Are you dreaming of the ultimate African safari adventure?
We at Africa Freak are experts at “celebrating wild Africa” and have years of experience testing products, services, and gear. We know what can withstand the rigorous demands of exploring and having fun.
We’ve got you covered, from the best places to book a tour to where you can find fuel for your camping stove.
Love documenting your journeys? We have recommendations for photography and film equipment, too. Our list really is the ultimate travel essentials for your African safari.
Table of Contents
- Best Online Marketplaces for African Safari Tours
- Best Safari Guide Training Courses
- African Travel Planning
- Best Safari Luggage
- Best Photography and Video Equipment Stores
- Best Safari Stores
- Best General Outdoor Adventure Stores
- Best Outdoor Gear and Safari Brands
- Best Flight Booking Platforms
- Best Travel Insurance Companies for Your Africa Trip
- Best Popular Accommodation Booking Platforms
- Plan Your African Safari and Save Time With Our Essentials List
Best Online Marketplaces for African Safari Tours
Everyone likes to save money. However, nobody wants to find themselves in the Serengeti relying on a 4×4 that hasn’t had an oil change since Apple released the first iPhone.
The best online marketplaces for African safari tours are competitively priced without skimping on quality.
SafariBookings
SafariBookings is an international resource and booking site for African safaris. Its operations team includes wildlife photographers and travel writers. The company also has a diverse expert panel of travel writers and guidebook authors. They provide input on which tour operators and destinations provide top services and quality experiences. It’s worth checking out for its wealth of information, even if you don’t want to book through them.
TourRadar
TourRadar was born out of BugBitten in 2010. Initially based in Australia, its headquarters are now in Austria. They are a global adventure platform connected to a wealth of tour operators. Their safaris cater to a broad audience, from young people on a shoestring budget to those who can afford luxury comfort and exclusive experiences. It is a good platform for travelers who want an African safari experience that crosses multiple borders.
Africa Geographic
Africa Geographic has provided travelers with handcrafted safaris for over three decades. They also invest in delivering original, factual, and informative articles for readers on their website, app, and newsletters. The company is passionate about science, accountability, and creating safaris that respect local people, wildlife, and natural habitats. They also invest a portion of every safari sale into a vetted conservation project working at the ground level.
Ukuri
Ukuri caters to explorers who are passionate about responsible and sustainable safaris. It promotes places managed by African Parks, which invest tourism revenue into conservation and uplifting local rural communities. Safari destinations are in Malawi, Rwanda, Congo-Brazzaville, and Zambia. For accommodation, visitors can choose fully catered or self-catering lodges and campsites.
Best Safari Guide Training Courses
Are you looking for ways to turn your passion for adventure, discovery, and conservation into more than a once-in-a-lifetime vacation?
Safari guide training courses are an excellent way to learn more about African flora, fauna, and climate. They are also the best methods for protecting our globe’s most precious habitats, and gain practical field skills.
We gathered some of the best guide training course providers.
Certain classes are for people who want to get more out of their adventures or upskill a hobby, such as birdwatching.
Others are more rigorous programs for people who hope to turn conservation into a lifestyle or career. Whatever your goals, there is a safari training course perfect for you.
EcoTraining
EcoTraining has over three decades of experience passing on knowledge and skills through online and in-person classes. They’ve worked with people from 33 countries and trained some of Africa’s top safari guides and wildlife experts. Their in-person courses are in pristine, unfenced wilderness in South Africa, Botswana, and Kenya. They also work with rural communities, spreading environmental education and helping their local guides upgrade their skill set.
Bushwise
Bushwise was established in 2006 by Sophie Niemann. Originally from the UK, she came to South Africa in pursuit of a career working with large African mammals. In the 1990s, she observed a lack of proper field guide training and aimed to fill that gap. Bushwise is located in Limpopo, South Africa. The program has achieved a 100% hiring rate for its graduates and is CATHSSETA-accredited and IFGA-endorsed.
