Choosing the right safari
Last week I promised a few more tips on how to choose the right safari. Last week I covered:
1. When do you want to go?
2. Winter vs Summer?
3. Malaria Free Safaris?
4. Your budget?
With these 4 questions covered we can look at getting a little more specific about your experience.
Once you have covered the above the next thing that I would ask is what kind of vacation or safari are you looking for and who are you traveling with?
There are options out there that are more suited to families, older generations, honeymooners, adventurers, 1st time safari goers and those looking to volunteer and give something back. So believe it or not, this is an important consideration and really helps your consultant provide you with the product best suited to you.
Although your budget might decide where you can go – it would be good for you to have an idea about this too? There are plenty of choices out there – somewhere like East Africa with Kenya and Tanzania and of course the Gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda – has been on the safari circuit for decades. They are awesome destinations for game viewing and they can be busy and expensive. Botswana is going to give you an exclusive wilderness experience. I think it has been said that there are more beds in the Cape Town Waterfront, then in the whole of Botswana! Because of this exclusivity there is a premium cost attached to staying in this beautiful country.
South Africa has marketed itself well over the years and certainly is a destination that has something for everyone. So if you are looking for other experiences to include with your Safari, then perhaps South Africa is the right place for you. Of course – if you like Deserts……nothing compares to dunes and ancient paths in Namibia.
The last thing I would consider when making my safari choice is how much support these establishments are providing to the local communities and how much they are giving back to wildlife. This is actually something that you do find often now and I think it is an important consideration. You want to know that you are also giving back to the local people and wildlife you are seeing.
In this way we all play a small part in preserving our Earth’s amazing treasures. I hope this has been useful. I always value any comments or thoughts so please feel free to add yours!