A first safari can feel like a lot to plan. This guide covers the questions we are asked most often by first-time travellers.
A typical safari day
Days start early. Wildlife is most active around sunrise, so many drives leave at about 6:00–6:30 am, sometimes with breakfast back at camp and sometimes with a picnic. The middle of the day is often spent resting, with an afternoon game drive from around 4:00 pm until sunset. On full days in large reserves such as the Maasai Mara, you may stay out all day with a packed lunch.
How long should my first safari be?
Five to seven days is a good length for a first trip: enough for two or three contrasting parks without feeling rushed. A classic Kenya combination is the Maasai Mara, a Rift Valley lake and Amboseli; in Tanzania, Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Vehicles
Our safaris travel in 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, so you can stand up for viewing and photography. Group-joining departures share the vehicle; private safaris have one to yourselves. See our guide to safari vehicles for details.
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured, layered clothing — mornings and evenings can be cold, especially in the highlands.
- A warm fleece or jacket, a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream.
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens if you have one.
- A soft-sided bag: light aircraft and vehicles have limited space.
- Any personal medication, insect repellent and a small torch.
Health and entry requirements
Speak to a travel health clinic about vaccinations and malaria prevention well before you travel. Entry rules change, so check the current visa or electronic travel authorisation requirements for Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda for your nationality; we will remind you when you book.
Money and tipping
US dollars and Kenya shillings are widely used; cards are accepted at many lodges and in cities. Tips for guides and camp staff are not included in package prices and are at your discretion.
Choosing an itinerary
Start with your dates, budget and the experiences that matter most — big cats, the migration, elephants, gorillas or a beach finish. Then browse our safaris or ask us to suggest a route.
