First Safari
Your first safari: what to expect and how to prepare
If you have never been on safari, it helps to know how the days work and what to bring. Here is a practical introduction, based on how our safaris run in Kenya and Tanzania.
By Absolute Holiday Safaris · · 3 min read
A typical day on safari
- Early morning: a cup of tea or coffee and an early start, when animals are most active.
- Morning game drive: several hours exploring with your driver-guide.
- Midday: a picnic lunch in the park on full-day drives, or a rest at camp.
- Afternoon: another drive as the heat eases and the light softens.
- Evening: back at camp or lodge for dinner before most parks' gates close at dusk.
Safari vehicles
Our Kenya and Tanzania safaris use 4×4 safari Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, so you can stand to watch and take photographs. Your quote confirms the vehicle arrangements for your trip.
What to pack
- Layers: mornings and evenings can be cold, middays warm.
- Neutral colours; avoid dark blue and black in tsetse areas.
- A sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens.
- A soft bag if you are flying on light aircraft.
- Any medication you need, and copies of travel documents.
Health, money and tipping
Ask a travel-health professional about vaccinations and malaria precautions well before you travel, and check entry requirements with official government sources.
Tipping guides and camp staff is customary in East Africa but not included in package prices. Ask us for current guidance when you book.
Questions
How many days should my first safari be?
Three to five days is a good start: enough for a full day in a park and a sense of the rhythm without long travel.
Is it safe to stand in the vehicle?
Yes, when the vehicle is stopped and your guide says it is safe. Always follow your guide's instructions.
