The Best African Safari Destinations and What to Expect

wildebeest on open field

The Best African Safari Destinations and What to Expect

Embarking on an African safari is a dream come true for many adventure enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. The vast landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unique cultural experiences make it an unforgettable journey. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best African safari destinations and answer common questions about guides carrying guns and smoking during the safari.

Top African Safari Destinations

1. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania:

Known for its annual wildebeest migration, the Serengeti offers breathtaking views and an abundance of wildlife. From lions and elephants to cheetahs and zebras, this park is a must-visit for any safari enthusiast.

2. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya:

Home to the famous Maasai tribes, the Maasai Mara is renowned for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. Witnessing the Great Migration here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

3. Kruger National Park, South Africa:

One of the largest game reserves in Africa, Kruger National Park offers an incredible variety of wildlife. With its well-maintained infrastructure and diverse ecosystems, it is a popular choice for both first-time and seasoned safari-goers.

4. Okavango Delta, Botswana:

The Okavango Delta is a unique safari destination, as it offers both land and water-based experiences. Explore the delta by traditional mokoro canoes and spot hippos, crocodiles, and a wide array of bird species.

5. Etosha National Park, Namibia:

Etosha National Park is known for its vast salt pans and abundant wildlife. The park’s waterholes attract a variety of animals, making it an ideal destination for game viewing and photography.

Do African Safari Guides Carry Guns?

One common concern for safari-goers is whether guides carry guns for protection. The answer varies depending on the country and the specific safari experience. In most cases, professional safari guides are highly trained and have extensive knowledge of animal behavior, minimizing the need for firearms.

However, in certain situations, such as walking safaris or encounters with dangerous animals, guides may carry guns as a precautionary measure. This is done to ensure the safety of both the visitors and the animals. It’s important to remember that the primary goal of safari guides is to promote conservation and maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem.

Smoking on an African Safari

Smoking policies vary among different safari operators and national parks. While some may allow smoking in designated areas, others have strict no-smoking policies due to the risk of starting wildfires and disturbing wildlife.

If you are a smoker, it is essential to check the specific regulations of your chosen safari destination beforehand. Respecting the rules not only ensures the safety and well-being of everyone but also helps preserve the natural environment.

Why an African Safari?

African safaris offer a unique opportunity to connect with nature, witness incredible wildlife, and immerse yourself in diverse cultures. Here are a few reasons why an African safari should be on your bucket list:

1. Wildlife and Biodiversity:

Africa is home to an astonishing array of wildlife, including the iconic Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros). Safaris give you a chance to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitats.

2. Conservation Efforts:

By participating in a safari, you contribute to the conservation efforts of national parks and reserves. Your presence supports local communities and helps protect endangered species.

3. Cultural Immersion:

Interacting with local communities and experiencing their customs and traditions adds a unique dimension to your safari adventure. From visiting Maasai villages to learning about ancient tribal rituals, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of African cultures.

4. Unforgettable Experiences:

Whether it’s witnessing a lion hunt, tracking gorillas in the misty mountains, or watching a breathtaking sunset over the savannah, an African safari provides countless unforgettable moments.

Conclusion:

Embarking on an African safari is an extraordinary experience that allows you to connect with nature, witness incredible wildlife, and immerse yourself in diverse cultures. From the vast plains of the Serengeti to the unique waterways of the Okavango Delta, Africa offers a range of safari destinations to suit every adventurer’s taste. Remember to respect the rules and regulations of each destination to ensure the safety of both wildlife and fellow travelers. So, pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

Login

×
Daniel Waruri

Daniel Waruri

Director

I will be back soon

Contact Us

Safari Request Quote

Reach out for your Safari Enquiries and Booking?

Daniel Waruri
Hey! We’ve got a great safari sale offer running. I am happy to tell you about it. Let me know if you've any questions.
Enquire about safari:
chat
stephanietanous
stephanietanous

Just left us a 5 star review

tripadvisor
stephanietanous
December 15, 2024

An Unforgettable Week with Meektrails

An amazing week with Meektrails! James was our guide - professional, kind, and knowledgeable with a big smile welcoming us into each incredible experience! We followed his guidance through Amboseli, Naivasha, Nakuru, and Masai Mara and saw all big five up close while learning about Kenya, the parks, and the animals. Meektrails sorted everything and made our trip very easy and enjoyable. Great lodging, good food, and lovely people the whole way. Thank you James and team!

tripadvisor
i_akih89
December 12, 2024

Great experience / fantastic Anthony (guide)

Hello!We are a family of 5 from Gipuzkoa Spain and we have recently travelled with Meektrails. The experience has been fantastic and they really deliver what they offer. Special mention to our guide Anthony who has taken care of us like his own family, a good professional with a lot of sensitivity to locate animals and a very respectful person with the environment and especially with people.

