10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going On an African Safari

If you’re like us, an African Safari is a dream trip.

I mean, who wouldn’t love getting up close and personal with the animals of Africa, feeling like you are on the set of a National Geographic documentary!

We recently went on a private 10-day safari in Kenya with two of our closest friends, visiting three different safari camps.

Trust me when I tell you that an African safari is truly a bucket list trip that we are grateful to have experienced. While the safari was amazing, there are a few things I wish I had known before our visit, so I decided to share them with you in this post. I hope you enjoy it!

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Be Prepared to Be Out of Your Comfort Zone

There is no doubt that a safari takes you out of your comfort zone. No matter how meticulously you prepare for the trip, you’ll likely encounter hiccups.

When you combine these hiccups with the fact that you’re in a unique environment, you’ll probably feel a bit out of your comfort zone.

I felt that way several times on our safari. From experiencing my first bucket shower (yes, you read that correctly) to being told I couldn’t leave my accommodations without a guide, our safari experience pushed me out of my comfort zone numerous times.

My advice is to go into your safari knowing that this is a brand new experience and take things as they come.

Pack Layers

I cannot stress this enough! We took our safari in June and July, which is winter time in Africa.

While I researched the weather and thought I had packed accordingly, I didn’t.

I needed more layers for the cold mornings.

Layers are my top recommendation for your safari packing list.

I brought some t-shirts, light long-sleeved shirts, and a light jacket, but I wish I had brought a puffer coat, hat, gloves, and light layers.

You Will Be Off the Grid

As mentioned above, expect to be out of your comfort zone and totally off the grid.

We stayed at the Serena Lodge in Amboseli National Park, which had good Wi-Fi service. However, our other two camps were in conservatories, and the only Wi-Fi was available close to the manager’s office. There was no other service anywhere, so just be prepared.

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about being off the grid, but I loved it. I didn’t realize how much I had become tied to my devices.

Taking the time to enjoy nature and converse with friends only added to the wonderful safari experience.

You Get Up Early

Y’all! I was not prepared for this, and honestly, come day seven or eight, I was GRUMPY about having to get up early!

Be prepared, you will be woken up before sunrise!

Game viewing is best around dawn and dusk. This is when the nocturnal animals and predators are most active.

While I hated waking up that early, being greeted with a steaming pot of hot coffee helped to ease the blow.

Of course, when you realize the excellent wildlife viewing during these hours, you will be glad you woke up early. Besides, you can always nap in the afternoon between game drives.

Bring a Good Camera

Nowadays, most people rely on their cell phones to capture images and videos, but trust me when I tell you that a good camera and a good zoom lens are essential for a safari.

Like everyone else, we believe in being in the moment but love capturing our memories on film.

Marty and I both had our Canon mirrorless cameras for this trip. I love comparing our images and seeing what different things our eyes caught.

These images are uncomparable to those on our cell phones. The DSLR cameras win hands down.

You Will Be Well Taken Care Of

Our friends told us we would be spoiled on our trip, but I had no idea how much.

You are so well taken care of while on safari that it is easy to relax and enjoy.

From your safety and security to your drink and food, the staff truly goes above and beyond to care for you.

When our safari started, we were greeted at the airport and then didn’t have to worry about anything for the rest of the trip.

Our driver ensured we arrived at the airport on time to catch our hopper flight to the first camp. Then, our safari driver and the camp staff took care of us for the rest of the trip.

Every morning, we were greeted with a steaming pot of coffee and cookies in our room as a wake-up call before setting out on our morning drive. While on our drive, we had a bush breakfast, where our driver and guide set up a full breakfast spread in the bush for us to enjoy.

In the afternoon, we returned to the camp, where we were served lunch, snacks, tea, and drinks before embarking on our evening drive, which included an evening sundowner. A sundowner is an honored safari tradition (and one of my personal favorites) that involves stopping somewhere in the bush and enjoying cocktails and snacks as the sun goes down.

Upon returning to camp after our evening drive, we would have cocktails around the campfire before enjoying our chef-created dinner and a hot shower.

You are attended to every step of the way!

Security is Heightened

I knew security would be heightened on our African safari, but I didn’t know how much.

When we arrived at our first hotel in Nairobi, I quickly realized the heightened security. On the drive, our driver instructed us not to leave the hotel for any reason except with him. Once we arrived, our vehicle had to pass through a security check complete with guard dogs and everything.

We then had to pass all our luggage through an X-ray machine before entering the hotel, which was a first for us.

There was also heightened security during our safari to ensure your safety around the wild animals. Your drivers will inform you of the rules associated with the camp where you are staying.

You are never allowed to leave the safari vehicle without permission from your driver, and we weren’t allowed to leave our tent at night without a guide.

Despite the heightened security, I never felt unsafe—quite the opposite. I felt completely safe throughout our entire trip.

You Will See So Many Animals (and Will Be near Them)

This was truly the best part of the safari for me. I couldn’t believe how many animals we saw every day, and how close we got to them.

It was normal to start the drive by seeing a herd of elephants, spotting some crazy baboons, watching zebras and giraffes, seeing rhinos, and viewing numerous deer and bird species all in one morning drive.

Once, an entire pride of lions (16 or more) walked so close to our vehicle that I could have touched them.

It is truly incredible!

You’re In the Safari Vehicle for Several Hours a Day

I knew I would be in the safari vehicle often, but I wasn’t prepared for how much.

You spend several hours at a time in the safari vehicle. One day, we left for our morning drive at 5:30 am and did not return until 12:30 pm. That was just the morning drive.

With that in mind, be prepared. Again, wearing layers is the best way to ensure you’re ready for the weather. Also, remember that the vehicle is bumpy, so be prepared.

Also, it’s important to note that no toilets are in the bush. If you need to use the restroom, tell your driver, and they will find a safe space for you to use the facilities.

Camps Offer Laundry Service

Camps offering laundry service is a HUGE help in my opinion.

If you’re like us and taking small hopper planes between camps, you’re limited to how much you can pack and what type of bag you can bring.

Because of that, pack a few pieces you can wear repeatedly and have them laundered at your camp. It’s a lifesaver!

Final Thoughts On Our African Safari

As you can see, an African safari is truly a fantastic experience. I hope our tips have helped you feel better prepared for your safari.

Until next time, happy travels, friends!!

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