After deciding to go on a safari, one of the first and most important questions you’ll face is: how should you experience it? The way you travel will fundamentally shape your entire adventure, from the daily rhythm to the overall cost. Most people think all African safaris are the same, but they’re not even close.
Choosing between a private, group, or self-drive safari can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Our African experts, with decades of experience planning trips, believe the best way to decide is to first understand your own travel personality. This guide will help you
Choose your safari travel style by breaking down the pros and cons of each, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your dream trip.
First, What Kind of Traveler Are You?
Before diving into the options, ask yourself a few honest questions. The right choice depends less on the destination and more on you.
- How important is flexibility? Do you cherish the freedom to change your plans on a whim, or do you prefer having everything expertly arranged for you?
- What’s your budget? Are you looking for the best possible value, or are you willing to invest more for a completely customized experience?
- Are you a social traveler? Do you enjoy meeting new people and sharing experiences, or do you prefer the intimacy of traveling with just your own partner, family, or friends?
- How much control do you want? Are you a confident, independent traveler who enjoys the challenge of navigating a new place, or would you rather have a professional guide handle all the logistics?
Keep your answers in mind as we explore the three main safari types.
The Private Safari: Your Trip, Your Rules
A private safari is a trip designed exclusively for you and your travel party. You have your own dedicated vehicle and guide for the entire journey. This is the ultimate in personalized travel.
Caption: A private safari offers unparalleled exclusivity and flexibility, allowing you to tailor every moment to your interests.
Who It’s Perfect For
- Families with young children: You can set a pace that works for your kids without worrying about other travelers.
- Honeymooners and couples: Offers the ultimate privacy and romance for a milestone trip.
- Photographers: You control the schedule and vehicle positioning, waiting as long as you need for the perfect shot.
- Travelers with specific interests: If you’re passionate about birding or tracking a specific animal, a private guide can focus entirely on your goals.
The Key Benefits
- Ultimate Flexibility: This is the biggest advantage. Want to spend three hours watching a leopard in a tree? You can. Need to get back to the lodge for a child’s nap? No problem. The schedule is yours to command.
- Personalized Pace: You decide when to wake up, how long to stay out on game drives, and when to relax. The itinerary is a suggestion, not a mandate.
- Guaranteed Exclusivity: It’s just you, your travel companions, and your expert guide. This intimacy with the wilderness is a truly special experience.
The Considerations
- Cost: As the most exclusive option, a private safari is also the most expensive. You are covering the full cost of the vehicle and guide.
- Decision Fatigue: With ultimate freedom comes the need to make more decisions. You’ll be more involved in planning the day-to-day activities with your guide.
The Group Safari: Shared Adventure, Great Value
A group safari, also known as a scheduled departure, involves joining a small group of other travelers on a pre-set itinerary. You share a vehicle and guide with typically 4 to 6 other guests.
Caption: Group safaris offer a fantastic blend of expert guidance, social connection, and excellent value for money.
Who It’s Perfect For
- Solo travelers: A perfect way to experience a safari safely while meeting like-minded people, often with more reasonable single-supplement fees.
- First-time visitors on a budget: It provides the expertise of a guided safari at a more accessible price point.
- Social butterflies: If you love sharing stories and experiences with new friends from around the world, this is the style for you.
The Key Benefits
- Cost-Effective: By sharing the costs of the guide and vehicle, you get a professionally guided experience for a fraction of the price of a private trip.
- Social & Fun: Sharing the thrill of a great sighting with others can be a huge part of the enjoyment. Many lifelong friendships have been forged in the back of a safari jeep.
- Hassle-Free: The itinerary, lodges, and logistics are all expertly planned for you. You can simply sit back and enjoy the ride.
The Considerations
- Fixed Itinerary: The schedule is set. If the group is scheduled to head back for lunch, you can’t decide to stay out longer, even if you’ve just found a pride of lions.
- Mixed Group Dynamics: You’ll be sharing a vehicle with people of different ages, interests, and personalities. A bit of patience and compromise is often required.
- Shared Window Seat: In a full vehicle, not everyone gets a “window seat,” which can be a consideration for keen photographers.
