11 Essential Questions Before You Book an African Safari

African Safari

11 Essential Questions Before You Book an African Safari

Ever imagined yourself on a wildlife viewing safari in Africa? Maybe it’s been a dream since childhood, or maybe it’s a new idea that sparked later in life – either way, you can’t wait to get on the African savannah plains and set out on a new adventure accompanied by an expert safari guide to watch the iconic wildlife!

But before you pack your bags, slather on sunscreen, and spray the insect repellant, a little planning needs to be done. While making your travel arrangements, be sure to ask yourself these 10 essential questions:

1. Where in Africa do you want to safari?

It is important to remember that Africa is a rather large continent composed of more than 50 different countries! Before booking your safari, consider which country it is that you want to visit. The main safari destinations for wildlife viewing and photography are in Southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa), Eastern Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda) and Central Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe).

Tanzania is home of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain and the famous Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.

Kenya is where the magic truly happens. You can spot all the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant) in Ol Pejeta Conservancy and there is a wide selection of excellent wildlife parks, reserves and conservancies to choose from. Maasai warriors act as guides, enriching your experience while staying in the bush. The Great Wildebeest Migration travels through Kenya, and throughout the entire year there are hundreds of different species to see.

Botswana is the size of France but has a total population of only 2 million, which is smaller than many of America’s states! There is certainly a feel of “getting away from it all” when taking a safari there.

Zambia is known for its breathtaking vistas, including the incredible Victoria Falls. The waterfall straddles the Zambia-Zimbabwe border, and its mist can be seen from up to 12 miles away.

Love gorillas? Rwanda and Uganda offer Mountain Gorilla safaris where you can track them in the rainforest. With less than 1,000 of these beautiful creatures in existence, education is crucial for their survival. And what’s a better way to educate yourself than to see them in person?

South Africa provides a unique experience for those who appreciate additional activities during a safari. For instance, explore all that Cape Town has to offer like Table Mountain. Or relax on one of the hundreds of beaches on Africa’s southern coast.

2. Which country should you choose for your first wildlife viewing safari?

This is what Brian Jackman, one of the UK’s best-known travel writers on Africa, had to say, writing in the Daily Telegraph newspaper:

“So where should you go for your first taste of safari life? Africa is so vast, its horizons so wide. Some of its big-game strongholds are the size of small countries. Among the finest are Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Zambia’s Luangwa Valley and South Africa’s Kruger National Park. But if you are planning a once-in-a-lifetime sojourn in the bush it has to be East Africa. Nowhere are animals so visible as on the high plains of the Maasai Mara and Serengeti, and the land itself is quite something. Ease of access makes East Africa a natural favourite for first-timers. It takes only eight hours to fly from London to Nairobi. If you catch an overnight flight from Heathrow you can transfer to a light aircraft next morning and be in the bush in time for brunch. Such things are possible in Nairobi because Kenya’s safari industry is backed up by an efficient tourist infrastructure with a dazzling choice of camps and lodges to suit all budgets. This is, after all, where modern safaris were invented back in the Twenties.”

We agree with what Brian says and for people living in countries outside of Africa we recommend that for your very first safari you should choose Kenya, in East Africa, for these reasons:

  • Wide choice of International Airlines for daily flights to Nairobi with competitive fares and only 8 hours flying time from London.
  • Good range of international hotels in Nairobi for first or last night before or after the safari.
  • Excellent parks, reserves and wildlife conservancies with huge variety of wildlife and good choice of excellent safari camps and lodges.
  • Easy access to the best-known wildlife parks in Africa by daily scheduled light aircraft flights from Nairobi.
  • Friendly, hospitable people who speak English and who welcome visitors.
  • Good standards of service in hotels and long tradition of looking after overseas visitors.
  • Opportunity to have a beach holiday after safari at Kenya’s coast or in Zanzibar.
  • Add-ons available to Rwanda, Uganda or Tanzania in combination with a Kenya safari.

If you do choose a Kenya safari, then there are some more questions to ask to ensure you choose a safari that will be just right for you – read on!

3. When is the best time to go on safari in Kenya?

There really is no “right” answer because anytime is a good time to visit! Since Kenya is located on the equator, it is considered a “year-round destination.” It really depends on you and what you prefer.

For instance, January-March are the “hot” months. During this time, animals tend to congregate around the watering holes, which provides an excellent view of the wildlife.

