AFRICAN SAFARI - 20 Tips You Need To Know Beforehand

Ever wanted to go on an African safari? Well here's everything you need to know beforehand.

We recently went on a 3 week safari through Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda, and have previously been on safaris in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Watch our 3 Week African Safari series here:

Bringing all of that experience together we've created a list of 20 tips and advise of things we wish we knew beforehand.

0:00 Intro
0:37 The Great Migration
1:45 Dry season v Wet season
2:04 Research the animals
2:31 Budget v Premium trips
3:24 Advantage of jeeps
4:06 National Parks v Private Reserves
5:24 Clothing
7:03 Binoculars
7:27 Bring snacks
8:30 Dinner
9:31 Immodium
9:43 Cash
10:12 Make friends with your driver
10:58 Everything is slow
12:56 Explore outside the bubble
14:11 Always go on the safari
15:05 Boat tours
15:58 Hot air balloon
16:39 Appreciate what you see
17:10 Put the camera down

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--------------------- About Karl Watson ---------------------

My name’s Karl, welcome to my channel that’s all about sharing my backpacking adventures from around the world, through fun, entertaining and honest travel documentaries.

Through these films I want you - the audience - to escape and come on the journey with me, and then be inspired to start an adventure of your own.

In between my travels I’m based in Winnipeg, Canada where I’ve just moved to from the UK.

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[cieramist]

You guys are GREAT! I loved all the tips and content you showed here. Thank you so much!

[chrislevins]

Awesome tips for any one coming to AFRICA live in South Africa

[McdanielJenHome]

Hey Karl, Hey Jamie! So lovely to have you both chatting! Can't wait for more of this! Great tips as always but also.... Hell ya a decent thing to watch for a change!

[jmalkin]

Thanks for the tips! Headed to Tanzania for safari in May and now I'm even more excited!

[Bjorn-he]

Yes, very useful tips indeed. I enjoy this channel very much.

[holdenb]

Thanks for doing this mate. These was extremely helpful! Africa wasn't a place I ever saw myself going but after watching your documentary, it quickly made it's way near the top of my bucket list. The great migration looks absolutely flippin incredible! I went back and watched your first Africa documentary after I watched this one.

Also, hello Jamie!

[JudithBlair-oq]

Such a fun video. Hearing Jaime’s perspective adds a whole other dimension. Really helpful tips.

[bnzimusa]

Theres no hurry in Africa 😂 thats what we always say. Great tips and loved seeing Jamie on video too.

[elizabethcarrington]

Love you guys. The African series is absolutely fantastic! I’m going to watch again. ❤️😊

[BeachCA]

Good list. I consider 19 and 20 keys to any trip. I would add travelon to the med list (it helps coating stomach prior to meals which helps to minimize feeling poorly). As for National Parks vs Conservatory/private, if you can afford the latter, and want to feel like you are not is Disneyland with 100s of ppl, the private tends to be better. This is a result of ratio of guests and the rules. The guides do more coordination and coverage of the area so helps with sightings. In National Parks you get a lot of day tours so many cars around at 1 sighting. Another benefit to private is not being limited to the roads which helps improve sights too.

[punchy]

Warmed my heart to have my favourite YouTube couple come into my home - felt like we were catching up again. Jaime added a je ne sais quoi to this video and I look forward to seeing many more videos of you guys together ❤️ ❤

[caitlinmanery]

Love these tips. I’m doing the G Adventures South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe in July-August and this was very helpful. Looking forward to your packing video 🇿🇦🇳🇦🇧🇼🇿🇼

[Pen-hcij]

My husband and I are well traveled too, and a fond memory was going to the Purple Turtle nightclub in South Africa and meeting locals.

[MrCharlie]

Great tips Jamie and Karl. Those were great tips. I REALLY need to work on #20 ! 🙄

[randyleebear]

Thank you Jamie and Karl. Great suggestions. We are doing an October safari in Chobe National Park, the Moremi reserve, Savute, and the Okavango delta in addition to days in Johannesburg, Capetown, and Victoria Falls. Your suggestions have given us great advice on how to be prepared.

[mbienek]

I like this combination of videos Karl - I think your high production and story videos pack an incredible punch, but I also like these personal (and hopefully simpler) videos with tips, tricks and lessons.

[rawphotographic]

Great tips - and although I do vastly prefer dry season, it's also worth noting wet season generally means more vibrant colours, healthier looking animals (including more babies) and a more abundant bird life as migratory species flock in. But otherwise, 100% agree it's easier to spot, see and photograph animals in dry season and they're more active during the day (plus you dont have to worry as much about scorching temperatures and humidity). Great vid and glad you loved your African adventure!

[rhysgibbons]

Awesome stuff. Great tips, I hope to go on Safari one day. Also great to see Jaime (I hope I spelt it right) in the video as well.

[stephengibbs]

Great video. I have a tip for you - we have a pharmacy product here in Australia called Bovine Colostrum (Travelan). This is an immune booster which stops you getting traveller's diarrhoea. You take one tablet before each meal. My friend travelled in India and then both of us travelled to Morocco this year. Neither of us got sick. We ate couscous from a road side cafe with our G adventures group and everyone else got a stomach upset. As you said, a real issue for long drives in the bus! I hope to go to Africa again next year. Thanks, Amanda

[TravellersTravellers]

Thanks for suggestions. We gonna take them into consideration when we will go there😊😊😊