Gap Year Safaris

A safari really is something you must do once in your life and you can book trips all year round in countries throughout Africa and Asia to see wild animals like lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and rhinos.

The word ‘safari’ comes from a Swahili word meaning ‘journey’. A safari is your chance to travel deep into incredible national parks and wildernesses and see exotic animals in their natural habitat.

There are options for all budgets and interests, so whether you fancy staying in a luxury lodge or just going rustic and camping out under the stars, you will be able to find a trip to match your interests.

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Best Safari Destinations in Africa

There are so many amazing places you can go on a safari, these are some National Parks to consider:

1. Masai Mara, Kenya
There are almost too many things to list about what makes this place one of the most romantic and best known of safari destinations, whether it’s the teeming game, the dramatic scenery or the immense wildebeest migration. The Masai Mara offers sumptuous lodges and activities set to get your pulse racing as you fly high above the Mara in a hot air balloon.

2. Kruger Park, South Africa
For practically guaranteed Big Five game viewing the Kruger is the place to go. With diverse terrain and a plentiful supply of water, game rarely leaves the area. It’s here that you can catch some of the rarer species of Africa, such as both white and black rhinos and the African wild dog.

3. Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
The famous Serengeti, home of the Great Migration, is ten times the size of the popular Masai Mara, so if it’s a slightly more peaceful African experience you’re after here is the place to come (season dependant). Pay a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater and view a huge variety of wildlife, from colossal giants such as elephants and rhinos to the stately prowess of lions.

4. Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta, Botswana
With the world famous Victoria Falls only a day trip away and wildlife thriving around Botswana’s waterways this destination is one of the best safari destinations around. Find yourself in awe of amazing lodges coupled with teeming wildlife, including a strong population of wild dog, or enjoy a romantic boat trip down the Okavango, just you, your partner and the crocodiles.

5. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Associated most with walking safaris and a high leopard population the South Luangwa NP is a great place for first time safari goers. Take to the bush for night drives and get up close and personal with a number of predators as well as a number of deep and murky lagoons that are the home of numerous hippo.

6. Etosha National Park, Namibia
If you want some alone time with the one you love, try your hand at a self-drive safari. Traverse the parks dusty roads or lay in wait at a waterhole and watch as giraffe and zebra enjoy a drink. During the rainy season this is a hotspot for flamingos that swoop in to appreciate the temporary pools of water.

Other
• Ranthambore National Park, India
• Okavango Delta, Botswana
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
• Yala Park, Sri Lanka
• Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
• Kalahari Desert, Botswana

Important Things to Know Before Booking a Safari

It’s safe to say that every self-respecting traveller loves the idea of a safari. What with the animals and the beautiful scenery, there is no better activity in the world. There is also no worse expedition for beginners. Because there is so much on a newbie’s plate, it can be difficult to stay error-free. And, one mistake on the African plains can be fatal.

To avoid any mistakes, there are a few things you should know before your trip. Any old hands should know the following inside and out. However, if you’re a novice, these could be the difference between a nightmare holiday and a journey of a lifetime.

Location Matters
Think of it like real estate where the location is everything. Yes, any trip into the African wilderness is something to behold regardless of experience. Still, that doesn’t mean that some places aren’t better than others. The truth is that certain areas play home to events that you wouldn’t see anywhere else in the world. And, that includes parks in Africa.

The Serengeti in Kenya is the primary example because of the migration of wildebeest every year. Quite simply, this doesn’t happen anywhere else. A Tanzania safari is also another jaunt worth considering. For whatever reason, the animals in this part of the world seem to be more plentiful and curious. As a result, it makes for a more exciting and enjoyable trip.

More Money = Trip Of Lifetime
People like to find bargain deals because safaris don’t come cheap. In fact, they are incredibly expensive. However, there aren’t many deals which don’t compromise on the experience. The reason these companies can provide a budget trip is that they cut down on particular features. It might be the accommodation or the amount of time in the Land Rover might be shorter.

Whatever the cutbacks, they are bound to impact the trip negatively. Although no one likes to hear it, expensive safaris are the ones which offer the best experience. And, if you don’t plan on going again, why wouldn’t you splash the cash?

It’s Dangerous
Thanks to photos of tourists sat metres away from a lion, lots of people think that the van is impenetrable. At the end of the day, it’s a rickety Land Rover that wouldn’t inspire confidence on the roads back home. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that means it isn’t very safe. That’s not to say something will go wrong and you’ll be left vulnerable in the middle of nowhere surrounded by predators.

Most of the time, everything goes to plan. Still, there are times when your security might be at risk which is why common sense is essential. Otherwise, the lions and other big cats might not seem so cute and cuddly. As a rule, listen to the guide and do what they say because they are there to help. Plus, they have years of wisdom and know-how.

Early Starts & Late Finishes
Simply put, there is going to be a lot of long days. To catch the animals in their natural habitats, you have to play by their rules. That means waking up when they do and going to bed at the same time. Unfortunately, predators like lions are nocturnal hunters, so they track prey by night.

If you’re lucky they might make a kill early in the morning. Regardless, there is no time to sleep in or go back to camp prematurely if you want to see any of nature’s handy work. Knowing this beforehand should allow you to acclimatise to the notion. Indeed, preparing for early starts and long nights is one of the keys to getting your body into shape.

Every Day Is Unpredictable
The savvy among you will figure out that every day starts with the same activity: a game drive. During this drive, you might notice some of the same things. Then, after one or two, you might realise this is the perfect opportunity to reserve your sleep deprivation. Don’t do it. The reality is that no two days are the same in Africa.

Sure, there are similarities that you will see pretty much every single day on tour. But, there will also be things that happen that won’t occur again, not on the trip or in your lifetime. Any non-believers should watch the clip of a pride of lions and a crocodile fighting over food. At the end of the day, a safari deals with wild animals, and they are notoriously hard to predict.

Sometimes, they laze about without a care in the world and it’s boring. Others, though, they spring into action and make the trip worth every penny. Unless you’re there with your camera ready, there is no way to know what will happen.

There’s No Dress Code, But…
There are certain items in your wardrobe which will come in handy. The thing to remember is that you’re entering a foreign environment, so you need to dress accordingly. Everyone knows it’s going to be hot, which makes a long-brimmed hat invaluable.

There is only so much sun cream one person can apply in a day. Clothes which are long and breathable are also useful. Although you need to cover your skin, there is no reason to sweat to death in the scorching heat.

Finally, colour coordinated outfits should increase your chances of spotting wildlife. No one is saying your need to wear camouflage gear because it isn’t a tour of Afghanistan. But, tan clothes do blend into the environment, which makes it harder to spot you on safari.

Zero Guarantees
Just because you have paid good money doesn’t mean that you’re entitled to see anything. Wild animals don’t play by anyone else’s rules but their own, so anything can happen. Of course, the odds are seeing something special is very high, even if it’s just a rare animal grazing. Still, the more you get your hopes up, the more it will hurt if the trip is a dud.

Treat a safari like you would a bag of chips: take it with a pinch of salt.

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