Why should you go on an African safari?

Going on safari in Africa is a special experience – seeing the wild animals in their natural surroundings in the unique, African nature.

The great migration of wildebeest between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. The large herds of elephants in one of the world’s largest wetlands, the Okavango Delta in Botswana. The Big Five in Kruger’s varied nature in South Africa. And the rare mountain gorillas that live deep in the jungles of Uganda.

Go on an African safari, and we guarantee that you will have the experience of a lifetime.

Our safari holidays in Africa

At TourCompass, we offer classic safari holidays with magnificent nature and wildlife experiences, family-friendly safaris, and you can even combine safaris with our other tours to Africa, for example climbing Kilimanjaro, nature experiences at Victoria Falls in Zambia and, of course, beach holidays in Africa.

We have safari holidays in the following exciting, African countries:

• • Tanzania
  • Kenya
  • South Africa
  • Uganda
  • Botswana

Tanzania

Tanzania is in East Africa, and is our most popular destination. Here, you can experience fantastic wildlife, including the ‘Big Five’, and stunning scenery that offers mountains, nature reserves and lakes.

Our safari holidays in Tanzania usually comprise of a safari with the opportunity to combine it with a beach holiday in Zanzibar. You can also combine two of the world’s best safari destinations, Tanzania and Kenya, on one and the same trip.

Kenya

Kenya is located just north of Tanzania in East Africa, and boasts impressive wildlife, world-famous national parks and reserves as well as stunning scenery that makes the country a popular safari destination.

Look forward to unique safaris in, for example, the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo or Samburu national reserves, and end your trip with an exotic beach holiday. Choose between the world-famous Diani Beach at Mombasa or the tropical island of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean.

South Africa

In South Africa, you get right up close to iconic wild animals such as the lion, leopard, rhinoceros and elephant.

On our tours to South Africa, you can look forward to fantastic safaris, for example in the Kruger National Park or in private game reserves such as Kariega Game Reserve and Kapama Game Reserve. In addition, South Africa also offers memorable experiences in the Cape Winelands and along the Garden Route.

Combine your trip in a multitude of ways, for example with a beach holiday in Mauritius, nature experiences at Victoria Falls, a city break in Cape Town or even more safaris, for example in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

Botswana

Botswana is one of Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations.

You will find less-visited national parks here, where you can still experience Africa’s most well-known animal species, for example in the Chobe National Park, where you can go on both a traditional safari as well as a river safari on the Chobe River.

It is possible to combine Botswana with other destinations, such as Zambia and South Africa.

Uganda

A safari in Uganda offers some of Africa’s most beautiful landscapes, and the country has – with good reason – been called ‘The Pearl of Africa’.

Uganda’s main attraction is the mountain gorillas. We offer gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, where about half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas living in the wild can be found.

You can combine Uganda with a beach holiday afterwards in Zanzibar.

FAQs about going on safari in Africa

It can be a big decision to ‘invest’ in a safari in Africa. And therefore, it’s perfectly normal to have a lot of unanswered questions: How much does it cost to go on safari? What animals can I see? Is it dangerous?

Here, we answer the most frequently asked questions that our guests have in connection with going on safari in Africa.

How much does it cost to go on an African safari?

The price of an African safari depends on which safari country you choose, the length of the trip, the programme and the date of departure.

All the prices for our safari holidays in Africa include flights, transfers, safaris, national park fees and any other permits.

In general, it is cheaper to go on safari outside the high season. The peak season is often during the summer holidays and at Christmas and New Year. See all the starting prices on the individual safari holiday.

When is the best time to go on safari?

Africa offers unique safaris all year round!

When you should travel depends on whether you have any specific wishes for your safari. For example, are you dreaming of experiencing the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania? Or perhaps seeing mountain gorillas in Uganda?

Many of our guests prefer to travel during the dry seasons, when the animals can be easier to see because they gather around waterholes, particularly towards the end of the dry seasons.