April and May comprise Kenya’s rainy season—and some camps close in May when the rains are at their height. But even though there is a good amount of rain, it’s usually at its heaviest at night, so there are always some sunny days!

June is a beautiful month to visit as the vegetation is lush after the weeks of heavy rain. Many animals are having their young during this time, which would be an incredible scene to witness!

July and August are actually the cool months in Kenya. They are a fantastic time to go on safari if you are interested in seeing the Great Wildebeest Migration, but be aware that this can also be a very crowded time inside the Mara Reserve with many more tourist visitors.

September and October have wonderful weather and wildlife viewing, before a shorter rainy season begins again in November and December.

Truly, it depends on your schedule and what type of animal-viewing you prefer. But no matter when you choose, it’ll be the adventure of a lifetime!

4. How long do you plan to be on safari?

How much time can you dedicate for your trip to Africa? Ideally, you need to give yourself at least a week to truly appreciate the safari experience, but if you can get away even longer, you’ll be so glad you did.

Make sure you allow enough time at each camp so that you can go on several game drives to see the area and its wildlife. Avoid the temptation to try and cram in many different parks, staying just one or two nights in each place, as this will increase travel time between the parks and decrease the amount of time you’ll have for wildlife viewing.

Each camp has its own itinerary so you can get a good feel for what you will be doing if you stay there. Choose two or three camps to stay at for a 6-10 day safari experience.

5. What animals are your “must sees” while on safari?
Image by Porini Camps guest Paolo Torchio

How much time can you dedicate for your trip to Africa? Ideally, you need to give yourself at least a week to truly appreciate the safari experience, but if you can get away even longer, you’ll be so glad you did.

Make sure you allow enough time at each camp so that you can go on several game drives to see the area and its wildlife. Avoid the temptation to try and cram in many different parks, staying just one or two nights in each place, as this will increase travel time between the parks and decrease the amount of time you’ll have for wildlife viewing.

Each camp has its own itinerary so you can get a good feel for what you will be doing if you stay there. Choose two or three camps to stay at for a 6-10 day safari experience.

6. What kind of lodging experience are you looking for?
Image by Porini Camps guest Paolo Torchio

When it comes to choosing where you want to stay on safari, there are lots of considerations. Of course, the first is usually budget. Keep in mind that when you plan to stay can affect the cost as well. Prices will be higher in the more popular months such as July and August.

Another point to consider—some of the camps and lodges can be booked on a “game package rate” (to include game drives, meals, drinks, and transportation as a part of their price per night). And some camps and lodges are based on a Full Board basis only – with optional game drives and extras payable when you are there. So do be sure to check carefully what is included before you confirm your arrangements!

Next, think about the type of lodging you’d prefer. Do you like the thought of staying under the stars, able to hear the call of the wild? Or is the idea of a hotel more enticing? You can choose either one—or both—on your Kenyan safari.

Finally, do you want to make sure you leave a positive mark on the environment and its inhabitants? The Porini camps are committed to responsible tourism and take extraordinary measures to be eco-friendly and conserve natural resources.

7. Are you planning on adding any “extras” to your trip?

There are some awesome experiences you can add to any safari—but you need to book in advance. Imagine waking up before the sun, only to watch it rise from the same eye level as the birds. A tranquil hot air balloon ride over the savannah is the perfect way to see a side of Kenya that few will ever experience. Did we mention there’s champagne included?

Another amazing add-on: ending your safari adventure with a little R&R on the white sand beaches of the Indian Ocean. After your safari you can fly to the coast for a few days before flying back to Nairobi to connect to your home-bound flight.

8. What items and clothing should you pack?

Light packing is required for your safari, if possible, as there are weight limits on planes, especially the smaller aircraft that will be taking you from camp to camp. However, if you are travelling elsewhere after your safari – such as to the Coast – many tour operators offer the ability to leave your main luggage in storage and you can travel lighter to the wildlife areas.

You’ll want to wear lots of greens and khakis, but nothing that looks like military-style camouflage-print, since that is reserved for security personnel. Simple shirts and shorts, chinos, and light jackets are great to bring. Sturdy walking shoes or trainers are a must as well as a pair of flip flops or sandals for wearing around camp. And you can’t forget a good safari sun hat!

