How often we have day dreamed of going on an exotic African safari…our very own experience of this hitherto untouched continent. Images of the lush grasslands, the majestic big cats, the wildebeest migration, Mount Kilimanjaro, Victoria Falls and the great Sahara Desert, all come to mind the moment we mention Africa.
But when it comes down to brass tacks, we realise how little we know about Africa, and how much lesser, to plan an African Safari. The best way to make your African safari dream come true, is to have it planned and organised by a trustworthy and experienced travel operator. Travel planned by reliable operators ensure that you are safe, get the best out of your holiday with their local knowledge and network, and also have your holiday customised to your special needs, be it food or travelling with children.
To begin, one must have working knowledge of the safari destinations in Africa and what to expect in each country. The African continent is vast, and each country is known for different wildlife. East Africa, primarily Kenya and Tanzania, are best known for the Great Wildebeest Migration. South Africa and Botswana will allow you to witness massive herds of African elephants. The ‘Big Five’ – lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and Cape buffalo – are seen in East Africa and most countries of South Africa. Central African countries like Uganda, Rwanda and Congo are best known for gorilla trekking; Uganda is the place to go if you’re looking for chimpanzees.
The first step to planning your African Safari is to choose the right destination. Bear in mind the kind of animals you would like to see, and this should make your choices easy. Don’t cram too many destinations in one trip. It’s best to explore just one country for each trip, with a maximum of three stops. An African Safari is best enjoyed unhurried, and it will be one of the most memorable trips of your life.
Planning the time of your visit depends on when you are most likely to have good sightings. Familiarise yourself with the seasons of the country you have chosen and the perfect time for sightings, especially if you aim to witness a particular event or see specific animals. Game viewings are best during the drier and hotter seasons, although Africa doesn’t disappoint all year round.
Keep an eye out also for high, mid and low seasons for each country. During high season, destinations get more crowded, prices peak and safaris get fully booked. Low season is the opposite. But the trade-off is that the animals you aim to see may not necessarily be sighted in low season.
Again, an experienced travel operator will guide you with the right information, tailor packages as per your requirements and plan a cost effective and memorable experience.
A typical safari covers seven days and is usually all-inclusive of meals and accommodation, except the last day of stay. Prices can go as low as 120 USD a day per person during low season and as high as 1000+ USD a day during high season. This cost excludes your airfare, visas, medical insurance, travel insurance, tips for guides, hotel staff, vaccinations, souvenirs, etc.
Again, you can choose from budget safaris to mid-range safaris to luxury safaris, the costs for which would vary accordingly. The difference will be the type of accommodation you sleep in, the level of service and the quality of the tour. But all tour operators offer the same destinations, and no one has a monopoly on the animals. So, go with one who offers a budget-friendly safari.
Your best bet is to use professionals to organise your trip, choose an itinerary and arrange transportation. Carefully select a well-recommended tour operator who has hands-on experience of Africa. From the time you land, everything about your safari should be taken care of by your tour operator without any hitches or glitches. Whether its your transportation, food and accommodation, or getting you up close and personal with the majestic beasts, your entire trip should be seamless.
In terms of time, plan to spend between 10 days to two weeks. This will allow you to experience at least three different camps in different areas. Each day, you usually get an early morning and a late afternoon game drive. With two full days in each camp, you are guaranteed to have enough and more sightings.
Booking early, even a year in advance is ideal, especially if you are travelling as a group or are particular about a specific location, lodge or certain time of the year. If you are travelling solo or as a couple, and do not have too many non-negotiables, then a lead time of a couple of months, or even two weeks is good enough. Of course, the earlier you plan your trip, the more time you have to prepare for it.
The safaris in places like Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana are very child friendly with no age restrictions while on safari. Many resorts and camps have child friendly activities to keep your children delightfully engaged. Your travel operator can also arrange for special menu for kids as per your request. Some places like Rwanda and Uganda, popular for Gorilla trekking, have age restrictions for kids. When travelling with children, an experienced tour operator will plan your itinerary accordingly.
Pack clothes that are fast drying. Camps generally provide laundry services, usually hand-washed and sun-dried. You don’t necessarily need an all-beige wardrobe, but avoid white, which attracts attention, and black and dark colours, which attract tse tse flies. Dress in layers as mornings and later afternoons can be chilly, whereas mid-day can be unbearably hot. Carry a sunscreen, mosquito repellent and a hat. You may be flying in smaller airlines within the country or between two countries, so pack light. And don’t forget to invest in a pair of binoculars!
An African Safari is an adventure of a lifetime. You will be stunned by the natural beauty of the continent – from the breath-taking landscapes of the Maasai Mara in Kenya, to the fascinating wildlife in the Serengeti in Tanzania, down to the bewitching beauty of South Africa. Your best bet is to seek the help of an expert, who will work within your budget, customise to your requirements, and make sure you really do have a lifetime full of African safari memories..
We as travelers can make this experience more enjoyable, memorable and responsible, and ethical. Some of the ways in which we can ensure this: is by:
If you need help with planning your African Safari, reach out to us at info@earthyhues.com.
One of the most sought-after experiences for wildlife and nature enthusiasts, the Great Migration in Africa is the ever-moving circular migration of over a million wildebeest, zebras, and other annuals to find greener pastures and fresh waterholes. It is the largest movement of animals in the world, moving each year through the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It occurs every year from July to October From the end of June onwards, more than 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes will dot the great plains of the Mara, as the great wildebeest migration unfolds. We have planned this 5 days Kenya migration safari package to introduce you to one of the most spectacular and thrilling wildlife behaviors on the Earth.
Explore MoreOne of the most sought-after experiences for wildlife and nature enthusiasts, the Great Migration in Africa is the ever-moving circular migration of over a million wildebeest, zebras, and other annuals to find greener pastures and fresh waterholes. It is the largest movement of animals in the world, moving each year through the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It occurs every year from July to October From the end of June onwards, more than 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes will dot the great plains of the Mara, as the great wildebeest migration unfolds. We have planned this 5 days Kenya migration safari package to introduce you to one of the most spectacular and thrilling wildlife behaviors on the Earth.
Explore MoreMasai Mara - The Mecca of wildlife located in the southwest of Kenya spreading to 1510 square Km. Those beautiful Documentaries on BBC and Nat Geo it’s all here. Home to an abundance of wildlife and bird watching, the Big 5-Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Elephants, Cape Buffalo’s, thousands of Giraffes, Zebra, Hippos, Cheetah, hyena, antelopes many more including seasonal wildebeest migration- The greatest wildlife spectacle and one of the greatest wildlife destinations on Earth when over a million wildebeest cross plains, valleys, and rivers in search of fresh pasture.
Explore MoreMasai Mara - The Mecca of wildlife nestled in the southwest of Kenya spreading to 1510 Km2. Those beautiful documentaries on BBC and Nat Geo it’s all here...
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