Things to Know Before You Go On A Luxury Safari

"If you think you are too small to make a difference you haven't spent a night with a mosquito." -African proverb

1. Be prepared to wake up early

Many games drives start at 5:30 in the morning every day. Both of our lodges had coffee, tea, juices and biscotti 30 minutes before the drive started, coffee again halfway through the drive and then a big breakfast when you get back to the lodge.

Coffee with Amarula

2. Bring layers of clothes

I recommend bringing a rain jacket, sun hat, sunglasses and a long sleeve shirt to protect against the sun and bugs or if it gets cold or windy.

3. There's a lot of sitting

If you are doing a driving safari and staying in a lodge you will be sitting in the jeep over 6 hours a day. The lodges don’t allow you to go walking outside their property because of the animals so be prepared to not being able to walk a lot as well. I recommend a good stretching regime and a no equipment needed workout you can do in your room if you get antsy being sedentary.

4. You don't need to buy special safari clothes

You don't need to wear khaki shirts and khaki pants like the movies. Many people wore shorts and flip flops. I would recommend just bringing breathable comfortable clothes and avoid white clothing because it scares the animals.

5. Wear bug spray to bed

You probably already know you need to bring bug spray and wear it when you are outside. Even though most lodges have mosquito netting over the beds, bugs can still get in and it is vital that you put bug spray on before going to sleep.

Mosquito netting over bed at Imbali Safari Lodge in Kruger

6. You have leisure time

After the morning safari you have around 5 hours of free time to relax around the lodge. You can go for a dip in the pool, schedule a massage or simple relax on the deck.

Pool at Elephant Plains Lodge in Sabi Sands

7. You will not go hungry

Most safaris serve 3 large meals a day and 2 snacks. At the lodges we stayed at, Imbali and Elephant Plains, breakfast and lunch were buffets and dinner was à la carte.

8. Bring your own binoculars

If you already have some binoculars at home I highly recommend bringing some. They are helpful on out on game drives but also a fun activity when you have free time at the lodge. You can sit on your deck and scan the area for birds and animals and just enjoy the sounds and beauty of the bush.

Looking at a hippo through binoculars

9.Remember to bring cash

Even if your stay is already paid for each place we stayed asked us if we wanted to tip at the end. Our travel agent suggested to tip at the end and calculate it per day by the following: 100 RAND for the staff, 150 RAND for the guide and if there is a tracker 80 RAND. All the lodges either had a tip box you could contribute to when you were checking out or envelopes in your room you could leave at the front desk.

10. Don’t be afraid to pot a squat on games drives

The drives when you go out look for animals are usually around three hours and you stop once halfway through. Most of the time, the guides stop in pretty meadows or around a vacant waterhole to ensure there aren’t any animals too close. In short, if you need to go to the bathroom these 10 minutes breaks in the middle of the Bush are all you got. Don’t be shy to find your own tree or bush because everyone has to do it at least once. Also remember to bring some tissues and hand sanitizers.