If you are going to the highlands of Kenya such as to Ol Pejeta Conservancy then it can get chilly on early morning or evening game drives, so we recommend taking some warm items of clothing, such as fleeces or sweaters, which can be peeled off, when it gets hotter later in the day.

Don’t forget important documents (passport, health cards, airline tickets), medicines (prescriptions, malaria prophylaxis, motion sickness pills), and other necessities like toiletries, but don’t bring any fine jewelry or other valuable items.

Of course you will need your camera to capture the sights and scenes of safari. Our recommendations are here.

Finally, we recommend having your own pair of binoculars for each person travelling. A magnification of between 8x and 10x is ideal for most safari binoculars.

See our full recommended Packing List here.

9. What type of safari transport should you use?

You can either travel by aircraft or road—and road travel takes a lot more time than you’d expect. You can easily gobble up entire days of your trip just getting from camp to camp.

Air travel is infinitely preferable if there are more than a few miles between destinations. A fly-in safari conserves your precious time and is generally more comfortable all around.

Whilst on safari, you may see a range of different vehicles driving around. At the camps and lodges, open sided vehicles with high canvas roofs are used. These are perfect for wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities. Road safaris use closed sided vehicles with sliding glass windows and roof hatches, as these protect passengers from weather conditions and dust on the main roads.

 

10. What sort of preparations do you need to make before traveling to Africa?

Before you head to Africa, there are some essential preparations that can take a little time.
First, you’ll need a passport with at least six months’ validity from your departure date, as well as two open pages for your visas. Kenyan visas are US$ 50, and you must bring that in exact cash if you haven’t purchased it prior to your trip (read more details here).

Secondly, you may need a few jabs—most health professionals recommend immunizations for typhoid, hepatitis, and polio inoculations if you aren’t already up-to-date, and antimalarial medication is essential. Most antimalarials need a little lead time to be effective before you travel, so be sure to get instructions from your doctor. Avoid mosquito bites by using repellent and wearing appropriate clothes that cover skin in the evening.

Some other considerations include travel insurance, international phone plans, and currency.

11. What can you expect as a typical day on safari?

Wake up to the song birds gently telling you it’s time to start your day. Have a hot tea or coffee and light snack before embarking on your first game drive or guided walk for the day. Mornings are a wonderful time for wildlife viewing as they are cooler and many animals are active.

After your early morning activity, return to camp for a full breakfast / brunch. During the heat of mid-day, most animals are resting, so it’s time for you to do the same. Enjoy a refreshing shower, chat with fellow travelers, or catch up on that book you’ve been trying to read for ages.

Following afternoon tea, set out for another game drive, usually concluded with a sundowner and a picture-perfect view of the sun setting over the savannah. At night, there are night game drives to search for nocturnal animals.

Finish off your evening with dinner prepared by the camp chef and cold drinks or wine, and enjoy conversation with your fellow camp-mates around the camp fire.

See yourself on safari?

If you’re ready to get started planning your Kenya safari, get in touch today.

Or, if you are still researching your options then sign up for our free 6-part How to Book A Safari email series and discover how to make the most out of your time and budget.

News Update On Recent Heavy Rains In Kenya

Travel Guide

News Update On Recent Heavy Rains In Kenya

May 7th, 2024

Parts of Kenya have experienced an unprecedented amount of rainfall over the last 2-3 weeks including some of the tourism areas such as the Maasai Mara and Nairobi. Unfortunately, this has caused several rivers to break their banks and has led to damaging floods in some areas of the country.

We wanted to provide an update to our guests who are coming out on safari soon on the situation at our camps and conservancies as well as the other areas we take guests on safari.

Fortunately, all our camps and our team are fine.

The greatest impact in a tourism area was experienced in the Mara from the flooding of the Talek River, Sand River and Mara River impacting a number of camps along the riverbanks. Fortunately, any guests in those camps along with the staff were safely rescued and no lives were lost. However, many people from local communities in the area were displaced or badly affected by the floods and we are currently working with teams on the ground to support them, so please feel free to contact us if you’d also like to offer any support as this time of need.

The rivers have all subsided now and the forecast is for more normal levels of rain for the next few weeks and then tapering off. In fact, there was no rain in many parts of the Mara yesterday with sunny days and our guests in Ol Kinyei have been enjoying their safari as usual.

