African Safaris are Overrated - Here's Why
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 เม.ย. 2024
- African Safaris are not for everyone. There are many who would not like the experience of a safari. In this video, I explain why African Safaris are Overrated and things that could make you reconsider going on a safari.
Having done 5 African trips (S. Afr, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia) and mant dozens of safaris within those trips, I can say that this man provides critical insights into what to expect as well a very useful do's and don't's. Those expecting to go and see animals every few yards, should reconsider. On the other hand, I have been pleasantly surprised on man safaris, to see an abundance of animals, big and small. In any event, it is a life enriching moment that few ever experience. Next adventure, Tanzania parks, preserves and the Ngorogoro Crater.
Thanks for the vote of confidence Tom. I appreciate it.
It's amazing that you have done that many trips. I'm sure you must have enjoyed them.
Welcome to Tanzania, Book Tanzania Safari with www.totoafricaadventures.com
Hey, maybe you can help me. I am traveling from New York, USA to Kruger National Park in South Africa. I want to go on a 3 day budget Safari Tour. On estimate, what’s the minimum I should expect to spend on the safari tour itself to have a decent experience.
Excellent advise. Having just returned from a Kenyan safari, much of what you said is true. I would disagree with the part about spending a lot of money. My safari was under 1500 including Intl flight. I do want to emphasize that I booked a budget safari, with regard to accommodations, and you do get what you pay for, but I was able to see the big 5, so it was well worth it. You make some excellent points about the long drives. I did the 6 day 3 park safari, and it was a ton of driving. I wish I would have broken it up a bit more.
Hey.
Thanks for the comment. As you have said, you get what you pay for. With the current situation, safaris and I guess flights are cheaper than before and I am glad that you got to visit at such s great price. Feel free to share the Safari company you used. It may be helpful to others who read the comments.
@@EastAfricaTravelTips A link to my channel with Safari videos. The company was Karibu Safaris in Kenya. My guide was James and he was great. th-cam.com/play/PLnLGmJhvuvAIB-yNMTpMDtNzDLZsLG-wS.html
I'm researching for my 2022 trip to E. Africa and I find your videos exceptionally informative!
It's wonderful that you are planning a trip to East Africa. It will be an adventure you will not forget.
I am glad I get to be a part of it.
Thank you very much. Extremely helpful.
I've been to the Serengeti National Park and was lucky to see many animals equally, the Masai Mara produced all the animals I wanted to see. Akagera National Park in Rwanda didn't have as much as animals I wanted to see. Ngorongoro National Park exploded with tons of animals as I witnessed a Nat Geo moment. Mole National Park in Ghana didn't have much animals, although they do have lots of elephants. The safari in Uganda was spectacular too, lot of animals in sight. Safari for me is never overrated but thanks for your insight!
One of the honest comments I have read. If u can't appreciate Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, southern African safaris then he got something wrong with himself. Well west Africa there not plenty of safari animals compared to east and south, Rwanda is such small park. So u dn't xpect everything there. U are right
Thanks much for your great and honest insights. Your videos should reach n times more viewers. 👍
I must have gotten lucky. I spent one day at Masai Mara and saw TONS of animals and it was not crowded at all. I went in January 2019 and saw many elephants, hippos, zebras, giraffes, buffalos, lions, baboons, warthogs, crocodiles, wildebeest, meercats and hyena. I also saw a cheetah (close up for several minutes), three rhinos and a monitor lizard. I'm sure forgot some other things as well. Unfortunately, I saw no kills, outside of a bird - tall water bird like a stork or crane or something -eating a snake (which was still cool). I would love to go on another!
You must have had a good driver/guide. Though many the animals you have mentioned are a bit common.
The tough to find ones are the big cats like Leopards. The Rhinos were also a unique find. They are s bit rare in most Kenyan parks.
@@EastAfricaTravelTips He was a great guide! He would be able to see animals with his unaided eyes that I had a hard time identifying with binoculars! They would seem like little dots to me from a distance, but he would spot them and drive to the locations. He also gave tips for how to identify animals, such as a hippo on dry land would still look shiny from a distance. His expertise was invaluable! He would also communicate with other drivers to find out where the action was. Unfortunately, I did not see a leopard. That was the only animal that I really wanted to see but missed.
A good guide is one of the biggest assets in a safari would have. I'm glad you got a good one.
