A safari is a different kind of adventure from the mountains. You do not climb or count metres, but you get up early, spend hours with your eyes on the savannah and wait. And when what you were waiting for appears, you forget how tired you are.
The parks
The safari goes through three parks: Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, in that order. Tarangire is known for its elephants and baobabs, the Serengeti for its endless plains, and Ngorongoro for the crater where the animals live as if in a world of their own.
A safari day
We leave as early as we can, depending on the area, because the animals are most active in the morning. Then comes a game drive, a tour of the park by vehicle, until lunchtime. We have lunch at a picnic area, then set off again on a second game drive. The exact programme, day by day, is on the tour page.
Which animals you see
With animals there are no certainties. They are wild and do not appear on demand. I hope we see the Big Five, the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, and we can hope to catch the great migration as well.
My favourites were the leopards and the lions. Seeing a leopard on a branch a few metres from the vehicle is a moment you do not forget.
What to bring for photography
- Binoculars. Many animals are far away, and binoculars show you what your phone cannot.
- Your phone, for the close-up moments.
- A camera with a telephoto lens, if you have one. The difference shows.
What to wear
Clothes suited to a safari, in neutral colours, for example light grey. Light layers for the day, plus a warm layer for the cool mornings.
Accommodation
The accommodation is very comfortable, whether it is a lodge or a tented camp. After a full day in the vehicle, that matters.
Safety
The basic rule: we only get out of the vehicle in the designated areas. The guide knows the animals and how close you can get. The rest is patience.
Who it is for
The safari also suits someone who has never been to Africa before. It needs no special fitness, just curiosity and a willingness to get up early. If you come after Kilimanjaro, it is also the best reward after the mountain.
