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National Geographic Traveler, March 2007

Expert Opinion

Planning an African Safari - Tips for the trip of a lifetime

After leading safaris in eastern and southern Africa for more than a decade, Mango African Safaris, co-founder Teresa Isabelle knows her big game. Here, she offers three pieces of advice for those with dreams of Africa.

1) Follow the Game - Where to go depends on what animals you'd like to see. The wide-open grasslands of Kenya and Tanzania are home to the so-called Big Five - rhino, elephant, leopard, lion, and Cape buffalo - as well as zebras, cheetahs, and more. If elephants are your thing, make a beeline to Botswana, where the rivers and wooded terrain support greater numbers of them. But Botswana can be expensive since many lodges are only accessible by air.

2) Tents are Good - Isabelle suggests staying at smaller roaming tented camps, rather than large lodges, which can be in the same price range. These camps move with the animals, so you're not going to spend hours in a jeep looking for wildlife in, say, the vast Serengeti. Camps also provide a more intimate setting to view animals. The dozens of vehicles from big lodges tend to cluster together on game drives. "Tourists end up comparing their zoom lenses more than watching what's happening in nature."

3) Skip the Peak - High time for safaris is the dry season (July and August in Kenya), when animals are out looking for water and more easily seen in the bush. But reserving space during this time can sometimes mean a wait of up to 18 months. Isabelle prefers anytime between January to March, and the end of May through the end of June, when you can get more bang for your buck and still see all the same animals. Plus, "everything is lush and beautiful and there are fewer crowds." It's not for everyone, however, especially those who are more sensitive to heat and humidity or bugs.