It's really great that you went on safari. It must have been an amazing experience for you.
This guy got something wrong with him . U can't say such on Tanzania, Kenyan , Ugandan parks plenty of animals. Remember eastafrica got more animals than south Africa. If u were able to be impressed by south Africa , how about east Africa. U will be overwhelmed. May be he wanted more views to his channel. Get a proper guide and enjoy the safaris
Very nice video. I do travel videos (mostly safaris) and try to also show a realistic view of what will happen and how much it all cost. People should know the difference between the real wild and the tv version of it. I have been very lucky on my safari trips, but still i haven't seen a lot of the action you think you will see like that which is shown on tv.
Very honestly u spoke. Thank you so much.It was very helpful👍😊
You underrated it, if you like traveling, animals and nature you'll love it.
True but I think you will agree that safaris are not for everyone. Everyone will love seeing a lion but not everyone will enjoy the hours of driving it takes to track one down
@@EastAfricaTravelTips not everyone loves anything
Fair enough 😁.
@@JC-wv2mn if safari ain't your thing, leave it alone!
Either a click-bait title or misuse of the word overrated. If someone goes to a safari thinking it will be like a one or 2 hour national geo doc, then the safari is not overrated. The someone is an idiot. These Nat Goe Docs are made over a time span of years. We visited a tiger reserve in central India in 2018. Disney was shooting a documentary there at that time. We went again to the same reserve this summer. They are still there shooting. We saw the same camera crew during our drives. Granted, COVID probably stopped their work for a year or so.
Visited Africa three times. The first two trips were 16 night budget safaris travelling on 4x4 trucks converted to carry passengers and luggage. These were wild bush camping safaris. Camping in designated campsites, some of which had few if any facilities ie running water. The first of these visited Kenya and Tanzania and the second to Zambia which also included a two day canoe safari on the Zambezi River. These were fantastic adventure holidays that I could thoroughly recommend to anyone who doesn't mind roughing it a bit. I fully agree with this video with regard to the amount of travelling and animal sightings. In the Masai Mara and Serengeti you have to be out of the parks before nightfall so you're limited to a few hours of searching for the animals on the most wanted list. You very quickly get to the point where you're saying "oh look there's another buffalo, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, gazelle etc but lions, cheetahs, elephants and leopards are much more elusive. When you do get to see lions etc they're invariably surrounded by ten or more vehicles.
With the knowledge of those experiences behind me I took part in a wildlife conservation project for volunteers in South Africa. That had me living and working on a SA game reserve for 4 weeks. We had full day game drives almost every day that allowed much more time to observe and learn about the animals. Even after 4 weeks I still didn't see a leopard though. The cost of the 4 week conservation project was roughly the same as each of the two safaris.
Very good advice, I have been planning for it since long, now waiting for COVID-19 to take a backseat, don’t know whether it will happen or not.
It's depends which national park you visited and it's quite wrong to use one national park and generalize Africa Safaris are overated.If you visit a park like Serengeti national park you will be able to see plenty animals more than you imagine.
Maybe coming out with a negative title was his way of grabbing attention ,it's hardly positive so what's the point
That's your Experience not Everyones... They are infact underrated...
I agree. It depends on what lenses you are wearing.
@@EastAfricaTravelTips do Then why are you speaking for "Africa" and discouraging people?? Check even the comments, most experiences don't agree with your know all attitude. Wee Wacha!
Great video!!👍👍🥲
I like your TH-cam videos and informations . Please do post more on Wildlife Safari , specially for photographers ( amateur )
Thanks Gautam. I appreciate you watching the videos.
Everything is so true. Thanks big up
Thank you thank you thank you for making these videos
I don't know; my safari was not that expensive, and I saw lots of animals
Again, the pandemic has lowered the cost of safaris. And as I mentioned in the video, it's a coin flip on the animals you will find since it's the wild.
Hello Rod, do you mind sharing the safari company that you used and the price range please?
