First Timer’s Guide to a South Africa Safari

 

On today’s episode, we go into detail about everything you need to know about a first timer’s guide to a South Africa safari. We talk best safari lodges and how much a safari can cost you, which reserves to stay on based on your travel goals and needs as well as animals you’d like to see, what to pack, and all the little details we wish we would’ve known beforehand.

So whether you’re trying to spot the Big 5 or see a cheetah in the wild, definitely listen in and learn more. And if you think a safari is well out of your budget range, seriously think again. Safaris can be remarkably affordable as well as outrageously expensive. So listen in about what we still recall as our favorite trip we’ve ever taken. Fall in love with the charms of South Africa, and especially a few days out on safari.

Time Stamps First Timer’s Guide to a South Africa Safari:

• 0:13- Intro and topic
• 1:53- When to go on safari in South Africa
• 6:15- How to choose a safari lodge and cost
• 9:40- Factors in choosing a lodge
• 14:45- Use a company vs. DIY
• 18:15- Where we went and stayed
• 22:55- Other reserves in South Africa and details about those 
• 27:41- What animals did we see on safari
• 34:50-What to pack for a South Africa safari
• 45:50- Kat’s highlight on safari
• 47:45- Chris’s highlight on safari
• 51:50- Would we do it again?
• 54:30- Wrap up

Helpful Links and Further Reading:

• Ultimate Guide to a South African Safari
• Perfect 2-Week South African Honeymoon Itinerary
• Perfect South African Safari
• Is South Africa Safe?
• Perfect 3 Days in Cape Town
• How Much Does An African Safari Cost?
• Best Honeymoon Destinations in December 
• World Nomads Travel Insurance
• Safari 365 (the company we used to book our South Africa trip)
• Ilios Travel (tours, transportation)
• Where we stayed and reserve:
  • Simbavati River Lodge
  • Other options in the Timbavati Game Reserve:
    • Simbavati Hilltop Lodge
    • Machaton Private Camp
• Safari Game Reserves:
  • Kruger National Park
  • Smaller, private game reserves outside of Kruger
  • Addo Elephant National Park
  • Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Park
  • Marataba Safari Lodge
  • Sabi Sands Game Reserve
  • Shamwari Game Reserve
• What to pack
  • See Safari Guide
  • Items to note:
    • GoPro Hero 7 Black
    • Nikon Coolpix A900 Digital Camera (Great for beginners and has a great zoom)!
    • Fujifilm X-T20 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Great for those with some experience)
    • Kindle Paperwhite 
    • Badger Balm Mosquito Repellant 
    • Osprey Farpoint 40 backpack

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