5 Things to Consider
For many people a holiday to Africa is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Here are some pointers that will be tremendously beneficial to your travel agent or tour operator in assisting you with finding a safari deal matched to your taste and budget.
Why go?
The new buzz word is "bucket list tourism" - things to see, places to go and things to do before you die. Sobering thoughts yes, but having any list of things to do is rather a good idea. Life is a collection of memories, he or she that has the best collection is of course, the winner! When one sets goals and plans a trip, you are putting into place a foundation for your own collection.
We all have a need to travel, seek out exotic destinations and savour new and different cultures. Africa is a destination that you can tick off many items off your bucket list, from rafting the mighty Zambezi to sharing a cigarette with a Masai Warrior, it's all here- one continent, many, many experiences.
Where to go?
Eastern and Southern Africa are the home of the wildlife safari. Within each of these areas there are many countries offering different aspects that may be appealing to you such as local culture or an environmental spectacular like the wildebeest migration or the sardine run. If there is one 'have to do' item that you would like to include into your safari, then your trip should be planned around this. Unless you have the time and the budget don't try to combine destinations that are very far apart like the Wildebeest migration and Cape Town, into one safari. Logistics in Africa are expensive and distances can be considerable.
First timers to Africa usually want to tick off the African safari icons off their list and there are some destinations which are better to suited to achieving this. If you have absolutely no idea of where you want to go then have a clear idea of what you would like to see or achieve on safari.
Then issue a good brief to your operator and if they are worth their salt, will be able to provide you with solutions to enable you to achieve your goals. We have a saying "A great brief turns on an amazing adventure"
When to go?
If your holiday has already been set, then the time of year will influence your choice of destination. Rainfall has a significant effect on game viewing. As a general rule of thumb when there is no rain, wildlife stays close to permanent water and is easier to spot. During the rainy season pools of water are formed and the wildlife can move more freely as water is more abundant. Therefore the best game viewing is theoretically in the months of no rainfall, which in Southern Africa is during the winter months from May to August. The early spring months of September & October before the rains come, can be exceptional game viewing months as water resources are dwindling and game will stay within easy range of the water that is available. The downside for guests is that daytime temperatures can be very high, sometimes reaching the late 30 degrees in certain areas.
East Africa has two rainy seasons and the browsers follow the rain making for a different pattern. No first time safari to East Africa would be complete without a visit to the Serengeti or Masai Mara to witness the migration. Both destinations are good at different times of the year.
In simple terms the wildebeest are after the short sweet grasses that follow after the rain. As the grasses are depleted in one area they move to areas where there has been rain. Nature is not an exact science and much like the waters of the Okavango, no season is quite the same as the other, but generally the migration is active for nine months of the year in Tanzania and in the Masai Mara for three months from August to October.
If you have little or no choice as to when you are able to travel, know that each season brings its joys. A good Africa tour operator will know the secrets of each season and area and be able to guide you successfully to a choice that's right for you.
Budget.
There are lots of factors to consider when weighing up costs. Often what appears to be cheap and ends up being very expensive when all the extras are factored in. Most of the top end safari lodges offer a fully inclusive option that would include meals, game activities and sometimes even drinks or at least a full board option where all meals are included.
If your budget precludes these, make sure you have an idea of how much your favourite tipple is and how much you can expect to pay for extras such as meals, game activities and park fees. Be aware that you will not get the same level of exclusivity at a budget lodge, so you may not get a window seat on a game drive as the operator will try to get the maximum number of people on a vehicle to cover costs.
In my experience a bed and breakfast option is perfectly fine in major urban destinations where one wants a fair amount of flexibility to enjoy different restaurants and dining experiences. If you are going 'on safari' you will most probably be based in an area where there are no other dining options within a fair distance so you would be tied to your hotel/ lodge for meals anyway. In these cases you would be far better off taking a more inclusive deal. You may get a superior lodge at the same rate when all the extras are weighed up.
Know yourself.
Knowing what you like is an important aspect when planning a safari. I discovered long ago that I absolutely hate crowds. When I am on safari, the wildlife experience is more important to me than the accommodation. Having said that, I also know that my baseline comforts must include a private toilet and a bathroom that features a hot and cold water shower, and a comfortable bed in clean accommodation be that chalet or tent. If you asked my urban friends the same question they would give a completely different reply. Even in the bush they expect king size beds, a bath to luxuriate in and three course dinners with drinks in crystal glasses. For them the comforts are part of the experience. Be sure to discuss your personal requirements and expectations with your tour operator when planning your trip, so that you won't be disappointed.
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