African Safari Travel Guide

Set in some of the most spectacular locations on Earth, an African Safari gives you an intimate look into a whole different world.

You will encounter mesmerizing wildlife, stunning landscapes, and blissful luxuries, and understanding your options will maximize your experience.

Use our Africa Safari Travel Guide to make it the best it can be as you connect with one of Zicasso’s safari experts for access to off-the-grid preserves, the best big game experiences, and so much more.

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Two elephants walking through tall grass in a lush African savanna with a safari vehicle in the background, carrying tourists observing the wildlife

10 Misconceptions About African Safaris

The 10 misconceptions about African safaris can hinder the way you experience your trip of a lifetime. While there is a wealth of information at our...
Giraffes in Kenya with Mount Kilimonjaro in the background

Best Time to Go on an African Safari

The best time to go on an African safari is widely considered to be during the Southern Hemisphere’s dry winter months, from June through September. This...
Wildebeests crossing the Mara river

6 Best Places to Visit in Africa on Safari

In the vast, ancient landscapes of Africa, the call of the wild unveils a breathtaking array of diverse experiences. Going on safari will see you step...
Elephants walking through water during sunset at the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

How to Choose a Safari Destination for Your Trip

Little compares to the excitement of planning a much-desired vacation, but before you pull down your favorite suitcase and double-check that your passport...
Observing elephants while on safari game drive in Kenya's Rift Valley

How to Plan an African Safari: Frequently Asked Questions

Embarking on an African safari is exciting and should flow with ease, so knowing how to plan your experience is important. We have the answers to some...
Travelers on safari photographing two leopards in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Our 10 Best African Safari Trips

An African safari opens the mind and soul to an experience unlike any other, with diverse locations and experiences on offer, and our best African safari...
Couple observing an elephant at a luxury lodge in Botswana

Our 7 Best Luxury African Safari Tours

Discover the pinnacle of African wildlife adventures with our seven best luxury African safari tours. These handpicked experiences combine unparalleled...
Zebra and wildebeests walking along a lake filled with flamingos in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

9 Best Countries in Africa to Visit on Safari

Africa is home to conservation parks and canyons, deserts and deltas, and rivers and ravines which create an ideal canvas for a dream adventure across...
Hot air balloon safari in South Africa

10 Types of African Safaris: Different Ways to Experience a Safari

An African safari can be shaped by how you choose to explore. Each mode of transport reveals a different facet of the continent’s soul. The classic adventure...
Orange sunset with silhouette of safari vehicle, trees and elephants

7 African Safari Tips for Planning Your Trip

An African safari is the ultimate adventure, and as you consider your dream trip, our top African safari tips can help you personalize your experience...
Mother and kids on African safari enjoying elephants at watering hole

7 Tips to Plan a Family African Safari

An African safari offers all ages the opportunity to embrace nature and wildlife by the most incredible means and our tips for planning the best family...
Herd of elephants in Selinda Reserve, Botswana

8 Reasons You Should Choose Botswana for Your Safari

Botswana stands apart in the world of safari travel. The country has enshrined conservation in its constitution and offers a wilderness experience that...
Bush walk with Marataba Safari, South Africa

8 Reasons to Choose South Africa for Your Safari

South Africa is often described as “a world in one country,” and for good reason. It is a destination of incredible diversity, where a single journey...
Zebras in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

10 Reasons You Should Choose Tanzania for Your Safari

Synonymous with outstanding safari experiences, Tanzania boasts diverse landscapes and huge numbers of wildlife, and below we highlight 10 reasons you...
Lions in Maasai Mara National Park, Kenya

7 Reasons to Choose Kenya for Your Safari

When you envision the classic African safari, you are likely picturing Kenya. It is the birthplace of the safari, a land where vast, sun-drenched savannas...
The Maasai Mara, Kenya

Kenya vs South Africa: Where Should I Travel?

Whether you choose Kenya or South Africa, your safari itinerary will offer you a chance to experience an unforgettable adventure in the wilderness, discovering...
Zebras in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

10 Romantic Places to Honeymoon in Africa

There are many romantic honeymoon destinations in Africa for those looking to embrace adventure, safaris, history, and beach experiences with a romantic...
Wildebeests during the great migration in Tanzania

Great Migration in Africa: Where, When, and How to See It

The Great Migration in Africa is one of the greatest wildlife shows on Earth and we share where travelers can experience the spectacle, when to visit...
Couple walks on sandbank in clear turquoise water toward island in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

7 Amazing African Safari and Beach Holidays

The thrill of an African safari is perfectly complemented by a relaxing beach break, and these seven African safari and beach holidays present the ideal...
On safari in Kruger National Park, South Africa

