How to Book The Perfect African Safari

Africa is a dream destination in every sense of the word, a once in a lifetime experience that is on the bucket list of most travelers. However, picking and booking the destination for your perfect African Safari vacation can feel very daunting and even somewhat stressful. The African continent boasts a vast variety of different safari experiences, namely big five safaris, walking safaris, river safaris in traditional canoes, hot air ballooning, and marine safaris. The possibilities are endless and admittedly can be overwhelming as you try to determine what kind of African safari is right for you - especially with the difficulties of organizing your trip from across the seas, adding to your anxiety. Important questions run through your mind. Top of the list is generally whether Africa is safe? Other important questions include - When is the best time to go? Where in Africa should I go? How much should I budget for? When planning the perfect safari, travel experts regard these questions as justified and essential to meeting your expectations. After all, you're investing your hard earned money and annual vacation time into this ultimate safari experience. An African safari is an incredible experience (one that you’ve seen in books and on television) but to actually bring this experience to life is truly something special and a good safari experience will leave a lasting impression and even inspire you to return for another adventure in the African bush.In the hope that every safari journey you embark on is the right one for you, we put together a handy guide to unscramble your mind when it comes to picking and booking a wildlife destination that is ideal for you. The great news is that Africa has something for everyone, no matter how tight your time frame, how deep your pockets or how high your sense of adventure, safari gets your pulse raising and your spirits soaring. Hopefully, this will bring you one inch closer to knowing where you want to be and how best to get you there.

The Perfect African Safari: Consulting with an Expert

It’s easy to get overexcited about all the possibilities Africa has to offer and one can tend to miss what is actually need from a vacation; some well deserved R&R. Going on a vacation takes up most of your time with several google searches, planning of budgets, and ultimately selecting an itinerary that would tick all the boxes and be 100% glitch free. You will wrestle with ideas of what to pack, decide on flight plans and whether you will travel by car, train, or possibly even busses. However, here at Safari.com planning and booking your African Safari couldn't be easier with our expert consultants on standby ready to help you with all your safari inquiries. This is the person that will be there for you right through the booking experience as well as during your trip. He or she will be able to arrange your flights, transfers, activities, and pre or post accommodation across Africa. Our expert consultants are able to help you through whatever platform you deem easiest - phone conversations, email, or on our website through our live chat. Booking the perfect African safari has never been so stress-free with the help of Safari.com consultants.

The Perfect African Safari: Your Holiday Expectations

When planning your travels you should make a list of attractions that you really want to see. This is crucial when traveling through Africa as it is one of the few continents that truly offer it all. Perhaps you aspire to see an elephant or the endangered wild dog, or seek an adrenaline packed vacation with the option of white water rafting, mountain hikes, swimming with seals or hot air balloon safaris. It’s important to take note of your expectations, this may sound simple enough, but having a clear idea of what you're looking to experience and where you want to experience it is important to make your Safari Booking process seamless. What are your expectations for this African safari holiday? What is on your ultimate African bucket list? Is it a Big Five Safari, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, beach scuba diving and snorkeling, hot air ballooning, or a family-friendly African Safari. With a little pre-planning and the help of your expert safari consultant, you are able to tailor a trip that makes your safari dream a reality.Top of The African Safari Bucket List: The Big Five The Big Five (Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino, and buffalo) are high on most safari bucket lists, with travelers seeking a classic safari experience in the African bush. South Africa and Tanzania are the most popular destinations for Big Five Safaris as they never disappoint. Setting off in an open-topped land rover at sunrise or sunset presents up-close encounters with the Big Five and promotes a new found respect for Africa and those who live there. A truly humbling experience, a Big Five safari allows you to connect with your roots and enjoy nature at its best with primitive animals roaming the grassy plains of Africa.If this is high on your African bucket list and you want to add a ‘wow’ factor to your bush experience, we suggest heading to Kenya or Tanzania during the annual Mammal Migration. Witness one of the world’s most phenomenal natural wonders, when one of nature’s oldest pilgrimages plays out on the Serengeti and Masai Mara reserves annually, with over a million wildebeest, gazelle, and Zebra traveling towards healthier grazing pastures. It is the most significant movement of land mammals in the world, with animals crossing plains and rivers as the seasons change. This wonder also attracts some of the continents most infamous predators; big cats, hyenas and even crocodiles who are never too far behind waiting with awe and intent.

The Perfect African Safari: What Is Your Budget?

Due to the remote nature of an African safari and our natural desire to include all the things we wish to do and see, African safaris can be very expensive. The good news is that there are options for travelers looking to experience a safari holiday on a budget. Sharing your budget with your safari consultant will enable your consultant to advise you on a safari trip that encompasses all that you wish to do within your budget, without any delay. Although it may be an inherently expensive holiday, what you may not know is that Africa is also known for its wide range of safari options to suit most budgets. From luxury lodges and villas to camping and self-drive safaris, there are several options to look at that won’t require you having to remortgage your home. Self-drives and camping safaris not only save you a substantial amount of money but allow for you to be more independent and adventurous, as you hold the ability to create your own itinerary in your hand. Pack up, fly in, collect your pre-booked vehicle, load up and take off on the adventure of a lifetime. Our expert consultants at Safari.com will take you through your safari options and advise where you can cut down on costs, tailor making your safari experience to fit your desired budget. No budget? No problem, our consultants are fully equipped to help you with our exclusive Luxury African Safaris as well as our Honeymoon safaris, allowing you to sit back as the planning of your vacation is left in the safe hands of our expert consultants.

The Perfect African Safari: When Is the Best Time to Go?

The questions of when to go to Africa is best answered by thinking about what you want to experience. Certain experiences in Africa are seasonal and weather dependent so it would be best to check with your expert consultant on the ideal time frame. Being flexible with your dates will increase your odds of finding exactly what you are looking for, so don’t book those long-haul flights just yet. Africa has something to offer all year round, however, there are some factors to consider when planning your trip. Crowds?Does the thought of taking an adventure with other safari enthusiasts excite you? If you enjoy an experience better when it is shared with friends and strangers alike, or prefer to be only with a select chosen few, then you might want to steer clear of the iconic safari destinations that bustle with tourists from all around the world. Opting for a private safari or a safari out of season (winter safari) will ensure a more intimate wildlife viewing experience with some reserves enforcing a strict policy that limits the number of vehicles at a sighting. This guarantees unobstructed game viewing and is less intrusive for the animals. The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations as many camps and lodges are only accessible by light aircraft. Zambia is also one of Africa’s most remote safari gems with its prolific game and true wilderness feel. Crowds are hard to escape when safaris are Africa’s most iconic tourist attraction and a popular vacation choice amongst many foreigners.When is it best to go on safari?The sun generally shines throughout the year in Africa, blessing us with some of the most beautiful winters in the world. This means that no matter what time of the year, it is always a good time to go on safari. Each season brings about change in the animal kingdom and offers a different experience. Consulting with your expert consultant will ensure that you travel during the correct season.

The Perfect African Safari: Travel Companion?

The last part of booking your perfect African safari is to decide whether you will be flying solo or who the ideal companion would be to join you on your adventure. This is something that unfortunately our expert consultants can't help you with but we can suggest that you pick someone who is going to enhance your safari experience, someone who will revel in the magic and intimacy of the wild. It can be very frustrating to finalize your safari arrangements while dealing with people who have different expectations or ideas about the holiday. Being on safari with like-minded companions can be the difference between a magical and a frustrating experience.