For most people a safari is a once in a lifetime trip. I’m here to tell you, safaris are spectacular and once is not enough! (Neither is twice).
First things first, safari comes from the word for journey in Swahili. It was originally an overland journey to observe wild animals. But now you can go scuba dive safaris, photo safaris, cycling safaris, desert safari, horseback safaris and more.
Africa is often the first place that comes to mind for safaris, but you can go on safari in India, Komodo, Costa Rica, and much, much more.
My first safari was a dive safari in Sharm el Sheik, Egypt. It was my 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th safaris too.
Kenya was my first land based safari and I can’t wait to do it again. There are two common types of safaris in Africa, lodge based or tent based. Either way you’re pretty much guaranteed to see wild animals.
Tent Based Safaris
I strongly recommended tent based. These tents are not your typical camping/hiking/backpacking tents. It’s enough to convince even the most camping hating friend to give it a try. Picture large canvas tents a la Out of Africa.
Your safari team will set up a camp site in the savannah or a glade near a stream just for you as a base for daily game drives. In our safari we didn’t see other people for days! (And then it was only because we went to a lodge, for supplies.)
My tent was 2 3mX3m (approx 10ftX10ft) square rooms. One was the bedroom, complete w/2 twin cots, hanging shelves, and a nightstand w/battery operated lamp. The second room was the en-suite bathroom, complete with shower (they would heat water for showers as often as we wanted), a vanity with basin and pitcher and a dry toilet (a toilet seat on a wooden box, over a hole, and a small shovel/scoop to cover the waste after each use).
Camp Meals
You might think food prepared over a camp fire or in a dutch oven wouldn’t be amazing, you’d be wrong. Tea and coffee were pre-breakfast before our first morning game drive. Cooked and cooled breakfast of boiled eggs, bacon, dry toast, more tea and coffee was served on our game drive. We’d come back for elevenses and to relax before lunch. Fresh soups, salads, and mains filled us up for our afternoon nap (it’s best to read, relax, and chill while the animals are doing the same). Late afternoon game drives include sundowners before returning to base camp for another fabulously fresh meal. After dinner around the campfire we told stories, drank wine and whiskey and planned the next day!
Lodge Based Safaris
Traditional or ultimate luxury options exist all over as a base for your daily game drives. If you need electricity for gadgets or air or running water conditioning, you’ll prefer a lodge.
No matter which safari you choose, you’ll want to go back. Again and again.
Recommended Billy Norris Safaris.
CJ
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