Your first safari: what to expect

Safari 101

A typical day on safari

Forget the wildlife films. This is how a real safari day runs.

1. 5:30 amWake-up call, with tea or coffee brought to your tent or roomThe bush is best at dawn, when predators are active.
2. 6:00 amLight breakfast, then out on the morning game driveThe best viewing is in the first 2 hours of light.
3. 6–10 amMorning game drive, the prime timeCats hunting, elephants at waterholes, birds at their busiest.
4. 10:00 amBush breakfast, or back to camp for a full breakfastSome drives stop for breakfast out in the field.
5. 10 am–3 pmRest at camp: pool, book, nap, lunch, birdsMidday is hot. The animals rest, and so should you.
6. 3:30 pmAfternoon game driveAnimals get moving again as it cools down.
7. 3:30–6:30 pmAfternoon drive and sundownersGolden-hour light for photos, then a drink at sunset in the bush.
8. 7:00 pmBack to camp to freshen upHot shower, clean clothes, a moment to yourself.
9. 7:30–8 pmDinner, several courses, often outdoorsSwap stories with the other guests.
10. 9–9:30 pmBed. You'll be tired, happilyThe sounds of the African night are part of the trip.

Getting around

Your safari vehicle

You ride in a modified Toyota Land Cruiser or Land Rover. The roof pops up so you can stand for 360° views and photos. Every row has a window seat, so nobody sits in the middle.

Guide tips

How to spot more wildlife

1. 01

   Look where the guide looks

   Your guide reads the bush all the time: bird alarm calls, movement in the grass, tracks on the road. When the vehicle slows, start scanning.

2. 02

   Go early, stay late

   The first and last hours of light are when most of the action happens. Predators hunt at dawn and everything moves at dusk. Midday is quiet.

3. 03

   Patience beats chasing

   Thirty quiet minutes at a waterhole often shows you more than driving from point to point. Your guide knows when to wait.

4. 04

   Enjoy the small things too

   Dung beetles, chameleons, lilac-breasted rollers and giraffe calves are as good as lions. Don't fix only on the big predators.

Avoid these

Common first-timer mistakes

• Mistake: Booking too short a safari (2 to 3 days)

  Instead: Book at least 4 days. The Serengeti alone deserves 3 nights.

• Mistake: Bringing a huge suitcase

  Instead: Take a soft duffel, 15kg max. Lodges do laundry, and you need less than you think.

• Mistake: Seeing it all through a lens

  Instead: Put the camera down sometimes. Your eyes see more than any lens.

• Mistake: Expecting a wildlife film every minute

  Instead: Real safari isn't back-to-back action. Sunsets and birdsong are part of it.

• Mistake: Choosing the cheapest operator

  Instead: Ultra-cheap often means underpaid staff and poor vehicles. Mid-range gives good value, safely.

• Mistake: Wearing bright white or perfume

  Instead: Wear neutral colours. Skip perfume, which attracts insects.

Rules of the bush

Safari etiquette

Trip length

How many days do you need?

1. 3–4 days

   The minimum

   Covers 2 parks, for example Tarangire and Ngorongoro. You'll see great wildlife but feel rushed. Good as part of a longer Tanzania trip.

2. 5–6 days

   The sweet spot for most visitors

   Covers 3 parks, including the Serengeti. Time to slow down, enjoy sundowners and see different landscapes.

3. 7–10 days

   The full experience

   Time deep in the Serengeti, plus Ngorongoro and either the southern parks or a Zanzibar extension. More variety at a relaxed pace.

4. 10+ days

   The big trip

   Combine the Northern Circuit with the southern parks, or add Kilimanjaro or a Zanzibar beach stay.

First-timer questions