What is a Mobile Safari?

A Mobile Safari is a safari in Africa where you are mobile versus a safari where you have a permanent camp. This means on a Mobile Safari you move from camp to camp sometimes staying a night or two to three days at each camp. In some cases the camps are set up before you arrive but other times the camp will be set up upon arrival.

Generally in a mobile camp you would be staying in tents of which there are various types. There are other types of safaris such as a private custom safari with a small plane. There are safaris that are mainly boating safaris when there is a body of water nearby. There are walking safaris included in a Mobile Safari where you go on walks either along the water or in the grass lands or where ever the safari operators take you. Sometimes you may have an evening walk or drive depending where you are located. Generally night time drives are restricted in the government owned national parks.

You can sign up for a Mobile Safari that may be from six to twenty two days and any combination in between or longer. You can take safaris within Southern Africa including Botswana where you can visit the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta. You can visit Zambia and see Victoria Falls or Namibia where you can visit Etosha National Park and see 114 different mammal species or see wild horses in southern Namibia.

You can take a safari in the summer months when you might see the wild animals like the antelopes with babies and the area is greener because of the rainfall. The antelopes bring their babies to eat the green grasses that grow during the rainy season.

The dry winter months is the high season in Africa and this is when you have to plan a bit further in advance and the safaris cost more.

When you book a safari in Africa you have to realize you are entering a somewhat isolated part of a country. You may not have cell phone reception all of the time. Often car chargers for cameras or video cameras are not provided so plan accordingly. You would not want to miss an incredible animal picture because you didn’t have spare batteries.

In a standard safari not the luxury variety, you would be staying in a tent. Generally these do not have private facilities and you would have to use a shared bathing and such tent or area. Showers may be bucket showers and you may have to use chemical toilets. Sometimes you have to use pit latrines. Generally the safari companies have the meals prepared by a chef. The food is reputed to be quite good.

It is suggested that you have a supply of anti malaria tablets or equivalent. Several vaccines are also recommended. Remember you are visiting the wild and you are supposed to have fun. So take good pictures and enjoy all there is to see!

About The Author Established back in the 1960s, Penduka Safaris is the oldest mobile safari company in Southern Africa and after 50 years in business the company remains a leader in the mobile safari sector. Penduka is run by a family involved in wildlife since the 19th century. Today Penduka it is still run by the original owners. For details visit http://www.pendukasafaris.com