7 Expert Tips for Planning a Luxury Safari Holiday

The word safari is a Swahili word meaning ‘journey' and for us, it is much more than just a holiday. From Africa’s untamed plains to India’s tiger-rich jungles, a luxury safari holiday is a deeply personal adventure that blends wild encounters with refined comfort.

At Mahlatini Luxury Travel, our Travel Experts have spent years exploring safari destinations across Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. Here, we share our top tips to help you plan a safari that’s perfectly tailored to you.

1. When Is the Best Time to Go On Safari?

The timing of your safari can transform your experience. Africa and the Indian Subcontinent each have their own rhythm, shaped by distinct seasons that influence landscapes, wildlife, and the overall atmosphere of your journey.

Southern and Eastern Africa

• Dry Season (June - October): Droughts and limited vegetation dominate, with animals flocking to the few remaining water sources. This makes game viewing optimal. This is the best time for game viewing in destinations such as Botswana, Tanzania, and Kenya.
• Wet or 'Green' Season (November - May): Everything comes alive! Grass grows, rivers swell, and wildlife reproduce. Though this season is beautiful, the rich greenery makes it more difficult to spot animals. You may also get the occasional afternoon rain shower, though this rarely affects your safari experience. The ‘green’ season is also a photographer's dream, with the lush landscape and versatile plant life presenting the perfect backdrop to capture stunning shots! It’s a quieter, more intimate time to travel.

The Indian Subcontinent

• High season (February – May): The ideal period for tiger safaris in India’s Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, and Kanha National Parks is from February to May, when the dry heat draws wildlife to water sources, creating dramatic viewing opportunities. Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park and Nepal’s Chitwan also shine during this period, with sunny days and abundant activity.
• Low Season (June – September): Monsoon rains sweep through much of the subcontinent, transforming the landscapes into emerald jungles and misty valleys. While game drives may be limited in some areas, it’s a serene, less-travelled time of year. In Bhutan and northern India, the summer months also bring spectacular mountain vistas and cooler highland retreats.

2. How Much Does a Luxury Safari Cost?

Luxury safari costs vary by country and season.

Variation by Country:

• Botswana, with its "low volume high yield policy", tends to be more costly but offers a more unique and private experience. However, the ‘green season in Botswana can offer amazing value for money, especially in Okavango Delta which boasts amazing water-based safaris and bird life.
• Slightly less costly than Botswana but still positioned in the higher range, Tanzania’s luxury lodges in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater combine lavish design with superb wildlife viewing year-round. Its southern parks, such as Ruaha and Nyerere, offer exceptional value with fewer visitors.
• Kenya offers a broad range of luxury, from iconic Maasai Mara lodges to private conservancies like Lewa and Laikipia. It balances cost and exclusivity beautifully, pairing vibrant wildlife with cultural depth.
• South Africa's Kruger Park provides excellent value for money and always offers an incredible diversity of wildlife, including the Big 5.
• India safaris offers exceptional value for travellers seeking a safari experience steeped in heritage and culture. Lodges combine elegant designs with a deep sense of place, creating a setting that feels timeless.
• Less traditional but deeply rewarding, Nepal’s Chitwan National Park offers boutique jungle lodges and authentic wildlife experiences at a gentler cost.

Seasonal Price Changes:

• The dry season or 'high season' can be more expensive, but this doesn't affect the number of people wanting to travel during these peak months and we always encourage clients to book 12 months in advance to ensure their preferred camps and lodges have availability.
• The ‘green’ season can provide rewarding experiences at greater value. The air feels fresh after summer rains, the bush is alive with new life, and the lodges are quieter, offering a sense of calm and exclusivity.

3. Which Safari Style Suits You?

Everyone's vision of a safari is different. Our Travel Experts will design a journey that feels entirely your own, with unique and authentic safari experiences.

• Iconic national parks: For travellers dreaming of vast plains and teeming herds, the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara is the place to be.
• Popular vs. private safaris: East Africa promises iconic scenery and abundant wildlife but tends to be busier, while Botswana and parts of the Kruger offer more secluded experiences.
• Remote and Fly-In Safaris: For those who crave wilderness without compromise, fly-in safaris offer effortless access to some of Africa’s most remote regions, inaccessible by road.
• Water-based safaris: Lesser known, this is a mesmerising experience as you view wildlife on the banks of the river from the comfort of a motorboat or mokoro (a traditional dug-out canoe).
• Jungle Safaris: Beyond Africa, the Indian Subcontinent offers a safari experience steeped in atmosphere and heritage. In India or Sri Lanka, experience dense forests, ancient ruins, and sightings of tigers, leopards, and elephants.

4. Selecting The Right Accommodation for You

The three main styles of safari accommodation are mobile camps, tented camps and lodges.

• Mobile camps: Shares similarities with the early African explorer style. Although mobile camping would be the most basic in terms of amenities, it often provides the best game viewing as you're able to move around and follow the footsteps of the wildlife. Mobile camping is a great way to follow the wildebeest migration.
• Tented camps: Tented camps, mostly found in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and Zambia, tend to be the most luxurious accommodation choice and have a hotel suite feel.
• Lodges: Lodges can vary in size and quality, with the most luxurious generally found in South Africa.

Every lodge and camp we recommend has been personally experienced by our team to ensure it reflects the quality and authenticity our clients expect from a Mahlatini journey.

5. Planning a Safari with Children

A family safari offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with child-friendly lodges, age-appropriate activities, and options in malaria-free areas for peace of mind.

• Family-friendly lodges: Some lodges specialise in child-friendly activities, from African bushcraft lessons to wildlife trivia. Some lodges offer on-site babysitting services, giving parents a chance to enjoy a dinner for two or even an evening game drive.
• Age restrictions: Some safari lodges have age restrictions in place, often not permitting children under eight years of age on game drives. Mahlatini’s Travel Experts will be able to advise the best options based on your family’s needs.
• Malaria-free safaris: Malaria-free national parks in South Africa are popular among families and provide that extra peace of mind.

6. Balancing Relaxation and Adventure On Safari

Balance adventure and relaxation by combining safari experiences with luxurious beach or spa retreats for the perfect African getaway. With luxury game lodges and remote Indian ocean hideaways, your luxury adventure is sure to take your breath away.

• Twin centre holidays: We recommend visiting two distinct areas during a safari experience, one for the adventure and wonder of a safari, the other for relaxing or visiting an area of interest such as Victoria Falls or Cape Town. When choosing somewhere to relax, we usually suggest a sun lounger, white sand and on-site facilities such as a spa.
• Beach retreats: Choosing an idyllic Indian Ocean beach destination will often depend on where is the easiest to travel to, minimising your travel time and making the most of your time in the destination. Post-safari relaxation often involves pristine beaches by the Indian Ocean. Popular choices include Mauritius, Seychelles, Zanzibar, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.

7. Speak to a Safari Specialist

For the ultimate safari experience, it’s essential to consult an expert who can tailor your journey to the best time of year and your budget. At Mahlatini, our Travel Experts have either lived or travelled extensively across Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. They possess first-hand knowledge of every camp and lodge in our portfolio.

Contact us today to begin planning your perfectly curated luxury safari adventure.