African Guide Academy
African Guide Academy is based on a pristine, unfenced, and remote island in southern Okavango. However, they have training operations throughout the continent. The courses provide skills in conducting game drives, operating a motorboat in ecologically sensitive waters, and how to pole a mokoro (dug-out canoe). You’ll also study the aquatic delta, and learn about the over 300 species of birds in the area.
Nature Guide Training
Nature Guide Training operates near South Africa’s premier Kruger National Park. They offer online and in-person courses, ranging from novice level to those wishing to start a career. The programs are designed to meet FGASA standards, which are CATHSSETA-endorsed. Instructors are highly qualified. They have a Master Tracker, a Track and Sign Specialist, a PhD in Natural Resources and Tracking, a paleo-anthropology specialist, an SKS Dangerous Game, an SKS birding, two CyberTracker Evaluators, and more.
African Bush Company
African Bush Company was established by Massimo Rebuzzi, a South African with 17 years of experience in training field and trail guides. The company has programs to meet various needs, including 7-14-day trail mentorships, month-long apprenticeships with advanced rifle handling assessment, professional guide training, and FGASA assessments. Courses are kept small to ensure each participant gets the attention and experience they deserve to help reach their goals.
WildlifeCampus
WildlifeCampus is an online course provider dedicated to improving the skills of all nature enthusiasts. It is FGASA-approved and offers a wide range of courses. These include tour guide training, wilderness navigation, survival, various animal behaviors, digital wildlife photography, game lodge management, and anti-poaching. The company offers some free courses, and most of its paid options contain a free component, so clients can try it out before committing.
African Travel Planning
Finding the best resources for African travel planning has always been challenging, but it has become much harder now that some bad actors use AI to “write” non-fiction books and articles.
Unfortunately, some of these so-called books are dangerous, as Vox reported, including a mushroom foraging guide that could literally poison its readers.
We are committed to facts, science, and advice written by people with genuine experience.
Our best resource list for books on safaris and planning African adventures are written by real humans with knowledge of the written subject.
Our Practical A-Z Safari Guide
Over twenty-three years of experience was collected in our Practical A-Z Safari Guide. It is user-friendly and encourages a passion for becoming part of the African landscape while providing a range of practical advice. We cover topics from how to say “Hello” in various languages, what to pack, what to leave behind, how to stay healthy, and how to deal with the unpredictable, such as a hyena wandering into your camp (Psst, don’t pet it).
Signs of the Wild
This compact field guide to the identification of Southern African mammals based on their spoor, droppings and skulls has long been a top seller.
Signs of the Wild by wildlife legend Clive Walker is a classic. He is the founder of the Educational Wildlife Expeditions and co-founder of the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
Walker uses his experience from tracking, working as a Botswana game ranger, and extensive travel to provide readers with a top-notch Southern African mammal identification guide using spoor, droppings, and skulls.
The well-written book contains illustrations, maps, and full-color photographs.
The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals
The best field guide to observing and understanding the behavior of African mammals and an indispensable tool for naturalists traveling to Africa.
The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals by Dr. Richard D. Estes is a fascinating read on African mammal behavior.
The guide includes information on courtship rituals, care of young, aggression, and territorial markings. It also includes maps and Daniel Otte’s expert illustrations.
Dr. Estes was a behavioral ecologist who held many prestigious positions, including Associate at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, and Research Associate at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.
Birds of East Africa
Birds of East Africa is widely regarded as one of the best field guides to any region of the world.
The award-winning Birds of East Africa is written by expert bird tour guide Terry Stevenson and respected environmentalist John Fanshawe. The writers combined over 40 years of experience to create a BirdTwitch Best Bird Book of the Year.
The guide contains 1448 bird species found in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Illustrated by John Gale and Brian Small, it includes 289 color plates containing 3500 images, distribution maps, and facing-page species accounts.
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa
This comprehensive, best-selling guide is sure to maintain its place as one of Africa's most trusted field guides.
