East Africa is often a bucket list trip for many people who wish to go on an African safari. To be in a position to view some of the most majestic creatures of the wild or view lions, elephants, gorillas, and other animals in their natural habitats is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience. However, planning a safari is not a walk in the park and requires a little effort and time. Here is the guideline on how to plan your dream African safari adventure.
Choose Your Destinations
Presently, more than 20 African nations set the bar high when it comes to offering the best safari experiences. Choose which destinations could most accommodate the animals and the activities that most interest you.
Some well-known safari destinations are Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Rwanda, and Uganda. Every country has what can attract people in one way or another. For instance, Tanzania is famous for the migration of wildebeest, while gorilla tracking is done in Rwanda and Uganda.
Determine Your Budget
Safaris vary in price significantly depending on such aspects as the type of accommodation, the places to visit, or the tour company. Overall, expect to spend approximately $200-$500+ per day per person.
It is recommended that you leave yourself some leeway since expenses can quickly build up on the ground.
Pick Your Lodging
Perhaps the most memorable part of an African safari is waking up in the middle of the bush. Select your accommodation since this determines your experience in that particular place.
Options include:
– Luxury Lodges: Luxury with 5-star services and excellent guides. Provide the best view of wildlife directly from the lodge without them having to embark on any strenuous activities.
– Permanent Tented Camps: Simple but not crude shikar-type tents with proper beds and not on wooden planks. Immerse yourself in nature.
– Mobile Tented Camps: Seasonal and very basic, sometimes even more or less permanently, established in remote areas when migration is at its peak.
– Budget Lodges & Camping: Camping or staying in dormitories to reduce the overall cost of a safari. Less glamour but great fun.
Ensure that the lodge style and locations suit your travel personality. This way, a combination of different types of lodgings during a more extended safari offer the variety.
Arrange Activities
Find out which safari activities you are most likely to enjoy. The most preferred are the morning and evening game drives with trained personnel driving modified 4-wheel drive vehicles.
However, also consider:
– Walking Safaris: Take a nature walk accompanied by an armed guide. Take a walk while trying to identify as many animals as possible.
– Hot Air Balloon Rides: Sail over the savannah for a different perspective.
– Cultural Visits: Visit a native village to get to know about native tribes.
– Victoria Falls Tour: Visit these famous, giant waterfalls on the Zambezi River – at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Personalize the itinerary so that you see the animals and places that you are interested in most. Spice up the narrative with a couple of exciting episodes as well.
Pack Properly
Most of the flights around Africa now have restrictive baggage policies, one should be very careful in what they pack.
Recommended items include: binoculars, sun protection clothes, neutral-colored wardrobe, hat, bug repellent, anti malarial, camera, chargers, food, flash light, good walking/hiking shoes.
Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.
Once the destinations are chosen, a fantastic line-up of wildlife and adventures, and all other organizational details in place, it is time for the African dream safari! Enjoy this magical journey. If it is observing wild animals at every turn, or watching the sunset over the savannah while sipping on cocktails, an African safari is something that one will never forget.