tripadvisor
Tourist652376
December 7, 2024

Out of the World Safari Experience

My family and I had so much fun on the safari organized by MeekTrails. All the hotels and resorts were amazing and very accommodating to vegetarian diet.From the booking to the final day airport drop off, everything was seamless and taken care off.Joseph was an extraordinary guide and human being. He was very kind and understanding. He was very knowledgeable and we were lucky to have him show us around. He provided amazing details and information about the wildlife and I appreciate that very muchWe have 0 complains. Everything was PERFECT

tripadvisor
Keenanpg
November 29, 2024

Great Safari with Meektrails

We recently completed a 7 night safari with Meektrails and had a great experience. Our tour was originally organized by Charles who was very responsive and able to customize our itinerary to our wishes and budget. We spent time in Maasai mara, Nakuru, Amboseli, and Tsavo and enjoyed all of them. The land cruiser was in excellent condition, with a pop-up roof, huge roll down windows, comfortable seats, and working power plugs.Our amazing guide was Anthony who really elevated the experience and allowed us to have an incredible Safari. From the start Anthony was so friendly and open, and made it clear his aim was to make our experience as great as possible. He was absolutely amazing at finding animals and getting us as close as possible to all different animals. We saw everything we had expected and more including cubs and young of nearly every species. He knows all the roads, routes, and small trails which allowed us to get very up close experiences. He also seems to know everyone, from other guides to park rangers which helped us learn about and find the location of animals. He was even also able to organize an early entrance to a couple of the parks to allow us to see sunrise in the park with the animals.Throughout the trip Anthony always double checked the planned schedule with us and offered many suggestions for changes or additions to the plan which really improved the trip. It's clear he has a lot of experience, and local knowledge which allowed him to adjust the itinerary in the best way possible. It's also clear he cares greatly for the local communities and organized for us to give our unused lunch packs to local children rather than seeing the food go to waste.We greatly appreciated our time with Anthony and thanks to him the safari exceeded all our expectations. As for Meektrails the booking process was responsive and easy, and everything was organized as discussed with no hitches. We would certainly organize another safari with Meektrails if returning to Kenya.

tripadvisor
mayamT6827VS
November 29, 2024

Best guide, best company

Our 7-day safari with Meektrails Safaris in Kenya with our guide Anthony was absolutely unforgettable! From start to finish, the experience exceeded all expectations. Our guide Anthony was phenomenal—he was knowledgeable, patient, and went above and beyond to ensure we saw everything on our wildlife wishlist. Thanks to his incredible skill and dedication, we had close encounters with the Big Five, witnessed breathtaking landscapes, and even saw species we hadn’t expected. His passion for wildlife and his deep understanding of the ecosystem made every game drive an adventure filled with learning and excitement. The accommodations and planning by Meektrails were seamless, making the whole journey stress-free and comfortable. Whether it was sunrise safari or tracking animals, every moment was magical. If you’re looking for a safari company that delivers an exceptional experience with a personal touch, Meektrails Safaris is the one. Highly recommended!

tripadvisor
581femkeb
November 27, 2024

An amazing 6 day safari

We had a really great experience! We went on a 6 day safari. Our guide was Phillip, we went to Masai Mara and we spotted the big five. Phillip was a really good and enthusiastic guide. I would really recommend it.

tripadvisor
tommasocasarini
November 24, 2024

Unforgettable first safari

We chose MeekTrails for our first family Safari in Kenya and it was a great choice. We built with them a program that perfectly fitted to our group (with people of different ages 11-60). Our five day safari brought us to Amboseli, Nakuru Lake and Masai Mara Nationals Parks and our fantastic guide Njinu made us see a lot of wild wonderful animals, included the big five! He could always find the best spots that made our experience unforgettable. The Sopa Lodges we chose were clean and comfortable, with a lot of services and pools.We strongly recommend MeekTrails if you’re thinking about going to Kenya to make a safari to discover african wikdlife! 🐆🐅🐘🦒🦏🐃

tripadvisor
lotharj970
November 21, 2024

A week we never will forget

First of all: a big Thank You to the whole team of Meek Trails. From the first contact with Diana until the last drop off at the hotel in Nairobi everything was perfect. Especially Philip: he was calm during driving, told us everything we should know about Africa, the animals, the plants and how to behave in Kenia. Everyday we felt that he was not only doing his job very well, but he was really loving the nature, the big animals and the small ones, specially the moorhens. He was patient, waited with us for the best moments, so we were very lucky to see all the animals we had hoped to see and were able to shoot beautiful photos. We saw the Big 5, the Ugliest 5 and many others and many birds. The days with Philip were full of seeing things and many laughters. The chosen hotels were all beautiful, the meals very good. At last: Thank you Meek Trails for that beautiful and unforgettable surprise at my birthday, when the whole team of the Zebra Camp and a Masai-Group were singing and dancing for me. Diana and Philip: Asante sani - we will miss you!