The Different Types of Safaris in Africa (and How to Choose the Right One)

When people say they “want to go on safari,” they usually mean one thing: animals. Lions, elephants, and giraffes silhouetted at sunset. The kind of moments that make you forget your phone exists (if that is even possible...).

But safari isn’t one experience—it’s a whole spectrum. And beyond the type of activity (game drives, walking safaris, river safaris), there are two major choices that shape your trip:

• Are you staying in a private game reserve or visiting a public national park?

• Is the safari camp open/unfenced or fenced (around the camp or reserve)?

  
  

These details affect everything: wildlife density, crowd levels, driving rules, flexibility, and even how “wild” the experience feels.

Let’s break it down.

What Does “Safari” Actually Mean?

Before safari became shorthand for lions, sunsets, and Land Cruisers, it was simply a word with a literal meaning.

Safari comes from the Swahili word safari, meaning “journey” or “trip.” The Swahili term itself traces back to the Arabic word safar (سفر), also meaning “travel” or “journey.”

In other words, a safari isn’t just a wildlife experience—it’s a journey in the truest sense of the word. And once you’ve been on one, you understand why: it changes your pace, your senses, and your sense of time.

Private Game Reserve vs. Public National Park

One of the biggest decisions when planning an African safari is choosing between a private game reserve and a public national park. Both can be incredible—but they feel very different.

Public National Parks (like the Maasai Mara)

Public parks are government-protected wilderness areas open to many safari operators—and in some countries, even to self-drive visitors. Some of the most iconic safari landscapes on Earth are public parks.

What it feels like: big, open, legendary, cinematic

Pros of public national parks

• Often massive landscapes with large wildlife populations

• You can visit famous regions like the Maasai Mara or Serengeti

• More variety of accommodations at different price points

• Feels like being inside a true “national treasure”

  
  

Cons of public national parks

• Can be crowded, especially in peak seasons or around popular sightings

• Rules can be stricter (often staying on designated roads)

• Off-roading may be restricted or prohibited

• Sightings can be less predictable—your guide has deep knowledge and instinct, but animals aren’t always easy to locate on a specific day

  
  

Examples of public parks in Africa

• Kenya: Maasai Mara National Reserve

• Tanzania: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

• South Africa: Kruger National Park

  
  

Skylark note: The Mara is incredible—but during peak migration season, sightings can attract multiple vehicles. It can still be magical, but it’s a different kind of magic than private land.

Private Game Reserves (like many in South Africa)

Private reserves are protected wilderness areas managed by private landowners or conservation organizations. They often sit adjacent to national parks or exist as their own ecosystems, and they typically operate with fewer vehicles and more flexible rules.

What it feels like: intimate, exclusive, “you’re the only ones out here”

Pros of private game reserves

• Fewer vehicles and a quieter, more personal atmosphere

• Guides can often go off-road to follow wildlife (depending on reserve rules)

• More flexibility with timing (lingering longer at sightings)

• Higher-touch service and more curated lodge experiences

• Wildlife tracking can be excellent—if you’re hoping to see something specific (like a black rhino), your chances may be stronger

  
  

Cons of private game reserves

• Can be more expensive

• Wildlife movement depends on the ecosystem size and management

• You’re typically staying within one reserve rather than roaming freely

• You may not see the huge migrating herds you’d see in East Africa’s major public ecosystems

  
  

Examples of private reserves and conservancies

• South Africa: Sabi Sands, Timbavati, Madikwe, Phinda, Amakhala

• Kenya: Private conservancies near the Mara (like Naboisho, Olare Motorogi)

Skylark note: Some of the most luxurious safari lodges in Africa are in private reserves because the experience can feel calmer, more controlled, and more personalized.

The Second Big Question: Fenced vs. Unfenced Safaris (What That Actually Means)

This is the part that surprises many travelers: some safari camps are “open” camps, meaning there’s no fence around the lodge itself. That doesn’t mean you’re unsafe—it means you’re truly in the wilderness, and wildlife may pass through the area naturally.

Unfenced Camps (the “true wilderness” feel)

In many parts of Africa—especially in East Africa and river ecosystems—camps are not fenced at the perimeter. Animals can move freely through the landscape, and occasionally that includes the campgrounds.