Jamboree Africa Safaris, which I booked through BookAllSafaris. The total cost was less than $700 and included transportation from my hotel in Nairobi, A three day Safari and a hot air balloon ride. It would have been $300 less without the balloon ride. All meals were included. I saw zebras, antelopes, lions cheetas, giraffes, wildebeast, water buffalo and crocodiles and elephants. Later, at Chobe National park in Botswana I saw plenty of elephants, water buffalo, crocodiles and hippos up close. That one day safari included lunch and was $150, with pickup from my hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. There is much more to see other than Safiris, so the journey is worth it. I spent $700 roundtrip to Nairobi from New York. You can research hotels and get 4star hotels for $60 or $70 per night. Yes, you can spend $4000 or more if you choose luxury with a private butler and travel business class and fly from Nairobi to the Maisa Mara.
By the way, I didn't see baboons in the parks, but along the roads and at visa stations in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. I didn't know they needed visas.
I went on safari in SA (Krueger) in 2017 and saw the big 5 almost every day of my trip. Animals were everywhere! It was the most amazing experience of my life. I am now booked for mid June in Kenya (Masai Mara/Amboseli) and I am worried that I am going to feel disappointed. I have done enough research to know that I shouldn't expect the same experience this time around as they both have such different offerings. I am excited to see a Hornbill at my feet, let alone any other animal. I can't imagine I would ever be bored, even seeing the same thing over and over. I just hope it's still a magical experience. Thank you for your insight!
Thanks for your insights.
This guy got something wrong with him . U can't say such on Tanzania, Kenyan , Ugandan parks plenty of animals. Remember eastafrica got more animals than south Africa. If u were able to be impressed by south Africa , how about east Africa. U will be overwhelmed. May be he wanted more views to his channel. Get a proper guide and enjoy the safaris
How was Masai Mara?
Very good advice👍
Thanks Bo.
@@myl9499 Thanks Motau 👍
really appreciate you being so honest. Its very helpful. I'm new to planning what I want, and your channel is great
You are welcome. I am happy you found the video helpful.
good advice👍
Glad you think so!
Is the landscape between Nairobi and the park not worth seeing?
Its like going to see a movie and then question why i am seeing the same actor again and again and why there are so many people in the Hall. Also going to a restaurant and complaining why the same waiter is serving me and why there are so many people around and why the food costs so much. Its also like being admitted in a hospital and then complaining about why i am seeing the same Doctor everyday and why there are so many patients here and why the hospital is so far and why it costs so much ?
Man this way Human life is overrated.
Love it. I agree.
This is really useful.
Go to South Africa can self drive in kruger and spend 100 dollars a night also private lodges personal experience and up close to animals only 3 vehicles allowed . Will do Kenya one day .
Word your title properly. They are not overrated. The experience is worth it . Just tell people what to expect. They are not zoos , you won't find animals just there. Zoos have no "discovery element" you already know what's there. A safari is definitely better than a zoo
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the issue.
Safari for me is always a fine experience..South Luangwa Ruaha Selous. Lower Zambezi.Zimbabwe and Botswana.There are fine well run camps and guides and intense and intimate encountefs with very varied wildlife
walking boat trips birdsong sunrises connection with and experience of outdoors and yes some of our planets finest wildlife..to be cared for conserved for future generations.
This guy got something wrong with him . U can't say such on Tanzania, Kenyan , Ugandan parks plenty of animals. Remember eastafrica got more animals than south Africa. If u were able to be impressed by south Africa , how about east Africa. U will be overwhelmed. May be he wanted more views to his channel. Get a proper guide and enjoy the safaris
Documentaries on TV and reality are different…
😂thanx bro😂
So you Expect to Get into a Safaris and All Animals will be lined up for you to see Come on!!!😅😅😅😅
Some people do not have the faintest idea of what. Safari is like and if they watch safari TH-cam videos and see creators talking shot after shot of the big 5, getting the wrong impression is easy.
Tell him🤣🤣🤣 This isnot a restaurant where u find waitresses waiting for u at the entrance. This is a park. You got to look for animals and not animals looking for u.
All I can say is that last August, I went on a safari to witness the Great Migration with NatHab. It was the most incredible trip of my life. Our guide, Promise, was amazing. I felt as though I was in the Garden of Eden, if there was one.
I like your honesty
I guess This says more of Kenyan National parks.
We in Tanzania can see all big 5 in a day. Depends what national park you are visiting. Please keep it strictly Kenyan and not East Africa. As we in Tanzania have plenty of animals. Cheers kaka.
My point in this video is that Safaris are not for everybody. Also that Safaris are not like zoos where you see new and exciting animals every minute.
