The African safari guide.

The Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino — were originally named by hunters as the hardest and most dangerous animals to pursue on foot; today they're the classic safari checklist. The best places to see all five include Kenya's Maasai Mara, Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater, and South Africa's Kruger and private reserves. See our things to do in Africa.

The main styles are: lodge safaris (comfortable permanent lodges); tented camps (canvas under the stars, from simple to ultra-luxury); mobile camping safaris (moving with the wildlife, more affordable); and fly-in safaris (light aircraft between remote camps, maximising game time). Most trips mix game drives with guided walks or boat safaris. See our lodges & camps guide.

Quality lodges and tented camps range from about AU$400–2,000+ per person per night, all-inclusive (meals, game drives, guide); budget mobile camping safaris start around AU$300/day. A typical Cooee Kenya + Tanzania small-group tour — 12 days, domestic flights, all game drives, luxury tented camps and a private guide — is from about AU$8,499pp twin-share. See our Africa tours.

In well-managed safari areas with reputable operators, yes. Game drives follow strict guidelines, guides are highly trained, and camps have safety protocols. Standard precautions apply — follow your guide, don't walk alone at night in unfenced camps, and check Smartraveller.gov.au advisories. Cooee uses vetted local partners and includes 24/7 emergency support. See our getting there & visas guide.

Yes — many camps welcome children (minimums are often 6+ or 12+), and malaria-free private reserves in South Africa (Madikwe, Shamwari) and Kenya's Ol Pejeta are excellent for families. Some camps run junior-ranger programs. Gorilla trekking, however, has a strict minimum age of 15. We tailor family safaris around ages and interests.