What to Pack for an African Safari: 12 Tips as You Plan for Your Trip

With your tickets purchased and your itinerary set, the thrilling reality of your African safari begins to sink in and the final, practical step is to...
Tented suite at Marataba Safari Lodge in South Africa

3 Types of Safari Accommodations and How to Choose

Your African safari will be defined by the types of safari accommodations you choose. Understanding your options is the first step toward crafting the...
Leopard in a tree at Mombo Camp in Botswana

The Big Five, the Little Five, and How to See Them

Anyone looking to embark on an African Safari has heard the term “The Big Five,” but not everyone has heard of the “Little Five.” The Big Five are often...
Stretch of beach at a resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania

7 Things to Do in Africa Beyond Safari

An African adventure doesn't start and end with a safari, and the seven things to do in Africa beyond safari boast colorful, charming, and unique experiences....
Boats on tropical sea coast with sandy beach at sunset in Tanzania, Zanzibar on the continent of Africa

Best Beaches in Africa

With pristine shores and inviting waters, the best beaches in Africa will complement the dramatic interior landscape and wildlife wonders on a safari...
Cape Town, South Africa

7 Best Cities & Towns to Visit in Africa

Africa is intriguing, with vibrant, characterful, and charming cities and towns waiting to be discovered. While some metropolises have grown skywards,...
Sossusvlei in Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia

7 Natural Wonders of Africa

Africa is full of incredible natural wonders, from breathtaking canyons to copper sand dunes, thundering waterfalls, and mighty mountains, all of which...
A lone giraffe surrounded by a herd of zebras in Etosha National Park, Namibia.

National Parks, Conservancies, Private Concessions, & Private Game Reserves: What’s the Difference?

The inventory of safari destination types, from national parks to private concessions, can be baffling, and understanding where to safari requires knowing...
Herd of antelope find shade on a dry hot sunny day in Estosha National Park, Namibia

6 Landscapes and Habitats to Explore on an African Safari

The inherent idiosyncrasy of safari is fueled initially by the diversity of the African landscape and habitats that you can explore during your safari....
View of Mount of Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park in Kenya

8 Mountains in Africa You Should Explore

From Mount Kilimanjaro to the wild trails of the Great Rift Valley and the breathtaking views from atop Table Mountain, our list of the top eight mountains...
Atlantic ocean coast in Hermanus, South Africa

Top 7 Diving and Marine Destinations in Africa

Thousands of miles of coastline offer breathtaking beaches, colorful coves, and magnificent marine life, all captured in our list of the top seven diving...
Coule watching the sunrise from the deck of their luxury tent Lemala Nanyukie in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

5 Reasons to Plan Your Safari with a Travel Specialist

Planning your dream safari experience can be challenging and knowing there is someone to walk you through each step, from the initial, introductory conversation...
Tourists in a safari vehicle view a rhinoceros grazing at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya

7 Things That Affect the Cost of an African Safari

As you begin to dream of one of the world's greatest adventures, the question, "How much does an African safari cost?" is one of the first and most important...
Luxurious bedroom suite at Mombo Camp in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Glamping on Safari: The Thrill of the Wild Paired with 5-Star Comfort

With so many properties and regions to select from on safari, glamping on safari stands out for its uniqueness. This type of accommodation perfectly pairs...
Singita Faru Faru Lodge in Grumeti Game Reserve, Tanzania

4 Reasons to Stay at a Safari Game Lodge

The choice of accommodation is as crucial as the destination when planning the ultimate safari. Among the various options, the classic safari game lodge...
Herd of elephants at sunset in Chobe National Park, Botswana

What to Expect From a Day on Safari

If you have ever wondered about what to expect from a day on safari, this guide will provide you with all you need to know about this unforgettable experience...
Female black rhino with her calf

6 Ways to Protect Endangered Rhinos on Your Next Safari

Viewing an endangered rhino in the wild is one of the most sought-after safari experiences and there are six ways to make sure you do not inadvertently...
Group of travelers observing two rhinos from a jeep while on african safari game drive in South Africa

Where to Go Based on Your Safari Experience: From Novice to Enthusiast

While delivering an experience of a lifetime, a safari does not have to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Deriving from the Swahili term meaning “journey”,...
Eastern Serengeti, Tanzania

Africa in April: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Africa in April offers adventure, natural beauty, and cultural events. From lush landscapes and safaris to glorious beaches and festivals, this month...
Dunes in the Namib Desert

Africa in Winter: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Africa straddles the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, resulting in diverse climatic conditions and seasonal variations across the continent. Countries...
Aerial view of luxury overwater bungalows on Bora Bora island in French Polynesia.