Correct me if I am wrong.
What? there are more animals in kenya that in TZ.
@@karrole88 you can't be serious, how many national parks do you have? Tanzania has wins award every time and then as best leading national park in Africa and world wide
Well said!
The way he's talking too much of Maassi Mara as if it's the only that park in Africa the other thing I only see he's busy recommending ppl to watch his other videos 😀 this guy is a joke and attention seeker anyway good job for ur creativity
Very very Gold Rated Advice to the people's unaware of what you suggested..Unbelievable and perfectly acceptable what you are saying
Thanks for watching. I am glad that the advice is useful.
We msee wacha mchezo. Unataka kumaliza utalii?
Sitaki kumaliza utalii. Najaribu kusaidia watu. 😃
East african safaris are overrated, because overpriced. Bit different in southern Africa
@Emmanuel Makongoro This guy got something wrong with him . U can't say such on Tanzania, Kenyan , Ugandan parks plenty of animals. Remember eastafrica got more animals than south Africa. If they are able to be impressed by south Africa safaris, how about east Africa. They will be overwhelmed. May be he wanted more views to his channel. Get a proper guide and enjoy the safaris brother
😅🤣 After 15 parks I have learnt to appreciate the sightings regardless of what animals I see but it takes patience. Thankfully for me I travelled during 2020 and 2021 I had most parks to myself even though this wasn't good for operators but it was perfect for me.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Is masi Mara good ?
Masai mara is one of the best. It's where the Great wildebeest migration happens.
Many of the African wild documentaries are shot there.
@@EastAfricaTravelTips Hello 🙋♀️, thank you for your candid reviews and videos. Very informative!!
What is your take on Kruger Park (Mjejane River Lodge) Safari?
Thanks. I appreciate that you took time to watch them.
I am not very familiar with parks outside of East Africa. However, I have done a bit of research about Kruger.
It's a great park. It allows self drive safaris and is great for anyone on a tight budget. The accommodation options are nice and varied in terms of cost so you are more in control than if you visit East Africa.
However, I have read people saying that East Africa is more wild than Kruger. Especially because East Africa's parks have rough roads and untouched nature that makes people feel that it's more authentic as a safari destination and less like a zoo than the paved roads of Kruger.
Hope that helps.
@@shenneilmc7769 Sanparks Kruger Park fantastic. Good prices, good accommodation, you will see lots of animals and nature,very accessible and more. Masai more undeveloped compared to Kruger and highly overpriced. What is your definition of safari? The wild safaris you see on media is overrated and overpriced and totally misleading. Kruger you can rent a sedan and see animals and enjoy nature. Do from camp Lower Sabie.
@@cobusthomas2568 I'm Sorry but East African safaris are much better than South African safaris.🤷♀️ The roads are more natural in East Africa as compared to South Africa where some of the safaris are tarmacked hence reducing the thrill of the ride and making it feel sort of Zoo, less authentic. Its no wonder National geographic and most African Wildlife documentaries are shot in Maasai mara and Serengeti. Also in East Africa you can do a safari in many other ways, e.g In Uganda you can take a cruise on the lake and see Elephants along the shore, you can take a hot air balloon in Kenya nd Tz, you can take a horse ride Safari in Nakuru ,Kenya. There are affordable plus luxurious camps. Its no wonder world billionaires like Richard Branson have invested in some of the safaris and come to do their Safaris in Kenya🤷♀️
Those antelopes you see in abundance are wild life to me. Some are very much elegant. Big cats are usually more active in the dark, we know that. Don't sound so righteous. Check out the Disney safari if you want to see what crowded safari is like.
Thanks for the feedback Samson. I appreciate it.
This guy got something wrong with him . U can't say such on Tanzania, Kenyan , Ugandan parks plenty of animals. Remember eastafrica got more animals than south Africa. If u can be impressed by south Africa , how about east Africa. U will be overwhelmed. May be he wanted more views to his channel. Get a proper guide and enjoy the safaris
Top tourism officials in Kenya need to be reminded of these issues to make better policies.
I agree.
Talk about yourself and very little places u been to
What’s your view on Sabi Sands? Looking at Notten’s Bush Camp for June or July. Or would you suggest Masai Mara? Thank you for these videos!
I am definitely biased... So Masai Mara 😃
I like TH-cam safaris, no cost and best view!
