserves, no fences, and world-class leopard sightings.
Okavango Delta
Botswana
Glide by mokoro through crystal channels, walk islands with elephants, sleep under stars. Water-world safari.
Masai Mara
Kenya
The Great Migration river crossings, endless plains, hot-air balloon safaris at dawn. July to October.
02·5
Journeys to Borrow From
Three routes our travellers love — a starting point, never a package. We reshape every mile around you.
9 nights10 nightsMost requested
Chasing the Migration
Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Masai Mara
Follow the herds and the river crossings across two countries, with a hot-air balloon dawn over the endless plains.
from $11,500 ppTailor this →
8 nightsWater & wonder
Delta & the Falls
Victoria Falls · Chobe · Okavango Delta
The smoke that thunders, elephant-thick Chobe, and mokoro mornings through the crystal channels of the Delta.
from $9,400 ppTailor this →
03
What It Costs
Use our calculator to estimate your safari budget — then tell us what you want and we will design the best trip your budget can buy.
$11,200 – $25,200
Total trip cost (mid-range estimate)
2 guests · 7 nights · $1300 pp/night
Estimate includes accommodation, meals, activities, guides and park fees. International flights, visas, tips and optional upgrades are extra. Get a tailored quote for your exact dates.
Classic
$350–700 pp/night
Comfortable, well-run camps and lodges. Shared game drives with excellent guides, full board, house drinks. The sweet spot for first-time safaris and families.
Premium
$800–1,800 pp/night
Private reserves, smaller camps, fewer vehicles at a sighting. Often a private guide, finer food and wine, and the space and service that make a real difference.
Ultra-Exclusive
$2,000+ pp/night
The finest camps on the continent, exclusive-use villas, private vehicles and guides throughout, helicopter transfers. Privacy and service without compromise.
04
The Big Five
Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo — the cast you came for, but not the only reason to go.
🦁 Lion
🐆 Leopard
🐘 Elephant
🦏 Rhino
🐃 Buffalo
Insider truth: Do not measure a safari by a checklist. Some of the finest mornings are a leopard asleep in a marula tree, wild dogs on a hunt, or a thousand zebra crossing a plain. A good guide reads the bush — and gives you sightings no list could predict.
05
What to Pack
Pack light and pack soft. Most camps do same-day laundry — you need far less than you think.
👕
Clothing
- Neutral colours — khaki, olive, stone, brown
- Long sleeves & trousers for sun and evenings
- Warm fleece & jacket for cold dawn drives
- Wide-brim hat, buff or scarf
- Closed walking shoes
- Swimwear & one smart-casual outfit
📷
Kit & Essentials
- Binoculars — one pair per person
- Camera, spare batteries & memory cards
- High-SPF sunscreen & lip balm
- Insect repellent (DEET-based)
- Universal adapter & power bank
- Personal medicines & first-aid kit
- Sunglasses & soft head-torch
Your Questions Answered
How long should a first safari be?
Seven to ten nights is the sweet spot. This gives you time for three nights in one reserve (the minimum to let the place reveal itself), a few nights in another, and perhaps a city or beach add-on.
Is a safari suitable for young children?
Yes, with the right planning. Choose malaria-free reserves, lodges with family suites and pools, and guides who know how to keep little ones engaged. Many camps welcome children from age six; some have no minimum at all.
Do I need vaccinations or malaria pills?
Much of Southern Africa's prime safari country is malaria-free or low-risk; East Africa generally calls for anti-malarials. A yellow-fever certificate is required for some routes. Always confirm with a travel clinic six weeks before you fly.
What is included in the safari price?
Almost always: all meals & most drinks, twice-daily game activities, expert guides & trackers, park & conservation fees, and laundry at most camps. Usually extra: international flights, visas, travel insurance, premium wines & Champagne, balloon safaris, private vehicles, and gratuities for staff & guides.
Can you plan a honeymoon or family safari?
Yes — we design safaris around who is travelling. Honeymoon safaris include private decks, candle-lit dinners in the bush, sleep-outs under stars, and beach extensions. Family safaris are gently paced with games, junior-ranger time, early dinners, and malaria-free options.
Ready to Plan Your Safari?
Tell us your dates, who is travelling, and the kind of trip in your head. We will design a private itinerary built entirely around you — no obligation, no pressure, ever.
✓ Private & tailor-made since 2008
✓ 18 years of safari expertise
✓ Cape Town based, Africa-wide