How to Plan your next Safari trip in Africa?

You’ve finally made up your mind that your next vacation will be a once-in-a-lifetime safari in Africa. So you typed a few keywords into Google to see what information is available on “African Safaris,” and a ton of results appeared. Where do you begin, and how do you limit the countless choices when you’re feeling overwhelmed? The procrastination mood creeps in.

Read more: Best Camera For Safari

It’s always thrilling and absolutely entertaining to plan a trip of any kind. It isn’t easy to choose just a few of the incredible places and activities to do in Africa because there are so many. Most likely, you may change your mind a few times and go back and forth; nonetheless, this is okay.

If you’ve been on an African safari, you likely know the bare essentials. In a way, this guide is intended for people who have never been on a safari and are preparing for their first African vacation experience.

6 Steps you should follow in planning a safari trip in Africa

Some people have their hearts set on one or two African nations before even beginning to organize their trip. On the other hand, other people continue to have no idea completely. To get your African vacation planning off to a strong start, we have compiled several suggestions that are not necessarily listed in any specific sequence. Here are our six steps for organizing a safari trip in Africa:

Step 1: Where to Go and What to Experience

Making a destination choice is one of the most crucial planning steps, just like any other getaway. Africa is huge, as you can see. If you have no idea what you’re doing, you might type “where to go on an African safari” into the Google search bar.

Knowing the wildlife you want to experience will help you choose the ideal safari destination. Do you have a particular animal or event you want to see? Kenya and Tanzania between July and October is your best choice if you’re itching to see the Great Wildebeest Migration. 

Visit South Africa or Botswana if you want to see large herds of African elephants all year long. The “Big Five” are also quite common in East Africa and the majority of Southern African nations. If you want to go gorilla trekking, visit Central African countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congo. If chimpanzees are something you’re interested in, Uganda is the most fantastic spot to find them.

Step 2: Take into account Travelers and Priorities

There are inevitably differences in the needs and desires of each tourist and each group of travelers.

Are there children on your trip? What about older adults? Most individuals prefer to have as few layovers as possible while traveling with children or elderly folks. To avoid disappointment, research the travel options in your place of origin and have a list of backup airlines on hand. 

A lengthy safari drive might not be appropriate for younger children and older individuals. If you let your operator know, they might set up a special activity or even treat them to a little safari drive. Also available upon request are childminders or babysitters, as they are often known in most countries.

Diet is another issue that you should consider. Have you got any unique dietary requirements? A vegan or gluten-free diet? If so, you must specify them to your travel agency.

Step 3: When to Leave

The time of year you intend to travel to Africa is also important. What time of year are you planning to travel?

During the busiest time of the year, nations become more populated, prices rise, and safaris fill up more quickly. During the off-season, the opposite occurs. Prices are lower, there are fewer people, and there is a better chance that you can secure the safari lodging, tour, or activity of your choice, even with short notice. But you must also take into account the creatures and activities you like to experience.

Learn about the seasons in your intended destination and the best times to observe certain wildlife if you want to see them, such as the Great Migration from July to October. Although it is generally good throughout the year in most of Africa, game-watching is best during the drier and hotter seasons. During the rainier months, when nesting and breeding occur, and the majority of migrant birds are there, it is known that birding is best.

Step 4: Determine Your Budget

Creating a budget is a challenging chore if you don’t have a ton of spare money in the bank. You must decide how much you are ready to spend on the safari alone if you want to get the most out of your Safari African adventure while staying within your means. You must also take flight fees into account since they are omitted. Of course, prices change based on your departure point and travel dates. If you’re lucky, you might even find a fantastic offer. For ideas, you can check the airlines in advance.

A typical safari lasts seven days and includes all meals and lodging except for the last day. Prices can range from $120 per day in the low season to more than $1000 per day in the high season.

Step 5: Pick a travel agency.

African safaris are known for their incredible natural splendor; from the Maasai Mara in Kenya to the Serengeti in Tanzania to the mesmerizing beauty of South Africa, it is an experience of a lifetime. But a lot of people are caught in a never-ending dilemma:

Do I need to hire a safari operator, or should I self-drive? Africa will undoubtedly give you an unforgettable experience no matter what you choose. Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania are among the nations where self-driving is allowed.

Step 6: Purchase Your Tickets & Prepare

The cost of a flight can change based on where you are flying from, when you are flying, and whether you have a direct trip or a connecting flight. Consider your traveling companions as well. A lengthy layover might not be ideal if you are traveling with children. If you’re considering a multi-country safari, you should also consider whether flying into country A and out of country B is more affordable than flying the other way around.

Some people like making early bookings (as early as one year in advance). This gives them the benefit of booking lodging and seats for their preferred dates and a much-increased likelihood of obtaining lower flight and maybe other item prices.

What happens after everything is ready?

What do I bring? Which equipment?

You must prepare for your trip just like any other vacation. However, because Africa differs from different places, you might need to add or omit a few items from your list. Consider bringing a DSLR Camera with zoom, digital camera bags for safaris, or a Gopro for shooting videos. Read more here about the best GoPro for Safari.

Medications.

Prevention is always better than cure. And because traveling to Africa increases your risk of getting an illness, check with respected sites like CDCP and WHO to see whether you need any travel vaccinations.

Visa.

Check online or with the appropriate embassy in your country, as each nation has different visa requirements.

Travel safety.

Although insurance is not a requirement in every African nation, it is always advisable to have it.