How to choose the best African safari for you

There are countless wildlife safari options across Africa – so how do you choose the best one for you? Here we unearth the ins, outs and most commonly asked questions when choosing an African safari.

Where can I go on safari in Africa?

The most popular destinations are Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania.

What animals and landscapes can I expect to see?

Botswana

The crystal-clear waterways of the Okavango Delta, large elephant herds in the Chobe National Park, predators and plains game in Savute, and zebra migrations across the salt pans of the Makgadikgadi.

Kenya

The annual Great Migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra in the Masai Mara as well as the ‘Big Five’ (lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros).

South Africa:

Classic ‘Big Five’ viewing at a variety of extensive and accessible wildlife-rich game reserves, the most notable of which include the world-renowned Kruger National Park, Madikwe and Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

Tanzania

Vast animal herds at The Ngorongoro Crater, tree-climbing lions and flamingos at Lake Manyara National Park, the Great Migration across the Serengeti National Park and Africa’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro.

How to choose the best African safari for you

What kind of accommodation can I expect?

Rest camps

Usually situated in national parks, offering simple, bungalow-style accommodation at subsidised prices.

Typically include cooking facilities, small shops and filling stations for self-drive game viewing.

Safari lodges

Hugely popular due to their mid-range pricing and comfortable accommodation, usally in the form of rustic-style chalets.

Optional extras include private guided game drives and catered meals, though sometimes these are included.

Luxury bush camps

Small in size, premium locations, luxurious accommodation, gourmet cuisine and private game drives.

Optional extras include butler services and personalised adventures.

Mobile safaris

An affordable but labour-intensive option where partipants drive between camp sites, making use of their own tents and cooking equipment.

Premium mobile safaris will offer luxurious tenting, transport and gourmet meals.

How much time should I budget?

This depends on safari location. In some cases, reserves are within driving distance of the nearest big (or accessible) city, in other cases a short (often charter) flight will be required.

It is advisable to allow at least three full days at camp to fully benefit from the experience.

A typical day on an organised safari?

Early morning

A pre-dawn game drive in an open-air, 4×4 safari vehicle.

The best game viewing (and photographing) is often in the morning and your guide(s) will use his tracking skills and intimate knowledge of the landscape to locate wildlife and provide fascinating educational insights.

Early afternoon

A sumptuous lunch back at camp, followed by an afternoon hiatus.

Late afternoon and evening

A guided walk or game drive. The former is an opportunity to view everything up close and at a slower pace, the latter, another opportunity to seek out the wildlife, many species of which will be in hunting mode.

As the African sun starts to set, you might stop for a romantic round of sundowners and refreshments en route back to camp.

Evening

A lantern-illuminated dinner at camp, often in the company of the guides, who are notoriously good story-tellers!

When should I go?

Aside from radical temperature fluctuations, the terrain and wildlife populations can change dramatically (and unpredictably) from season to season.

The Great Migration is active in Tanzania’s Serengeti from November to July and in Kenya’s Masai Mara from August to October.

Botswana is a year-round destination though popular in September and October when rainfall is at its lowest in many areas and game viewing is best.

In South Africa, it is advisable to visit during the dry season, roughly between April and September, when permanent waterholes attract animals and the vegetation becomes thinned out.

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What are the inclusions and exclusions?

Most mid to high-range lodges will include game drives, meals and other daily activities.

For package safaris, confirm whether transfers, premium brand drinks, national parks and concession fees are included.

Factor in (discretionary) gratuities for guides and staff, which can often be paid via credit card.

Any pitfalls or safety concerns that I should be aware of?

It is advisable to consult your local travel clinic before travelling, particulaly because some locations are malaria areas.

If you are on a self-drive adventure, ensure your car is locked at all times, avoid deserted areas and be extra cautious in urban areas. Also double check visa requirements.

Getting there?

Qantas and South African Airways fly from Sydney and Perth to Johannesburg.

Both airlines offer onward connections to an extensive network of African destinations.

Coordinate city to safari transfers directly with your travel agent and/or lodge.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.