“Being five feet from 20 elephants, in a canoe, and then flying in a hot-air balloon above 20,000 zebras, that’s a well-rounded wildlife experience,” Mr. Marra said.
Be Prepared to Sit
Most safaris involve sitting in open-topped vehicles observing wildlife.
“You are going to do much less walking in Africa than in Europe,” said Mr. Cowie of African Travel. “In Africa, you plop in the jeep, and we take you around.”
For variety, many operators offer optional excursions such as tours on foot, bike or horseback.
Understand Weather Effects
In the Southern Hemisphere, winter is from June to September, while summer is from December to March. More important in terms of wildlife viewing are the rainy and dry seasons, which vary by destination. In East Africa, the rainiest season is generally March through May; in southern Africa, it’s December through March.
“In greener low seasons, grasses can grow taller, and cheetahs and leopards can hide in the grass and be harder to see,” Mr. Drummond of Kensington said.
“Dry season has more wildlife visibility,” said Emily Cottingham, the regional director for East Africa at Natural Habitat Adventures, a nature-focused tour company. Green season, she added, provides “contrast in photos with the lush background.”