Safari Planning Insights
Long-form explanations of common safari planning decisions. Trade-offs, nuance, and context that doesn't fit a quick verdict.
Featured Articles
Start here for essential safari planning context
Tanzania or Kenya for first safari?
Understanding the real differences between these two destinations
Am I ready for my first safari?
Understanding what safari actually requires
When is the best time to see the Great Migration?
Understanding the migration cycle and what each month offers
Destinations
Where should you go?
10 articles
Tanzania or Kenya for first safari?
Understanding the real differences between these two destinations
Tanzania or Botswana?
Migration spectacle versus exclusive wilderness at very different price points
South Africa or East Africa for first safari?
Malaria, self-drive, and the fundamental differences between regions
Is Rwanda worth it just for gorillas?
Permit costs, physical demands, and the value of a one-hour encounter
Uganda or Rwanda for gorillas?
Cost versus convenience in the mountain gorilla choice
Is the Okavango Delta worth the premium?
Understanding what Botswana pricing buys and whether it fits your priorities
Serengeti or Masai Mara?
Scale versus accessibility in the migration heartland
Kruger National Park or private reserves?
Self-drive freedom versus guided expertise in South Africa
Should I focus on one country or visit multiple?
Depth versus breadth in safari planning
Uganda vs Tanzania for Endemic Forest Birding
Albertine Rift or Eastern Arc: where Africa's unique species hide
Timing
When should you travel?
12 articles
When is the best time to see the Great Migration?
Understanding the migration cycle and what each month offers
When is the best time to see river crossings?
Understanding the unpredictability of migration crossings
Is calving season worth planning around?
Understanding the predator action and wildlife intensity of February
Is green season safari worth it?
Understanding the trade-offs of wet season travel
Is Christmas a good time for safari?
Understanding holiday travel in African safari destinations
Is February a good time for Tanzania safari?
Understanding calving season and February conditions
Is July a good time for Tanzania safari?
Understanding peak dry season conditions and migration positioning
Is August a good time for Kenya safari?
Understanding peak season conditions in the Masai Mara
Is June a good time for Botswana safari?
Understanding early dry season conditions in the Okavango Delta
Should I only consider Tanzania in dry season?
Understanding year-round safari possibilities
How far in advance should I book safari?
Understanding booking timelines and availability patterns
Peak Timing for Palearctic Migrants in East Africa
When European and Asian breeding birds fill African skies
Personal Fit
Is safari right for you?
6 articles
Am I ready for my first safari?
Understanding what safari actually requires
Is solo safari travel right for me?
Understanding the realities, costs, and social dynamics of traveling alone
Should I take young children (under 6) on safari?
Age policies, safety considerations, and the real trade-offs of family safari
Can a multigenerational group do safari together?
Coordinating ages, abilities, and expectations across generations
Is safari right for a honeymoon?
Romance, adventure, and the reality of early mornings in the bush
Will I be disappointed if I do not see the Big Five?
Understanding wildlife expectations versus safari reality
Experience Type
What kind of safari?
6 articles
Is a walking safari worth it?
Understanding the different intensity of being on foot with wildlife
Is self-drive safari right for me?
Understanding the trade-offs of driving yourself through African parks
Private vehicle or shared game drives?
Understanding vehicle arrangements and their impact on experience
Green Season vs Dry Season for Safari Birding
Understanding when bird diversity peaks and why conditions matter
Combining Serious Birding with Big Five Safari
When it works, when it fails, and how to structure the compromise
Bird Photography and Species Listing: Compatible Goals?
When cameras and binoculars serve different masters
Accommodation
Where to stay?
5 articles
Lodge or tented camp?
Understanding accommodation styles and their impact on safari experience
Is luxury safari worth the premium?
Understanding what premium pricing actually buys you
Can I do safari on a budget?
Understanding realistic expectations for budget safari travel
Stay inside or outside the park?
Understanding the trade-offs of park-adjacent accommodation
Multiple camps or one base?
Understanding the trade-offs of moving during your safari
Logistics
How to plan and book?
6 articles
Is 5 days enough for safari?
Understanding what different trip lengths deliver
How long should my safari be?
Understanding the relationship between duration and experience
Fly or drive between parks?
Understanding the trade-offs of transit methods on safari
Should I add a beach extension?
Understanding the value and trade-offs of combining safari and beach
Should I book through an agent or direct?
Understanding the value of safari booking expertise
Short Birding Safaris: What 5-7 Days Can Achieve
Maximizing species count when time is limited
Value & Cost
Budget decisions
5 articles
What should I budget for safari?
Understanding the real costs of African safari travel
Can I do Tanzania on a budget?
Understanding realistic expectations for budget Tanzania travel
Is peak season worth the premium?
Understanding what you pay for in seasonal pricing
What are the warning signs of a too-cheap safari?
Understanding when low prices signal problems
Where should I splurge and where should I save?
Understanding which upgrades deliver proportional value
Risk & Ethics
Safety considerations
1 article
About These Articles
Each article extends a Vurara Safaris decision with additional context. These are not opinion pieces or travel-magazine features. They explore the complexity behind decisions, the variables that change answers, and the trade-offs that travelers often underestimate.
Every article links to its source decision. Start with the decision for a quick verdict, then read the article if you want deeper understanding.