Safaris are an amazing way to observe wildlife in their own natural environments. Many people who go on an African safari rank it as one of the best things they have ever done in their lives. But what many people don’t know is that there are two choices when it comes to going on a safari: a National Park, which is open to the general public, or a privately-owned reserve, which is more exclusive.
We’ve outlined a few benefits for both kinds of safaris to help you decide which one is the best fit for you.
Benefits of National Park Safaris:
- You can see animals in their true, wild environment.
- National Parks have less expensive entry fees than private reserves.
- You can often rent your own car and drive through national parks without a guide.
- You have the opportunity to see mass migrations like the wildebeest migration we saw in Tanzania, pictured below.
Benefits of Private Reserve Safaris:
- Private guides and trackers know what animals are in the area and where the animals tend to hang out, which means you are more likely to see all of the Big Five.
- Vehicles are allowed to drive off-road to track animals so you’ll have a better chance of seeing the animals up close.
- Unlike in National Parks, you are able to go out during the night to see nocturnal animals, like the big cats when they are hunting.
As you can see, there are perks to both options. This is why Zephyr offers adventures that feature safaris in both national parks (in Tanzania where we see the Great Migration) and private game reserves (in South Africa). (See this post on the differences between Tanzania and South Africa.)
This year we are heading to the private Thornybush Game Reserve on the South Africa: Hiking, Wine, & Safari Adventure. Spots are filling quickly for this adventure, so book your trip today!