2:15 like sea lions in Galapagos! 😂4 nights cruise is enough!
Thanks for the professional advice.
Now i will not go to Africa.
🍟🍕🍔. Lol
😂 hahaha
Pali Aha...My Goodness, Please ,What will Africa do without your visit?, we are doomed😭🙆♀️🥴😂
U are not known for visiting safaris. Stay in your hoods and city streets. Always negative about Africa. No continent beats Africa in safaris
Hello! Do you have any advice on how I can shoot an elephant and turn its tusks into piano keys? thank you. 🙂
That is illegal and will get you arrested if you tried it.
@@EastAfricaTravelTips ohhhh shit. But I already got the tusks now. What am I supposed to do with them?! 😮 Should I just throw them in a river or something? 🤔
People who come to safaris admit it has been a life changing moment. Stick to your lane and go to the zoo
Heading not good tho
This guy is completely clueless bro talk about your country not the whole of africa i worked as a guide in my country in the world famous okavango delta in a camp called mombo and little mombo that place is not overrated and there a lots of different species of animals i don't know about your country so i dont want to speculate but i will tell you Botswana safaris are completely different from how other African countries do safaris thats why they are the most expensive
Having lived in Africa for 38 years of my life there is a lot of truth in what the narrator says here. Much of it is really basic common-sense, sadly lacking in many of today's travellers used to "instant gratification". Many years ago my late family and I spent 5 days in the Kruger National Park in South Africa. We saw an abundance of wildlife, apart from leopards and "rhino's", which remained hidden from us. So please, any intending visitors to a wildlife area remember that, although the guides will do their best for you, Nothing Is Guaranteed..! Also please remember that you(we humans) are visitors in the animal's domain, not vice versa, so treat them with respect and dignity. Even the most adorable and appealing, may well have the ability to inflict very painful, if not fatal injuries on the unwary. I would also seriously suggest that one avoids bringing items of clothing, on a "safari" type stay, which require "dry-cleaning" only..!! I kid you Not..!
A very negative title listen just go to the Serengeti migration time see all you want to action packed job done nothing world wide will be able to touch that from a wild life perspective anywhere
You don't know anything about the African Safari.We go on safaris almost every day and everything is new each time we visit. Different ecosystems have different kinds of animals and experiences
Thanks for your comment David. I will admit that I don't go on Safari as often as you. I will also agree with you that ecosystems are different. Nakuru National park is quite different from Amboseli.
The goal of the video was to talk about my own experience and the likely experience of a traveller coming to a safari for the first time. I only want to help people who have never experienced the Safari to know if it would suit them.
I am no expert but I am trying to give as much help as I can to prospective travelers.
I love Africa and African Safaris. But I will have to admit that they are not for everyone.
😂 it's nice that you think I'm west African!
Thanks for your comments. You may want to watch the rest of the content on this channel if you are truly interested in Safaris.
You go on safaris every day? Really are you a tour guide? This sounds ridiculous
@Emmanuel Makongoro This guy got something wrong with him . U can't say such on Tanzania, Kenyan , Ugandan parks plenty of animals. Remember eastafrica got more animals than south Africa. If they are able to be impressed by south Africa safaris, how about east Africa. They will be overwhelmed. May be he wanted more views to his channel. Get a proper guide and enjoy the safaris brother
@@ariw9405 And arent tour guides not human beings like him. He could be one and don't forget those parks border with African villages with homesteads. So it's possible .just fly to Japan and leave African safaris for those with passion
Disagree
Oh you are marketing your little channel by discouraging tourist from coming to Kenya? This is pity.
Um, no he's not. He's giving people realistic expectations. Maybe watch the video again.
He's kind of attention seeker and I'm not so sure how many parks in Africa he has visited 🤔
@@Grateful2Exist This guy got something wrong with him . U can't say such on Tanzania, Kenyan , Ugandan parks plenty of animals. Remember eastafrica got more animals than south Africa. If they are able to be impressed by south Africa safaris, how about east Africa. They will be overwhelmed. May be he wanted more views to his channel. Get a proper guide and enjoy the safaris brother
I guess you are a Kenyan. Leave people in ice land to judge our safari.
This guy is so misinformed..
Why do you say so Martin?
@@EastAfricaTravelTips most misguiding videos I have seen on TH-cam .
what a fucked up title