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Plan Your Tailor-Made African Safari
Your Ultimate African Safari Adventure Starts Here
Planning an African safari is about choosing the right destination, safari style, camps and lodges, activities and time of year to create an experience that is right for you. At Mopani Safaris, we specialise in tailor-made African safaris and work with you to design a personalised itinerary based on your interests, travel style, budget and the time you have available.
Whether you're dreaming of a Tanzania safari and Zanzibar, a Kenya safari followed by Lamu, a luxury safari in Botswana, a South African safari in the Greater Kruger, or a combination of safari and beach, we'll help you choose the right destinations and carefully selected camps and lodges to create an unforgettable journey.
How to Plan an African Safari
1. Choose your destination
2. Decide when to travel
3. Decide what you want to see and experience
4. Choose your safari style
5. Select camps and lodges
6. Decide how many nights you need
7. Add a beach or cultural extension
Which African Safari is right for me?
Tanzania
Ideal for the Serengeti, Great Migration, Ngorongoro Crater and classic northern Tanzania safaris.
Kenya
Ideal for Samburu, Laikipia, conservation experiences and combining safari with the Kenyan coast or Lamu Island.
Botswana
Ideal for exceptional wilderness, the Okavango Delta, water-based safari experiences and exclusive camps.
South Africa
Ideal for combining safari with Cape Town, wine country and other attractions, with excellent options in the Greater Kruger.
Mozambique
Ideal for combining safari with a beautiful Indian Ocean beach escape, diving, surfing and marine experiences.
Zambia
Ideal for exceptional walking safaris, the South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Victoria Falls, with a wonderfully wild and authentic safari experience away from the crowds.
Zimbabwe
Ideal for combining superb wildlife with Victoria Falls, Hwange and Mana Pools, offering excellent walking, canoeing and classic game-viewing experiences in some of Africa’s most beautiful wilderness areas.
Namibia
Ideal for spectacular desert landscapes, the dunes of Sossusvlei, Etosha National Park and the dramatic Skeleton Coast, combining incredible scenery with unique wildlife and remote safari experiences.
What type of safari can I plan?
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Luxury Safari
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Private Safari
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Honeymoon Safari
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Family Safari
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Photography Safari
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First-Time Safari
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Great Migration Safari
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Conservation Safari
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Safari & Beach Holiday
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Multi-Country Safari
How long should my safari be?
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3–4 nights: short safari
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5–7 nights: classic safari
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8–12 nights: more comprehensive itinerary
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2+ weeks: multi-country or safari + beach
This is for a guideline only. There are no rigid rules and a safari can be as short or as long as you like! It's worth remembering that moving between too many destinations can actually reduce the quality of your safari.
How much does an African safari cost?
The cost of an African safari can vary considerably depending on the destinations, accommodation, time of year and activities you choose. A private safari staying in luxury lodges and camps will naturally cost more than a simpler itinerary, while destinations with more exclusive camps, specialist activities or internal flights can also affect the overall price. At Mopani Safaris, we tailor each journey to your interests and budget, carefully selecting destinations and experiences to create the right safari for you.
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destination
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season
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private vs shared safari
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number of nights
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transfers
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level of luxury
What does a tailor-made safari include?
A Mopani Safaris itinerary can include:
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accommodation
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expert safari guides
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internal flights
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road transfers
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park and conservation fees
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activities
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cultural experiences
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beach extensions
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carefully selected restaurants or experiences
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pre-trip advice and support
When should I go?
January
January is a rewarding time for an African safari, with excellent wildlife viewing in Tanzania and Kenya, including the start of the wildebeest calving season in Tanzania's southern Serengeti. Namibia, Zambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe offer lush green landscapes, dramatic skies, abundant birdlife and fewer visitors, creating a more tranquil safari experience.
