+1 347-708-1755
The word safari is a Swahili word meaning ‘journey' and for us, safari is much more than just a vacation, it's often a life-changing experience. At Mahlatini Luxury Travel, we create tailormade safaris that open doors to extraordinary wilderness and pair adventure with uncompromising comfort.
Here are our seven expert tips to help you plan the perfect luxury safari across Africa and Asia.
1. When Is the Best Time to Go On Safari?
Timing is everything when planning a luxury safari. Both Africa and the Indian Subcontinent offer remarkable wildlife experiences throughout the year, but the character of each season shapes what you’ll see.
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. Expect incredible sightings in Botswana, Kenya, and Tanzania.
- Wet or 'Green' Season (November - May): Everything comes alive! Grass grows, rivers swell, and wildlife reproduce. Though the lush greenery can make wildlife a little harder to spot, it’s a wonderfully peaceful time to travel, with far fewer crowds. 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!
The Indian Subcontinent
- High season (February – May): Dry, warm conditions make this the best time for safaris across the region. In India’s tiger reserves such as Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, and Kanha, waterholes attract wildlife and tiger sightings peak. Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park and Nepal’s Chitwan also thrive in these months, with sunny skies and comfortable travel conditions.
- Low Season (June – September): Monsoon rains transform the landscape into a lush, cinematic backdrop. Some parks close for part of this period, but others remain open, offering quieter safaris with fewer guests. It’s also a rewarding time to explore Bhutan’s valleys and northern India’s highlands, where the scenery is dramatic and the air refreshingly cool.
2. How Much Does a Luxury Safari Cost?
A luxury safari is an investment in unforgettable experiences. 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.
- Positioned just below Botswana in cost, Tanzania offers high-end camps and lodges with superb game viewing. Southern parks such as Ruaha and Nyerere provide comparable quality with greater value and fewer visitors.
- Kenya occupies the mid-to-high luxury range, balancing heritage and accessibility. The Maasai Mara and private conservancies offer elite experiences at slightly lower costs than Tanzania.
- 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.
- At the lower end of the luxury cost scale, Nepal’s intimate jungle lodges in Chitwan offer refined simplicity and deeply authentic experiences.
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. Booking 12 months in advance is advised to ensure your 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. At Mahlatini, no two safaris are ever the same, our Travel Experts curate every journey to be as unique as you are.
- Iconic national parks: For travelers seeking the classic safari with vast plains and teeming herds, the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara is the place to be.
- Popular vs. private safaris: East Africa’s parks promise iconic wildlife moments, but they can be busier during peak migration seasons, while Botswana and parts of the Kruger offer more secluded experiences.
- Remote and Fly-In Safaris: or the discerning traveler who craves true escape, a fly-in safari is the ultimate indulgence. Glide by light aircraft over untouched landscapes to reach remote camps inaccessible by road.
- Water-based safaris: Lesser known, this is a mesmerizing 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: For something different, venture beyond Africa to the lush jungles of India or Sri Lanka. Spot tigers in Ranthambore National Park or see leopards and sloth bears in Yala National Park. These journeys pair intimate wildlife encounters with rich cultural experiences.
4. Where to Stay on Safari
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 property Mahlatini recommends has been personally experienced by our team to ensure they meet the expectations of our most discerning travelers.
5. Planning a Family Safari
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.
- Child-friendly lodges: Some lodges specialize 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. Combine Relaxation and Adventure on Safari
Balance adventure and relaxation by combining safari experiences with luxurious beach or spa retreats for the perfect getaway. With luxury game lodges and remote Indian Ocean hideaways, your adventure is sure to take your breath away.
- Twin center vacations: 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, minimizing 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. Mahlatini’s travel experts have either lived or traveled extensively across Africa and Asia, possessing first-hand knowledge of every camp and lodge.
Contact us today to begin planning your perfectly curated luxury safari adventure across Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.
