Smarter Safari Planning: Overlooked Details & Timing Tips — Part 1
Booking an African safari isn't just about choosing a lodge or ticking off the Big Five. It's about smart, informed decisions that shape the entire experience—from how you get around to who guides your game drives. Yet, time and again, travellers overlook critical details that cost them comfort, money, or once-in-a-lifetime moments. This first part of our insider guide covers the most overlooked planning essentials, including timing, destination matching, and travel logistics. Prepare to plan smarter and safari better.
What Do Most Travellers Overlook When Planning a Safari?
Whether you're new or experienced, discover the common blind spots that can impact your trip.
Timing Matters More Than You Think
Megaherds on the move through the Serengeti plains
Explore dry, green, shoulder, and rainy seasons — and why when you travel affects your sightings, budget, and comfort.
Best for: Classic game viewing and predator action
The dry season is considered prime safari time in most African parks. Sparse vegetation and limited water draw animals to rivers, pans, and waterholes, making sightings more frequent and predictable. It's especially good for Big Five sightings in Kruger, large elephant herds in Botswana, and the dramatic Mara River crossings in Kenya's Masai Mara.
The downside? Peak prices and busy lodges. If you're travelling in July, August, or September—book early and expect to pay premium rates for top-tier safari camps.
Best for: Birding, photography, and value
During the green season, the bush transforms into a lush, vibrant landscape. This is the time for dramatic skies, newborn animals, and excellent birdwatching, especially in southern Africa. Many lodges offer lower rates, and there are fewer crowds, so you get a more intimate safari experience.
That said, game is harder to spot in dense vegetation, and rain can make gravel roads muddy or even impassable. But for photographers or repeat safari-goers, it's a hidden gem.
Best for: Fewer crowds, moderate pricing, and unpredictable gems
Shoulder seasons straddle the wet and dry periods and can be incredibly rewarding if you're flexible. In southern Africa, April and May mark the transition out of the rains—expect green landscapes with improving game viewing. In East Africa, late October often brings the tail end of the Great Migration before the short rains begin.
The pros? Fewer tourists, more lodge availability, and decent pricing.
The cons? Some areas may still be muddy, humid, or a bit hit-or-miss for sightings.
Best for: Experienced travellers and birders
Africa's rainy seasons are not monsoons, but they can bring daily thunderstorms, especially in the afternoons. In East Africa, the "long rains" (March to May) are less favourable for safaris—some lodges close, and dirt roads become difficult.
Still, this is a beautiful, emerald time of year. Migratory birds are at their peak, and you may find steep discounts at camps that remain open.
Tip: If you're willing to brave the elements, you'll have the parks almost to yourself.
Safari timing isn't one-size-fits-all
The ideal time to visit Kruger isn't the same as the best time for Serengeti, Okavango Delta, or Victoria Falls. Rainfall patterns, river levels, and migration cycles vary widely across the continent.
For example:
- Kruger: Best in the dry season (May to September)
- Okavango Delta: Peak flood season (June–August) coincides with peak safari
- Tanzania (Serengeti): Depends on migration—calving season is Jan–Feb, river crossings July–August
- Victoria Falls: Full flood in March–May, lower flow (and better visibility) in September–November
Always align your timing with your chosen destination and what you want to see or experience.
Destination Mismatch: Not All Parks Are Equal
The Big Five game viewing experience in Madikwe Game Reserve
The right park for someone else may not be the right one for you. Not all African safari destinations offer the same experience. Wildlife, scenery, travel logistics, crowd levels, and even safari styles vary widely. The Serengeti is not the same as Kruger. Etosha is nothing like the Okavango Delta. Choosing the right destination starts with knowing what you want from your safari—and being open to options beyond the usual bucket-list names.
Each park has its own rhythm, terrain, and signature sightings
The Serengeti is vast, open savanna with the Great Migration as its seasonal showstopper. Kruger offers year-round Big Five viewing, dense bushveld, and a mix of private and national park options. Etosha, in Namibia, is dry and stark, famous for its salt pan and wildlife gathering around waterholes. The Okavango Delta is a lush, seasonal floodplain where game viewing often happens by mokoro (dugout canoe).
Don't assume that all parks deliver the same kind of safari. Research—or better yet, ask an expert.
Start with your non-negotiables
If your dream is to see big cats on the hunt, the Serengeti or Masai Mara during migration might be ideal. Want guaranteed rhino sightings? Choose a private reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. Prefer a water-based safari? Okavango's your spot. Looking for dramatic desert scenery or rare species like oryx and desert elephants? Head to Namibia.
Also consider how you want to travel—road safaris vs fly-in lodges, mobile camping vs luxury tented suites, self-drive vs guided. And don't forget to factor in entry requirements, travel time, and budget. Africa is huge—distances matter.
