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African Safari Blog
Welcome to the Best African Safari Blog, your gateway to exploring Africa's wild beauty. From the iconic savannas of South Africa to the lush landscapes of Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and even the serene islands of Seychelles, we bring you expert insights, travel tips, and unforgettable experiences. Dive into our collection of articles to plan the safari of a lifetime and discover why Africa remains the top destination for wildlife adventures. Your journey to the heart of the African wilderness starts here!


Malaria-Free Safaris in South Africa: Which Reserves, What They Cost, and What You Give Up
South Africa offers an array of malaria-free safari destinations that provide all the thrills of a wildlife adventure without worry. In this
Craig Howes
Jul 2717 min read


South Africa Safari Cost: What a Real Safari Really Costs (2026)
Real prices for a South Africa safari in 2026, from $80-a-night self-drive Kruger to $3,500 flagship suites, built on fully priced trips we actually arranged for readers.
Craig Howes
Jul 2113 min read
Cape Town to Okavango Delta: How to Plan the Iconic Combination
The full guide to combining Cape Town with the Okavango Delta: flights and routing, trip length, the seasonal sweet spot, honest costs, and sample itineraries grounded in real planner quotes.
Craig Howes
Jul 918 min read


Best Luxury Lodges in Sabi Sands (2026 Guide)
Search "Sabi Sands luxury lodges" and everyone wants to sell you one. Here's the independent version: 17 lodges across four tiers, from $730 to $3,800 a night, with verified rates and honest trade-offs.
Craig Howes
Jul 326 min read


Inside Qwabi Private Game Reserve: An Honest Review (Babohi, Big Five, Malaria-Free)
Qwabi surprised me. An honest, first-hand review of Babohi and the reserve: a polished, malaria-free Big Five safari in the Waterberg, three hours from Johannesburg, and who it actually suits.
Craig Howes
Jul 117 min read


The Best Time for a South Africa Safari
May to October, with September the peak. But South Africa punishes the green season less than any safari country in Africa, and malaria-free reserves change the answer entirely for families. A month-by-month guide with the official Kruger climate figures, real lodge costs, and forty-plus safaris behind it.
Craig Howes
Jun 3017 min read


Where to Stay in Kruger National Park: Inside or Outside?
Inside the park or outside the gates? A Hoedspruit local's guide to where to stay in Kruger National Park, from self-drive rest camps to private Greater Kruger lodges, and what each really costs.
Craig Howes
Jun 1814 min read


Best South Africa Safari Companies for 2026: An Honest, Independent Guide
South Africa offers more than one kind of safari, so the right company depends on which one you want. An independent, editorially vetted guide to the operators worth your shortlist, sorted into private-reserve luxury, bespoke planners, and Kruger specialists, with honest trade-offs and real costs.
Craig Howes
Jun 1017 min read


Best All-Inclusive African Safaris (2026): What's Included, What It Costs, and Where to Go
What "all-inclusive" really means on safari, what it costs per night, the hidden extras to budget for, and where to go for the best value and the wildest bush.
Craig Howes
Jun 813 min read


Cape Town and Safari: How to Plan the Trip You're Actually Trying to Take
A practical guide to combining Cape Town with a real safari, written from Cape Town by someone who's done every major route. Honest trade-offs, no fluff.
Craig Howes
May 2116 min read


Best Luxury Safaris in South Africa (2026): A Fit‑First Guide
South Africa offers some of Africa’s finest luxury safaris, but not all experiences are the same. This guide cuts through the noise, comparing elite lodges by region, exclusivity, guiding quality, and trade-offs to help you choose the right safari for your priorities.
Craig Howes
Jan 2615 min read


Family Safari South Africa: Fit‑First Guide for Parents
Thinking about a family safari in South Africa? This guide breaks down what actually works for families, which ages safari suits best, malaria-free options, realistic costs, and how to avoid common planning mistakes, so you can make the right decision, not just an exciting one.
Craig Howes
Jan 208 min read


African Safari Cost: What a Real Safari Really Costs (2026)
Real African safari costs for 2026, based on 20 fully priced private itineraries. See what different budgets buy, how costs vary by country, and where park fees, internal flights and seasonality change the final bill.
Craig Howes
Jan 1913 min read


The Return of the Othawa Pride: A Honeymoon Safari in Sabi Sands
On honeymoon in Sabi Sands, journalist Anna Rawlings witnessed a rare moment in lion conservation: the rebirth of the Othawa and Ximhungwe prides.

Anna Rawlings
Jun 17, 20256 min read


Mhondoro Safari Lodge Review: Ultimate Escape in Welgevonden
Honest Mhondoro Safari Lodge review: prices, rooms, rhino sightings, photographic hide, and why it’s Welgevonden’s top luxury safari lodge near Johannesburg.
Craig Howes
Jun 9, 202511 min read


Private Game Reserves South Africa: Your 2026 Guide to Exclusive Safari Experiences
In this guide, we’ll explore the top private game reserves in South Africa for 2025, highlight what makes them unique, and help you choose t
Craig Howes
Sep 2, 20246 min read


Budget Safari South Africa: Your 2026 Guide to Affordable Adventures
Explore the best budget safari options in South Africa for 2025, including sample packages, tips on how to save, and why a budget safari mi
Craig Howes
Sep 2, 20247 min read


The Best Luxury Game Lodges Near Hoedspruit for 2025
Hoedspruit is more than just a gateway to Kruger National Park; it’s a destination in its own right, offering some of the finest safari expe
Craig Howes
Aug 21, 20246 min read


Inverdoorn Safari Lodge Review: My Journey into the Heart of the Karoo
Nestled in the heart of the scenic Western Cape Karoo region, Inverdoorn Safari Lodge is a hidden gem just a few hours from Cape Town (2.5 H
Craig Howes
Jun 28, 20248 min read


Elephant Point Lodge Review: A Gem in Kruger National Park
Choosing the right place to stay in the vast expanse of Kruger National Park can be overwhelming, but Elephant Point Lodge immediately caugh
Craig Howes
Feb 5, 20245 min read
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