Global Escapes

Safari & wildlife

There’s nothing quite like the hush in the vehicle when a leopard steps out of the grass.

By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated

Typical length
8 to 14 days on safari
Best time
June to October in most of East and southern Africa
Group size
Private vehicles or small groups
The pace
Early and late game drives, with rest in between
Usually included
Lodging, meals, game drives and park fees at most camps
Great for
Bucket-list couples, families and photographers

Why safari tops so many lists

It’s the trip people describe as life-changing, and they mean it.

East Africa means the wide plains of Kenya and Tanzania and the Great Migration. Southern Africa means Botswana’s Okavango Delta, private reserves in South Africa and Victoria Falls. Rwanda and Uganda add the unforgettable experience of trekking to see mountain gorillas.

Most safaris combine two or three camps, linked by small bush planes, with a few nights in Cape Town or on a beach in Zanzibar to finish. We work with trusted safari specialists like Micato Safaris, who know every camp and guide personally.

Where to go

Every safari region has its own character. Most of our travelers combine two or three.

Masai MaraSerengetiNgorongoroGorilla trekkingZanzibarSouth LuangwaVictoria FallsOkavango DeltaSossusvleiKrugerCape Town
Safari regions in East and southern Africa

Kenya’s Masai Mara

Big cats year-round and, from about July to October, the river crossings of the Great Migration.

Best months
July to October, January to February
Typical length
3 to 4 nights
Best for
First safaris, the Migration

Serengeti & Ngorongoro

Endless plains, calving season in the south from January to March, and a crater filled with wildlife.

Best months
Year-round, varies by area
Typical length
4 to 6 nights
Best for
Big landscapes

Gorillas in Rwanda & Uganda

Trek through misty forest to spend an hour with a family of mountain gorillas.

Best months
June to September, December to February
Typical length
3 to 4 nights
Best for
Once-in-a-lifetime moments

Botswana’s Okavango Delta

Explore by mokoro canoe and on foot in a water wilderness with superb lion and wild dog sightings.

Best months
May to October
Typical length
4 to 6 nights
Best for
Couples, return visitors

South Africa

Private reserves bordering Kruger with close leopard sightings, plus malaria-free reserves elsewhere.

Best months
May to September
Typical length
3 to 4 nights
Best for
Families, first safaris

Victoria Falls

One of the world’s great waterfalls, with sunset cruises on the Zambezi.

Best months
February to July for full flow
Typical length
2 nights
Best for
An easy add-on

Namibia

Red dunes at Sossusvlei, desert-adapted wildlife and Etosha’s waterholes.

Best months
May to October
Typical length
7 to 10 days
Best for
Photographers, road trippers

Zambia’s South Luangwa

The birthplace of the walking safari, with excellent leopard sightings.

Best months
June to October
Typical length
3 to 4 nights
Best for
Experienced safari-goers

Zanzibar

White sand, spice markets and Stone Town’s winding lanes, the perfect finish to a Tanzania safari.

Best months
June to October, December to February
Typical length
3 to 5 nights
Best for
Beach time, honeymoons

When to go

The dry season is prime time, but every month is good somewhere.

DestinationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Masai MaraJan: GoodFeb: GoodMar: GoodApr: Rainy or camps closedMay: Rainy or camps closedJun: GoodJul: BestAug: BestSep: BestOct: BestNov: GoodDec: Good
SerengetiJan: BestFeb: BestMar: BestApr: Rainy or camps closedMay: GoodJun: BestJul: BestAug: BestSep: BestOct: GoodNov: GoodDec: Best
Rwanda & UgandaJan: BestFeb: BestMar: GoodApr: Rainy or camps closedMay: Rainy or camps closedJun: BestJul: BestAug: BestSep: BestOct: GoodNov: Rainy or camps closedDec: Best
OkavangoJan: Rainy or camps closedFeb: Rainy or camps closedMar: Rainy or camps closedApr: GoodMay: BestJun: BestJul: BestAug: BestSep: BestOct: BestNov: GoodDec: Rainy or camps closed
South AfricaJan: GoodFeb: GoodMar: GoodApr: GoodMay: BestJun: BestJul: BestAug: BestSep: BestOct: BestNov: GoodDec: Good
Victoria FallsJan: GoodFeb: BestMar: BestApr: BestMay: BestJun: BestJul: BestAug: GoodSep: GoodOct: GoodNov: GoodDec: Good
NamibiaJan: GoodFeb: GoodMar: GoodApr: GoodMay: BestJun: BestJul: BestAug: BestSep: BestOct: BestNov: GoodDec: Good
South LuangwaJan: Rainy or camps closedFeb: Rainy or camps closedMar: Rainy or camps closedApr: Rainy or camps closedMay: GoodJun: BestJul: BestAug: BestSep: BestOct: BestNov: Rainy or camps closedDec: Rainy or camps closed
ZanzibarJan: BestFeb: BestMar: GoodApr: Rainy or camps closedMay: Rainy or camps closedJun: BestJul: BestAug: BestSep: BestOct: BestNov: GoodDec: Best

