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3-Day African Safari Tours

A 3-day African safari is a fantastic experience. While it might not seem like very long, when your safari is over, you’ll be left wanting more. But I find that’s the case regardless of how long I’ve been on safari. Africa has a seemingly infinite variety of wildlife possibilities and beautiful landscapes to explore, which means, of course, that you have so much to look forward to. East and southern Africa, in particular, have fabulous parks, reserves and conservancies. You won’t be able to travel widely in 3 days. But if you prepare carefully, you can still get ready for an amazing experience and return home with a suitcase full of memories.

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7 Questions About 3-Day African Safaris

1. Is 3 days too short for an African trip?
2. Where should I go on a 3-day tour in Africa?
3. What kind of accommodation options can I expect on a 3-day African safari?
4. What kind of vehicle can I expect?
5. Which animals am I likely to see?
6. How much does a 3-day African safari cost?
7. Can I combine a 3-day African safari with a beach holiday?
 
 

7 Questions About 3-Day African Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

Is 3 days too short for an African trip?

“The short answer to this question is yes, 3 days on tour in Africa will never be enough, but it’s a whole lot better than not going at all! To make sure that you concentrate as many safari experiences as possible into so few days, you’ll want to plan your safari carefully. Think especially about which animals you’d like to see or which activities you’d like to do, and then match these to a destination and a safari operator that can offer them. When making these plans, remember that your best option is almost certainly to spend the entire time at one place, so that you don’t waste time traveling between destinations. If you are considering visiting more than one park or reserve, consider flying between the two. A flight will get you there much quicker than traveling by road, and you may get the added bonus of some magnificent views along the way.”

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Where should I go on a 3-day tour in Africa?

“On your 3-day African safari, you’ll almost certainly want to visit East or southern Africa. These two regions are the heart and soul of the safari world, and it’s here that you’ll have the most amazing possibilities to choose from, both when it comes to wildlife and landscapes. To maximize what you can see in one place, it makes sense to choose one of the larger parks that are filled with the greatest selection of wildlife and habitats. In East Africa, that means the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) and/or the Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya), which is also where you have a chance to see the great migration, depending on the time of year. In southern Africa, consider the Okavango Delta (Botswana), Kruger National Park (South Africa) or Etosha National Park (Namibia). And if you’ve been on safari before, you might be looking for something that combines a safari with conservation and meaningful engagement with the local community. If so, consider one of the conservancies or private reserves that are found in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Kenya.”

2

What kind of accommodation options can I expect on a 3-day African safari?

“Going on a 3-day African safari opens up a world of different accommodation possibilities, and what you can expect depends on a number of factors. These include how much you pay for your safari. At the budget end of the market, expect simple camping tents, or equally simple hotel, guesthouse or lodge accommodation. The mainstay of many a safari tour is the tented camp, and this can be found in varying sizes and comfort levels in the mid-range and top-end price categories. Most safari tents have room for a bed and a private toilet and/or bathroom (sometimes with an outside shower, surrounded by a fence of some kind to protect your privacy). Many safari tents also have a writing desk and a private deck out front, while others still are huge with wooden floorboards and colorful throws. The advantage of tented camps is that you’ll feel a part of the African wild while remaining safely inside. You can even lie awake at night and listen for lions and other animals close by. Lodge accommodation, with four-walled rooms, is also possible across most budgets.”

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What kind of vehicle can I expect?

“If you’re on a group 3-day African safari, you can expect to go on game drives in an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle, which you’ll usually share with other members on your tour. These vehicles usually have tiered seating, which allows everyone to see the animals really well. If you’re on a private safari, you’ll have a similar (but perhaps smaller) vehicle all to yourself. These vehicles may also be used for transfers at the start or end of your safari, or when you move from one destination to the next. There shouldn’t be too much of the latter if you’re only here for 3 days. Otherwise, transfers may be in a minibus (depending on the size of your group) or in a small plane. For those on a self-drive safari, you’ll probably have a 4x4 vehicle, which may have a rooftop or ground tent and other camping equipment. If you’re staying in lodges or tented camps, your self-drive vehicle may just be a regular 4x4.”

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Which animals am I likely to see?

“The animals you see on your 3-day safari will depend entirely on where you decide to go. If you’re going to see and experience the great migration, you can look forward to a sea of wildebeest and zebra streaming across the plains, and possibly crossing crocodile-infested rivers, of the Serengeti (Tanzania) or Masai Mara (Kenya). You might also see predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs on the hunt. Each safari destination across East and southern Africa will offer something different, whether it’s the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) or African wild dog, giraffe, and so much more. The key is careful planning: with only 3 days on safari, make a list of the animals you want to see and find out where to see them.”

5

How much does a 3-day African safari cost?

“The cost of a 3-day African safari varies greatly. At the very top end of the market, you can expect to pay US$500 per person per day, sometimes even more. For a budget camping holiday, prices start at US$100 to US$150 per person per day. Most safaris cost somewhere in between. Factors that influence the price you’ll pay include the season in which you plan to travel. High-season prices can, in some areas, be twice that of low-season costs. The exact months when high-season prices apply can vary, depending on where you are. As a general rule across much of East and southern Africa, high season coincides with the Dry season, which usually runs from May or June to September or October. Another consideration that can determine the cost of your tour is the kind of safari you’re planning. A private safari will inevitably cost more than a group safari. And staying in luxury accommodation in remote areas that require a plane trip to get to will also be significantly more expensive than going on a budget camping holiday.”

6

Can I combine a 3-day African safari with a beach holiday?

“Going on safari for 3 days and combining this with a beach holiday is certainly possible. This is quite a common itinerary option offered by tour or safari operators in East Africa, where 3 days on safari in Tanzania is often followed by time by the beach on Zanzibar. The same is also possible in Kenya. In the overwhelming majority of cases, this will involve a flight between your safari and beach destinations. It is also possible in southern Africa, especially in South Africa. Once you’re flying, the options in South Africa are many and widespread. For something with an urban bent, there’s always Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and the surrounding areas. Elsewhere, there’s the Garden Route, Eastern Cape, West Coast National Park, and even the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal.”

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