The dry seasons are approximately as follows:

• Tanzania: January and February, as well as June to October (but only June to October in southern Tanzania)
• Kenya: January and February, and June to October
• South Africa: March/April to October
• Botswana: April to October
• Uganda: December to February and June to August

However, there are also advantages in travelling outside the dry seasons, such as cheaper prices, fewer people and various other nature and wildlife experiences, such as the landscapes turning green, migrating birds and baby animals. It is also possible to travel during the rainy season and return home without it having rained at all. When it rains, the rain usually comes as short, intense showers that help to freshen up the air in the heat.

Where is the best place to go on safari in Africa?

The best place to go on safari in Africa depends on several things, including your budget, whether you are traveling with children, when you want to travel and, not least, what you want to experience.

Tanzania is our most popular safari destination, followed by Kenya and South Africa. All three destinations offer classic African safaris. But if your dream is to experience mountain gorillas, you won’t get far by going to Tanzania, Kenya or South Africa, because Uganda is the only one of our destinations that offers a chance of seeing them.

What should I wear when on safari?

There are no specific rules for what you should wear when you go on safari.

Generally speaking, it is a good idea to wear light/neutral clothes. Avoid harsh, bright colours, white, dark blue and black, as dark blue and black in particular can attract tsetse flies.

Read our packing list for safaris in Africa, which includes tips on clothes and equipment, as well as a packing list for download.

Can you guarantee that I will see animals?

Yes, we can guarantee that you will see animals in the wild. Lots of animals!

However, we cannot (always) guarantee which animals you will see. Going on safari is very different from going to the zoo. The animals roam freely, and nature does not work to any schedule. That is part of the charm of a safari holiday; not knowing what each day will bring.

Your safari guides have extensive knowledge of the animals’ behaviour, and they are experts at locating them. It is their (and our) goal to give you the best experience, so you will see as many of the animals on your wish list as possible.

Is it safe to go on safari in Africa?

Yes. It is safe – and your safety is always our priority.

The animals do not see the vehicles as a threat, and they are used to vehicles being nearby. Our guides also have a deep understanding of the animals’ behaviour and the parks’ rules, and they know the area. Therefore, you should always follow their instructions.

What is your position on animal welfare?

We are very fond of animals, and it is important for us that our guests experience the animals in their natural habitat.

On our tours to Africa, you will therefore see the animals where they naturally live. You may feel slightly irritated having to pay a fee to visit national parks and game reserves, but it is money well spent. The money is spent on local biodiversity efforts, and to pay the rangers who take care of the animals, so that they also have a habitat in the future.

We also work with World Animal Protection on animal welfare, so when you travel with us, you are contributing to greater focus on and demand for more animal-friendly tourism that both protects the animals while at the same time supporting the work of reserves and rescue and rehabilitation centres. One example of this is Jane Goodall’s Chimp Eden in South Africa, which is a rehabilitation centre for chimpanzees.

As a guest on our safaris, you cannot stroke the lions and cheetahs, but you get to see the animals in their natural surroundings and on their terms. They can always move away.

Where to go on a beach holiday in Africa?

It’s fantastic to make the most of both worlds and combine a safari with a beach holiday in Africa.

Depending on where you go on safari in Africa, we offer three unique beach holiday destinations: Zanzibar in Tanzania, Diani Beach near Mombasa in Kenya and in Mauritius.

Zanzibar is famous for its chalk-white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, making it a perfect end to your safari in, for example, Tanzania and Kenya. Diani Beach near Mombasa in Kenya tempts with outstanding beaches with numerous opportunities for diving and snorkelling. Mauritius offers a luxurious and tranquil experience, and the island state is particularly well known for its spectacular scenery and first-rate resorts.

Any questions about our safaris in Africa?

Haven’t had your question answered?

We’re are ready to help you with all your questions – big and small – about going on an African safari.

We travel to Africa several times each year, and have many years of experience at guiding our guests to find the right African safari holiday.

Exploring the world with TourCompass is safe – we’re with you every step of the way!

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller