Safari Sun (Fantasma Games) Slot Review

Safari Sun: Slot Overview

Safari Sun is a safari-themed video slot developed by Fantasma Games and released on 2023-08-24. The game transports players to an African savannah where wildlife such as mandrills, rhinos, lions, hornbills, and meerkats populate the reels. It features a distinctive reel setup of 5 reels with 3-4-4-4-3 rows, providing 576 ways to win. Wins form by landing 3 or more matching symbols on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost reel. Designed for fans of high-volatility slots with substantial win potential, Safari Sun appeals to players seeking engaging mechanics like expanding symbols and customizable Free Spins, alongside a maximum payout of 18,792x the stake.

Design and Graphics

The visual style of Safari Sun adopts a vibrant, cartoonish aesthetic centered on an African savannah landscape. The background showcases a lush valley with curly trees flanking the reels, distant tall mountains, a clear blue sky dotted with light white clouds, and foreground green grass that gently sways. The reels are framed within this scenic vista, with the outer reels featuring 3 rows and the three central reels displaying 4 rows each, creating an asymmetrical yet balanced layout.

Safari Sun slot – base game

Symbols are thematically aligned with the safari motif. Low-paying symbols consist of classic card royals: 10, J, Q, K, and A, each delivering 1.5x the bet for a 5-of-a-kind combination. Medium-paying icons include a hornbill (3x for 5-of-a-kind) and a pair of meerkats (4x for 5-of-a-kind). High-paying symbols comprise a baboon (appearing as a mandrill with a red nose and white beard, 5x), rhino (6x), and lion (8x for 5-of-a-kind). There is no dedicated Wild symbol, but a Scatter triggers the Free Spins. Animations are smooth, with winning symbols highlighting and expanding effects during features, enhancing the immersive quality. The game supports seamless play across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

Gameplay Mechanics

Safari Sun operates on 5 reels arranged in a 3-4-4-4-3 row configuration, yielding 576 ways to win. Players secure victories by matching 3 or more identical symbols across adjacent reels from left to right. The base game flows straightforwardly: spins commence with bets ranging from €0.20 to €50, and the hit frequency stands at 17.45%, equating to a win approximately every sixth spin.

Special mechanics enhance base gameplay. The Expanding Symbol Feature activates when a winning combination includes one or more sun-marked symbols; these expand to fill the entire reel height (3 or 4 positions), potentially forming additional wins and increasing payout opportunities. Complementing this, the Mystery Sun Feature triggers randomly, guaranteeing a win and randomly selecting up to 3 symbols for expansion, injecting unpredictability and excitement. No traditional Wild substitutes exist, but the Scatter symbol plays a pivotal role in accessing Free Spins. The overall pace is brisk, with fluid animations supporting high-volatility swings.

Bonus Features

Safari Sun offers several engaging bonus mechanics. The Mystery Sun Feature can trigger at any time during the base game (frequency: 1 in 145 spins), delivering a guaranteed win and expanding up to 3 symbols across their reels for amplified payouts.

Safari Sun slot – free spins

The primary attraction is the Free Spins round, activated via Scatter symbols (frequency: 1 in 170 spins, average payout: 48x the bet). This expands the grid to a 3-4-4-4-4-3 layout with an additional rightmost reel, boosting ways to win to 2,304. Players select from five volatility options, each locking a specific high-paying animal as the sole premium symbol available:

Expansions from sun-marked symbols carry over, heightening potential during the feature. Additionally, a Bonus Buy option allows direct purchase of Free Spins for 50x the bet, with RTP remaining at 96%.

Betting Options and Payouts

Bets range from €0.20 to €50 per spin, accommodating casual and high-roller players. The slot boasts an RTP of 96% and high volatility, fostering infrequent but significant payouts. The hit frequency of 17.45% ensures regular base game action, while the standout 18,792x max win offers exceptional potential (max win probability: N/A). Payouts scale with symbol combinations, peaking at 8x for lion 5-of-a-kind in the base game, amplified by expansions and Free Spins.

Safari Sun slot – bonus buy

Conclusion

Safari Sun excels with its innovative Free Spins volatility selection, allowing tailored risk levels across five animal-themed modes, paired with an expanded 2,304-ways grid for heightened action. The Expanding Symbol Feature and random Mystery Sun Feature provide consistent base game thrills, complemented by a solid 17.45% hit frequency and impressive 18,792x max win. Strengths include the thematic cohesion, mobile optimization, and Bonus Buy accessibility, while the absence of a Wild symbol may limit some substitution plays. High volatility suits patient players chasing big multipliers. Players can test the slot risk-free using the built-in demo available on this page. Overall, Safari Sun delivers a polished, rewarding safari adventure with strong replay value for high-stakes enthusiasts.