Doing a Safari vacation in South Africa? Here is what you need to know [+ free safari planner]
Going on a safari is a once-in-a-lifetime trip that most of us put on our bucket list but somehow always postpone because we think we can never afford it. Well, think again! You don't have to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to go on a safari. In fact, there are several ways you can affordably plan this trip. Through this post, I'm answering all your questions to plan an epic vacation in Kruger National Park in beautiful South Africa!
For us, we had the chance to go on a safari before a business trip. The hubby needed to go to Johannesburg for a conference and I decided to tag along (as always) so we decided to extend the trip to include a safari. Extending your business trip can sometimes lead you to great adventures!
PSST: This post contains shameless references to The Lion King. You have been warned!
3 major Misconceptions about going on a safari
Time
Before going on our trip, I had the misconception that going on a safari needed to be for at least two weeks. And in a way, those are the packages that are being promoted. However, you can do small trips, we did 4 incredible days but you can even do smaller trips of 2 days. So you don't need to book your 2-week annual vacation going to a safari, you can only use a few days. Even before a business trip!
It's expensive
Every time we googled a safari vacation, we were blown away by prices. And this is one of the reasons why we always postpone one of these trips. Well, doing a small safari trip in a private lodge can be affordable. It costs us around $150 per day per person for an all-inclusive safari lodge with 2 drives per day. South Africa has one of the cheapest safari options in Africa. Like any other accommodation, the level of luxury and tailor-made options will heavily influence the price.
Hunting
I was really surprised that the word safari is still heavily linked to hunting. At work, when I asked for my vacation days, my coworkers were always double-checking to make sure I wasn't going on a hunting trip. No, we did not go hunting! The only thing I was catching were great photo opportunities with the astonishing creatures. I’m still blown away by how hunting safaris are still legal in some countries.
Why choose Kruger National Park?
There are several places where you can do a Safari in South Africa. Some of the most popular ones include Kruger National Park, Table Mountain National Park, Madikwe Game Reserve, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Addo Elephant National Park in Eastern Cape, Imfolozi Game Reserve, Marakele National Park and Pilanesberg National Park, to name a few. Choosing which nature reserve will be an important decision that might have an impact on the rest of your itinerary in the country. If you are only staying in the Johannesburg area because you have limited days, then you can consider doing Pilanesberg Game Reserve which is only a 3-hour drive.
We did our Safari in Kruger National Park. It is approximately a 5-hour drive from Johannesburg and it is one of the largest game reserves in all Africa, covering more than 20,000 square kilometres. Kruger National Park has been a World Heritage Site since 2001 and it is said to be one the oldest wildlife reserves in the World. It has over 3,414 species of flora and fauna. And of course, the big 5! If you are lucky, you can see them all on your holiday. The big 5 are rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants and cape buffalo. Sadly, the leopard was the only one that we did not have a chance to see during this trip.
Plus, South Africa is a great country with so many things to do! Please, don't go to the country for just a safari, go and explore the different cities and natural wonders the country has to offer! We love to spend time in Johannesburg, the city has many things to do and see.
You can also combine your South African Safari in Kruger Park with a few days in Cape Town and the Garden Route if you want to explore the coast.
Self-driving safari, private reserve or concessions, what are all these?
Safari experiences vary, ranging from guided game drives in open-air vehicles to walking safaris and even hot air balloon rides. You can choose the type of safari that best suits your preferences and comfort level. What are all of these types of safaris and which one is the right for you? Kruger National Park has different types of safaris and they can change your budget and your experience drastically.
Self-driving
As the name says, you will be driving your rented car through the park. You can do this on a one-day trip or several-day adventures. The park has several camps where you can stay.
The two main perks for these types are that you can go at your rhythm and it is the most budget-friendly option.
All you need to do is pay around $28 per person per day for non-South African residents to enter the park. You get to drive your vehicle on designated park roads. You can camp or stay in self-catering accommodation. You will need to do some groceries before. Also, you will need to bring all this extra gear like sleeping bags.
The downside of this is that you can't do any off-road or night drives and that you will be seeing the animals through your small car window. Since most of us don't have much knowledge about how to spot animals, your chances of spotting them will be slimmer.
It is recommended that you take a 4x4 car since the road conditions are not the same as driving in the city.
Psst: in South Africa, you drive on the left side of the road, similar to countries like the United Kingdom and Japan. If you're from a country where driving is on the right side, take extra care when adjusting to driving on the left. You can drive in South Africa with a valid driver's license from your home country, provided it is printed in English. If your license is not in English, you should obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) before your trip.
