If you are considering traveling to Africa in 2024, it’s time to look at the latest safari trends to ensure that you make the most of your experience.
African safaris remain an alluring travel experience that offers an incredible opportunity to interact with nature and the diverse wildlife that roams the continent’s vast landscape.
The good news is that African safaris have evolved over the years, and as a traveler, you can now enjoy unique experiences that are tailored to your preferences and needs. Let’s explore 6 of the latest safari trends that you can experience when you travel to Africa.
1. Cruise and River Safaris
Cruises along rivers and waterways offer unique wildlife viewing and birdwatching opportunities. Along the banks of the Zambezi River in Southern Africa, you will have a chance to spot a wide variety of animals, including the African elephant, hippopotamus, and crocodiles. During the dry season when waterholes have dried up, wildlife tends to congregate along the riverbanks to quench their thirst.
Best places for a river or boating safari include the Zambezi River, the Chobe River in Namibia and Botswana, and Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe.
2. Walking and Hiking Safaris
Embarking on a walking safari presents a unique and immersive way to connect with nature and wildlife. This experience offers the chance for intimate encounters with animals, bringing you closer to their natural behaviors and habitats. Led by knowledgeable guides, walking safaris provide educational insights into the flora, fauna, and ecosystems, enhancing your understanding of the natural world. With a lower environmental impact compared to vehicle-based safaris, walking allows for a more sustainable and personalized exploration of the landscape.
Best places for a walking safari include the northern Kruger National Park in South Africa, the South Luangwa in Zambia, and Laikipia in Kenya. If you’re looking for a hiking or trekking adventure, consider Rwanda for a gorilla trek.
3. Wellness Safaris
These safaris incorporate wellness practices such as yoga, meditation, and spa treatments and focuses on promoting health, relaxation and overall well-being. Wellness safaris are perfect for travelers who want to balance the thrill of adventure with a calming and healing experience, and often take place in serene and natural settings, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in the healing power of nature while enjoying the unique landscapes and wildlife of Africa. Wellness safaris typically include activities such as guided nature walks, yoga sessions in scenic locations, spa treatments, and healthy, locally sourced meals. These safaris aim to provide a holistic experience that rejuvenates both the body and mind, offering a balance between the thrill of encountering wildlife and the serenity of wellness-focused activities.
Best places for a wellness safari include top lodges in South Africa, such as Singita Lebombo, which offer wellness classes, yoga and meditation. Consider combining a safari experience with some time in the scenic Cape Winelands or along the Whale Coast or Garden Route for a rejuvenating experience with nature.
4. Remote and Off-the-Grid Safaris
Adventurous travelers, on the other hand, are exploring more remote and lesser-known safari destinations for an exclusive and unspoiled experience. In Tanzania, you can opt for a mobile camping safari that takes you to most remote regions of the Serengeti, or into the northern reaches along Lake Tanganyika. The benefit of an off-the-grid experience in Africa is the total immersion into your environment, away from crowds of safari goers or vehicles.
Best places for a remote safari include the Skeleton Coast in Namibia, Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania, the Aberdares in Kenya and the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe. We also recommend an exploration into the spectacular Cederberg in South Africa.
5. Cultural Safaris
Cultural safaris immerse you in the culture, traditions, and lifestyle of the people native to the region. In Kenya, the Masai Mara National Reserve offers a unique opportunity to experience the culture, lifestyle, and traditions of the Maasai pastoralists, who have lived in harmony with wildlife for centuries. A cultural safari is also ideal as a family experience — offering your children the opportunity to engage with people of another culture and experience their traditional way of life is incredibly enriching and educational.
Best places for a cultural safari include the Masai Mara and Amboseli National Park in Kenya, Damaraland in northern Namibia, where interactions with the local Himba people is inspiring and humbling.
6. Luxury Safaris
Luxury safaris offer an unparalleled experience of African wilderness with world-class amenities and services. In South Africa, you can indulge in a luxury safari of the highest opulence and comfort in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Here, you will have access to luxurious accommodations, private chefs, and a range of other amenities that are sure to exceed your expectations. For some however, a luxury safari is being under canvas in a luxury camp in the heart of the savannah; it really depends on what your vision of what ‘luxury’ means.
Best places for a luxury safari include the Kruger National Park and surrounding private reserves, the superb safari lodges in the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the camps and lodges in the private concessions within in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
African safaris are ever evolving, and there has never been a better time to plan a safari trip to Africa. Whether you are a seasoned safari traveler or planning your first safari trip, there is the perfect trip waiting for you! From new wellness practices, cultural experiences, and luxury camping to remote safaris that take you deep into the wilderness, you can experience the African wild like never before. We hope that this post has given you insights into the latest safari trends and inspired you to plan your trip to Africa in 2024. Chat to one of our dedicated and experienced Travel Planners to start working on your trip.