The big-name parks are popular for a reason—but they're not your only option
Places like Kruger, Serengeti, and Masai Mara often top safari lists—but that can mean higher prices and bigger crowds. If you're seeking exclusivity, value, or something different, consider lesser-known parks like South Luangwa (Zambia), Mana Pools (Zimbabwe), Ruaha (Tanzania), or Madikwe (South Africa).
These hidden gems often offer incredible wildlife, fewer vehicles at sightings, and unique ecosystems—without the mass-market feel.
A smartly chosen lesser-known park can sometimes deliver a first-class safari.
Underestimating Safari Travel Logistics
Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania is only accessible by boat or light aircraft (two flights per week)
Getting to your dream safari isn't always as simple as flying into one airport and hopping into a game vehicle. Travel logistics can make or break your itinerary — and ignoring them can cost you time, money, and energy.
Some of Africa's best national parks are far from major cities or airports. You may need a connecting flight, a chartered bush plane, or several hours on rough gravel roads to reach your lodge. These transfers can be thrilling or exhausting — or both. Be realistic about how much overland travel you're willing to do, especially on a shorter safari.
Insider Tip: If your itinerary mentions "2–3 hours' drive," don't expect silky-smooth highways. We call it an African massage — the jostle and jiggle of bouncing along bumpy 4x4 tracks. It's all part of the adventure!
Many safari destinations have limited flight schedules, and connections between countries aren't always direct. It's common to need overnight layovers or backtracking to a hub airport. That's why a multi-country itinerary (like combining Kenya with Tanzania) requires careful planning — or it could eat up a full day in transit.
Even within the same country, travel times can be longer than you think. A lodge might be just 50 km "as the crow flies," but in real life, that could be a two-hour drive on sandy tracks or winding roads. And if you're crossing borders, factor in time for immigration queues, visas, and sometimes proof of yellow fever vaccination.
Insider Tip: In Africa, things move at their own pace. You'll often hear us say, "TIA" — This Is Africa — and shrug. It's not impatience; it's perspective. Time flows differently here, and that's part of what makes a safari special. Embrace it.
Fly-in safaris are a higher-budget option, but they can save hours of bumpy transfers and maximise your time in the wilderness. If your budget allows, flying between remote camps often transforms a trip from great to unforgettable.
Insider Tip: Ask your safari planner about fly-in packages offered by lodge groups. These often include inter-camp flights, game drives, and all meals — with timing and logistics smoothly handled behind the scenes. It's a smart way to splurge without stress.
Delays happen — flat tyres, sudden rainstorms, or late charter flights can easily derail a tightly packed schedule. We always recommend building in a buffer, especially when planning your international departure.
Insider Tip: We're very familiar with regional flight schedules and will let you know if it's better to fly home the next day instead. A final night near the airport lets you catch up on sleep after those early mornings, soak in your safari memories one last time, and maybe even sneak in a real massage before flying home.
Many safari trips include multiple internal flights on small aircraft, where luggage allowances are significantly tighter than international flights. These limits often restrict both weight (commonly 15–20 kg) and bag size (soft-sided bags preferred). Oversized or heavy luggage can be refused or incur hefty fees. Before you pack, confirm your airline and lodge luggage policies and arrange storage for any excess baggage at your first or last hotel. Planning ahead avoids last-minute stress and unexpected costs, ensuring your gear travels smoothly between remote camps.
Get the Basics Right — But Don't Stop There
Sundowners in Mara North Conservancy
You've now uncovered the biggest safari planning pitfalls around timing, destinations, and travel logistics. But there's more to creating a truly unforgettable safari experience — from pacing your itinerary and budgeting for hidden costs to choosing the right guide and knowing what to pack.
An African safari is one of the most rewarding travel experiences you can have. The magic of watching wildlife in its natural habitat, the stillness of the bush, the golden light, the thrill of a lion's roar at dusk — it's all the more powerful when your trip is planned well and paced right.
Continue to Part Two: Insider Safari Tips & Practical Advice and make sure nothing is left to chance on your dream adventure.
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East Africa vs. Southern Africa – Which Safari Destination is Better?
For many, going on an African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, but choosing between East Africa and Southern Africa can be a daunting task. What are the main differences between a safari in East Africa and Southern Africa, and how do you decide which is the right safari destination for you?
About the author
Dianne Kokkonidis was born in Johannesburg, grew up in the Transkei and spent years exploring Europe. She returned to South Africa to live on a farm in the Outeniqua Mountains when the call of Africa got too loud to ignore. She comes from a family of storytellers, so it's no surprise she's now found her way into writing about one of the oldest stories known to mankind - the lure of Africa.