The Self-Drive Safari: Ultimate Freedom (in the Right Places)
A self-drive safari involves renting your own vehicle (often a 4×4) and navigating the parks yourself, staying at a mix of public campsites and lodges. This offers the greatest independence but also requires the most planning and confidence.
Who It’s Perfect For
- Highly independent and experienced travelers: For those who love the thrill of adventure and the challenge of navigating on their own terms.
- Budget-conscious adventurers: Self-driving can significantly reduce costs, especially if you are camping.
- Travelers on a long trip: It’s a great way to explore a region at a very slow, relaxed pace.
The Key Benefits
- Total Independence: You are completely in charge of your schedule, route, and budget.
- Unbeatable Cost Control: You control every expense, from vehicle type to accommodation style.
The Crucial Caveat: Why This Isn’t for East Africa
This is the single most important piece of advice our experts give first-timers:
Self-drive safaris are best suited for Southern Africa (namely South Africa and Namibia). These countries have excellent infrastructure, well-signed roads, and established self-drive routes.
In contrast, attempting a self-drive safari in East African destinations like Tanzania or Kenya is highly discouraged for novices. The logistics are incredibly complex due to:
- Vast, unmarked distances and poor road conditions.
- Complex park fee and permit systems.
- The need for deep local knowledge to find wildlife and navigate safely.
For a first trip to the Serengeti or Masai Mara, the expertise of a local guide is not a luxury—it’s essential for both your safety and the quality of your experience.
At a Glance: Private vs. Group vs. Self-Drive Comparison
Here’s a simple breakdown to help you compare the options side-by-side.
| Feature | Private Safari | Group Safari | Self-Drive Safari |
| Cost | Highest | Medium | Lowest |
| Flexibility | Complete | Low | Complete |
| Pace | You Decide | Pre-Determined | You Decide |
| Guide Expertise | Dedicated Expert | Shared Expert | None (You’re the Guide) |
| Social | Intimate/Private | Social/Communal | Independent |
| Best For… | Families, Photographers, Honeymooners | Solos, First-Timers on a Budget | Experienced Adventurers (in Southern Africa) |
Our Experts’ Recommendations for Your Travel Style
Still undecided? Here is how our savvy safari consultants would advise different types of travelers.
For “The Legacy Family”
A private safari is almost always the best choice. The ability to tailor the day to your children’s energy levels, spend extra time at sightings that fascinate them, and return to the lodge when needed is invaluable. It transforms a good trip into an unforgettable one.
For “The Milestone Couple” or Honeymooners
For maximum romance, privacy, and a seamless experience, a private safari is unparalleled. However, if you’re a sociable couple on a slightly tighter budget, a high-quality small-group safari with a reputable operator can be a wonderful and fun-filled option.
For Solo Travelers & Passionate Photographers
For a solo traveler, a group safari offers safety, companionship, and great value. For a serious photographer, the control over timing and positioning offered by a private safari is essential and well worth the extra investment.
FAQs About Safari Types
What is the main difference between a private and a group safari?
The key difference is exclusivity and flexibility. On a private safari, the vehicle, guide, and schedule are all yours. On a group safari, you share these with other travelers on a fixed itinerary.
Is a private safari much more expensive?
It is more expensive, but the cost difference shrinks as your group size increases. For a family of four, the cost of a private safari can be surprisingly competitive with paying for four individual spots on a group tour.
Can I join a group safari as a solo traveler?
Yes, absolutely! Group safaris are ideal for solo travelers. Most operators can pair you with another solo traveler of the same gender to share a room, or you can pay a “single supplement” for your own room.
What is a ‘fly-in’ safari?
A fly-in safari uses small charter planes to hop between different camps and parks, minimizing long driving times. This style can be either private or group and is common in vast areas like the Serengeti or the Okavango Delta.
Find the Perfect Safari Style for You
Choosing the right travel style is the key to unlocking your perfect safari. There is no single “best” way—only the way that is best for you.
If you’re ready to see which style, destinations, and vetted operators match your personal preferences, our planning tool can help.
Take our 3-minute quiz to get matched with the perfect safari style.
The key takeaway is to choose the travel style that matches your personality and priorities. Whether you crave total independence, social connection, or ultimate flexibility, there is a perfect African adventure waiting for you.