Mode of Safari Travel
This is an important consideration which you may not have thought about yet.
There are many ways to travel on a safari. It depends on the country, your personal preference and, dare I say it, sometimes your budget.
Each destination usually offers some of the following options.
Fly-In Safaris
In some of our destinations, where the road network is poor and the distances are great, this is almost the ONLY way of getting around. Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe would be prime examples.
In these countries, we book ‘seat in charter’ rates which mean that you don’t have to have a private plane. You share a small plane with other travellers heading in the same direction.
In other countries, you choose between travelling by road or by small plane. Examples would be Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania.
Note that in some smaller countries (such as Rwanda and Uganda), there aren’t always enough visitors to offer the “Seat in Charter” option. This makes fly-in safaris more expensive, especially if you are only 2 people.
Finally in many countries, you will use scheduled flights to fly between regions. And then use road transfers, private guiding or self-drive in each area. The classic example would be South Africa.
| Pros | Cons |
| * Best use of time, when time is short * Amazing aerial views of the country * Allows you to combine destinations which are far apart * It really feels like a safari * Seat-in-charter rates make it accessible to couples or even solo travellers | * It is more expensive than road safaris, especially if there are 4 of you * You don’t get to see so much of the country * These are small planes (sometimes even 4 seaters) so you need to be comfortable with that |
Private Safaris
This is the mode of many safaris throughout Africa. A road safari (perhaps with some flights to cover large distances) with an expert guide-driver. Great for small parties and families as then it is no more expensive than a scheduled group tour.
| Pros | Cons |
| * Superb one-on-one guiding * Greater insight into the country * No need to worry about logistics * Can choose your own pace and select your accommodation * Flexibility | * Often expensive for 2 people, especially in South Africa & Namibia. (As guides are well-trained, relatively expensive and you are paying for the guide’s overnight accommodation.) * Personal taste – you are with one guide for several days. Some prefer more independence? |
Private Safari Game-drives
Luxury Self-Drive
This is ONLY an option in South Africa and Namibia. In these countries, it is one of the most POPULAR ways to get around – for the non-safari portion of the trip. It is also easy to combine with other ways of getting around. See MIX below.
| Pros | Cons |
| * Affordable for a couple or single visitor * Gives you huge amount of flexibility * Can combine with all levels of accommodation * Great road network, especially in South Africa * Can combine with transfers & private touring as well | * More tiring for some people * Can be more stressful for some * Generally takes a little longer to get around * Mainly only really for South Africa & Namibia * Right-hand drive may be an issue for some |
Scheduled Group Tours
This is not our preferred option – see Cons. But it could be an option for single travellers or couples who cannot quite stretch to private touring. But in that case, why not also consider either self-drive or a mix of scheduled day tours in the city and private transfers.
| Pros | Cons |
| * Affordable for a couple or single visitor * Meet other people * Great for specialist interests using an expert guide in that field * No need to worry about logistics | * Usually ONLY go to the most popular destinations * Not many multi-day tours on offer so little choice * Travel quickly so 1-2 nights in each place only * Hotels tend to be larger and mid-range in standard * No choice in where you stay OR how long you spend in one place * You may not like the other people in the group |
Great Roads in South Africa
A Mix
Naturally sometimes the best solution is a mix of the above.
- Combine some self-drive with a fly-in safari with to allow you to see more of a country
- Or combine some private touring with some self-drive (along the Garden Route for example
- Take a couple of scheduled day tours in the city but then enjoy some transfers or private touring.
