Going on safari in Africa is an adventure. It’s an exciting way to experience the sights, sounds and fascinating wildlife of Africa.
Written by Lauren Maker
As a child, I was privileged to spend many holidays in the Kruger National Park with my family. We would drive around the reserve with a book of birds and mammals and tick every one we saw. These were the best family vacations as we not only spent quality time together in nature surrounded by beautiful scenery, but we also learned so much about animals and birds.
Since those days, the classic safari style has evolved to suit more types of travelers. From ultra-luxury safari accommodation to more adventurous safari experiences, there are so many options to choose from.
So, what type of safari suits your style?
The Safari Lodge is an intimate lodge with a maximum of 10 rooms, therefore 20 people that you share your adventure with. You go on early morning and late afternoon game drives with a tracker – a very experienced person who sits right in front of the 4×4 – and the driver, who is a registered game ranger. At the lodge, you would typically enjoy some leisure time around the pool, in the communal lounge or dining area, or on your private deck (depending which lodge you’re staying at). You can also choose to go for a bushwalk with your game ranger, who will take you into the wild and show you the small flora and fauna that you would miss on a game drive. Night drives are fascinating as you will get to see the animals that sleep all day and come out in the night-time to forage or hunt.
Browse our top 5 safari lodges list.
The Tented Camp is my personal favorite safari style. Your sleeping quarters are in a beautiful tent under canvas with all the home essentials that one could wish for – including a full bathtub. In most instances, the entire structure is constructed from canvas (roof and walls) and built on timber platforms. Some tented camps have solid walls and doors with a canvas roof.
Want to stay in a luxury tented camp? Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp in the Masai Mara is one of the best. Try our East African Safari & Luxury Zanzibar Honeymoon.
Feeling more rustic? Enjoy a mobile camping adventure in Botswana.
The Bush Camp is generally a lower impact, environmentally conscious hideaway compared to other safari offerings, specifically catering to the individual who wants the more authentic experience of being as close to the bush as possible. These camps are usually small and built from natural materials to blend in with their natural habitat, offering hotel-style comfort and eco-friendly facilities. Here, the guest spaces are minimal, giving more attention to the experience of adventures in the bush.
Why not try our African Bush Camps Safari Adventure?
The Fly Camp is the closest to nature that you can get. Fly camping suits the more adventurous traveler. Camping beneath the stars, you can hear the noises of the bush, and your ceiling is the Milky Way. You’ll stay in a simple canvas tent or mosquito canopy over your mattress with pared-down necessities. It’s safe, and you are taken care of.
The Villa is a perfect choice for multigenerational families, a group of friends or even an incentive or team-building getaway. An exclusive home that is booked out completely, you are provided with a chef, a fully stocked bar, a butler and a game ranger that will take you out whenever you feel like it. It offers exclusivity and great value as every villa boasts prime positioning out in the bush – and complete exclusivity. This has become very popular with families who love to travel together with children and their grandparents, so you get thoroughly spoilt and looked after like royalty.
The Sky Bed is a tree-house style accommodation where you are high above the ground and can see for miles in the bush, very safely. Typically featuring a beautiful bed with a mosquito net, and on a lower deck, a bath with a view, Sky Beds are perfect for a romantic getaway.
Spend a night beneath the Milky Way in a Star Bed at Little Kulala Lodge. Experience it with us on a Romantic Namibia Adventure.
The Sleep Out is very similar to the Sky Bed. It is an intimate way to experience Africa. You are provided with the necessary sleeping gear and equipment – don’t worry, the staff is around making sure your dinner is served and that you are looked after throughout the night. In the morning, you wake to the African sunrise, while your coffee is brewing. This is another quest to tick off on your safari adventure in Africa.
No matter what type of safari you are wanting to experience, there is a style out there that will suit you. Get in touch with us for any questions and share with us your safari dreams – we’re ready and waiting to make them happen.
