Planning an African Safari from the U.S.

1. Decide Where To Go

Africa is a huge continent to explore and deciding where to go is the first box in your African safari trip planning checklist. For first-timers, and even our repeat travellers, we'd recommend choosing between East Africa and Southern Africa. Not that they can't be combined, but it's often logistically easier to select one, especially when planning yourself. Which begs the question, is South Africa or East Africa better? The only true answer to that, is they're different, and your choice will be influenced by a number of factors, including the type of wildlife you'd like to see, additional experiences like hot air ballooning, natural phenomenon like the Great Migration, and malaria-free considerations to name a few.

When talking to East African safaris, we're looking to the likes of Kenya and Tanzania, both lauded destinations in their own right. From there, it's countries like Uganda and Rwanda for those who dream of trekking for gorillas through awe-inspiring rainforests. East Africa also holds its own in terms of beachside locales thanks to Zanzibar, the Seychelles, Kenya's coastline, and even the remote Rubondo Island. One of East Africa's biggest draw cards is the chance to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, offering great year-round game viewing in a host of superlative national parks and private reserves. Combine destinations with a mix of reliable road and air travel.

Anyone planning an African safari should consider South Africa for their ideal adventure. The country offers fantastic family-friendly and malaria-free safaris as well as internationally renowned destinations such as Kruger National Park, and the city of Cape Town. From the glorious Garden Route and the bustle and beaches of the Mother City to the world-class winelands and award-winning wildlife reserves, it's truly a world in one country. South Africa is geared to fly-in travel over road transfers due to the distance from, for example, Cape Town to Kruger. Fortunately, accessibility is good, even in reserves with small charter flights. Wild- and birdlife abound, but it's worth noting that climate and time of year are a bigger consideration here.

2. Choose the Right Time to Travel

One of our top African safari travel tips is ensuring you travel at the right time of year. It's important to note that the best time to visit for a safari can vary based on what you're hoping to experience and where you wish to go. For example, if you're looking to watch the Great Migration river crossings, you'll be looking at July. For those seeking the ultimate Kruger National Park visit, the dry season is arguably your top time.

The best time to visit South Africa for a safari is May to October when the weather is warm, the water is scarce, and the wildlife are congregating around watering holes. This coincides well with other South African destinations like Cape Town and the Garden Route; while it's not summer, the weather in May is usually still mild and enjoyable. It also coincides well with when to visit Mozambique, whose prime months are May to November.

Looking to East Africa, the best time to visit Kenya lies around June to October when days are temperate and rainfall on safari is sparse. Kenya's coastline sits along the Indian Ocean and enjoys hot, humid weather year-round and sporadic rainfall. Nearby, the top time to visit Tanzania aligns well with its Kenyan counterpart from June to October during its dry season. For those whose hearts are set on gorilla trekking, Uganda and Rwanda have two different seasons – the best time for treks and a separate one for safari sightings.

With both South and East Africa it's worth noting that there are plenty of perks that coincide with what's best known as the Green Season and also the slightly ‘off-peak' months. Not only is birdlife thriving at this time with the addition of migratory species, but new life is born and there is still plenty of game to see. With expert guides and trackers, there's no shortage of exciting sightings. These months also mean higher end accommodation is more affordable, there are favourable rates, and best of all, fewer crowds and vehicles.

3. Book International Flights

When booking a safari from America, international flights will be one of your top considerations, primarily in terms of which airport to fly from and which one to arrive into in Africa. Airports connecting to Johannesburg, South Africa to the U.S. on a direct flight are New York (JFK), Washington D.C. (IAD), and Atlanta (ATL). Direct flights to Kenya are from New York (JFK). There are a variety of other connecting flights via European cities such as Amsterdam, London, and Paris, as well as Dubai.

During the planning process, consider your optimal flight durations, layovers, and the best option when travelling with children or with a multi-generational group. If you can, try to book flights that coincide with South Africa's nighttime and sleep during your travels to minimise jet lag and make the most of your first day. Drink plenty of water as you travel and be sure to move around on long-haul flights. Upon arrival, try to stay awake until the evening to gain optimal adaptation to the new time zone.

We recommend planning an itinerary prior to booking flights as your destinations will affect how you get to Africa and return home – for example, your journey starts in Cape Town but you plan to leave from Kenya, so a return flight is not the option you'll be looking for. Should you choose to get expert assistance, flights from U.S. to Africa for safari adventures can easily be taken care of on your behalf. Go2Africa's flight team regularly team up with our group of Africa Safari Experts to design the perfect itinerary with seamless travel connections, transfers to and from parks and accommodations, and all the in-betweens.

4. Work With A Safari Specialist

Plenty of people will tell you there's a benefit to working with a travel company, specifically one based in the place you're travelling to. But do they really explain why? We'll give you a quick breakdown – first and foremost, when booking with locals, you get insider knowledge. Our mantra, for example, is we know because we go. We don't use this term lightly either. Each of our Africa Safari Experts are not only well-versed, but well-travelled, specialising in destinations they have set foot in and experienced themselves, giving them invaluable information.

