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.
AugustDry season
Peak game viewing
Dry, sunny and spectacular. Dramatic river crossings in the Mara, superb sightings across Southern Africa. Book early.
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.
🧮 Try Our Full Safari Cost Estimator →
More detailed calculator with country selection, seasons, and instant budget breakdowns
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