Safari planning guide

"How much do we tip?" is one of the questions I get most from safari clients, usually a few weeks before they leave.

It's a fair question. Tipping in Africa can feel a little unclear, because customs vary by country and by lodge.

So here's the same guide I send my own clients before every safari.

First, the Most Important Thing

Tipping is always your choice. It should reflect your own experience and the service you received, and it is never mandatory.

These are simply guidelines. Whatever feels comfortable to you is absolutely appropriate.

Tipping on Safari

WhoHow much

Safari guide$15–$20 per guest, per day

Tracker$10–$15 per guest, per day

Butler or personal host$10 per room, per day

General camp staff$15–$20 per guest, per day

Your guides will be the highlight of your trip.

Tipping in the City

WhoHow much

Airport assistance$5 per person

Airport transfer driver$10 per transfer

Private touring guide$20 per person for a full day, $15 for a half day

Restaurants10–15%, if service isn't already included and you're happy with it

How Tipping Works at a Safari Camp

• Tip your guide, tracker and butler separately. These are the people you'll spend the most time with, and it's customary to thank each one directly.
• Use the gratuity box for everyone else. Most camps have a shared box in the main lodge area for housekeeping, the kitchen and the rest of the camp team.
• Tip once, at the end of your stay. There's no need to tip daily.
• Check your welcome materials. Some lodges share their own suggested amounts, which can vary a little by property.
• You don't always need cash. Many lodges let you add gratuities to your card at checkout. If that matters to you, confirm with the lodge team when you arrive.

What Currency to Bring

Most properties happily accept tips in US dollars or the local currency.

In most cases, small US bills are the easiest and most convenient option, so tuck some into your bag before you leave home.

My Biggest Advice

Don't stress over it! Your guides will be the highlight of your trip, and you'll know exactly how you want to thank them by the end.

keep planning

What to pack →Safari planning page →Safari pricing guide →

Ready to start planning your safari?

Plan My Safari

Safari planning guide

When most people picture an African safari, they're picturing East Africa: endless golden plains, acacia trees and huge herds of wildebeest on the move.

That's Kenya and Tanzania. Together they're home to the Great Migration, and they're the classic choice for a first safari.

Here's how the two compare, and how I help clients decide.

Kenya or Tanzania?

You really can't go wrong with either, and it's easy to combine the two. The Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania are actually one connected ecosystem, and the migration moves between them through the year.

Kenya

The Masai Mara for big cats and river crossings, hot-air balloon safaris, private conservancies, and easy add-ons like Amboseli's elephants under Kilimanjaro

Tanzania

The vast Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, calving season in January and February, and the beaches of Zanzibar to finish

Where to Go in Kenya

• Masai Mara National Reserve: Kenya's most famous park, known for lions, leopards and cheetahs, and the migration from about July to October. The private conservancies around it offer night drives, walking safaris and far fewer vehicles.
• Amboseli National Park: big elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro as the backdrop.
• Samburu National Reserve: a drier, more remote landscape in the north, with species you won't see in the Mara.

River crossings are never guaranteed, which is part of what makes seeing one so special.

Where to Go in Tanzania

• Serengeti National Park: the heart of the Great Migration, with excellent game viewing all year. Different areas are best in different months.
• Ngorongoro Crater: an enormous volcanic crater packed with wildlife, where you can see the Big Five in a single day. It's best as a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch.
• Tarangire and Lake Manyara: smaller parks that pair well with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, known for elephants.
• Nyerere and Ruaha: remote southern parks for travelers who've already done the classics, and two of the best places to look for wild dogs.

Where the Great Migration Is, Month by Month

MonthWhere the herds usually are

January to MarchSouthern Serengeti (Ndutu), for calving season in January and February

April and MayMoving north through the central Serengeti, during the long rains

June and JulyWestern Serengeti (the Western Corridor)

August and SeptemberNorthern Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara, with the Mara River crossings

OctoberStarting the journey back south from the Mara

November and DecemberHeading back toward the southern Serengeti with the short rains

The herds follow the rain, so the timing changes a little every year. River crossings are never guaranteed, which is part of what makes seeing one so special.

When to Go

June to October is the classic dry season, with the best game viewing and the migration in the north. January and February are wonderful too, especially for calving in Tanzania.

April and May bring the long rains. It's low season, with lower rates and fewer people, but some camps close.

See my full month-by-month safari guide for every country.

How Long to Go

Plan on a minimum of 8 days. That gives you time for two or three camps without spending your whole trip in transit.

Pricing varies by camp and season, and I'll give you real numbers once I know your dates.

Finish on the Beach

After a safari in Tanzania, Zanzibar is just a short flight away. It's the perfect place to slow down for a few days, and a favorite add-on for honeymooners.

My Biggest Advice

Decide what you want to see first. If seeing a river crossing is at the top of your list, go in August or September. If you'd love baby animals and fewer people, look at January and February in Tanzania. I'll help you match the month, the parks and the camps.

keep planning

How to choose your safari →Safari planning page →Safari pricing guide →

Ready to start planning your safari?

