Safari in Africa: which country to choose?

Have you just watched the Lion King or a documentary on African animals? Or do you just love animals and want to make a dream come true by going to meet them by organizing your first safari? However, by educating yourself, you quickly understood that there are many parks in Africa where you can go on safari, but you don't know which one to choose?

Don't panic, here I offer you a quick summary that will allow you to choose the best country for your safari.

When is the best time to go on an African safari?

As a rule, the Africa enjoys a relatively pleasant climate throughout the year.

However, this continent being immense, each African country has its own specific climatic conditions. 

However, in each of the countries where it is possible to take a safari, there is usually a rainy season towards the March to June. For some countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe are experiencing another rainy season towards the month of november - december.

It is therefore preferable to opt for a safari during the dry season that can be found between June and October. 

However, make a Safari during the rainy season does not mean that you will have rain during your entire stay.

Also, you must take into account the migration periods, for example, if you want to witness the migration of wildebeest in Tanzania in particular, the ideal period is from March to June, or during the rainy season.

Rest assured, it is possible to go on safari at any time of the year in most African countries.

Top 10 countries to go on an African safari 

This list recapitulates them 10 best countries in Africa where you can go on a safari:

• Botswana: Central African country with a very dense flora and fauna. Botswana safari are booked for high budgets and luxury.
• Tanzania:  Located on the edge of the Indian Ocean, Tanzania is home to many national parks. There is a very large concentration of animals as well as a variety in the landscapes. Safaris in Tanzania are generally cheaper than those in Botswana, more accessible, but not the cheapest.
• Uganda: Uganda is particularly known for its safaris allowing you to get as close as possible to chimpanzees and gorillas. This is the best place to observe these majestic animals. Bwindi Forest is home to half of the world's mountain gorilla population.
• Kenya: a safari in Kenya is probably one of the most affordable, but you will also encounter mass tourism there. It is probably the African country receiving the most tourists for safaris. Obviously, wildlife is very important in this country. Indeed, the Masai Mara is home to the largest wildebeest migration in the world in particular.
• Namibia: this is probably the best place to go on a free safari. It is possible to rent a 4 × 4 to go on a free safari in the middle of the exceptional landscapes of Namibia.
• South Africa : Kruger Park is easily accessible for independent people. The biggest criticism is that this park looks more like a landscaped park than a nature reserve. 
• Zambia: walking safaris are probably the best in Zambia. The country's parks are home to a varied and magnificent flora and fauna.
• Zimbabwe
• Malawi 
• Mozambique 

Safari in Africa: what type of safari for which country?

At present, it is possible to go on safari in different ways in most countries. Some countries specialize in a certain type of safari and others in others.

African hot air balloon safari

During your safari, you can also book a hot air balloon ride over the national parks. This experience will give you a breathtaking view of the flora and fauna seen from the sky. 

However, this adventure is not given to everyone because it requires an additional cost. Indeed, count between $ 300 and $ 700 for a few hours of flight above national parks depending on the country.

A hot air balloon flight is especially possible over the Serengeti in Tanzania or above the Masai Mara at Kenya and even in Africa South.

Safari in Africa by taxi plane 

Whether at Botswana or in Tanzania, it is possible to make a safari by plane taxi. They are small planes that can accommodate only a few passengers.

In Botswana you can therefore fly over the Okavango Delta.

However, know that these safaris are much more expensive than the "normal" safaris (eg US $ 5 / person for 500 days in Tanzania).

Safari in Africa by canoe or on foot

This type of safari is ideal for experiencing a different safari and staying active.

Without any engine noise and closer to nature, a safari on foot or in a canoe, although it requires good discipline, will remain etched in your memory forever with a mix of excitement and thrills.

It is possible to go on safaris by canoe and on foot in many countries (Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia). However, it is advisable to do this kind of safaris in Zambia. For walking safaris we can recommend the South Luangwa and for canoe safaris, the Lower Zambezi.

Safari in Africa in a luxury lodge

It is possible to afford a Lodge safari in all African countries offering safaris. However, the comfort levels differ depending on the options chosen. 

