A Glimpse into A Typical Day on Safari

Early wake up calls, bush breakfasts, sundowners, and more: what to expect on safari

When I’m working with Compass & Vine clients on planning a safari, one of the things we often talk through is what a typical day on safari actually looks like. Below, I’m sharing the rundown of a typical safari day, plus the types of activities you may find on offer depending on your destination. Safaris practically operate on their own time zone. The thought of 5AM wakeup calls and 11AM lunch sound hard to fathom at the outset but you’ll quickly fall into the rhythm of safari life, complete with your bush breakfasts, evening sundowners, and fireside evenings.

5:00AM ⎹ Wake Up Call

Your wake up call happens bright and early in the bush, generally with a guide coming to your tent to gently wake you with a ‘good morning’  hello until you respond affirmatively. Some camps have minibars with water for coffee and tea in your room so you can prep your morning coffee if you’re so inclined. Other lodges will bring hot water to your tent when they do their wake up call. You’ll have 30 – 40 minutes to get ready (I tend to set my clothes out the night before so I’m not bleary-eyed rustling through my clothes) before heading to the common area for breakfast.

Remember: pack light for safari! There are weight limits on small aircraft and laundry service is typically provided at camps complimentary. 

5:30AM ⎹ Coffee and Morning Nibbles

Camps vary in their degree of luxury and their early morning nibbles will vary accordingly, though most include things like muffins, yogurt, granola and fresh fruit, with coffee (more upscale lodges will offer cappuccino and specialty coffees as well). Eating at 5:30AM is hard for my brain so I typically stick with a cup of coffee and something really light. If eating this early is a no-go, no worries – you’ll likely have some nibbles mid-morning to enjoy as well. 

6:00AM ⎹ Depart on Morning Game Drive

Most game drives depart around 6AM to set out while the sun is beginning to rise and animals are still active. Animal life largely quiets during the heat of the day so game drives are timed accordingly to capture cooler morning temps and the onset of evening later in the day. Many people will say that morning and evening game drives are equally fruitful but I’ve personally always found morning drives the most productive in terms of game viewing. Game drives vary depending on what you’re seeing on your excursion but often last around 4 – 5 hours. Depending on the time of year you’re on safari, plan on wearing layers so you can disrobe as the heat sets in. I usually opt for a tank with a button up over it, a vest, scarf, and a lightweight jacket to break the wind if needed. Many vehicles will be prepped with ponchos or blankets in cooler months as well.

8:30AM ⎹ Bush Breakfast

Most mornings on a game drive include a bush breakfast; often similar to what you may have had at camp prior to departure but with a bit more fuel. Game drive vehicles transform into a mini buffet with things like coffee, tea, yogurt, muffins, hard-boiled eggs and toast to enjoy while out in the bush. Some camps up the ante on what your bush breakfast looks like, but often it’s a somewhat simple (but memorable) moment.

10 – 11AM ⎹ Return to Camp

Generally you’ll return to camp mid-morning around 10:30 or 11AM depending on the game drive. The times are rough estimates as the guides will adjust to your group’s needs – if you’ve spotted a leopard and are watching life unfold in the bush, you’re not going to be rushed back to the lodge. On the flip side, if the heat is setting in and everyone’s ready to head back, you may be back at camp at 10:15AM. You’ll be amazed at how much life you’ve lived as you arrive back at camp with a large part of the day still remaining.

11:30AM ⎹ Lunch

Lunchtime can vary depending on what works best for you but oftentimes happens shortly after you return from your game drive, probably right as you arrive back at camp unless you want to freshen up in your room first. Depending on the camp  lunch may be buffet-style or a la carte, usually with coffees, teas, soft drinks, beer, and wine available.