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa is written by renowned field birder Ian Sinclair, former UCT directors of the Fitz Institute of African Ornithology Phil Hockey, Peter Ryan, bird expert Warwick Tarboton, and bird guide and photographer Niall Perrins.
The comprehensive and handy guide includes maps and plate annotations. The 5th edition also includes a “scan and play bird calls” downloadable app.
Lonely Planet
The Lonely Planet has long been a valued source of travel information, including guides to East and Southern Africa. While the site’s online information is free to read and helpful when researching from home, we recommend buying the guidebooks if you are venturing into the wilderness. Internet and phone signals can be unreliable in remote locations, and having a hard copy or a downloaded e-book can save you loads of headaches.
Tracks4Africa
Bookmark Tracks4Africa. It can help you where GoogleMaps can’t. It is full of trip planner must-haves, including a selection of guidebooks, a travel atlas, and the increasingly elusive paper maps required when journeying into areas where electronics let you down. That said, they have excellent e-tools, too, including GPS maps and apps for Android and Apple.
Best Safari Luggage
Packing for a safari is an art form. You rarely need to stuff everything into a single, giant backpack like a thru-hiker. However, fashionable hardcase luggage sets with wheels are often not allowed.
Due to the nature of the transport, travelers usually must have frameless, wheel-free, soft-sided bags that meet strict size and weight guidelines.
Thus, we’ve put together some of the best practical safari luggage sources to see you through your adventures.
These companies sell items that meet strict travel regulations and offer rugged and durable quality to see you through your adventure.
Eagle Creek
Eagle Creek is a dependable Colorado brand with over 50 years’ experience.
We especially like its practical duffels, such as the 40L folding Cargo Hauler with tuck-away backpack straps and durable grab handles.
It also has some great safari-friendly organizers, like its new line of compression cubes, which save space and make it easy to find your stuff.
YETI
The Crossroads 40L Duffel is the carry-on you need to hold all the gear for road trips, overnight adventures, and taking to the skies.
YETI is famous for its excellence in coolers and hydro flasks. However, they’ve also got a great line of durable travel gear with an added dash of style.
Take their 40L Crossroad Duffel, for example. It’s shaped to meet most carry-on guidelines and holds enough space to be perfect for overnight trips.
The bag is also structured despite being frame-free, thanks to foam walls and clever construction. Need something bigger? They’ve got a 60L option, too.
Best Photography and Video Equipment Stores
When it comes to wildlife photography and videography, Temu isn’t going to cut it.
Alas, even names you should be able to trust no longer deliver the quality a professional or serious hobbyist requires.
Nor can you find a Target or Walmart to bail you out while on safari. Reliable and durable equipment is simply a must.
We’ve got some of the best photography and video equipment stores that can meet your needs while exploring and recording the great outdoors.
B&H Photo
B&H Photo is known for offering an extensive range of competitively priced equipment. It has been operating since 1973 and has bucked the AI service trend. Instead of chatbots, you can speak to expert staff who are familiar with the product range. Various ways to reach them include visiting their NY store, live online chat (during opening hours), and email. Thus, the company can offer genuine advice for your unique needs and particular travel brands.
Outdoorphoto
Oudoorphoto is one of the most reliable sellers of new and used camera and video gear in South Africa. The founder-owned retailer keeps an extensive range, offers price-match, free delivery for qualifying purchases, and rents equipment. If you’re in Pretoria, you can visit their physical store to see their products and speak to trained staff. They also offer online assistance.
Best Safari Stores
Don’t have time to trawl through numerous sites for advice on safari packing, what to – and not to – wear, and how to prevent getting eaten by the creepy crawlies?
Looking for stores that cater to adventure seekers?
Some companies have it all: excellent bug repellents, ventilated sun hats, luggage, binoculars, and breathable, lightweight, durable clothing.
Others excel in a particular safari niche. We’ve gathered the best of the best, including those providing helpful advice.