Guided tours
Guided tours are done in private or small groups. They are done in open vehicles so you can see the animals better. The guides are very knowledgeable and they will know where to go and the best time to do the drives. You can do these by staying at the park's accommodations or by doing a tour. You can mix and match between a self-driving tour and a guided tour into your vacation length and budget. It is recommended that you book these in advance.
Concessions and private reserves
What are they and what is the difference between these 2?
Concessions are private lodges inside the national park. These accommodations are on the more high-end side of the spectrum.
Private reserves are adjacent to the park and offer an exclusive experience. Here, you can go off-road in an elevated open vehicle and get close to the animals. With this type of vehicle, you have no obstructions to see all the animals that you want! These are also called private game reserves.
These are all-inclusive experiences and you will do your game drives with very knowledgeable and passionate guides and trackers. Plus, you will be able to do night drives. This is where we got the chance to see 2 lions roaring- an experience I will never forget. These are, of course, more expensive but don't be fooled, some can be affordable, specifically if you are doing just a couple of days. We took this latter option.
So why did we choose a private reserve?
First of all, we are not the camping type and quite frankly, camping near lions, hyenas and snakes is really out of my comfort zone. Just the thought of doing this scares the hell out of me!
Since this was our first safari experience, we decided that we needed to go all in. I liked the fact that we were taken care of by an extremely talented team of guides and trackers. They were super knowledgeable, they knew everything about the animals, their behaviour and the park's geography. This was a big plus! With them, we learnt so much! For example, did you know that elephants can know where there is underground water? They dig it up and by doing so, they can provide water to other animals in drought times. Isn't nature just fascinating?
The tour includes 2 game drives per day. It is important to keep in mind that in some drives you will have no luck and you will not see any animals, as they roam freely. In the afternoon drives, you will get a chance to stop out in the bush for a drink, a sundowner. These are fun and completely unexpected. The team has some refreshments and you get to enjoy the views. This is definitely a unique experience. I know that this sounds scary, I know that on our first stop, I was but you get used to it. After all, you trust your guide that they will not stop next to Scar’s hyenas!
Now, let’s talk about the accommodations. The lodges are beautiful! Generally, they are for a very restricted number of guests most of them are for around 10 to 20 persons. They are built for you to watch as many animals as possible. One of the walls of our bedroom was fully windowed and there was a pond in proximity. When waking up, you could see some animals drinking water. The lodge has a large balcony where you can see the vast open spaces. There was a big pond where we saw animals drinking or taking baths during our relaxing times. I was like a child looking at the Pumbaa taking a bath and chilling. Yes, I said Pumbaa and not warthogs. The packages also come with the meals so you don’t have to worry about cooking. Some lodges even have a private chef.
The level of luxury that you choose will highly influence the budget. It will be up to you to do some digging into what is done within your travel budget.
How will your day unfold in a private game lodge?
Here is a general overview schedule (some can change depending on the type of safari and lodge that you book) :
5 a.m. wake-up
5:30 a.m. Coffee and biscuits
6 to 9 a.m. game drive (most animals are more active in the hours right around sunrise)
9:30 a.m. breakfast
Relaxing time or pool time. I would suggest bringing a good book. Unless you book a safari and yoga or another type of niche safari. There is usually long downtime during the day!
Lunch
More relaxing
4 to 7 p.m. evening game drive. These drives also include a drink somewhere out in the bush. These drives can turn into a night drive if the rangers get a clue of an animal. Or you will go on a separate night drive.
Dinner will most likely be braai, a South African barbecue.
Bedtime
Walking safaris, why do them?
These are bush walks that you do with an armed ranger. In these walks, you will pay closer attention to details and smaller animals. Here, you will get a chance to see tracks closer and better understand how the tracker and the guide track the animals that we see. You will appreciate smaller creatures and plant life.
At first, we were hesitant to do these as we felt it was unsafe and we did not want to end up in a situation where the ranger had to choose between our lives and the animals. After all, these are wild animals and we are intruding into their territory. However, our guide put us at ease during our stay and we completely trusted him and his love for animals. This is a highlight of our trip. Yes, it is scary but it is worth doing it. If you are uneasy at any time, you can ask the guide to turn around and bring you back to the lodge.
Best time to visit Kruger National Park?
There is not a right or wrong time to visit Kruger but each season has its perks for game viewing.
Winter - Dry Season
In winter, the bush is dry and you can see animals at a longer distance since you don't have all the foliage covering them. Also, the water is more scarce, the rivers are lower which means that the animals will be easier to see since they will be all drinking water at these very specific places. The weather is nice, not too hot and a little chilly. We went at the end of this season, around mid-November.
