Safari Journal
Planning guides, seasonal advice, and field notes from our travel specialists, written for travellers from around the world.
Kenya Mandatory Travel Insurance: Your eTA Checklist
Before you turn your attention to the Mara's game drives or an Amboseli morning, there is a new entry step to check. Kenya has added travel health insurance to its eTA process. Here is how the reported rollout works, what to budget and which details still need clarification.
Read ArticleTanzania and Zanzibar Travel Insurance: What Your Safari Needs
A Serengeti safari followed by Zanzibar should not mean paying for government insurance twice. Since 1 October 2026, eligible visitors to mainland Tanzania need inbound travel insurance, just as Zanzibar visitors already do. The key is where you enter Tanzania first: that decides which policy to buy.
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Zambia Safari Guide: South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi & Victoria Falls
A Zambia safari can take you from tracking footprints on foot to watching the river from a boat, then standing in the spray of Victoria Falls. South Luangwa, the Lower Zambezi and Livingstone offer three very different experiences. The best trip gives each one enough time, rather than trying to fit them all into a hurried week.
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How Many Days Do You Need for a Tanzania Safari?
Seven to ten days gives a first northern Tanzania safari room to breathe. You can spend time in the Serengeti, visit Ngorongoro and still enjoy the drives between them. Five days can work too, but the shorter the trip, the more carefully you need to choose what to leave out.
Read ArticleHow Much Does a Kenya Safari Cost? A Practical Budget Guide
Two seven-day Kenya safaris can have very different price tags. One might use a shared vehicle and simple camps; the other could fly you into a private conservancy. Before deciding which is good value, look at what you will actually do, where you will sleep and how much time you will spend with wildlife.
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How Hyenas Give Birth: The Real Science Behind the Pain
The spotted hyena has one of the most physically demanding births of any land mammal. Understanding why gives safari travellers a much deeper view of one of Africa's most misjudged predators.
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Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
A dry morning in Bwindi can turn into a wet afternoon. That is part of travelling in a rainforest, not a reason to put off the trip. June to September and December to February are generally drier, but you can visit Uganda's mountain gorillas throughout the year.
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How Much Does a Gorilla Trekking Permit Cost in Rwanda?
US$1,500 for an hour with mountain gorillas is a significant decision. Before you book, it helps to know exactly what that money covers, what you still need to pay for and how the trek fits into the rest of your Rwanda trip.
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Best Time to Visit the Serengeti: A Month-by-Month Guide
The Serengeti you visit in February is not the Serengeti you visit in August. One trip might take you to newborn wildebeest on the southern plains; another to herds gathering near the Mara River. The question is not just when to go, but where to stay when you get there.
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Travelling to Kenya in 2027: Safari Safety, Elections and What You Actually Need to Know
Kenya holds general elections every five years in August. If you're planning a safari in 2027 and wondering what that means for your trip, here's an honest, on-the-ground answer from a team that has operated through every election cycle since 2017.
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East Africa in November, December & the New Year: A Season Worth Discovering
November through May is East Africa's most underestimated safari window. Fewer vehicles, lower rates, a lush landscape and some of the year's finest wildlife moments. Here is exactly what each month delivers.
Read ArticleTanzania vs Kenya Safari in 2027: The Park Fee Gap That's Changing Where People Go
Kenya's Maasai Mara recently raised its park fees to $200 per person per day. Tanzania's Serengeti sits at $180. We break down what that means for your safari budget: and why Tanzania's northern circuit now offers arguably the best value in East Africa.
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Booking Your Africa Safari for Summer 2027: Why Now Is the Right Time
Summer 2027 is closer than it feels: and the finest safari camps in East Africa are already taking reservations. Here is everything you need to know to secure the trip you have been dreaming about.
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Vaccinations & Health Prep for an East Africa Safari
Staying healthy is the foundation of a great safari. The good news: with a little preparation, health concerns rarely affect well-prepared travellers in East Africa. Here is exactly what you need to know.
Read ArticleThe Great Migration: A Complete Guide
No wildlife spectacle on earth compares to it. More than 1.5 million wildebeest: along with 200,000 zebra and 300,000 gazelle: complete a relentless annual loop across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara in search of fresh grazing.
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Kenya vs Tanzania Safari: Which Is Right for You?
This is the question we are asked more than any other. The honest answer? Both are extraordinary: but they suit different travellers and different moments.
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Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda: What to Expect
Spending one hour with a family of wild mountain gorillas is, without exaggeration, a life-changing experience. Here is everything you need to know before you go.
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Best Time to Visit the Maasai Mara
The Maasai Mara is extraordinary in every season: but timing your visit right makes the difference between a good safari and an unforgettable one.
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The Ultimate Africa Safari Packing List
Our guides have spent thousands of days in the bush. Here is exactly what they tell every client to bring: and what to leave behind.
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