Top Tips for the Best Safari Holiday

The best safari holiday is only the best if it suits you and that is why we create bespoke itineraries for all of our clients. But how will we know what your perfect fit is? Below are some tips on what to ask us and what information to include when you enquire. Knowing these things can really help define what is best for you and your family and friends.

Glam luxury or barefoot luxury?

A luxury safari holiday doesn’t necessarily mean the same to everyone. For some luxury is a lodge with a spa, swimming pool and extensive wine list. For others, it is fly camping exclusively with your group and no others in sight. So when you talk to our safari experts make sure to tell them your expectations of luxury and what you want to find at your accommodation as we have the most incredible options for all tastes. If a spa and phone signal are essentials for you or ,conversely, star gazing and no signal mean luxury to you, let your travel expert know and they will select the best accommodations specifically for you.

A landscape view of the Okavango Delta with a mokoro canoe on the water, Duke's Camp, Botswana.

A deck and pool overlook the river at sunset, Chinzombo, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, seen on luxury safari holidays.

What are your wildlife expectations?

Everyone goes on safari for the wildlife of course, but did you know that specific countries, regions, landscapes and National Parks can vary widely in their diversity of game? Seeing the Big 5 may be the only reason you want to go on safari and so by letting your travel expert know this they will be able to plan your trip in the most likely areas to see all of those animals. For others, they may be in search of a very specific wildlife experience such as following a migration, tracking turtles, finding an elusive species or concentrating on birding, in which case we can build a safari that will take you to very specific areas that will give you the best experience of seeing these animals.

Connections and travel between lodges

Most safari itineraries will involve staying at a few different locations. Travel between these accommodations can vary depending on the country and logistics. What is important to discuss is if, for example, you only want to connect by light aircraft or conversely if you’d rather travel by vehicle and experience more of the country on some of the shorter routes. Likewise if you have any specific travel needs for those connections such as mobility issues, we can always help to prepare everything you require to make your connection comfortable and suitable for you.

A helicopter sits on the white sand beach, Miavana, Madagascar.

Elephants wade through a green wetland in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, a highlight of a luxury safari.

Food & beverage

Our partner lodges and camps are always selected for their exceptional food and beverage offerings and you will find that everyone can be easily catered too. It is important to us that we exceed your expectations and offer you the best of the best. What is important for your travel specialist to know is if you have any dietary requirements, allergies or preferences. We also love to know if you are a foodie and if that is something that would enhance your holiday as there are plenty of lodges who specialise in fine dining and exclusive wine lists. In remote lodges, we have personally catered to vegan diets, strict Kosher rules, gluten and dairy free allergies and everything in between and so know that everything is possible.

Activities

Your expectations of how active you would like your holiday to be are also extremely helpful in building you the best itinerary. Do you want to add in excursions? Do you need a lodge that has a gym? Do you want to just relax and take it easy? Understanding your hobbies and interests can help us offer you the best options so let us know if you are an adrenaline junkie who would love to swim at the top of Victoria Falls in the devil’s pool or if a massage in the afternoon is more up your street.

A rocky coastline dotted with buildings, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Private vehicles or shared vehicles

When on game drives there is usually the option to book a private game vehicle or a shared one, depending on the lodge. A shared vehicle means that you will be on your game drives with other guests from the accommodation which can be a lovely experience to meet you new people with a shared interest. Private vehicles can, however, offer several advantages and we would recommend them for the following guests. Clients who want to dictate the duration that you spend at a site. Some veteran safari goers could happily sit at a wild dog den for hours or photograph a tiny Malachite Kingfisher until they have the perfect shot; which is possible with a private vehicle where the guide will adapt to your preferences. Honeymooners looking for a romantic safari may also choose this exclusivity or those travelling with young children will find that a private vehicle gives them the adaptability to shorten a game drive if the little ones are becoming restless.

Use an experienced provider

A safari holiday is very different to booking a destination hotel online and turning up. There are many ground logistics involved in getting between destinations and organising guides for example as well as a multitude of unknown questions for an independent traveller. We highly recommend talking to our travel experts and booking through The Safari Edit as between our team we have extensive first hand experience from operating and managing safari lodges, staying in our partner lodges, working with in country ground handlers and building individual bespoke safaris tailored to specific client desires. We are here to answer all of your questions before, during and after your holiday.