Summer - Wet Season
This is the lower season which means that probably find better deals! Keep in mind that the landscape will be lush and full so seeing animals will be more difficult. However, you will get a chance to see cute newborns, hi baby Simba! And of course, wet seasons are the equivalent of a lot of rain!
How many days should you spend at Kruger National Park?
This will be up to you, your time and budget. I thought that 4 days was the bare minimum. We got a chance to see all the animals that we wanted. I would think that doing a 2 or 3-week safari in the same place will be a little long. If you are doing a longer safari you might want to combine different parks so you can see other corners of South Africa
What to bring to your packing list?
If you are doing an all-inclusive safari will need to bring the following:
Warm jacket for game drives (even in summer). You will be waking up at 5 am and trust me, you will get cold!
Think about bringing different layers if you get cold. That way, as the sun goes up, you can peel off your layers. The lodge also offers you blankets if you get extra cold.
Comfortable walking shoes for your walking safari.
Earth tones clothes for your walking safari. I had a bright pink sweater for the rest of the drives so don't worry about having to buy clothes when you are in the vehicle. No need to look like Indiana Jones, just grab brown, green, and beige tops and bottoms for your walking safari.
Sunscreen
Sun Hat and sunglasses
Swimwear
Camera with Zoom Lens. I had a 200mm, however, you can also take great pictures and videos with your phone, depending on how close you can get.
Insect repellent. (We did not need it)
Binoculars. If you have very fancy binoculars, by all means, bring them. If not, the lodge would most likely provide them
Umbrella or raincoat for the rainy season
Is there a risk of Malaria in Kruger National Park?
The park IS a malaria area. However, the risk of contracting malaria is low in the park. But DO NOT take the chance and take your preventative measures. Meaning, you will need to buy in advance anti-malaria medication. Don’t forget that you will need to take the pills 1 day in advance of going to the risk area. This medication does come with some side effects, it will most likely give you a mild stomachache. It is recommended that you go see your doctor before and talk about the medication especially if you have other medication or existing medical conditions.
Before going on the trip, you should check the type of vaccination that is needed.
Tipping?
You do need to tip in South Africa. In general, you tip the staff around USD $5-10 per person per day. It is expected that the tip will be given at the end of the trip. Do the calculations beforehand and bring the right amount of cash, there will not be any bank inside the park.
Which tour operator to take?
This was the most overwhelming decision that we had to make. There are sooo many options and companies.
Take the one that you feel more comfortable with, the one that can be tailored to your needs, budget and time. There are a lot of tour operators, you should carefully read the reviews and check for any red flags. Get in contact with the sales team from the company and see how they can help, this will allow you to get a sense of the company.
The only thing I would suggest is to look up a sustainable tour and lodge. This way you will be lowering the impact on the environment. Our lodge was fully equipped with solar power. We did not have any cell phone or internet connection, so be warned!
But most importantly, why go on a safari?
I just hate when people say, why do you need to go all over South Africa when you can see elephants at the zoo? Seriously, the zoo? -_- First of all, a safari is not an animal cruelty activity like zoos can be. The animals roam free in their natural habitat. You will enjoy watching the circle of life to its fullest.
For me, going on a safari is a very humbling and thrilling experience. It was all about contact with these endangered African wild animals. I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to see these animals as I know that in around 2 decades, the rhinos that we saw will be extinct because of us, humans. Our guide was very involved in animal conservation and this was very eye-opening. If you care about animals, please consider checking for conservation foundations and how you can help protect these beautiful animals.
Practical information for South Africa
Tap water
South Africa has some of the cleanest tap water in the world! So ditch your plastic bottle and use your reusable bottle!
Currency
The currency of the country is the South African Rand (RAD). Rands can be easily found abroad at the currency exchange office. Also, South Africa has a well-developed financial system and extensive bank network so you will be able to pay with your credit card there in most of the places.
POWER
In South Africa, the power plugs and sockets are of type D, M and N. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. You will see that the plugs are characterized by 3 round pins forming a triangle.
Are there any questions and answers that I have missed? Drop them below and I will try my best help you :) Or if you have other suggestions for inserting Lion King reference, I will be happy to add them.
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If you are looking at how to plan your 10-day Kenya itinerary, you have come to the right place. If you are feeling overwhelmed about how to choose your safari operator, you have also come to the right place. If you are debating on which park to choose over another or looking for practical tips, I also have your back! Along the article, I will share things that I would have changed in my trip.