Best African Safari for Seniors (Travel Advice + Destinations)

If you were born somewhere between the 1940s and ’70s and you’re looking for the African Safari for Seniors and travel advice, you’ve come to the right place. African safaris for baby boomers are very popular and the demand for senior travel in Africa is growing rapidly.

Since 2018, we’ve tailor-made African Safari for Seniors for thousands of retirees from across the globe. Our experts know the ins and outs of every African safari destination, they will provide unbiased advice based on first-hand experience, and they can curate an itinerary that matches your personal travel needs.

Africa is your oyster if you’re retired and have time to finally take that dream vacation. Here is our top recommendation on where to go and how to get there for senior safaris in Africa.

Best African Safari Destinations for Seniors

Kenya

For older citizens, Kenya is a fantastic location for an African safari. However, as there are significant distances between safari sites and long, uncomfortable vehicle transfers, we definitely advise choosing a fly-in route. Flying between camps and lodges will offer a great deal of comfort and more time on safari if you are mobile enough to hop onboard and off tiny airplanes.

Kenya Safari for Seniors

The Masai Mara National Reserve is the premier safari location in Kenya. Numerous animals, including elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hyena, and Mara’s renowned big cats—lion, leopard, and cheetah—find refuge on its broad plains. The Mara is well known as a superb all-year-round safari destination due to its large population of resident species and temperate temperature. No matter what time of year you visit, there is almost always something to see because of its expansive and open plains.

Travelers can enjoy exclusivity, excellent game viewing in sole-use areas, and activities like night drives, bush walks, and off-road game viewing—activities that are not permitted in the national reserve—in The Mara’s private conservancies, which are conservation areas owned by local Maasai and border the national reserve. The nearby private conservancies offer a peaceful getaway from the spectacle when the annual Wildebeest Migration takes its turn in the Masai Mara between roughly August and November (the national reserve can become very packed), but you’re still close enough to all the Migration hot spots.

Amboseli National Park is a wonderful additional location in Kenya for a senior safari. The best spot in East Africa to witness vast herds of elephants is in Amboseli National Park, which has year-round wetlands flourishing beneath the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. And this is the spot to grab the shot if you’re seeking for the classic postcard image of wildlife against a backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Best Things to Do on a Senior Safari in Kenya

• Guided game drives in the Masai Mara
• Witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration (August to November)
• Staying at luxury safari camps in the Mara’s private conservancies
• Staying at The Giraffe Manor while visiting Nairobi
• Seeing East Africa’s biggest elephant herds in Amboseli

Tanzania

Tanzania provides senior tourists traveling to Africa with a fantastic array of wildlife, landscapes, and experiences, including the Wildebeest Migration, the Big 5, and tropical beaches. The well-known “northern safari circuit” of Tanzania, which includes the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire, is a practical itinerary and a wonderful opportunity to experience the best of the country. We advise choosing a fly-in itinerary, similar to Kenya, to avoid tedious and painful vehicle transfers.

Most people would agree that the Serengeti National Park is the most well-known safari location on earth. For the most exciting game viewing in Tanzania, this is the location to visit. It is the site of the majority of the annual Wildebeest Migration (which takes place there from January to August) and has one of the highest densities of species on the planet, including zebra, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard, and cheetah. The Serengeti is one of the greatest places for older citizens to go on an African safari because of its enormous size, accessibility, luxurious lodges and camps, and plenty of animals year-round.

Tanzania Safari for Seniors

A large volcano that erupted and then fell on itself some 3 million years ago produced the Ngorongoro Crater. It is currently the world’s largest preserved volcanic caldera. It is one of the most magnificent natural wonders in the world and is home to around 25 000 animals, including the Big 5. The most consistent Big 5 sightings in East Africa are available there for senior safari tourists; you can see all five in a single day! A memorable senior safari experience in an unbelievably distinctive setting is produced when you add in some out-of-this-world cliff-top lodging.

During Tanzania’s dry season (June to October), the elephant empire of Tarangire National Park offers spectacular game viewing, while Lake Manyara is a superb location for birdwatching.

Why We Love Tanzania for Senior Safaris

• Easily accessible ‘northern safari circuit’ offers a convenient way to see the best of Tanzania
• Sensational game viewing in the Serengeti
• Top-quality lodges and camps
• Home to the lion’s share of the Wildebeest Migration (January to August)

Our Best African Safari Travel Advice for Seniors

How Important is Fitness When Planning an African Safari for Seniors?

How fit you are entirely depending on the kind of safari you wish to organize. You don’t need to be in shape to go on safari, and if you have slight mobility limitations, we can still accommodate you.

The more activities (guided walks, etc.) you plan to participate in, the more physically fit you need to be. But when it comes to an African safari for seniors, fitness is not necessary; being nimble enough to board a 4×4 safari vehicle, boat, small airplane, or hot-air balloon is more than sufficient.

Fitness is necessary for a gorilla trekking expedition, though. All fitness levels may be put to the test because to the challenging terrain, unpredictable gorilla movements, and dense forest. Nevertheless, travelers with physical limitations can enjoy this unique animal encounter because some porters are trained to carry you. In most situations, senior tourists in Africa are given preference when trekking to a gorilla family that is located closer to the wildlife park’s entrance.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that distances in East Africa are great, making a fly-in safari far more pleasant than a driving safari – particularly if you have back issues.

Based on your unique travel requirements, Kabira Safaris & Tours Africa creates safari trips just for you. Our specialists are skilled at organizing unforgettable African safaris for senior citizens, whether it be securing a room near the common areas at a lodge with no steps or booking suitable lodging for mobility-impaired travelers.