Planning a South African safari?

Best tips for planning South Africa safari holidays

South Africa is the big game of safari in Africa destinations, a country that provides experiences for every age and level of adventure. A budget or luxury South Africa safari holidays could be just 2 hours. It could be 2 weeks. Kudu and Springbok dominate the plains. Visit South Africa and encounters with the big 5 are almost promised, although a typical big 5 South safari in Africa is not the best the country can offer. More than anywhere else, a best safaris in South Africa injects contemporary luxury into the wildlife experience.

Budget or luxury South Africa safari holidays cost

There is a budget or luxury South Africa safari here. You can rent a vehicle for a self drive safari, with accommodation at best public campsites and affordable safari lodges. Or you can stay USD 1000 plus a night luxury lodges. Then there is everything in between.

South Africa safari can be luxury and affordable here because you do not need long or expensive travel into the wilderness. Plus, it is possible to go on a safari for just 1 day, even just for 1 morning. So the experience could cost less than $200.

Tips for planning South Africa safari holidays

When to go

For wildlife watching, winter is perfect as many shrubs and trees are leafless, which aids spotting. Limited food and water also means that animals are out in the open more often foraging, hunting, or getting a drink at a waterhole. South Africa summer views the countryside at its most lush, but animals cost lost in dense shadows. Most general at this time are holiday makers from Europe, which come in herds for a warm temps.

Choosing a South Africa safari holidays national park

South Africa has over 600 reserves and parks. You can find one providing any type of experience you want, from utter desolation, to green savannah rich wild life in all forms. You can enjoy South Africa safari guided tours, set out on your own or find serenity at a campsite far from others. They also cater to visitors on all budgets which makes them both affordable and but also generally crowded in parts.

Close proximity to wildlife

Not only do you reject long drives before your safari begins but that bump you hear in the night may be an elephant looking in your window. Unlike most of the government camps, lodges here are hardly ever fenced. Add when on wildlife drives, guides are generally allowed to leave the keep back dirt tracks and head in a straight line to sightings in the bush instead of having to watch from far-off. Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which adjoins Kruger National park, is largely considered to be the top place in Africa for spotting animals.

Use a South Africa safari holidays guide

The first time your guide presents you simply-missed leopard tracks crossing your path, you will be happy you are wandering aimlessly on your own. Even though guides can keep you secure from wild marauding lions. Animals carry the colours they do so they will be simple to miss.

Drive or fly

You can fly direct into Kruger National Park, connecting Johannesburg or Cape Town. If you are pressed for time this is essential having plenty of best safaris in South Africa time. Most other parks reserves are equally well served by domestic flights and you can work out itineraries where lodges and resorts handle all your transfers. But if you can afford the time, driving in South Africa is rewarding. Outside of reserves and parks there are wine regions, amazing natural beauty and all manner of remarkable little towns and cultural attractions.

Bring the right stuff

Saylight safaris during the winter in and around Kruger can be very cold, layers can be shed as the sun and temp goes up. Binocular s are a clear choice and do not expect your guides or lodge to provide them. A compact pair will let you view that big cat walking in the distance. Do not count on Wi-Fi in the bush, so a best South Africa safari book about the land and life around you is essential.

South Africa safari accommodations

Here are some of the best South Africa luxury safari lodges to stay:

Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve

A prize-winning lodge, placed in the Sabi Grand Game Reserve offers a 5 star stay with a private pools, a remarkable wellness menu, and opulent suites with 4 poster beds and luxurious bathrooms. Sample your choice of bush cuisine or Western tastes, paired with a best wine list.

Singita Sweni Lodge

Yet another beautiful by the Singita group, their Sweni Lodge lies right beside the Sweni River, so expect close up sightings of lots of animals. All suites have outdoor showers that overlook the river, and open-air day beds where you can spend a night under the stars.

Plus, there is a big range of things to do here, from game safaris to community cooking classes.

Planning a south african safari?The best South Africa luxury safari lodges to stay: Singita Sweni Lodge — Photo: Courtesy Of Singita Sweni Lodge / Facebook

The Motse

Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa biggest private game reserve, with over 110,000 hectares of mountains and grasslands. The Motse Camp ahs just reopened after a renovation and is excellent than ever.

Rooms are built of desert sand, local stone, traditional Kalahari thatch and rich red clay. There is also a heated swimming pool and a walk-in wine cellar stocked with perfect South African wines.

Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

This lodge takes the new idea of best luxury to a new level. Despite its amazing design – or perhaps because of it – it can difficult to spot from certain angles. The thirteen sumptuous guest suites are sculpted to nestle into – or combine from – a natural slope in the ground. Fitting in aesthetically in just one of the ways in which Earth Lodge has got recognition as one of the most eco-sensitive lodges in South Africa. This is really guilt-free indulgence. While the architecture is something remarkable from classic safari lodge design, the orientation of the suites to increase the views out over the bushveld is fully in keeping with other luxury South Africa safari lodges.

Moholoholo Forest Camp

This luxury lodge is nestled in the Drankenbuerg Mountain range, one of South Africa most amazing natural wonders. Enveloping the lodge are soaring Quinine trees, which make Forest Camp a haven for bird-lovers. The lodge is set on the same place as the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, which visitors have entry to as part of their stay in order to foster an excellent understanding of the conservation problems facing South Africa. In addition to the 2 hour tour of the center, your stay at one of the best luxury chalets contains daily game drives on the reserve, tree meals, and morning bush walks. Guess to view baboons, vervet monkeys, and Samango monkeys.

Jabulani Safari

One of luxury safaris in South Africa, Jabulani Safari is a favourite amongst well-heeled and honeymooners travellers. A homage to the elephant, it is placed just outside the Kruger national park and is on the front doorstep for spotting. The Big 5. Amazing suites contain roll-top baths, four-posters, and sprawling views. For full privacy, the Zindoga Villa is accessible on an exclusive basis.