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10-Day African Safari Tours

When I think about visiting Africa, I envy those of you who have never been because you have so much to look forward to. Then again, it doesn’t matter how many times I visit, I still find something new to discover, and I always look forward to returning. The African safari is one of the greatest travel experiences you can have, and the excitement of seeing Africa’s impressive megafauna in the continent’s wild and beautiful landscapes never fails to impress. Ten days on safari is both a wonderful adventure and an all-too-fleeting glimpse of the infinite range of possible safari experiences. It’s also sure to be the starting point of a love affair with Africa that could well last a lifetime.

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1-20 of 396 African 10-day safari trips, itineraries, holidays, packages & vacations

7 Questions About 10-Day African Safaris

 
 

7 Questions About 10-Day African Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

What can I expect from a 10-day African safari?

“There are so many different kinds of safaris to choose from, and all of them can be extraordinary. Possibilities range from self-drive to guided safaris, from private to group safaris, from budget camping where you’ll help with the chores, to exclusive all-inclusive packages where your every need will be taken care of. Most safaris take place in East and southern Africa, and there are many different experiences available, including world-famous national parks and protected areas, private game reserves and community conservancies. Many of the parks are safari classics, but the private reserves and conservancies offer extras such as night drives, off-road possibilities, walking safaris and, very often, high levels of engagement with the local community. Wherever you go and whatever kind of safari you choose, Africa’s amazing wildlife and landscapes are almost certain to be at the heart of your safari experience.”

1

Is 10 days a good length of time for an African trip?

“At one level, 10 days is nowhere near enough time for a safari. But the same could be said for an entire lifetime. A 10-day African safari is a terrific way to get to know two or three safari destinations really well. It’s also an inspiring taste of what’s possible should you ever return. Given that 10 days is not very long for exploring a continent of this size and diversity, there are some things you can do to make the most of your limited time. For a start, consider flying between your safari stops. While this will undoubtedly increase the overall cost of your tour, it will ensure that you spend more time out on safari instead of traveling between places. Focusing on a couple of places only and getting to know them well, rather than trying to achieve too much in a short space of time, is another good way to maximize the time you spend looking for animals, enjoying those big African landscapes, or meeting the locals. To put it another way, with a little planning, you can really have the most marvelous time on a 10-day safari.”

2

Where should I go on an African safari?

“Deciding where to go on your 10-day African safari is one of the most important decisions to make when planning your tour. East and southern Africa have so many incredible choices, it can be difficult to know where to start, but a little research should be the first step for guiding your plans. Start by looking at the kinds of animals that you want to see or the safari experience you wish to have, then match these up to the parks that offer them. SafariBookings is a fabulous resource in this respect. If it’s elephants and big cats that get your heart racing, consider Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, or South Africa’s Kruger National Park. If you love the idea of being free to explore at your own pace and with maximum freedom, try a self-drive safari in Botswana and Namibia. If extraordinary wildlife without the crowds is your idea of safari perfection, try Zambia or Zimbabwe. Perhaps it’s Africa’s iconic landscapes that you most want to see, such as the Kalahari or Okavango Delta (Botswana), Mt Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), or the Great Rift Valley and vast savannah grasslands (Kenya and Tanzania). Once you’ve decided which memories you want to take home from your safari, talk with a tour operator and you’ll begin to learn what’s possible.”

3

What is the best time of the year for an African trip?

“There’s no bad time to go on a 10-day African safari, but some times may be better suited to your safari needs. If seeing lots of animals is a priority, the Dry season is the best time to visit. In most safari areas, that means the period from May or June to September or October. The later you can go in the Dry season the better, because that’s when animals draw near to the few remaining waterholes and are, therefore, much easier to find. Road or track conditions are also generally better during the drier months. Road conditions can be more problematic during the rainy season (usually November to April or May, although this can vary, depending on the area). Even so, prices are often significantly lower during these months, and the rains often consist of little more than an afternoon downpour that won’t interfere too much with your safari. Best of all, millions of migratory birds begin arriving on the continent around November, and often remain until April. Birders love visiting Africa at this time.”

4

How much does a 10-day African safari cost?

“There are so many variables when it comes to the cost of your safari that it is difficult to be very specific in estimating how much a 10-day African safari is likely to cost. As a starting point, if you’re looking at a budget camping safari, costs begin at around US$100 to US$150 per person per day. At the lower end of this price scale, you may be expected to participate in some of the camp’s chores. At the luxury end of the market, prices start at US$500 per person per day and can go much higher. Possible variables include when and where you plan to travel, what type of accommodation you’d like to stay in, whether you’re planning to join a group safari or take your own private safari, and what kind of transport you’ll be using to get around. Many operators have a range of accommodation and transport options, thereby catering to different budgets.”

5

What kinds of tours are available for a 10-day African trip?

“There are lots of different tours to choose from on a 10-day African safari. One option is a self-drive safari, which means you’ll be driving your own rental vehicle, which will almost certainly be a 4x4. Most self-drive safaris are self-guided, although many follow some form of pre-organized itinerary, at least in terms of where you’ll spend each night. Traveling in this way gives you lots of freedom to go where you want and it can be up to you when you move on. Another option is the guided group safari, where you’ll join a number of other people for a guided tour for 10 days. Most operators offer small-group safaris, which keep group sizes to a minimum. A further option is the private safari, whereby you’ll have your own guide and vehicles. There are numerous variations on these themes. For example, some safaris offer flights between various safari stops; many of these double as scenic sightseeing flights. A range of activities may also be a part of some tours, depending on the destination.”

6

Should I visit several countries on a 10-day safari?

“It can be tempting to try and see as many places and visit as many countries as possible while you’re in Africa. But such an approach will increase costs, increase the amount of time you spend traveling between itinerary stops and crossing borders, and limit the amount of time you spend in each place. With a 10-day African safari, I recommend focusing on getting to know two or three places really well. Often that will mean focusing on just one country. Every country in East and southern Africa has attractions enough to fill a month, let alone just 10 days. But there are circumstances when combining two countries can work, especially if you’re willing to fly between them. Southern Kenya and northern Tanzania are well set up for such a trip, as are many countries in southern Africa where very short distances separate attractions on either side of a border.”

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