The Safari Store
The Safari Store offers advice and high-end, picture-perfect, classic safari gear. The range is massive. Choose clothing with “BUGTech,” built-in SPF, ventilation, or anti-bacterial fabric. There are gadgets, hats, stylish and travel-friendly pet feeders, luggage scales, and champagne coolers. The company’s online store delivers globally and offers a DHL return service to its international clients.
Kendrick Imports
Kendrick Imports is the best general outdoor adventure store in the UK. The company prides itself on road-testing everything it sells to ensure the products meet customers’ expectations. The range is practical, durable, and has a classic safari aesthetic. Offerings include clothing, footwear, bags, luggage, braai (BBQ) accessories, and even relaxed, casual loungewear. International shipping is available.
Best General Outdoor Adventure Stores
Outdoor adventure stores may not have strong safari vibes, but they are excellent places for camping and technical outdoor sporting gear, gadgets, and breathable clothing.
They serve customers who are planning to step out of their vehicle and into the wilderness, such as climbing an African mountain, hiking, mountain biking, or tackling the White Nile water.
REI Co-op
REI is an American adventurer’s paradise, with outlets everywhere. They specialize in camping and outdoor athletics, including snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, climbing, backpacking, and trail running. But their gear is made to withstand rugged use, including drybags, footwear, and hydration packs. Step into one of their stores, and their knowledgeable staff will happily go through the pros and cons of anything you need, including hiking boots, trekking poles, carabiners, and slacklines.
Drifters Adventure Centre
Drifters Adventure Centre is a South African-based retailer that provides camping, outdoor sports, hiking, and backpacker gear. They sell some of the best technical outdoor sporting brands in the country, including local and international. The company has an extensive online product range, and its website blog is highly informative and helpful. Deliveries are only to South African addresses. Alternatively, customers can visit their store in Johannesburg.
Cape Union Mart
Cape Union Mart is found in shopping malls throughout South Africa, as well as in their online presence. Their large stores in major cities feature excellent ways to test gear, such as a cooler room for trying winter clothing, small climbing walls to try out shoes, and differently textured gradients to test hiking boots. However, the small stores are for quality-basic outdoor clothing, backpacks, gadgets, and camping accessories. Staff are typically friendly and helpful.
Outdoor Warehouse
Love quality but are on a tight budget? Outdoor Warehouse in South Africa is more pocket-friendly than Drifters or Cape Union Mart, selling clearance stock, end-of-season, or last year (or two) models. There may also be damage to the packaging or a small fault on the item that does not impact functionality and is still considered in good condition. Product offerings vary due to the nature of the business, but it’s excellent for incredible deals.
Sportsmans Warehouse
South Africa’s Sportsmans Warehouse sells name-brand activewear and some outdoor gear at competitive prices. However, it is best to shop in person and avoid their website, as shipping can be costly and slow. While their camping and hiking range isn’t as extensive as Drifters or a large Cape Union Mart, they are sometimes better priced for the same item. It is a good place to buy any compression clothing, rash vests, swimwear, and biking gear.
Agrimark
Lost a tent peg? Running out of camp stove fuel, wine, and dog food? Need duct tape, a tarp, wool socks, a rugged sun hat, tools, and a utility knife? Agrimark is rural and small-town South Africa’s one-stop shop for everything you need. Many of their customers are farmers, so products are made for serious use.
Best Outdoor Gear and Safari Brands
Safari adventures must-have gear that will hold up to Mother Nature. It isn’t like there is a mall in the wilderness, and duct tape, zip ties, compression straps, and a sewing kit can only fix so much.
Thus, while everyone wants to get the best price for their gear, it is essential to buy quality. Here are some of the best outdoor gear and safari brands you can depend on.
Rogue
The classic, rugged elegance of South Africa’s Rogue is internationally adored (especially for their safari hats). The brand offers classic, rugged elegance for outdoor wear and is beloved by farmers and nature enthusiasts. They are family-owned and based near Kruger National Park. Their leather products are handmade to a standard of incredible quality and craftsmanship.
