WHAT'S THE BEST SAFARI FOR FEWER CROWDS?

“I’d like a safari that feels less crowded.”

It’s something I hear quite a lot — and on the face of it, it sounds like a simple request. But in practice, it’s often where expectations and reality start to diverge.

One of the most common assumptions is that all safaris are broadly the same: you head out on game drives, see wildlife, and the experience is fairly consistent wherever you go.

In reality, the style of safari — and more specifically where you stay — has a huge impact on how it feels.

The Masai Mara vs conservancies

Take Kenya as an example.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most famous safari destinations in Africa, and for good reason. The wildlife is excellent, and at certain times of year (particularly during the migration), it can be spectacular.

However, it can also be busy.

And by “busy”, I don’t mean unpleasant — but you may find yourself at a sighting with a few more vehicles than you might ideally have had in mind.

That’s where the private conservancies come in. These sit around the main reserve and offer a different kind of experience.

In a conservancy, you’ll typically find:

• far fewer vehicles at sightings

• greater flexibility in how game drives are run

• the ability to go off-road (which can make a big difference when tracking wildlife)

• and an overall quieter, more immersive feel

For many people, this is what they have in mind when they say they want something “less crowded”.

However, they’re not what most people end up choosing — simply because they come in at a higher cost.

Taking it a step further: Botswana

If avoiding crowds is a top priority, then places like Botswana take things a step further again.

Visitor numbers are much lower overall, camps are typically very small, and the whole experience feels more remote and exclusive.

It’s a very different style of safari — and again, one that tends to sit at a higher level in terms of cost.

So what’s the “right” choice?

There isn’t one.

All of these options will give you excellent wildlife. The difference is in how you experience it:

• whether you’re happy to share sightings with other vehicles

• or whether you’d prefer something quieter and more private

For most people, it ends up being a balance between the experience they have in mind and what feels comfortable in terms of budget.

It’s one of those details that doesn’t always come across in a brochure, but it can make a huge difference to how a safari feels.

And it’s exactly the sort of thing that’s worth talking through properly before anything is booked.

If you’re starting to think about a safari and aren’t quite sure how these different options translate into a real trip, it’s something I’m always happy to talk through.