What Is an African Safari?

The term safari comes from a Swahili word which means "journey" and referred to a wide range of types of journeys. Sir Richard Francis Burton is actually credited with using the term as a reference to the modern safari, which involves traveling into areas of Africa to see wildlife in its native habitat. There are no cages or zookeepers on the safaris---just you, your fellow travelers, your guide and lots of African animals.

Popular Locations

Although most of Africa would be appropriate for safaris, some countries and locations are more commonly traveled in this way. The most popular countries are those in eastern and southern Africa. Areas such as Masai Mara, Serengeti and Etosha are all well-known for their safari expeditions. Choosing the best location also depends on when you are visiting Africa. If you go to see the annual migration of different species, you'll need to know where those large groups of animals will be on their journey when you arrive.

Lodging

What surprises most people who want to go on an African safari is that the price of the tour includes lodging in the wild. Most safaris last for many days, because you'll need to cover a lot of area. During your safari, therefore, you'll have arranged lodgings along the journey. These lodgings can range from private tents to actual lodges. If you want the luxury of the lodges, you will have to pay more. While this may be a turn-off for some travelers, sleeping on the plains of Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Example of a Safari

The best way to explain a safari is to give an example of what is included in one of these expeditions. On the second day of a nine-day safari in Kenya, for example, travelers enjoy breakfast (included in the package) and travel to the Sweetwater Game Reserve and Chimp Sanctuary. The entire reserve covers more than 24,000 acres, so there is a lot to see. The chimpanzees take up an entire 200 acre island on the property. The day includes sleeping in the tents with a view of Mount Kenya and a boat ride that takes you through the Chimp Sanctuary. Each day of the safari, you travel to different locations and engage in different activities---all of which are included in the price of the safari.

Prices for African Safaris

An African safari is not an inexpensive vacation. The plane ride to the continent alone will be expensive. The nine-day Kenya safari described above, for example, costs about $4,000 per person. However, it does include all meals, all accommodations and all of the activities on the safari. Plus, you'll have a tour guide which is more than you'll find in most vacation spots. A five-day Zambia safari, which includes a visit to Victoria Falls, will cost around $2,500 per person.

Safari Concerns

Because these safaris are a huge tourist industry for these parts of Africa, they do a good job to maintain their accommodations and to keep participants safe. The biggest concern you may have as you travel through Africa is the risk of contracting malaria from a mosquito bite. However, staying covered and sleeping with a mosquito net can reduce that risk immensely. Care is also taken to keep the lodges and tents away from areas where mosquitoes are likely to congregate.