Look, let's make some dreams come true. Going to Africa, climbing into a jeep and seeing lions, elephants and giraffes in total freedom three metres from you is one of those experiences that changes a person.
The problem? Most people think doing a safari means spending €10,000, sleeping in luxury tents with a butler and flying in private jets. Yes, that world exists (hello, Tanzania and Kenya!), but if you weren't born with a silver spoon, you can still do an epic safari.
Martin demystifies the luxury and teaches you how to do a Do It Yourself safari that fits your budget:
1. The Magical Destination: Kruger National Park (South Africa) 🇿🇦
Forget travel-agency packages charging you thousands of euros. Fly to Johannesburg, in South Africa, and rent a car. Kruger is one of the largest and best parks in the world, and you can drive inside it with a regular rental car!
Yes, you read that right. The main roads are paved and animals cross right in front of you. You only pay the daily park entry fee and you make your own safari, at your own pace.
2. Sleep at the Official "Rest Camps" 🏕️
Inside Kruger Park, run by the South African state authority (SANParks), there are dozens of fenced camps called Rest Camps.
Instead of paying €500/night at a private lodge, you can rent a bungalow in these camps for around €60 to €80 per night. They have a kitchen, air conditioning and a barbecue (braai). You'll literally be sleeping in the middle of the savanna, hearing the lions roar in the distance (but in safety).
3. The "Game Drives" (Guided Safaris) 🚙
OK, you came in your own car, but you want the experience of riding in those open jeeps with a Ranger who knows how to follow tracks? You don't need to be staying at a luxury hotel.
The state camps themselves organise jeep outings at sunrise (Sunrise Drive) or at night (Night Drive). They cost around €20 or €30 per person and they're brutal!
4. Where to See the Animals (The Water Rule) 💧
If you're driving on your own, the trick to seeing animals isn't going 100 km/h on the dirt roads. The savanna is hot and dry.
If you want to see lions, elephants or leopards, buy a map at the entrance, look for the "Waterholes" or dams, park the car silently, kill the engine and wait. The animals will have to come to drink. Patience is your best weapon.
Going on Safari? Your Car Back Home Needs to Be Safe Too!
You're going to the other side of the world, into the bush, switching off your phone and living the adventure of your life for two or three weeks.
Are you really going to leave your car abandoned on the street, gathering dust, sun and, in the worst case, a hefty fine (or a smashed window)?
The safari needs you focused on spotting animals on the savanna, not stressing over what's happening to your machine back in Portugal.
When you head to the airport, drive to Departures and hand the key to the Multipark team. We park your car in our Valet Parking, fenced and monitored 24 hours a day.
You're saving a fortune by organising your own safari, so invest the price of one or two Ubers in a long-stay parking spot that gives you peace of mind. And if you'd like, while you're watching lions in South Africa, we'll even take the car for a wash!
You land back home, with hundreds of epic photos, and your car is at the terminal door waiting for you. Get a quote and book your spot at Multipark and head off on the adventure with peace of mind!
