African Safaris For Seniors

“It’s never too late to pursue your ambition of travelling to Africa, and you’re never too old to go on safari! When I oversaw a jungle camp in Zambia, I had a wide range of visitors, from small children to elderly people. But the great majority of the visitors I hosted were in the 50–75 age range. A 98-year-old safari enthusiast with some incredible life stories to share was the oldest visitor I ever had to stay at one of my camps! An African safari truly has something to offer everyone. I have heard some of the most intriguing and captivating life stories around the dinner table from some of my older guests! I can’t emphasise enough that The Bespoke African Safari Co. is truly the greatest at taking care of elderly visitors, and Africa already provides for you.”

BEST AFRICAN SAFARIS FOR SENIORS | Luxury Safari Lodges and Destinations

1. The Serengeti, Tanzania

The Serengeti is frequently a highlight among Tanzania’s top safaris for senior citizens. We would always start by explaining to visitors the benefits of a mobile camp in the Serengeti. But don’t worry; these campgrounds are significantly more luxury than their name implies!

The mobile camps track the Great Migration as it makes its annual journey through the Serengeti and Maasai Mara eco-systems. These campgrounds are strategically positioned to provide you with the finest possible view of the Great Migration. Because they are mobile camps, they lack some of the extra pleasures that come with a permanent lodge, such as swimming pools, sundeck areas, and balconies to the rooms; however, the standards of luxury and service, which include four-poster beds in some (!) are still extremely high!

This amount of ‘adventure’ is something that all clients must consider, but it is especially important for our senior clients. These mobiles excel at providing a true safari experience; their proximity to the wildlife is impossible to top, and clients frequently recall their time in the Serengeti mobiles as the most memorable. However, they frequently take bucket showers, and in the hotter months, the tents may become quite heated during the day.

Our top three mobile camps are Serengeti Safari Camp and Alex Walker’s Serian at the high end of the market, while Lemala Mara and Lemala Ndutu, as well as Nasikia’s Migration Camp, are sites we recommend for exceptional value.

As previously noted, you can also stay in a permanent lodge in the Serengeti. There are too many to mention, therefore we always encourage a phone call to discuss them; the time of year is important in making permanent lodge reservations. However, Lamai Serengeti, Kuria Hills, and Sayari Camp are also great lodges that are perfectly positioned for the Great Migration’s river crossing season, which runs from early July to mid-October.

If we had to pick a favourite, Lamai Serengeti would be it because of its spectacular location in the northern Serengeti’s granite kopjes, with views that span the entire park! Just keep in mind that the top rooms are a bit far from the main area, so talk to your specialist about reserving a room lower down if you think you’d prefer one!

TANZANIA SAFARI | Exploring The Serengeti

let’s go on my DREAM safari in tanzania 🇹🇿 the nicest hotel in the serengeti

2. Maasai Mara, Kenya

We are also frequently questioned about Kenya’s Maasai Mara during the migration. From June to October, migrating herds go from the northern Serengeti to the Maasai Mara. With the famous river crossings almost guaranteed for customers during this time, the ‘Mara’ is another ideal place for a senior safari, as well as a destination close enough to Nairobi for simple international flights home.

Camps at the top of the market, such as Richard’s River Camp, Sala’s, and Angama Mara, provide excellent access to Kenya’s best game watching zone, whilst Naibor, the Governors Camp Collection, and Ol Seki offer the best value for money.

My first visit to the MAASAI MARA

3. Okavango Delta, Botswana

Moving on to Southern Africa, Botswana, particularly the Okavango Delta, is widely regarded as the ‘purest’ and most beautiful location in Africa. Botswana’s beauty, while particularly appealing to senior consumers, comes at a high cost. The best lodges are situated on private concessions in the heart of the Okavango Delta and the nearby Linyanti and Savute game-viewing areas.

Private exclusive reserves drive raise the price. The game watching in these places is unquestionably some of the greatest in Africa, and the lodges are among the most luxury and pricey on the continent.

‘Affordable’ camps in the Delta are hard to come by, but the properties we use in the Khwai reserve – Sango, for example – and Wilderness Pelo in the Jao Reserve are excellent value for money given the experience they provide. Our favourite camp in the Delta, however, is Shinde, which is popular among the office staff for great accommodations in a private reserve. Kwando Safaris Splash Camp also competes with Shinde and has a larger reserve to explore. Meanwhile, Wilderness Qorokwe, Wilderness Chitabe, and Wilderness Little Vumbura raise the bar for camp costs while ensuring exceptional experiences. Wilderness Vumbura Plains and Wilderness Mombo have extremely high costs…!

For the finest Botswana safari for seniors visiting the Okavango Delta, we recommend combining ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ camps. As expected, the sites of these camps vary; some are closer to the main delta’s waters and provide water-based activities such as boating safaris and mokoro rides across the delta. Others are in drier environments, which allow you to see more of certain species, such as wild dogs. Local expertise is essential for booking a safari that will provide you with the experience of your dreams.

Visit the Okavango Delta

The Communities of the Okavango Delta

4. Sabi Sands, South Africa

Finally, it is always worthwhile to suggest a senior safari in South Africa. A mix of Cape Town, South Africa’s Winelands, and safari in areas such as the Sabi Sands, which are next to the Kruger National Park, provides an all-around introduction to safaris with exceptionally high levels of comfort. Prices are extremely inexpensive for the level of comfort provided, and a three-night stay can often result in several views of the ‘Big Five’.

Mala Mala, Londolozi Varty, and Singita Boulders are all well-known safari names that form the heart of South Africa’s safari sector, while Notten’s Bush Camp and Kirkman’s Kamp are the locations to go for pure value.

Southern Sabi Sands, South Africa

Luxury African Safaris for Seniors

Are There Luxury Safaris for Seniors in Africa.

One of the preconceived notions many travellers have about Africa and safari is that you will be roughing it in a tent in the wilderness. While this is absolutely doable and enjoyable, much more people prefer to stay in luxury camps and lodges with private en-suite tents or chalet. When selecting a safari adventure, it’s important to prioritise the type of experience you seek, followed by location.

“In my experience, the most important factor to consider when planning a safari is what luxury means to you.” Even some of Africa’s more traditional jungle lodges provide exciting adventures for senior travellers, although bucket showers are not for everyone. One of the most apparent things I discovered while managing camps was how people deal with things differently. One factor to consider is the heat and how comfortable you are at warmer temperatures. Regardless of how luxurious a camp is, if you are sensitive to high temperatures, you should consider travelling during the cooler months. I did have a number of more older guests come through camp later in the season, and while they had a fantastic time, they did mention a few times that they wished they had visited earlier in the season during the cooler months.

INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR SENIORS: Taking a safari in Africa