Ruggedwear
Ruggedwear is a classic, hardwearing South African outdoor clothing brand. The clothes are well-cut and made from durable fabrics that can stand up to the brush and grit encountered in the bush. The prices reflect the quality without being elitist. Are there cheaper brands out there? Yes, but they are often made from thin material that tears easily and is a magnet for stains and stink. Ruggedwear lasts.
Sapmok
The South African brand Sapmok is one of the best places to get vellies. The shoes are iconic to the country. Sapmok uses bioproduct leather sourced from local farms and vegetable tanning for their vellies to make them as sustainable and ethical as possible. The company also provides customers with a “revive-to-survive” to extend the shoe’s lifespan.
Veldskoen
Veldskoen is another go-to brand for vellies. The South African Olympic team wore their shoes during the Beijing opening ceremony. In addition to the classic vellies, they offer versions with festive-colored soles and bright matching laces. They have some excellent plakkies (flip-flops) and a range of boots, including some high-top versions for those who appreciate extra ankle protection.
Jim Green
Jim Green has an extensive range of quality footwear, from steel-toed shoes to barefoot ranger boots. Their products are hand-crafted in South Africa with local materials, including premium leather, and has a global audience. The company started in 1992 in a backyard garage, and as it grew, it committed to expanding ethically, supporting local workers and businesses. Their shoes are tough and go the distance.
ProltUp Optics
Want to see birds and other wildlife closer while supporting a company committed to creating conservation partnerships and eco-conscious practices? The South African company ProItUp Optics aims to do just that. They offer binoculars with crystal-clear views for outdoor enthusiasts, including birdwatchers and hunters. The company also invests a portion of proceeds into wildlife conservation.
BuggerOff
Want to keep the insects away but with natural ingredients? BuggerOff is a DEET-free company that harnesses the power of essential oils and khakibos (tagetes). Khakibos, related to the marigold, has long been used by South African farmers as a repellent to ward off many bugs, including ticks and fleas. The company offers a substantial range of insect repellents, including soaps, lotions, oils, creams, candles, lamps, and lantern fuel.
First Ascent
First Ascent is the South African Patagonia technical clothing brand. The company’s product lines are designed in Cape Town and rigorously tested before being released to the public. First Ascent base layers are excellent, and it is one of the few companies producing down-filled jackets rather than synthetic ones. It’s also an excellent brand for quality mosquito nets that don’t tear the moment you remove them from the packaging.
Best Flight Booking Platforms
Safaris have tight itineraries that require a logistical juggling act to be successful. A massive component is dependable airlines.
Flight booking platforms must be reliable and offer the most affordable airfares while avoiding the worst pitfalls: ridiculously long layovers, unrealistic plane changes, bogus hidden fees, and a mind-boggling number of stops.
We have years of experience dealing with the pros and cons of air travel. The following are top flight booking platforms that currently meet our needs.
Our Flight Engine (Powered by Kiwi)
Kiwi stands out when it comes to booking international flights to safari destinations like South Africa, Tanzania, and Botswana. The platform is designed to handle more complex itineraries, creating well-priced and convenient routes that don’t waste your precious time. Kiwi’s success is due to its ability to combine airlines without putting the customer at risk of costly rebooking fees should there be unexpected delays, cancellations, or reschedules.
Expedia
Expedia has been around for ages, and they are pros at getting people where they need to be at reasonable prices. Their biggest advantage is how they can package a flight with a hotel in a deal. It’s handy for long-distance safari travelers flying into big city locations like Johannesburg and arriving a night or two before their tour package kicks off. Expedia is also one of the better places to find unique deals for people living the digital nomad lifestyle or students traveling on a tight budget.
Kayak
Kayak was overlooked until recently as a go-to site for booking flights and other travel needs. However, in 2024, it added new features that have made it a much more useful site for safari adventurers and other globetrotters. For example, it now offers a price check, where users can upload their itinerary and see deals for the whole journey. It also has a price alert feature, allowing users to combine two one-way flights on one itinerary.
