Safari Blog

    Stories, planning tips, and wildlife updates from the SafariPlnr team.

    The Best Time of Year to Go on Safari: A Month-by-Month Guide

    4 October 2026

    The Best Time of Year to Go on Safari: A Month-by-Month Guide

    The best time to go on safari depends on where you are going and what you want to see. This month-by-month guide breaks down the dry and wet seasons across East Africa, Southern Africa, and Central Africa so you can match your trip to your priorities.

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    Uganda Gorilla Trekking: The Complete Guide

    26 September 2026

    Uganda Gorilla Trekking: The Complete Guide

    Uganda offers the world's most accessible mountain gorilla trekking, with permits available in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This guide covers permits, fitness, what to expect on the trek, and how to plan your visit.

    Gorillas vs Chimpanzees: Africa's Great Apes Compared

    19 September 2026

    Gorillas vs Chimpanzees: Africa's Great Apes Compared

    Both gorillas and chimpanzees live in Africa's equatorial forests - but they are remarkably different animals. From body size to social structure to what they eat, this guide compares the two great apes and tells you exactly where to see each one in the wild.

    12 Facts About the Hippopotamus: Africa's Most Dangerous Mammal

    12 September 2026

    12 Facts About the Hippopotamus: Africa's Most Dangerous Mammal

    Hippos look slow and placid in the water, but they are responsible for more human deaths in Africa than almost any other large animal. Discover the surprising biology and complex behaviour behind Africa's most misunderstood megafauna.

    Serengeti vs Masai Mara: Which Migration Park Should You Choose?

    4 September 2026

    Serengeti vs Masai Mara: Which Migration Park Should You Choose?

    Both parks host the great wildebeest migration, but they offer different experiences, different timing windows, and different trade-offs on price, accessibility, and wildlife variety. Here is a detailed comparison to help you decide.

    15 Facts About the African Elephant: Giant of the Savanna

    26 August 2026

    15 Facts About the African Elephant: Giant of the Savanna

    African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth - and among the most emotionally complex. From their extraordinary memory to their role as ecosystem engineers, here is everything a safari-goer needs to know.

    10 Facts About the Giraffe: The Tallest Animal on Earth

    19 August 2026

    10 Facts About the Giraffe: The Tallest Animal on Earth

    Standing up to 5.8 metres tall, the giraffe is unmistakable on the African skyline. But beneath the iconic silhouette lies a sophisticated biology - from a two-foot heart to a surprisingly silent social life - that makes this animal endlessly fascinating.

    Solo Safari Travel: Is It Safe and How to Do It

    12 August 2026

    Solo Safari Travel: Is It Safe and How to Do It

    Solo safari is more accessible than most people assume. Reputable group join-in safaris, established lodge networks, and well-organised national parks in Southern Africa make solo travel in Africa both safe and rewarding. This guide covers safety, cost, logistics, and the best destinations for solo travellers.

    Self-Drive vs Guided Safari: Which Is Right for You?

    4 August 2026

    Self-Drive vs Guided Safari: Which Is Right for You?

    Self-drive safari puts you in control - no fixed timetable, no group, maximum flexibility. Guided safari brings expert knowledge and access to areas off-limits to independent visitors. Here is how to decide which approach suits your trip.

    South Luangwa: Home of the Walking Safari

    26 July 2026

    South Luangwa: Home of the Walking Safari

    South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is where the modern walking safari was born. Dense wildlife, year-round resident predators, and the legendary Luangwa River make this one of Africa's most compelling safari destinations - and the best place on Earth to experience the bush on foot.

    Walking Safari vs Game Drive: Which Experience Is for You?

    19 July 2026

    Walking Safari vs Game Drive: Which Experience Is for You?

    Game drives and walking safaris both deliver extraordinary wildlife encounters - but they are completely different experiences. One puts you in a vehicle elevated above the bush; the other puts you on the ground, at eye level, in the landscape. This guide helps you decide which suits your safari.

    The Great Wildebeest Migration: Complete Month-by-Month Guide

    12 July 2026

    The Great Wildebeest Migration: Complete Month-by-Month Guide

    A comprehensive month-by-month guide to the Great Wildebeest Migration - where the herds are, where to stay, and how to witness Africa's greatest wildlife spectacle.

    The Best Family Safari Lodges in Africa (2026)

    4 July 2026

    The Best Family Safari Lodges in Africa (2026)

    A curated guide to Africa's best family-friendly safari lodges - from malaria-free reserves to lodges with dedicated kids' programs and no minimum age.

    Safari Photography: The Best Camera & Lens Setup for Every Budget

    26 June 2026

    Safari Photography: The Best Camera & Lens Setup for Every Budget

    From smartphones to professional rigs - the best camera and lens combinations for safari photography, plus settings, composition tips, and editing advice.

    The Complete Safari Packing List: What to Bring (And What to Leave Behind)

    19 June 2026

    The Complete Safari Packing List: What to Bring (And What to Leave Behind)

    Everything you need to pack for an African safari - clothing, camera gear, medical supplies, and documents - plus what to leave at home.

    Botswana vs South Africa Safari: Compared

    12 June 2026

    Botswana vs South Africa Safari: Compared

    Botswana's exclusive wilderness vs South Africa's accessible self-drive parks - a detailed comparison to help you choose the right Southern African safari.

