First-time safari? Essential tips to help you plan your trip

Seeing the Big Five is a top-tier experience for any South African. Seeing the country’s top five national animals in the wild alongside other species native to the land is a wonderful way to explore the land. However, no good trip goes without planning.

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Here are a few tips to make sure your safari trip goes to plan.

Choose the right season

Choosing the right game drive and park, as well as the right season, is crucial to the safari experience you are anticipating. According to the South African National Park, the summer rains transform the arid park into a lush flowering paradise, but the increased foliage makes animals harder to see.

Game viewing is the winter, when the vegetation is sparse and water is limited to rivers and waterholes.

Set a budget

A safari budget varies widely, with camping and self-drive trips being on the more affordable end. Lodge accommodation, including guided tours, can be more on the expensive side.

S0, setting a budget and planning for the trip can better ensure affordability for the trip that you want.

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Book in advance

If a popular safari destination is part of the plan, book early, as popular camps, private reserves and guided drives can fill up months in advance.

Pack for comfort

Trips like this require functional clothing rather than dressy attire. Wear sturdy shoes for the terrain filled with thorn trees and dry veld. Depending on the season in which you are travelling, warm attire that you can still move around in is best. Clothes like a warm sweatsuit are best for late-night drives, including a blanket.

Featured image: iStock

Also see: Packing tips every traveller should know