Best Travel Insurance Companies for Your Africa Trip
Adventures are filled with the unexpected, often delightful and exciting on a safari. However, sometimes journeys produce inconvenient or downright unfortunate events, making travel insurance a must.
When weighing up coverage plans, price is usually the first priority. But the cheapest provider isn’t going to help if it never follows through on its promises.
Here are some of the best travel insurance companies to meet your safari adventure needs at an affordable price.
Travel Insurance Master
Travel Insurance Master prides itself in finding competitive plans that meet their customer’s unique itineraries and needs. Quoted plans are offered in a user-friendly format so you can compare their benefits and value side-by-side. The platform also provides options for people taking part in activities deemed “hazardous sports,” like hot air ballooning or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, which many companies won’t touch.
Heymondo
Heymondo offers travel plans supported 24/7 through an app, which is especially handy if medical issues arise. The app also enables free assistance calls, makes it easy to report claims, and keeps copies of essential documents. Heymondo caters to those looking for adventure sports coverage, such as scuba diving, mountain climbing, or hiking. Long-term globetrotters can also obtain multi-trip worldwide coverage for up to 12 months.
VisitorsCoverage
VisitorsCoverage provides various travel insurance plans on an easy-to-use platform. Customers can choose to limit their insurance to basic trip coverage, like travel delays, missed connections, and weather disruptions. There are also plans for international travel with medical and student packages. While the website offers up an AI chatbot, customers can quickly get an actual human to speak to over the phone to answer questions or get assistance.
Best Popular Accommodation Booking Platforms
Not someone who likes pre-packaged safari tours? Want to book accommodation in between your planned adventures?
Then, you need straightforward booking platforms that provide excellent prices and have trustworthy reviews.
Unfortunately, what is popular might not always be the best. Here are our top choices for reliable accommodation booking platforms.
SA-Venues.com
The award-winning SA-Venues has loads of experience serving safari adventures. The site makes finding competitively priced accommodation easy. In addition, the platform has loads of information on activities visitors might enjoy on non-tour dates, like whale watching, scuba diving, or exploring the Cape Winelands. Did you make a booking mistake? The platform still has humans who will help you edit your errors so you can have the accommodation you wanted on the correct dates.
LekkeSlaap
South Africans have embraced LekkeSlaap when looking for accommodation outside the major cities. The company has won many awards, including the Leading Travel Agency award in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Often, the site’s prices are lower than if you booked directly. The company follows up after your booking to ensure you have the necessary information, from who to contact when you arrive to how to get there.
Booking.com
Booking.com needs no introduction. While it lacks the personalized service and attention that LekkeSlaap and SA-Venues provide, it frequently has the best deals when staying in a major city. It also covers parts of Africa that the South African-based sites do not. Clients looking for Airbnb-style accommodations may find the same listing on Booking.com for less.
Hostelworld
Hostelworld is an excellent site for those planning to stay in hostels and backpackers. You can also find deals on reasonably priced hotels and B&Bs. The climate-neutral company offers free cancellations and flexible bookings for those whose itinerary isn’t nailed down. Travelers who enjoy making friends along the way also enjoy how the site helps people connect. People meet up to take walking tours or check out a local bar.
Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor is another well-known platform used worldwide. Its strength is as a resource, thanks to its many reviews. It helps travelers narrow down what they’d like to see, where to eat, and how to obtain various services in a new area, and it is full of inspiration. It’s sometimes the only reputable site you can book through for more niche locations. However, while we love it for research, it can be advantageous to check out the prices of their recommendations on other booking platforms.
Plan Your African Safari and Save Time With Our Essentials List
Gearing up for an adventure should be part of the fun, not a hassle. Enjoy planning your African safari and saving precious time by using our “essentials list”.
All our recommendations have been tried and tested by outdoor adventurers.
You deserve to have your journeys memorable for the right reasons, whether going on a wildlife vacation or embarking on one of our exciting safari guide courses.