    Kenya vs Tanzania Safari: Which Should You Choose?

    4 June 2026

    Kenya vs Tanzania Safari: Which Should You Choose?

    A head-to-head comparison of Kenya and Tanzania safaris - covering wildlife, costs, parks, crowds, and which country suits your travel style.

    How Much Does a Safari Cost? 2026 Price Breakdown

    26 May 2026

    How Much Does a Safari Cost? 2026 Price Breakdown

    A detailed breakdown of safari costs in 2026 - from budget camping to ultra-luxury lodges, with country comparisons, hidden costs, and money-saving tips.

    Your First Safari: Everything You Need to Know

    19 May 2026

    Your First Safari: Everything You Need to Know

    A complete beginner's guide to your first African safari - from game drives and accommodation types to packing, tipping, safety, and booking timelines.

    10 Best Private Game Reserves in South Africa

    12 May 2026

    10 Best Private Game Reserves in South Africa

    South Africa's private game reserves offer exclusive Big 5 encounters, expert guides, and luxurious lodges - without the crowds of the national parks. Here are the ten finest.

    10 Facts About the Nile Monitor: Africa's Largest Lizard

    4 May 2026

    10 Facts About the Nile Monitor: Africa's Largest Lizard

    Growing up to 2.4 metres long and found across most of Africa, the Nile monitor is a powerful, intelligent reptile that few safari visitors know much about.

    The 8 Safest Countries for Safari in Africa (2026 Guide)

    26 April 2026

    The 8 Safest Countries for Safari in Africa (2026 Guide)

    Safety is the number-one concern for first-time safari travellers. Here are the eight safest African countries for a wildlife holiday - with practical advice on what to watch for in each.

    10 Facts About the Greater Kudu: Africa's Most Elegant Antelope

    19 April 2026

    10 Facts About the Greater Kudu: Africa's Most Elegant Antelope

    With its magnificent spiralling horns and ghost-like ability to vanish into the bush, the greater kudu is one of the most prized sightings on any southern African safari.

    10 Facts About the Gemsbok: The Desert Warrior of Southern Africa

    12 April 2026

    10 Facts About the Gemsbok: The Desert Warrior of Southern Africa

    With rapier-like horns and extraordinary heat tolerance, the gemsbok is the ultimate desert survivor. Here's why this striking antelope deserves a place on your safari wish list.

    10 Best Islands Off the African Coast You Need to Visit

    4 April 2026

    10 Best Islands Off the African Coast You Need to Visit

    Africa's coastline hides some of the most beautiful and biodiverse islands on Earth - from the spice markets of Zanzibar to the lemur forests of Madagascar. Here are ten you shouldn't miss.

    15 Facts About the Spotted Hyena: Africa's Most Misunderstood Predator

    26 March 2026

    15 Facts About the Spotted Hyena: Africa's Most Misunderstood Predator

    Far from mere scavengers, spotted hyenas are intelligent, social hunters that kill 95% of what they eat. Here's why they deserve far more respect.

    12 Facts About the Nile Crocodile: Africa's Apex Aquatic Predator

    19 March 2026

    12 Facts About the Nile Crocodile: Africa's Apex Aquatic Predator

    The Nile crocodile is responsible for more human deaths in Africa than any other large animal. Here's what makes this ancient predator so formidable - and where to see them safely.

    The 15 Best Safari Parks in Africa: The Ultimate Guide

    12 March 2026

    The 15 Best Safari Parks in Africa: The Ultimate Guide

    From the vast plains of the Serengeti to the waterways of the Okavango Delta, these 15 parks represent the finest wildlife experiences Africa has to offer. Here's where to go and when.

    15 Facts About the Leopard: Africa's Most Elusive Big Cat

    4 March 2026

    15 Facts About the Leopard: Africa's Most Elusive Big Cat

    Secretive, adaptable, and staggeringly strong, the leopard is the hardest of the Big Five to spot - and the most rewarding. Here's what makes this cat so extraordinary.

    20 Facts About the African Lion: The King of the Safari

    26 February 2026

    20 Facts About the African Lion: The King of the Safari

    The lion is the most iconic safari animal and one of Africa's most endangered big cats. From pride dynamics to conservation challenges, here's everything you need to know.

    8 Best Game Reserves Near Cape Town for an Unforgettable Safari

    19 February 2026

    8 Best Game Reserves Near Cape Town for an Unforgettable Safari

    You don't need to fly to Kruger for a Big 5 encounter. These eight game reserves within driving distance of Cape Town offer world-class wildlife experiences - from luxury lodges to budget-friendly day trips.

    The Shoebill: 12 Extraordinary Facts About Africa's Most Bizarre Bird

    12 February 2026

    The Shoebill: 12 Extraordinary Facts About Africa's Most Bizarre Bird

    Standing motionless for hours before striking with explosive force, the shoebill is one of the rarest and most sought-after birds in Africa. Here's everything you need to know.

    15 Fascinating Facts About the Ostrich: Africa's Largest Bird

    4 February 2026

    15 Fascinating Facts About the Ostrich: Africa's Largest Bird

    The common ostrich is the world's largest living bird - flightless, impossibly fast, and far more fascinating than most people realise. Here are 15 facts every safari-goer should know.