Their wealth of knowledge has further benefits too when it comes to the likes of visa requirements, vaccinations, recognised malaria-free areas, and so much more. Perhaps the greatest benefit to booking with a trusted local company is help with itineraries and logistics. We recognise it's entirely possible to plan a trip yourself, but we also understand how overwhelming it can be, especially as a first-time visitor. Even if it’s just for insider knowledge on navigating Africa’s more rural, small aircraft airports.

5. Understand Visa and Vaccination Requirements

Another safari cost from U.S. countries to consider is any potential visa and health requirements. There are several visa-free countries in Africa for U.S. citizens, but it's paramount to have the correct information as some offer visas on arrival, others are e-visas, and some require more effort.

In terms of health considerations and entry requirements, most countries are fairly easy-going. One thing to consider is if you've spent time in countries with yellow fever, in which case a vaccination is required. When travelling with children, especially as one parent, please ensure you have the relevant documentation and also permission from any other party needed. Another big consideration when visiting Africa is malaria – some areas are malaria-free, others are low risk, but there are those that require malaria medication. This can easily be procured with a quick visit to your doctor.

Important to note: Go2Africa is well versed and on hand to assist with visa requirements, where to apply, and so on. However, we do not undertake visa procurement on behalf of travellers. It is also vital that all guests ensure their passports are valid and visa applications were approved. We recommend a passport being valid for a minimum of 6 months post travel and ideally 12 months. Our Africa Safari Experts are also more than happy to advise on luggage requirements for your particular travel plans – certain small aircrafts have their own parameters – but it is up to the traveller to ensure they meet the regulations. Read our full set of Booking Terms for clarification.

6. Budget Your Safari

Safari Costs – Mid-Range vs Luxury

Let it be noted that there are many ways to approach a safari, from the more mid-range, budget friendly options, to more luxury inclusions, all the way to ultra-luxe adventures. For safari costs in South Africa, prices could range anywhere from $450 – $1,000. The cost of a Kenya safari sits on the higher side with entry-level starting at $700 and high season 5-star options at $2,600. Tanzania safari costs fare similarly with a low of $700 and a high of $2,500, while the cost of a safari in Zambia inch even higher for mid-range at around $1,000 and $2,300 for 5-star.

*Please note, all of the above costs are guidelines based on a per person, per night sharing basis with varying rates based on high and low season.

Inclusive or Exclusive?

The level of inclusivity wherever you choose to stay will also impact safari costs. Typically, safari camps and lodges will offer full-board as a standard due to their more remote locales, but that's not to say every activity is included. A great example of this is hot air balloon safaris – they're not offered everywhere and are usually an extra fee. On the other side of this, game drives are almost always included, as well as guided walks when offered. Should you be travelling with children, some lodges will provide a private vehicle so outings can be tailored to adventurers of all ages, but at an additional cost.

7. Prepare and Pack for the Trip

As the excitement for your upcoming safari sojourn builds, it's time for the final parts of how to plan an African safari from the U.S. – packing. Again, we would completely understand if this feels confusing or overwhelming. We advise consulting our safari packing guide for a full breakdown, but to keep it simple:

• Lightweight, breathable clothing with a warm jacket for cool evenings. Sturdy, closed shoes are recommended for game drives and any potential bush walks.
• Layers are your friends – morning game drives can be chilly but the day heats up quite quickly.
• Pack a hat, sunglasses, and suncream. Most of our experts also recommend a light scarf or sarong for a little extra cover without needing a full layer.
• Try to pack neutral colours or at least more pastel or muted tones.
• If your accommodation has a pool, pack a swimsuit. We also recommend some sandals for downtime at the camp or lodge.
• Suitable luggage – if you have any charter or light aircraft flights, soft-shelled suitcases are important and there will likely be specific weight restrictions. Be sure to check these before embarking on your U.S. to Africa flight. Please note that any internal flights within Africa may have a lower weight restriction than international.

8. Recommended First Time Safari Itineraries

The type of itinerary we recommend for first-time travellers often vary from those who are visiting again. If it's your first time, allow us to give you a few ideas for booking a safari from America:

Southern Africa Tours

East Africa Tours

Malaria-Free Safaris

9. Our Final Tips for Travellers from the U.S.

Top tip: when sending your favourite photos and wow moments to friends and family back home, remember to consider time zones and what time of day it is for you and them.

Speaking of tips, we would recommend consulting our guide to tipping on an African safari to get a better idea of why and when to do so and how much. Before travelling, remember to check on the currencies you'll encounter and the exchange rate, it's recommended to ensure you have some cash with you. Dollars are accepted in quite a lot of African countries, but double check this with your expert.

While completely optional, we would also recommend procuring travel insurance. As travellers, we like to make the assumption of ‘it will never happen to me', but we take it out for that small chance it is. In the grand scheme of things, it's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Ready to Plan Your Greatest Adventure to Africa?

Whether you decide to go it alone and take our tips on how to plan an African safari from the U.S. or to opt for knowledge and convenience, we hope some of these tips will serve you well during your travels. For help with planning your next great adventure, reach out to one of our Africa Safari Experts for an obligation-free quote and to find out about all the amazing possibilities.