Choosing Your Safari
The best place to start. Ask yourself, "What do I want to see?"
Big game hunters referred to their most desired prizes – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo – as the Big 5. These are also the most desired 'prizes' for most safari visitors. South Africa’s Kruger National Park as well as Lake
Nakuru and the Masai Mara in Kenya are ideal 'hunting grounds' for Big 5 enthusiasts as well as for other mammals and birds.
Both the black and the white rhino are endangered, the black rhino more so. The best sightings of white rhino are generally in South Africa and for the black rhino we recommend Namibia's
Etosha National Park and Damaraland. Elephants are hugely appealing, some of the largest
herds in the world can be found in the Chobe National Park and Linyanti regions of Botswana. Primates, especially gorillas and chimpanzees are charismatic animals and often a focus for the
wildlife traveller. If this is your main interest then head for the pristine forests of Uganda, Rwanda
and Tanzania.
Expect unrivalled big cat predator action during the world famous
wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. Magical sightings of lion and cheetah can be the highlight of any safari. Hoping to 'spot' a leopard? Head out for a night drive in the Kruger Park in South Africa, the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the South Luangwa in Zambia where they are best observed.
Once you've decided on your game viewing priorities it is time to choose how you wish to experience it. Ask yourself, "What type of experience am I after?"
For guidance on the different types of safari experiences see below:
There are a wide variety of styles from luxury tented lodges to simple fly camping. The categories above offer luxury, basic and midrange options. Contact our specialist team to discuss the safari that would suit you best.
Lodges
Lodges in most parts of Africa are more extensive and offer much more amenities than options such as tented camps. Just like a large hotel expect swimming pools, shops and restaurants. As one of the most essential considerations is location we are happy to recommend Tanzania's Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge and
Chobe Game Lodge in Botswana for boasting an abundance of scenery and game-viewing as well as great value for families and groups. South Africa's Singita lodges in the Kruger Park and Shamwari lodges in the Eastern Cape however cater for those in search of ultra luxurious accommodation.
Tented Camps & Bush Camps
Tented Camps and Bush Camps are the perfect way to experience the African bush. This is the most popular choice with Mahlatini's discerning clients! Sleeping under canvas reminds you
that after all you are in Africa, but there is no need to compromise on comfort. Indeed most of our luxury options are tented for example Sausage Tree Camp in Zambia, Migration Camp in Tanzania, or Mombo Camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Most 'tents' consist of large bedrooms and bathrooms including all the modern amenities that you would expect in a luxury hotel. Also popular are semi permanent
tented camps which are best used where seasonal migrations are the focus for game viewing for example during the
wildebeest migration in the Serengeti. Camps such as Sayari and
Olakira remain in place for up to 3 months at a time before moving
to a separate area of the park to follow the animal herds.
Luxury is just as much about experience as material extravagance and many of the bush camps we work with are in very remote wilderness areas, for example Zambia's
South Luangwa's Mchenja Bushcamp. These camps and lodges
are often owner managed rather than being part of a safari camp chain, you are guaranteed personal friendly service from people with a passion for the surrounding
wilderness and wildlife.
Which Country?
Each country in southern and eastern Africa offers a different and unique safari experience to the other around it. Now that you have read up on the different
types of safari available, choose a country to view our sample safaris.