How to Plan Your Zicasso Trip Budget in 3 Easy Steps

Knowing your budget is an essential component of any trip-planning process. Whether the sky's the limit or you have specific parameters, a customized...
Balloons over Cappadocia in Turkey.

How to Plan Your Zicasso Trip in 4 Easy Steps

Explore the world with Zicasso by working with top travel specialists who will bring your dream vacation to life. Our primary goal is to make planning,...

Serengeti vs Maasai Mara: Where Should I Travel?

Untamed wilderness, endless savannas, and ancient migration routes are what you will discover when visiting the Serengeti or Maasai Mara. Both destinations...
A heard of elephants crossing the waters of Botswana at sunset.

Our Top 7 Botswana Safaris

Botswana is notably one of Southern Africa’s premier safari destinations, and our top Botswana safaris highlight the impressive complement of wildlife...

4.9

Reviews of Zicasso's African Safari Tours and Vacation Packages

Based on 4079 verified traveler reviews.

Margarita M.
Tanzania, Kenya Vacation Review: 12 Nights

We had a wonderful journey, with every step detailed and escorted from end to end. Our Zicasso travel experts did a great job and were always available for support.

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Robert L.
Iceland Trip Review: Glacier Hike, 8 Nights

Zicasso's travel company and, in particular, our travel expert, did a great job for us. With input from me, he planned a great itinerary, selected very nice hotels, and, lastly, selected a wonderful driver/tour guide for our party of six. Our guide was a native Icelander who did a great job of keeping us safe, entertained, and on schedule. We’d definitely work with our travel company again.

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Shaun B.
Greece Honeymoon Review: 11 Days

Our 11-day honeymoon in Greece was nothing short of magical—and we owe so much of that to our Zicasso travel specialist and the entire team at her company. From the very start, they worked within our budget and offered a flexible payment plan that made planning feel manageable and stress-free.

As our trip approached, we had a thorough planning call with our specialist. She walked us through every detail of our itinerary, which completely put us at ease. That level of preparation meant we could focus on enjoying the moment instead of worrying about logistics.

Once we landed in Athens, the travel company was just a WhatsApp message away. Anytime we had a question—no matter how small—they responded within minutes. That kind of real-time support made us feel cared for the entire time.

The accommodations they booked were absolutely out of this world. Each hotel felt handpicked just for us—luxurious, romantic, and incredibly welcoming. It was clear the company has strong relationships with local vendors because we were treated like royalty everywhere we went.

As a gay couple, we also appreciated how safe, inclusive, and celebrated we felt throughout the trip. Every detail was thoughtfully planned with us in mind.

We’d recommend our travel company 1,000 times out of 10. If you're planning a gay honeymoon—or any trip to Greece—look no further. This was truly the trip of a lifetime.

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Allison B.
Scotland Travel Review: Edinburgh, Portree, Isle of Skye, Inverness, Trossachs National Park, Safari, Sea Cruise, Waterfalls, Hiking, Local Cuisine, Scenery, 11-Day Trip

The trip was lovely. Working with Zicasso's travel consultant was delightful from start to finish. She had really great ideas for things to add to the itinerary and was great about incorporating things to see and places to visit that we already had in mind. It was truly a collaboration between the two of us to form the perfect itinerary.

I've worked with a lot of other travel companies to arrange custom itineraries for trips and this was one of the best. The app was very handy for quick changes and communication when we were in Scotland.

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Bernard L.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Travel Review: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, 16 Days

Zicasso's trip designer arranged a flawless, extraordinary trip.

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Mona P.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Vacation Review: Safari, Wildlife, Nature, 13-Day Trip

We’re still not over our trip! Everything was absolutely fantastic. Thank you for organizing such a great experience and making it so effortless for me. I already have family and friends asking who I went through, and I’m guessing some of them will be reaching out to you in the next year.

I do have one small piece of constructive feedback about our camp in the Olifants West Nature Reserve. The staff, lodge, and food were wonderful, but unfortunately, the safari guide fell short. We had just come from the camp in the Thornybush Game Reserve (where we left our hearts—the guide there was truly exceptional, with such a great personality), so the difference stood out even more. At the Olifants West Nature Reserve camp, we saw very few animals and the guide didn’t engage much—he barely spoke, and when he did, it wasn’t very professional or kind, especially toward my son. My son even said the trip might have worked better in reverse, since after Botswana it was hard to adjust to seeing only a few animals a day.

That said, I’m so grateful for how smoothly you planned everything, especially on such short notice. It really was a trip of a lifetime for us.

Thank you again!

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