South Africa is a diverse country that I was fortunate enough to grow up in. Growing up here your childhood is a mixture of days spent in the ocean, hiking through the mountains of the Winelands and camping holidays in the Big Five reserves. It is this lifestyle that led me to my career as a safari guide, and a lifestyle that I would not trade for anything in the world. The experiences, remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and a rich collection of cultures makes South Africa a country like no other. 

Mzanzi  /(ə)mˈzɑnzi/
“uhm-ZAHN-zee”
- Derived from the Xhosa noun uMzantsi meaning "south", is a colloquial name for South Africa.

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Here are 7 reasons why I believe South Africa will kickstart your Safari Journey:

1. Safety and Security
2.  Best Time to go:
3. Currency
4. Diversity
5. Vaccinations
6. Safaris
7. Visas

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Yes, it's safe!

Okay, I thought it best first to address the elephant in the room. Is it safe to travel to South Africa? If you ask google the answers that you be severed are: “Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime and civil unrest.” - U.S Department of State or “Exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa due to the significant level of serious crime” - Travel.gc.ca

And yes to an extent I agree with this, but unless you are planning to galavant around at night time or have a face-to-face moment where you are petting a lion in the Kruger National Park, I can confidently say you will be perfectly safe. 

Major Cities like Cape Town are aware of their reputation and go out of their way with the amount of effort put into ensuring the safety of the over a Million visitors travelling to the mother city annually. You become vulnerable only when moving out of these areas and into the more rural settings and around at night. 

But this doesn't mean don't go to these areas, after all, we are travellers and as travellers, we want to experience all that a country has to offer and not only see it through the window of our transfer vehicles. 

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Here are a few safety tips that we would recommend for your first South African visit:

1. When visiting townships and communities, do so accompanied by a registered guide or company (like Nzira - chat to us here).
2. Try not to travel/walk at night. Cape Town has an amazing nightlife that ranges from world-class bars to top-rated restaurants. When moving between your hotel and destination do so in a group. Solo traveller? Be sure to let someone know where you are planning to go and an estimated time that you plan to be back. 
3. Most hotels provide safes in your room to store valuables. Use these to store any copies of your travel documents or excess cash. 
4. Do not walk around with a lot of cash. Most local shops and restaurants take credit cards, so the need for cash only rises when strolling through markets. Try not to present that you carry banknotes or valuables. 

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Okay enough about that, what about safety on Safari? That is why we are here after all, right? 

Yes, when heading out into a big-five game reserve in South Africa, you do so on an open vehicle, or even on foot. My expert assistance is not needed to help you point out the obvious dangers when embarking on an excursion like this. Now, im not saying this to scare you. In fact,  the animals in reserves that we will recommend to you are all habituated. This means although they are wild and completely self-sufficient, the loud spectacle of binoculars and camera lenses that are driving around in their backyard do not necessarily bother them. That is if we keep a respectable distance and our “OH’s” and ‘AH’s”  at an acceptable volume. Lucky for you, you'll be accompanied by a trained and experienced safari guide. Who, before you set out on your morning walk or sunset safari drive, will brief you on the do’s and dont’s in your search for Africa’s big game. 

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Here are a few pointers that they will mention in their briefing:

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When in a Safari Vehicle: 

1. Do not stand up.
2. Do not shout at the animals. 
3. Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle
4. When near the animals don't use sudden movements or talk loudly. 

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When on a guided walk: 

1. Always stay in a single file, unless instructed otherwise. 
2. Always stay behind the rifle. 
3. Help keep an eye out for animals. 
4. Do. not. run… unless instructed otherwise. 

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It’s always a good time to go.

It is always a good time to visit South Africa, I know this is not completely helpful but it is true. And because our main focus is on the safari offering we will focus on what the different seasons offer and what you should keep in consideration. 

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June to August (Dry Season):

This period, which corresponds to the South African winter, is considered the best time for safaris in many regions. The dry weather means that water sources are limited, and animals tend to gather around waterholes, making wildlife movement a little more predictable. Also, the relentless African sun is a bit more forgiving, bringing the average daytime temperatures down to 23-25°C (73-77°F). But I would recommend you bring something warm. Temperatures on your early morning drive can go down to 7-9°C (45-48°F)

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December to February (Summer):

This is the wet season in the northeastern part of South Africa when the landscapes turn lush and green. While the weather may be less predictable, it's an excellent time for photographers as the scenery is vibrant, and the opportunity for dramatic cloud formations exists. 

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September to November (Spring):

In the early summer months, many animals give birth to their young. Temperatures also lean more towards bearable with highs of 30-32°C (86-90°F) and lows of 16-18°C (61-64°F). Making your time in the back of the open safari vehicle a whole lot more enjoyable. 

If you do plan on mixing your safari with visiting a major city  like Cape Town, please have a look at the list below: 

• Cape Town (Western Cape): Experiences a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers.
• Johannesburg (Gauteng): Has a temperate climate with cool winters and warm summers.‍
• Durban (KwaZulu-Natal): Features a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters.‍
• Kruger National Park (northeast): Experiences a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and milder, drier winters.

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The "Lekker" exchange rate

A man walks into a bar in South Africa…I know it sounds like the start of a bad joke but bear with me…the funny thing is; that man will walk out of this bar after enjoying his meal, three of his favourite beverages and possibly a dessert and he will still have paid less than half of what he would’ve back in the States. 

At the time of writing this, the exchange rate was $1 to R19,07. That means that when going out to a decent restaurant anywhere in South Africa, it  will only set you back about $60-70 per person. 

LET’S EAT!

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Taking on something new can be daunting. Especially if that new thing is getting on an aeroplane and travelling to an unknown African country, and getting on an open vehicle in search of animals that certainly compete for our position on the food chain. But is that not exploration?  Are these not the walls that we set out to “see behind.” 

And I can honestly say, that the moment you take that first step onto African soil, you will never be the same again. 

Sala Kahle