Best Good Rainy or camps closed

The Great Migration

Calving in the southern Serengeti from about January to March, then the herds move north to cross the Mara River from about July to October.

Dry season

June to October is prime time across most of Africa. Animals gather at water and the bush thins out.

Green season

November to April brings lush landscapes, baby animals, superb birding and lower rates, with afternoon showers.

Gorillas

Trekking runs year-round, but the drier months make the hike easier. Permits are limited, so we secure them early.

Find your safari style

There’s no one way to do safari. Here are the choices that shape the trip most.

Lodges & tented camps

From classic canvas tents to glass-walled suites, almost all with expert guides and wonderful food.

Private vehicle

Your own guide and vehicle, so you set the pace and stay with the leopard as long as you like.

Fly-in safaris

Small bush planes link remote camps, saving long drives and adding views you’ll never forget.

Walking & canoe safaris

See the small things up close on foot with an armed guide, or glide through the Okavango by mokoro.

Family safaris

Camps with family suites, kids’ programs and guides who love young explorers.

A day on safari

  1. Dawn

    Coffee by the fire

    A quick bite, then into the vehicle as the sun comes up.

  2. Morning

    Game drive

    The best hours for cats on the move, often with a bush breakfast along the way.

  3. Midday

    Brunch and rest

    A nap, the pool or the hide while the animals shelter from the heat.

  4. Afternoon

    Second drive

    Out again as it cools, ending with sundowners somewhere beautiful.

  5. Evening

    Dinner under the stars

    Stories around the fire, and an escort back to your tent.

Usually included

  • Lodging and all meals at most camps
  • Twice-daily game drives with an expert guide
  • Park and conservation fees at most camps
  • House wine and drinks at many camps
  • Laundry at many lodges

Often extra

  • International and bush flights, which we arrange
  • Gorilla trekking permits
  • Gratuities for guides and camp staff
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Stays in Cape Town or Zanzibar

You might also like

Safari and beach honeymoons

Many couples pair a few nights in the bush with Zanzibar, the Seychelles or Mauritius. It might just be the perfect honeymoon.

Explore honeymoons

Good to know

The small things that make a big difference.

Pack soft bags

Bush planes have strict limits, often around 33 to 44 pounds in soft-sided bags. We’ll share the exact rules.

Neutral colors

Khaki, olive and tan blend in. Skip bright colors, and dark blue or black where tsetse flies are present.

See a travel clinic

Talk to your doctor about malaria tablets and vaccinations, and ask us about yellow fever rules for your route.

Bring binoculars

Everyone in the vehicle will want their own pair.

Book early for peak season

July to September at the best camps often books 12 to 18 months ahead.

Tip in cash

Guides and camp staff are usually tipped in U.S. dollars or local currency. We’ll give you a simple guide.

Questions we hear a lot

When is the best time to go on safari?

June to October is the dry season and prime time in most regions. The green season, November to April, brings baby animals, birds and better rates.

What is the Great Migration, and when can we see it?

More than a million wildebeest and zebra move in a loop through the Serengeti and Masai Mara. Calving is around January to March, and river crossings are around July to October.

Is safari good for children?

Yes, with the right camps. Many set minimum ages around 6, and family-friendly camps offer private vehicles and kids’ programs.

Do we need vaccinations?

It depends on the countries you visit. Talk to a travel clinic about malaria and vaccines, and we’ll confirm the entry rules for your route.

How active is a safari?

Not very, unless you want it to be. Most time is spent in a vehicle, with optional walks and canoe trips in some regions.

Let’s plan your safari

Tell us what you’re hoping to see and who’s coming along. An advisor will take it from there.

Start planning Call 706.549.1164