April
April is a rewarding month to explore Southern Africa, with rains easing and lush landscapes, fewer visitors and excellent photography. South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe are particularly appealing, while Tanzania and Kenya experience their long rains and offer a quieter, greener safari experience. Victoria Falls is also at its most spectacular as the Zambezi reaches peak flow.
February
February is an exceptional month for a safari in Tanzania and Kenya, with warm, generally dry conditions and superb wildlife viewing. Tanzania's southern Serengeti is particularly special as the Great Migration reaches its calving season, attracting large numbers of predators. Namibia, Zambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe are in their green season, offering lush landscapes, dramatic skies, abundant birdlife and fewer visitors, although rainfall can be expected.
May
May marks the start of the dry season in Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, bringing milder temperatures, clearer skies and increasingly good wildlife viewing. Botswana is also excellent, with the Okavango Delta beginning to fill, while Tanzania and Kenya are quieter and greener as the long rains ease. May is a rewarding shoulder-season month with fewer visitors and excellent value.
March
March is a rewarding month for safari, particularly in Tanzania and Kenya, where the tail end of the calving season can bring excellent predator activity and fewer visitors. South Africa offers warm, pleasant conditions and lush landscapes, while Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe are still in their green season, with dramatic skies, abundant birdlife and fewer crowds.
June
June marks the start of the dry season and is one of the best months for an African safari. Tanzania and Kenya offer excellent wildlife viewing and the Great Migration begins moving through the Serengeti, while Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa enjoy cooler, drier conditions and increasingly concentrated wildlife. Fewer visitors also make June an excellent time to travel before the peak season.
July
July is one of the best months for an African safari, with dry, sunny conditions and excellent wildlife viewing across East and Southern Africa. Tanzania and Kenya offer the excitement of the Great Migration, while Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa provide superb game viewing as wildlife gathers around permanent water sources.
October
October is an excellent month for an African safari, particularly in Tanzania and Kenya, where dry conditions and superb wildlife viewing continue. In Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the end of the dry season brings wildlife into dramatic concentrations around water sources, while South Africa offers warm spring weather and excellent game viewing.
August
August is one of the best months for an African safari, with dry conditions and excellent wildlife viewing across East and Southern Africa. Tanzania and Kenya offer the excitement of the Great Migration, while Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa provide superb game viewing as wildlife gathers around permanent water sources. August is peak season, so early booking is recommended.
November
November is a rewarding shoulder-season month for an African safari, with fewer visitors, greener landscapes and excellent birdlife as the rains begin. Tanzania and Kenya offer good wildlife viewing, while Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe provide a quieter safari experience with lush scenery and abundant wildlife. Namibia is beginning its wetter season, making it better suited to travellers seeking dramatic landscapes and fewer crowds.
September
September is one of the best months for an African safari, with dry conditions and exceptional wildlife viewing across East and Southern Africa. Tanzania and Kenya offer the excitement of the Great Migration, while Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa provide superb game viewing as wildlife concentrates around water sources.
December
December is a rewarding time for an African safari, with Tanzania and Kenya offering warm conditions, excellent wildlife viewing and the beginning of the calving season in Tanzania's southern Serengeti. South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia are greener following the rains, bringing lush landscapes, abundant birdlife and fewer visitors.
Why Plan Your Safari with Mopani Safaris?
Mopani Safaris specialises in creating tailor-made safari holidays across Africa. Rather than offering a fixed itinerary, we take the time to understand what you want from your trip and match you with the destinations, camps, lodges and experiences that best suit you.
Our knowledge covers some of Africa's finest safari regions, including Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique, as well as exceptional beach destinations such as Zanzibar and Lamu Island. We carefully select the properties and experiences we recommend, allowing us to create journeys that combine exceptional wildlife, beautiful accommodation, authentic experiences and seamless travel.
Whether you're planning your first safari, a family adventure, a honeymoon, a small group safari, a photography trip or a once-in-a-lifetime luxury journey, we'll help you create an itinerary around the experience you want to have.
