Tips & Tricks

Lions by Will Burrard-Lucas, NaturePL (Gecko Publishing)

What happens after dark?

Editor's Pick, Tips & Tricks, Wildlife / 26 April 2026

Understandably, most safari-goers focus on the golden hours at dusk and dawn, when wildlife-watching is at its best. The period between is often overlooked — a time to relax, dine and get to bed early. Yet nights in the bush are frequently the unanticipated star of a trip — be it the awe-inspiring sweep of the galaxies above that catches you by surprise, or the hive of activity that fills the night air with intrigue and mystery. In this feature, we’ll explore the night-time experiences you can enjoy, reveal what wildlife gets up to while you’re asleep, and shed light on the majesty of the celestial show above…

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Finding a reliable operator

Editor's Pick, Tips & Tricks / 6 December 2024

SafariBookings.com is the world’s largest online marketplace for African safaris, and conducts extensive research to verify the operators it partners with. We asked co-founder Wouter Vergeer to offer his advice to help you to find an operator who is trustworthy and professional.

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Lions in Zimbabwe, Travel Africa, Gecko Publishing, Ariadne Van Zandbergen

Rediscovering Zimbabwe

Tips & Tricks, Zimbabwe / 23 February 2024

In early 2023, in the run-up to elections, seasoned African traveller and guidebook writer Phillip Briggs and his photographer wife Ariadne van Zandbergen returned to Zimbabwe, spending six weeks driving the length and breadth of the country to see what it is really like to travel round right now. Here, he describes 10 personal highlights from this trip, and addresses some of the practical issues that may still concern potential visitors.

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Where to look?

Tips & Tricks / 13 January 2023

You’re heading out on your game drive, camera and binoculars at the ready. But how do you find the wildlife? Here are a few tips to boost your chances. By Mike Unwin

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Remote Africa walking safari, Travel Africa magazine

12 Helpful tips about walking safaris

Tips & Tricks / 4 July 2022

Recognising the growing desire from travellers to connect with nature and to be more active, more and more lodges are offering guided walking options, ranging from a short few hours to longer expeditions. Sue Watt visited South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, and sent us these tips.

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Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Image credit Sherry Rix, Travel Africa magazine

Choosing a safari company: questions to ask

Tips & Tricks / 12 April 2022

Whether you’re a first-time Africa traveller or an avowed safari addict, if you choose to book your next trip through a specialist company, consider these questions to ask. First published in Issue 95 of Travel Africa magazine.

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Kids on safari, by BlueOrange Studio, Shutterstock. Travel Africa magazine

On Safari with Kids: 10 tips before you book

Tips & Tricks / 15 September 2021

1. Wait We started going on safari when our kids were toddlers and it was exhausting and stressful. The tension came from keeping our hectic children still and quiet during game drives, meals and midday siesta periods. Exhausting because the safari day up-ends little kids normal routines (early wake-ups, different meal times, late dinners) and our

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Safari packing list, Travel Africa magazine

Safari packing advice

Tips & Tricks / 24 August 2021

Many people preparing for a trip to Africa, particularly for the first time, will feel a little anxious when it comes to packing. Any time you venture into the unknown, you’re bound to worry you haven’t thought of everything, but clearly the conditions and experiences you’ll face on safari will call for more considered planning.

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Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe (Travel Africa magazine)

Six essential planning questions

Tips & Tricks, Travel / 20 August 2021

There are several questions which you should consider first, which will help you get a clear idea of what you hope to derive from your trip. The continent is vast, and the range of experiences and opportunities is limitless, so understanding your hopes will help immensely with your planning. Start with these six questions to

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