| | | | | them a haven for anglers. You can also enjoy |
| GUIDE ON HOW TO pick and book an african | | | | snorkelling and scuba diving among the colorful |
| safari | | | | fish, gorgeous flora and fauna, countless coral |
| It's important to put some thought into your | | | | reefs and marine life. |
| safari - the planning is a part of the expedition. | | | | |
| Africa offers a diversity of attractions and | | | | Step 2: Budget |
| highlights that must be visited at the right time to | | | | |
| ensure an experience of a life-time. When to | | | | Whether you are interested in a mobile-tented |
| travel Africa is essential to a great experience! | | | | camping safari, an overland safari, or a luxury |
| This depends on your specific needs and | | | | fly-in safari, your budget is very important since it |
| requirements. Interests range from Africa’s | | | | determines the safari category, luxury or budget. |
| spectacular wildlife to the wide variety of birds | | | | Both categories offer the thrill, excitement and |
| that occur in Africa at different times of the year. | | | | anticipation of searching, seeing animals & bird life |
| When to travel Africa really depends on the type | | | | in their natural habitat roaming freely through |
| of animals you wish to see or the activity you | | | | some of the world's most spectacular scenery. |
| would like to partake in. Certain reserves have | | | | It's good to disclose YOUR BUDGET PER DAY |
| good game viewing all year round but others will | | | | PER PERSON, excluding international airfare to |
| have particularly good elephant sightings or other | | | | Africa, as it will make it easier for safari |
| migratory animals at different times of the year. | | | | consultants to supply you with an accurate quote |
| Generally all the year long is possible to undertake | | | | and itinerary. |
| an African safari, though the dry seasons are | | | | |
| most likely to guarantee better road conditions | | | | Most safari packages rates start from USD 400 |
| in the parks, as the grass is dry and vegetation | | | | per person for a basic camping 3 day Masai mara |
| sparse making game viewing easier. It is also the | | | | package, however for group bookings the cost |
| time when animals are on the move looking for | | | | drops by 10% & 20% depending on the size of |
| food and water. In Kenya and Tanzania, you have | | | | the group. |
| the memorable opportunity of witnessing the | | | | |
| magnificent migration of over two million | | | | Step 3: Package Of Interest |
| wildebeests and zebra. Temperatures in winter | | | | |
| are mild but can become considerably cooler in | | | | Planning a tour to Africa can be time consuming |
| the evening, so pack multiple layers of clothing to | | | | and exciting, often requiring several trip proposals |
| ensure you stay comfortable on afternoon game | | | | to get it "just right". Therefore, requesting a few |
| drives and walks. It goes without saying that the | | | | suggested itineraries, free of charge, from |
| standard safari gear must include a broad brim | | | | different companies during the safari planning |
| hat, sunscreen and mosquito repellent. | | | | process is important. This step goes hand in hand |
| Research a little and make sure your ground | | | | with your budget since prices vary depending on |
| operator is willing to make your safari special. | | | | destination, accommodation type, safari duration, |
| Some are rather sadly only bothered about | | | | transport type, season (time of the year) and |
| money and each client is a number only, others | | | | services included. |
| offer excellent personalized services. Beware of | | | | Most accommodation is normally based on: |
| such companies as your safari experience is more | | | | "HB" means Half Board, Hotel rates |
| important. | | | | will be inclusive of Daily Breakfast and Lunch or |
| This step by step overview guide encompasses a | | | | Dinner |
| few important guidelines designed primarily to | | | | "BB" means Bed and Breakfast the rates quoted |
| assist and guide you in your quest for that | | | | on the Website is inclusive of daily Buffet |
| fantastic safari getaway. | | | | Breakfast. |
| Following is an outline of some important steps | | | | "FB"means Full Board the rates that will be quoted |
| for booking and confirming your african safari: | | | | to you will be inclusive of Daily Breakfast, Lunch |
| - Where to go? | | | | and Dinner. |
| - Budget | | | | |
| - Safari package search | | | | Step 4: Booking the safari |
| - Booking the safari | | | | |
| | | | | After searching the web and found a suitable |
| Step 1: Where to go? Destination | | | | package that fits your dreams & budget finally it's |
| | | | | time to book your dream safari. |
| If you have never been on an African safari | | | | For those ready to book an African Safari; |
| before, you may be at a loss as to where to go. | | | | If you book your safari from late July through to |
| If you have been already, you might want to plan | | | | the end of September then it is necessary to |
| on going somewhere different. Not because you | | | | book well in advance. This time of year is |
| didn't enjoy where you went, but because there | | | | madness. |
| are so many beautiful things to see in Africa. | | | | Any other time of year its ok to leave the actual |
| Africa is one of a few destinations in the world | | | | booking of the safari until a few weeks before |
| that gives visitors a veritable spectacle of wildlife | | | | your departure. If it is low season, March to end |
| that co-exists harmoniously with its human | | | | of June, then the safaris [accommodation and to |
