Important Issues To Consider During The Planning Of An African Safari

By Dorothy Stone


Africa is blessed with a vast population of wildlife that has fascinated travelers for centuries. In the earlier centuries, the continent was a popular destination for hunters who thronged the plains in search in search of game trophies that were hung on walls. Today, this trend has changed because more and more travelers come to the continent in search of memories and photos of spectacular game activity. Many travelers come on an African safari in search of the big five land animals including buffalo, leopards, lions, rhinoceroses and elephants.

However, planning a trip to Africa is nothing like the typical trip to the zoo. The chance to see animals within their natural habitats is an experience like no other. Safaris are physically strenuous and taxing. As most of the popular destinations are in developing African states, a few precautionary measures need to be taken like health and safety precautions. So while preparing for the trip, find good guidebooks, read many reviews on travel websites and blogs, talk to friends who have been to the continent and get a reliable travel guide.

There are different distinct packages available. So consider which one will best suit your needs in terms of what you want to see, cost and services offered. Most are double occupancy but there are also family and single ones available. Luxury safaris are typically very expensive because they include high quality services covering food, drinks, tours and excursions. Some can cost over one thousand dollars per night. Overland or mobile safaris are a cheaper option. They have campsite accommodations and involve travelling in groups while sharing resources. Adventurous persons can choose to drive through the land without a guide. They need to hire a car for the same.

Every trip must have a destination in mind. This will allow individuals to effectively plan for a specific trip. The southern part of Africa is famous for its large population of elephants. Kenya is famous for flamingoes in Lake Nakuru and wildebeest migration at Maasai Mara. Uganda is popular for its huge number of monkeys, gorillas and other primates.

Make the timing of your trip perfect to enjoy the show. It is advisable to come during the dry season so that one can get to see animals in the open. If one is aiming to see the wildebeest migration, they should time it by checking for the migration patterns of animals.

It is important to be properly vaccinated before coming to the continent. This is because it is prone to many diseases like malaria, typhoid, hepatitis A and B as well as yellow fever. Most of these diseases, exclusive of malaria, have vaccinations. For malaria, one is given a treatment and advised to protect themselves using mosquito nets and repellent sprays.

Beware of fraudsters and conmen who run travel scams. They target unsuspecting tourists and visitors. Make sure to do a thorough background check before paying for anything. Good travel agents are found online as well as their reviews and ratings on sites like Trip Advisor. Ask for refund policies.

Remember to stay safe during the tour. Always look at the State Department advisories while planning the trip. This is because of insecurity issues, politics and crime. Do not forget to get travel insurance and medical cover.




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