What it feels like: immersive, wild, exhilarating

Pros of unfenced safari camps

• Wildlife movement feels completely natural and uncontained

• You get that “no edges” feeling—like you’re part of the landscape

• Incredible for travelers who want a more authentic, untamed safari atmosphere

Cons of unfenced safari camps

• Wildlife sightings can be less predictable day to day

• You may hear (or even see) animals near camp at night

• You’ll follow stricter camp rules after dark (escort to your tent, no wandering alone)

Where you often find unfenced safari camps

• Kenya & Tanzania (Maasai Mara / Serengeti ecosystems)

• Botswana (Okavango Delta, Chobe region)

• Zambia & Zimbabwe (especially along major rivers)

Fenced Camps or Fenced Reserves (more structure + peace of mind)

In some safari areas—especially in parts of South Africa—there may be fencing either around the camp, around the reserve, or both. This can offer an added layer of structure and peace of mind for certain travelers.

What it feels like: comfortable, well-managed, still very wild

Pros of fenced safari camps/reserves

• Often feels more structured for first-time safari travelers

• Can be a great fit for families with children

• Wildlife viewing can be very consistent in well-managed ecosystems

Cons of fenced safari camps/reserves

• Some travelers prefer the romance and “anything can happen” feeling of open camps and vast unfenced ecosystems

Skylark note: A fenced reserve can still feel completely wild. The animals don’t behave “tame.” You still feel the power of the place—you’re simply experiencing it within a protected boundary.

Types of Safaris in Africa (Activities You Can Combine)

Once you choose private vs. public and fenced vs. unfenced, you can layer in the safari activities:

1) Classic Game Drive Safari

Early morning and late afternoon 4x4 drives—the safari most people picture.

Where: Maasai Mara, Kenya. Big cats, dramatic landscapes, and classic sunrise/sunset drives.

2) Walking Safari

On foot with expert guides—intimate, intense, unforgettable.

Where: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. One of Africa’s most famous places for walking safaris—expert guiding and incredible bush detail.

3) River Safari / Boat Safari

Perfect for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, birds, and golden light.

Where: Chobe River, Botswana. Elephants along the shoreline, hippos in the water, and unforgettable golden-hour light.

4) Canoe Safari

Quiet, thrilling, and immersive (ideal for adventurous travelers).

Where: Lower Zambezi, Zambia. Quiet, thrilling, and immersive—gliding past wildlife with a guide.

5) Fly-In Safari

Remote camps with jaw-dropping scenery and minimal transit time.

Where: Okavango Delta, Botswana. Small planes, remote camps, and a feeling of being completely off-grid.

6) Mobile Safari

A moving camp experience—romantic, adventurous, and story-like.

Where: Serengeti, Tanzania. A classic way to follow wildlife across different regions, especially during migration seasons.

7) Gorilla & Chimp Trekking

Not technically “safari,” but one of the most powerful wildlife encounters on Earth.

Where: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. One of the most emotional wildlife experiences on Earth.

So… Which Safari Is Right for You?

If you want iconic landscapes + the classic safari dream ➡️ Public parks like the Maasai Mara or Serengeti (especially for migration-focused trips)

If you want privacy, fewer vehicles, and a curated luxury feel ➡️ Private reserves (especially in South Africa or Kenya conservancies)

If you want the most open-ended, wild, untamed feeling ➡️ Unfenced ecosystems (Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia)

If you want high-impact sightings in a shorter trip ➡️ A well-run private reserve can be ideal (especially for first-timers or travelers with limited time)

The Skylark Journeys Way to Do Safari

My favorite safari itineraries aren’t one-note. They’re layered.

A perfect first safari often looks like:

• 3–4 nights in a private reserve (quiet, immersive, incredible guiding)

• 3–4 nights in a public park ecosystem (big landscapes, iconic scale)

• 2–3 nights on the river or at the beach (Zambezi or Zanzibar, anyone?)

Because safari isn’t just about what you see. It’s about how it feels—and the right structure makes all the difference.

Want Help Choosing the Right Safari Style?

If you tell me:

• your travel dates

• budget range

• comfort level (soft adventure vs. full wild)

• and your “must-see” animals

  
  

…I’ll match you with the right combination of private vs. public, open/unfenced vs. fenced, and the safari activities that fit your travel style.

Reach out to Skylark Journeys and let’s design your Africa story.