Early Afternoon: Free Time to Relax and Enjoy the Lodge

Humans take a cue from wildlife when it comes to mid-day happenings and enjoy an afternoon siesta as the heat of the day approaches. ‘Heat of the day’ varies depending on the time of year you’re visiting. I’ve been on safari many times while the mid-day sun is still very comfortable, in the high 80s, but was also just in Botswana during a heatwave where temps crawled up to 106F with sizzly mid-day sun. Weather is out of everyone’s control but if you are traveling during a time that’s likely going to be hot, a camp with a pool may be a helpful reprieve! You’ll have time to hang in your room, take a nap, enjoy the pool, schedule a spa service if available, stop at the curio shop, sift through your morning photos, or read a book. Some camps have Wifi (usually in rooms or in the common space, rarely in both) so it could be a time to catch up on work or check in with family. Some lodges are Wifi free for a true digital detox. If that’s the case, Africa-themed books are often available at camp but don’t forget your book!

4PM ⎹ Tea Time

Around 3:30PM or 4PM tea time often commences, usually with things like iced coffee, iced tea, and lemonade on offer along with some afternoon nibbles like cakes, fruit, and finger foods. Camps are very good at feeding guests and food is constantly flowing at lodges. Tea time isn’t a mandatory event by any means but it’s a nice time to grab a refreshment and connect with other guests (or your group if you’re traveling with others).

4:30PM ⎹ Depart for Afternoon Game Drive

Time for the afternoon game drive! You’ll enjoy sunset while you’re out in the evening but it can still be quite hot when you depart for the afternoon drive so bringing a scarf or layers to prep for nighttime chill isn’t a bad idea. Evening game drives tend to be shorter than morning game drives, but on a typical day they’re often around 3 hours.

6:30PM ⎹ Sundowners

An age-old tradition that’s practically part of the DNA of safari going: the heralded sundowner. As the sun is beginning to set, your guide will find a nice little place in the bush to settle in and watch the sunset with your drink of choice (G&T with local gin for me, virtually without fail). Your sundowner is your time to say goodbye to the day, watch as the sky transforms through a fiery sunset display into a star-filled night sky. Again, because food is ever-present, your guides will often have a few nibbles to accompany your drink of choice: often things like biltong, mixed nuts, dried fruit or sliced veggies.

7:30PM ⎹ Return to the Lodge

You’ll head back to the lodge after your sundowner and often this gives travelers a bit of a glimpse into a night drive given the sun is down. You’ll see life transform during the drive back as nocturnal animals begin to emerge with frogs and sing-songy insects providing the soundtrack to the drive

8PM ⎹ Dinner

Dinner will happen when you return from your game drive. Many nights you’ll roll right into dinner after returning from a drive, but you can also head back to your tent to clean up or change for dinner if you’re inclined. Given it’s nighttime, it’s common to need an escort to your room after dark given wild animals roam free. It’s not uncommon to see hippo, elephants or buffalo crossing through camp at night; even lions and leopards sometimes make an appearance. Dinner varies depending on camps: in some places it’s a buffet, in others it’s a la carte (some places will have you pre-order), and other nights yet there may be a special event like a boma night.

9PM ⎹ Fireside Stargazing, Bedtime

After dinner, you’re free. For some travelers, it’s straight to bed (no shame!), for others it’s time to sit at the fire pit with an Amarula and share stories from the day. For others yet, it’s an opportunity for stargazing or chatting with guides as they regale stories from years of experiences.

The day to day may vary depending on your location and what you have planned as well. If you’re doing a hot air balloon in the Masai Mara or Serengeti, expect a very early wake up call, sometimes as early as 3:30AM for 4AM departure. If you’re at a camp that offers night drives, you may end up zipping out at 9PM for a short night drive to see animal life after the sun goes down. If you’re in a place where water-based activities are available, your morning may be a bit of a later start with a peaceful mokoro ride. That said, a typical day on safari will look like what you see above.

While safari is a transformative and beautiful experience, the early morning wake up calls can make for long days so I find many travelers add in a relaxing beach break post-safari, like the Indian Ocean Islands, to enjoy lazy mornings and zero structure to their day for a bit of a contrast to bush life.

Planning your trip to Africa? Reach out so we can chat about best options for you – or read more information on planning an African safari.

xo from Botswana,