For a safari with a unlimited budget with maximum comfort and luxury, I advise you to go to Botswana, believe me, you will not be disappointed. 

Safari in Africa by car tour

Several African countries offer the possibility of going on safaris independently. 

Indeed, it is possible to rent a 4 × 4 and visit the reserves freely and at your own pace.  

For this type of safari, it is best to go to Namibia or in South Africa.

In South Africa you can organize your safari alone in the kruger park, while in Namibia it will be in the Etosha parks as well as deserts of Damaraland and Namib.

Safari in Africa by car with a guide

Le 4 × 4 safari with a guide is the most common. Indeed, this type of safari is offered in all countries where it is possible to go on a safari. 

However, this formula necessarily has a higher price than a self-drive safari or on foot. This is the preferred option for tourists. 

For this type of safari, the choice of country is made according to your budget and of course your preferences.

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Safari in Africa: which country to choose for which budget?

The budget you have will probably allow you to make your final choice.

Un safari is necessarily an adventure that is not given. You won't find extremely low prices for this kind of service. However, depending on the country, the price for a safari is different.

Safari in Africa: low budget

For small budgets wishing at all costs to go on a safari, the cheapest destination is undeniably theSouth Africa. 

Indeed, count around 150 € per day per person for a safari in South Africa, especially in Kruger Park. 

However, when you want to sleep inside a park, there will be an additional charge, probably € 50 per night.

Safari in Africa: average budget

With a slightly higher budget, namely between 150 € and 200 €, you can opt for the Namibia. There, you will be able to rent a 4 × 4 to visit the parks and camp in your car. 

If you choose this country, I strongly advise you to visit the Etosha park.

As everywhere, if you sleep inside the park, a supplement will have to be paid. 

Safari in Africa: high budget

For a higher budget, I recommend that you opt for a country such as Tanzania or the Kenya.

Indeed, these destinations are among the most popular for safaris. 

There is a exceptional and rich flora and fauna.

For a safari in these two countries, count around 200 € to 250 € per day and per person.

Please also note that there is a price difference between these two destinations. 

If you hesitate between these two destinations, I suggest you go read my article "Safari in Kenya or Tanzania" to help you make your choice.

Safari in Africa: very high budget

This type of safari is reserved for big budgets. Whether for a honeymoon, or a trip of a lifetime or simply to have fun for a few days or weeks.

For this type of budget, I advise you to go to Botswana. It is the most suitable destination for “luxury” safaris with splendid Lodges in the middle of the savannah. For this kind of safari, count more than 250 € per day and per person.

Also, a safari to see the famous gorillas in Uganda is very expensive but it is an exceptional adventure to do.

Safari in Africa: how to lower the prices?

Obviously, a safari is expensive, however, there are a few tips for lowering the price if you ever budgeted for the quotes you received.

Here is a few tips that i can give you to lower the prices for a safari:

• Choice of season for the safari : in order to keep the season as low as possible, choose to leave during the low seasons. The low season often happens to be the rainy season, this will potentially save you a few hundred dollars.
• The more people in the car, the more the price of the safari per person decreases: keep in mind when negotiating with the tourist agency or the guide directly
• Avoid going through an agency and prefer to go directly with a guide: this will allow you to avoid paying the middleman which is the agency that takes a large part of the price you pay for your safari
• Sleep outside the parks if possible: this reduces your bill because a night inside a park drastically increases the price of the safari
• Choose carefully the parks and reserves you want to visit: to reduce the price of a safari as much as possible, try to go off the beaten track, in less touristy parks. For example in Tanzania, prefer the parks of the south to the parks of the north. 
• If you have the possibility, rent your car yourself rather than taking a guide, this will save you a little.
• NEGOTIATE! Once you have received your quote (s) if you want to go through a travel agency, do not forget to negotiate. The agencies take a nice margin on the price of safaris. Unfortunately, the guides are not the ones who are paid the most ... You can therefore afford to negotiate in order to obtain the best possible price. To give you an example, for my part I made a 5 days Tanzania safari in the northern parks. After checking with several people, I was given prices between $ 1800 and $ 1100. It took me several days of negotiation to get the prices down to $ 850 for one person.