Get in touch with us now to speak to our senior travel expert and start looking forward to your future safari trip today!

Take a look at the Inspiration Page on our website or check out our Instagram to get an idea of what you may want your holiday to look like.

Making the Most of Your Safari: Your Top Tip Questions Answered

If you had to pick the single most important tip for having the 'best' safari, what would it be?

That's a tough choice, as many elements contribute! However, perhaps the most crucial piece of advice is to manage expectations and embrace the journey. Wildlife operates on its own schedule, and no sighting is ever guaranteed. Trust your guide's expertise, be patient, appreciate the entire ecosystem (not just the 'Big Five'), and savour the unique moments that unfold. An open mind and a flexible attitude often lead to the most memorable and rewarding safari experiences.

How far in advance should we plan for the best options when travelling from the UK or US?

For the widest choice of high-quality lodges (especially popular ones or those with limited rooms), preferred guides, and better flight availability/pricing from the UK or US, particularly during peak seasons (like July-August or Christmas), we strongly recommend starting the planning process 9 to 18 months before your intended travel dates. We can still however help with shorter notice and 2025 bookings.

Why is using a safari specialist like The Safari Edit recommended?

While you can book elements yourself, a specialist brings deep, first-hand knowledge that saves you significant research time and helps avoid potential pitfalls. We understand the crucial nuances between destinations, camps, seasons, and guides. We handle complex logistics (internal flights, transfers), provide tailored advice based on your specific interests and budget, offer financial security (where applicable for UK bookings), and often have access to better availability or insights. Essentially, we use our expertise to ensure your trip is seamless, well-suited to you, and represents great value – allowing you to relax and look forward to the experience.

What's the best way to make the most of our time on game drives?

Be engaged and curious! Interact with your guide – ask questions, tell them what interests you (big cats, birds, plants?), listen actively to their interpretations of the environment. Have your binoculars and camera readily accessible. Dress in comfortable layers as temperatures change. Also, remember to simply be present – put the camera down sometimes and just watch, listen, and absorb the atmosphere of the African bush.

Is tipping expected for guides and camp staff?

Yes, tipping is customary and greatly appreciated in most safari destinations across Africa, as it forms a significant part of the income for guides and camp staff who provide excellent service. It's discretionary, of course, based on your satisfaction. Guidelines on amounts vary by country and the level of service/luxury. We provide detailed, up-to-date tipping recommendations specific to your itinerary in our pre-departure information pack.

What's one item people often forget but shouldn't?

Besides the essentials covered in detailed packing lists, a high-quality pair of binoculars for each person travelling is frequently underestimated but makes a huge difference to wildlife viewing enjoyment. Another often-forgotten but very useful item is a headlamp or small torch for easily navigating your room or camp pathways after dark.

What's a common pitfall for first-time safari travellers?

A frequent mistake is trying to do too much in too short a time – hopping between too many locations quickly. This leads to exhaustion and less time to appreciate each area. Tips focusing on sensible pacing (recommending at least 3 nights per camp/lodge) help avoid this, creating a more relaxed and immersive holiday. Another is having overly rigid expectations about seeing specific animals, which tips on managing expectations address.

Safari Edit founder Wendy smiles as a mountain gorilla rests in the forest undergrowth nearby.

Wendy Hunter

Wendy Hunter, a co-founder of The Safari Edit, infuses every bespoke safari with a deep understanding of exceptional guest experiences. Prior to establishing The Safari Edit alongside her husband Finlay, Wendy expertly managed prestigious luxury safari lodges across Zambia, Rwanda, and Tanzania, developing an intimate connection with Africa’s wild heart.

Having travelled extensively throughout Southern and Eastern Africa, both personally and with their three young children, Wendy possesses invaluable firsthand insights. Her expertise particularly shines in designing seamless and enriching family safari holidays, ensuring every detail is meticulously planned for an unforgettable journey of discovery.

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