An African safari maybe a once-in-a-lifetime trip and should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Planning your safari can be an enjoyable experience, but there are many factors to consider when planning a safari, especially for first timers. Traveling to Africa is not as straight forward as visiting other parts of the world. Many places are remote with extensive driving routes and require logistical planning with flights and transfers. There are some of the things to help you plan a successful safari to Africa.
Choose your Destination
Like any other vacation, one of the most important parts of planning is deciding where to go. You see, Africa is huge. If you are clueless, your Google search bar would contain something like “where to go on a safari in Africa”
For you to be able to pick the perfect safari country for you, you need to know the wildlife you would want to explore. If you are hankering to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, Kenya and Tanzania around July to October is your best bet. For massive herds of African elephants all year round, go to South Africa or Botswana. The “Big Five” are also very abundant around East Africa and most countries in Southern Africa. For gorilla trekking, head on to Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo, all of which you can find in Central Africa. Uganda is also the best place to find chimpanzees if that interests you.
Identify your Preferences
Every traveler or group of travelers naturally have different wants and needs.
Most people who travel with kids or seniors would want to have fewer layovers as possible. So, make sure to check the travel routes available in your country of departure and have a list of your backup airlines, just in case. Also, younger kids and older adults might not want to go on a long Africa road trip. Tell your operator about this and they might arrange a special activity for them or maybe even delight them in a short safari drive. Childminders, or babysitters as popularly known in most countries, are also available upon request.
Another thing you might want to think about is diet. Do you have any special dietary restrictions? Perhaps a gluten-free or vegan diet? If so, you need to specify these with your travel operator so that the respective service providers can be informed.
Choosing you Travel Time
Countries get more crowded; prices get steeper and safaris get fully-booked faster during peak season. This is the opposite during the low season. Cheaper prices, fewer tourists and a relatively higher chance of booking your desired safari accommodation/tour/activity even with minimal lead time.
If you are aiming to see certain animals or witness a particular event, like the Great Migration around July to October, you also need to familiarize yourself with the seasons of your target country and the perfect time to see them. Game viewing is best during the drier and hotter seasons, although it is generally good in most parts of Africa all-year-round. For birding, it is known to be better during wetter months when nesting and breeding take place, and most migrant birds inhabit the area.
Although fairly flexible, each camp and safari tour have age restrictions. Some lodges and safaris don’t even accommodate children below 6 and have limitations for visitors aged 6-12. A number of them also offer childminders aka babysitters for an additional cost.
During heavy rains, many animals disperse and vegetation is lush thereby increasing the chance of an obstructed game viewing. Some roads can also become impassable or extremely muddy so gorilla trekking could be difficult, game drives limited and you wouldn’t possibly want a walking safari by then. Some lodges and camps could be closed, too. That’s why if you come around these months, you have to make sure your desired accommodation is open and available. Another issue with the rainy season is that excellent photo opportunities are rare
Set Your Budget
Setting a budget is not an easy task unless you have extra dollars in the bank. So, if you want to maximize your African experience and at the same time stay on budget, you need to set how much you are willing to spend for the safari alone. Flight costs aren’t inclusive so you also have to consider this one. Of course, fares vary depending on your place of departure and dates of travel. You can check the airlines ahead for an idea or if you’re lucky, you might even score a good deal.
A typical safari is usually all-inclusive for meals, activities, park entry fees where applicable, a tour guide in a language you choose, transportation and accommodation, except the last day of stay.
Based on your budget, you will find a wide array of options that will suit your liking from budget to mid-range to luxury safari trips. Of course, you can’t expect a shoestring budget to get you a luxurious one. But also, you can have enough money to afford a luxury level trip but not necessarily stay in luxury lodges. Instead, you might want to stay longer, visit more attractions or perhaps spend a day or two at the beach.
Besides, all tour operators offer the same destinations and animals. After all, there is only one Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Etosha Park, Volcanoes national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park etc. However, quality of service provided may differ.
Choose your Travel Provider
African safaris are famous for their stunning natural beauty — from the breathtaking landscapes of the Maasai Mara in Kenya to the fascinating wildlife in the Serengeti in Tanzania down to the bewitching beauty of South Africa, it is an adventure of a lifetime. However, many people find themselves trapped in an endless dilemma of which tour operator to go with.
You can save a lot of time from traveling from one place to another and spend more time at parks, reserves and other attractions. With a very experienced guide who is proficient in African history and culture, you will be able to learn more as you travel. Fun facts and background stories will be imparted in the most educational and entertaining ways.
Your utmost comfort and convenience are always guaranteed. Snacks and beverages are provided as well.
How early to Book your Trip?
Some would say that booking it a year early is most ideal. The truth of the matter is, your booking can be from a month to a year depending on the number of travelers, size of the lodge/camp and time of the year you plan to go. If you are going solo or as a couple, probably for an anniversary or a honeymoon, booking a year early is not necessary. One month or even a few weeks lead-time is usually enough unless you have your eyes fixed on a certain location, lodge, and dates, and you regard these specifics as non-negotiable.
Also, you have to note that the more time you have to prepare, the more prepared you’ll be in leveling expectations. However, there is also a downside to booking very early. A year is long and we don’t know what will happen within that period of time. But then again, if you are determined to avoid unnecessary disappointments and you already have your heart set on a certain date, event or lodge, book it as soon as you can.
If you are going as a group, booking as early as possible is wise because you may need several rooms. Safari lodges/camps have a limit to how many people they can cater to. For example, a luxury safari camp can only accommodate around 20 people. This is also the reason why the size of the lodge or camp matters in how far in advance you need to book. Another important detail you need to consider is the date of your visit. During peak seasons, you’ll be surprised how most accommodation is already at capacity about a year in advance.
Book Your Flights & Get Ready
Airfares vary depending on where you are traveling from when you are going to travel and if it is a direct flight or a connecting one. You may also want to consider your travel buddies. If you have kids in tow, you may not want to have a long layover. Also, if you are planning for a multi-country safari, you might want to check if flying to country A and out of country B is more economical than the other way around.
Some travelers prefer booking early (as early as one year in advance). This gives them the advantage of securing seats and accommodation on their desired dates plus it also gives them a significantly higher chance of scoring lower rates on airfare and possibly on other things, too.
In conclusion
It is therefore possible to build the perfect holiday for you based around your interests and requirements. You do not need to choose from a catalogue, or choose from a very limited number of safari options. You can travel for any duration of time, spend as long as you like on safari, be as active or adventurous as you choose, specify particular species you are keen on seeing, vary your accommodation options and combine a wildlife safari with a variety of other activities or attractions. If you are able to communicate your key interests and expectations to us, we can work with you to create your perfect safari experience.