Plan My Safari

Safari planning guide

"When is the best time to go on safari?" is usually the very first question I get.

The honest answer is that it depends on where you're going. Africa is huge, and the seasons are different in Botswana than they are in Kenya.

Here's how I help my clients pick the right month.

The Short Answer

For most of Africa, the dry season, roughly June to October, is the classic time to go. The grass is shorter, the trees are thinner and the animals gather around water, so they're much easier to find.

It's also high season. The best camps fill up first, so for these months I recommend booking 12 to 18 months ahead.

Best Months by Country

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Botswana
South Africa (Kruger)
Cape Town
Namibia
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Kenya
Tanzania
Rwanda (gorillas)

BestGoodMixed

Pick your month and your country together.

Month by Month

January and February

The Great Migration's calving season in Tanzania's southern Serengeti, when thousands of wildebeest are born and the predators are never far behind. Kenya has a dry spell, and Rwanda is drier too. Cape Town is at its summer best. Much of southern Africa is hot and rainy, and some camps in Botswana close for part of the season.

March to May

The long rains in East Africa, with April usually the wettest month. This is low season, with lower rates and fewer people. By May, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia are drying out and coming into their best months.

June to October

Prime time almost everywhere. Botswana's Okavango Delta has its highest water from about July to October, which is perfect for mokoro (dugout canoe) trips. In Kenya and Tanzania the migration moves north, and the famous Mara River crossings are most likely in August and September. Rwanda's dry season makes the gorilla trails easier, and the falls at Victoria Falls are clearer to see than in the misty peak-flow months. Nights and early mornings can be cold, so bring layers.

November and December

The start of green season in southern Africa. The landscape turns green, baby animals arrive and the birding is wonderful. Kenya and Tanzania have their short rains, which usually come and go. It's also a great time to combine safari with Cape Town or a beach.

Don't Rule Out Green Season

• Lower rates at many lodges and camps
• Fewer vehicles at sightings
• Newborn animals and dramatic predator action
• The best birding of the year, with migrant birds arriving
• Lush, green scenery and beautiful skies for photos

The trade-offs: it's hotter, afternoon storms are common, and some remote camps close. It works best when you choose the right country and camp for the month, which is exactly what I help with.

My Biggest Advice

Pick your month and your country together. A safari in Botswana in August and one in Kenya in January can both be perfect, but the same month can be very different from one country to the next.

keep planning

Botswana safari guide →South Africa safari guide →Namibia safari guide →Kenya and Tanzania safari guide →Gorilla trekking guide →How to choose your safari →Safari planning page →Safari pricing guide →

Ready to start planning your safari?

Plan My Safari

Safari planning guide

Packing for safari is easier than most people think.

You don't need a whole new wardrobe or anything fancy. In fact, you'll probably pack less than you would for a week at the beach.

Here's the same packing list I send my own clients before they leave.

What to Wear on Safari

Pack comfortable, casual clothing in muted, neutral colors. Think khaki, olive, beige, cream, grey and other earth tones.

Skip bright colors, and leave the camouflage print at home.

Whatever the time of year, early mornings and evenings can be chilly, especially on an open safari vehicle. Layers are always your friend.

KhakiOliveBeigeCreamGrey

Why You'll Pack Lighter Than You Think

Most lodges and hotels offer laundry service, and it's often included. That makes it easy to rotate the same few outfits through your whole trip.

This matters more than you'd expect. If your trip includes small bush planes between camps, luggage allowances are strict, and soft-sided bags are usually required. Your exact allowance will be in your trip documents before you go.

Layers are always your friend.

My Safari Packing List

Clothing

• 2 breathable long-sleeved shirts, for sun and insect protection
• 2 t-shirts for relaxing at the lodge, city touring or casual days
• 2 pairs of shorts or lightweight pants
• 2 pairs of safari trousers or casual pants for game drives and walks (shorts are perfectly fine too)
• 2 pairs of jeans or casual trousers for evenings at the lodge
• 1 warm jacket or fleece for early morning and evening game drives
• 1 lightweight rain jacket with a hood
• Sleepwear and undergarments

Shoes

• 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes or sneakers
• 1 pair of flip-flops or sandals for downtime at the lodge or pool

Accessories and Essentials

• A small backpack or day bag, water-resistant if possible
• Swimwear
• Sunglasses
• A broad-brimmed hat or cap
• Sunscreen
• Moisturizer and lip balm
• Eye drops or nasal spray, if you use them
• Strong insect repellent (most lodges provide it)
• A neck gaiter or buff for cool mornings and dusty roads

Safari Gear

• Binoculars (compact and lightweight are best)
• Camera equipment and chargers
• A portable power bank

A Few Final Notes

• No formal clothes needed. Safari camps are very relaxed, even at dinner.
• Layers are the most important part of packing, especially for morning game drives.
• Repeating outfits is normal. Laundry is usually quick and easy.
• Pack a soft-sided bag if your trip includes bush flights.

keep planning

Safari tipping guide →Safari planning page →Safari pricing guide →

Ready to start planning your safari?

Plan My Safari