Guests staying at the Porini Ol kinyei Safari Cottages enjoy a game drive in the Ol kinyei Conservancy – photo by Porini Guide, George Letoluo – 7th May 2024

The camps that were affected, especially along the Talek River, are assessing the damage with some indicating they will be ready to fully reopen in a few weeks and others that could take a couple of months. We will be in touch with all our guests that may be going to any camp that is affected or will still be by their time of travel.

There is close collaboration between the tourism industry including the Mara camp managers, national government including the Tourism Board and the Narok County government with a crisis committee having been set up that is coordinating a very effective response on the ground as well as daily updates. Our 24- hour Kenya Tourism Federation Safety & Security Centre is providing real time updates not only in the Mara but across the country so guests can come on safari with up-to-date information, while those already in Kenya, of which there are very many, can continue enjoying their time on safari or at the beach.

Currently some of the key bridges along these rivers have been damaged and the county and national government are making a focus to have these repaired as soon as possible. The county has taken swift action and is already today with heavy equipment at Talek bridge starting to have it repaired.

Our camps in the Mara (Porini Lion Camp in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Porini Mara Camp, Porini Cheetah Camp, Porini Ol Kinyei Cottages in Ol Kinyei Conservancy and Porini Giraffe Camp in Mara Ripoi Conservancy) are all fine and those along the rivers are all positioned on raised decks and so were not affected by the increased water levels. We recommend all clients to fly in and out now as some of the key rivers are still high and can impact or delay access by road into some of our conservancies. We currently have guests at Porini Ol Kinyei Cottages and they are having a great time with all the usual activities. Porini Lion Camp opens for guests next week. Porini Amboseli in Selenkay was also not affected by the rains although the river has come up significantly and we expect this to go back to normal in a week or so. The camp is closed as we are putting in a new mess tent and replacing some older tents. Porini Rhino Camp in Ol Pejeta was also not affected and will be opening for guests after our annual maintenance next week.

Rhino River Camp, Meru was also not affected and has had little rain in the last week or so. Nairobi Tented Camp is also not affected although the roads to camp and in the park are not in good condition at the moment due to the rains.

April and May are considered the long rains in Kenya, and this is normally when we get most of our rains across the country which helps to rejuvenate the land, replenish the water table, and water courses and so leading to an abundance of new life across the country. This is also a time that every year we close most our camps for annual maintenance, the team take annual leave etc. although we do keep a few camps open as it is still a great time to be on safari during this ‘green’ season and often great for dramatic photography, especially as all the wildlife in Kenya other than the Serengeti migration is resident year-round.

The unusually heavy amount of rain this year coupled with human induced negative impacts like deforestation of key water towers like the Mau, Loita and Nyakweri forests along with land use change, over grazing and sand-harvesting has led to compaction of many areas and so less absorption of water into the soil and a much greater level of sheet erosion and runoff all increasing water into the main watercourses and rivers. As a company for over 30 years our mission has been to protect habitat in partnership with communities with every room protecting over 700 acres of habitat and generating benefits for local communities. Within the conservancies we have been able to ensure that there is no environmental degradation, and that woodlands, grasslands and forest are conserved. Guests staying at our camps are able to enjoy a great safari while helping to make a direct impact to protecting vital habitat and supporting communities.

We look forward to welcoming you to Kenya!

Dr Mohanjeet Brar (PhD) Managing Director Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps

5 Compelling Reasons to Choose a Porini Safari

Travel Guide

5 Compelling Reasons to Choose a Porini Safari

There are many reasons to choose a Porini Camp for your safari adventure – including the unparalleled game viewing, exclusive areas of natural habitat, excellent safari guides and comfortable accommodation.

There are also numerous ecological and humanitarian reasons.

Here, in our latest video, we look at five reasons why a Porini Safari is the ideal choice for guests that want to ensure that their safari supports the environment, conservation and local communities.

Hot Air Balloon Experiences in the Masai Mara

Conservation

Hot Air Balloon Experiences in the Masai Mara

What better way to enhance an African safari than to experience the landscape and wildlife from the air?

Visitors to the Masai Mara can opt to add a hot air balloon excursion to their stay and our latest video, courtesy of Mark Rowe, gives an insight into what can be expected.

Balloon expeditions start in the early hours with fresh coffee and a flight briefing. Flights start just after 6 am and soar high over the Great Rift Valley with breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

After touching down, guests can enjoy a champagne breakfast in the wilderness, the perfect ending to an enchanting morning.