Safari Tours
Generally speaking, safari tours are short trips of anywhere from two to eight days in length. The duration depends on many factors including your age, fitness level and health limitations, the parks and reserves you want to visit, and your desire to experience a range of wildlife species.
One of the most popular ways to go on a African safari tours is through a tour operator. These packages are available in both group and private formats. The main difference between these two is that group tours require a minimum number of participants to operate, while private tours do not. This means that you can choose the trip that best suits your budget and schedule.
The most popular safari destinations are Kenya and Tanzania, with Kenya renowned for its national parks and Tanzania being home to the famous Serengeti. These two countries are well-known for their large wildlife populations, and a safari tour in either of these locations will give you plenty of opportunities to spot the Big 5 – Lions, Elephants, Leopards, Rhinos, and Buffalo.
How Long Do Safari Tours Typically Last?
Most safaris include game drives, where you can ride in a vehicle with a pop-up roof to explore parks and game reserves. These drives are a great way to get up close and personal with wildlife, and they also allow you to get some fantastic photos!
These guided safaris are often accompanied by a guide, who will share their extensive knowledge of the park and its animals with you. They can also provide information about the herbs and grasses used in traditional medicine, giving you a unique cultural experience.
Typically, these tours begin around breakfast time and last until midday when a high tea break is taken. The guide will then take you out for a longer afternoon game drive before heading back to your accommodation for dinner.
You will then be able to relax at the end of your safari with a refreshing drink while enjoying a scenic view over the bush. You may even be lucky enough to witness the Great Migration, a huge annual movement of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles that occurs between Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park.
It is not unusual for a game drive to last up to five hours, so you can expect to be away from your accommodation for much of the day. In some cases, you may even be able to see the sun set over the bush as your safari winds its way back to your lodge.
A lot of safaris will also include some form of hiking, which is a fantastic way to get up close and personal with some of the most magnificent landscapes in Africa. These treks are usually accompanied by a tour guide and will generally last between two and four days, depending on the park or reserve you’re visiting.
While a safari can be an amazing way to explore Africa, it can also be a very tiring experience. This is why it’s important to think about the length of your trip carefully.