| neighbours. This has been as a result of continued | | | | a less extent transport] are at bargain basement |
| support and encouraging the communities to | | | | rates. |
| know the importance of self sustaining tourism | | | | Most safari company websites offer many |
| that does not degrade the environment while at | | | | ready-made safaris and itineraries on offer, and if |
| the same time reducing conflict between local | | | | you don’t find what you are looking for, |
| communities and wildlife. | | | | they’ll put it together for you. Contact them |
| From snow covered mountains and beautiful | | | | on email, or complete the reservation form |
| waterfalls, to sandy deserts and aquatic reefs, | | | | available from the website directory, then press |
| Africa has got it all. Not to mention all the wildlife; | | | | or click on the "Reservation" Button at the |
| Gorilla trekkers, bird watchers and bush adventure | | | | bottom of the page. After you fill out all of the |
| enthusiasts will all be equally delighted. If you love | | | | needed information; press the "Submit |
| beautiful landscapes and communities rich in | | | | Reservation" button. |
| culture, you'll find that, too. | | | | Don't forget to supply a detailed description of |
| There are quite a few safari destinations to | | | | your requirements as it will make it easier for |
| choose from; East africa, Central africa & South | | | | safari consultants to supply you with an accurate |
| africa. | | | | quote and itinerary. |
| | | | | When ready to pay for a safari, it's important to |
| East and Central Africa | | | | know what's included and what's not included in |
| Many consider eastern Africa and central Africa | | | | the package price |
| to be the best destination for African safaris, this | | | | There are 2 different methods of paying for your |
| region is loaded with many game parks which | | | | safari package, credit card transaction or wire |
| include a large variety and population of animals, | | | | trasfer. |
| from the wildebeest migration in Kenya (middle of | | | | Please note that payments by credit card are |
| the year) and Tanzania (early in the year) to the | | | | subject to required authorization and at times |
| gorillas of Uganda. | | | | incur processing fee. |
| East Africa's landscape includes the spectacular | | | | You will be rquired to pay a deposit, so that |
| and majestic Mount Kilimanjaro and the famous | | | | provisional bookings can be made for the |
| volcanic Ngorongoro Crater, the largest of its | | | | arrangements described in your itinerary. In the |
| type in the world, which is home to thousands of | | | | event that any accommodations or activities are |
| animals such as Zebra, wildebeest, black rhino, | | | | unavailable, you will be advised of the alternatives |
| prides of lion including the black-maned males, | | | | and make the appropriate amendments to your |
| leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephants, warthog, | | | | itinerary. In certain cases supplemental, |
| impala, buffalo, hartebeest, eland and other | | | | non-refundable deposits may be required to |
| members of the antelope family. | | | | secure your reservation prior to final payment. |
| | | | This policy generally applies for camps/lodges that |
| South Africa | | | | are in extremely high demand, for travel during |
| Southern Africa also offers a magnificent scenario | | | | some holiday seasons or, for “exclusive |
| for a great safari. South Africa offers an | | | | use” reservations. You will be advised of any |
| outstanding and rewarding game-viewing | | | | such requirements as soon as provisional |
| experience. Tours here are normally conducted in | | | | reservations have been made. When all the |
| open 4x4 safari vehicles, giving you greater | | | | arrangements are in place, you will receive a |
| visibility than a mini-van (commonly used in | | | | pre-departure package, including important |
| eastern and central African safaris). | | | | information to assist you in preparing for your |
| Namibia is a good place if you are looking for | | | | safari. |
| elephant, rhino, lion and giraffe. | | | | Final payment is due 30 - 60 days prior to your |
| All the large mammals can also be found in | | | | scheduled departure. |
| Botswana; elephant, buffalo, red lechwe, lion and | | | | |
| cheetah are plentiful. | | | | Important Tips |
| Not forgetting Zimbabwe, this beautiful country | | | | - Book as early as three months in advance. |
| offers Victoria Falls, rolling hills, rock art, and game | | | | - Discuss pertinent health issues with your doctor |
| parks that are home to large herds of elephant | | | | (in good time) prior to embarking on your African |
| and buffalo, sable and roan antelope. | | | | safari. |
| Zambia is also a definite favorite African safari | | | | - For hotel bookings, book through travel agents |
| destination. Zambia has many well managed | | | | since, all reservations are made through most |
| camps in wilderness areas known for | | | | travel agents, are lower , as they have |
| concentration and diversity of game, bird life and | | | | negotiated favorable rates. |
| game fishing. These can be found in the national | | | | - When booking request for a detailed safari |
| parks of South Luangwa and Kafue National Park. | | | | itinerary. |
| A great way to wrap up your African safari is to | | | | - Only use reputable tours and safari companies. |
| visit the Indian Ocean islands and beaches, which | | | | |
| include Mombasa, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, | | | | |
| Madagascar, and the Seychelles Islands. These | | | | We hope you found this |
| waters hold hundreds of species of fish, making | | | | article helpful, if so please e-mail () with feedback. |