planning a Safari in Africa
1.where you want to go?
Many Tourists are surprised to discover that much of East Africa, where park infrastructure is often better and self-drive and camping safaris easier, offers a cheaper safari experience.
2.When you want to go?
Visiting much of Africa during the school holidays costs more than going outside the holidays, but other local factors can also impact the cost of your safari. The majority of African national parks have periods when the wildlife spotting is better than other times. If you want to keep costs down, try visiting during a park’s off season. While this can mean less visible wildlife and, if it’s the Wet season, occasionally washed out roads, it does bring significantly lower prices, less tourists, and gorgeously lush countryside.
3.How long would you want to spend on a safari?
You clearly need to know that the length of time you spend on an African safari has a direct impact on how much it’s going to cost you. And the more days you spend on safari (with the same company), the less you’re going to end up paying on a per day basis.
4.What level of accommodation you are comfortable with?
As with any holiday, accommodation is going to eat up the lion’s share of your budget. Starting at the very top are the highly exclusive, tented camps often found in private or community conservancies. Deliciously romantic they might be, but there’s no getting away from the fact that these places cost a fortune. In high season many come in at a cool $2,000 per night for two tourists
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5.The location of the accommodation.
One good way of saving money is by staying outside of the parks. The problem with doing this is that you’ll normally miss the first dawn light or the glow of dusk. Both of which are the prime animal spotting times
6.How to get around
Most camps and lodges offer morning and evening safari drives. At the very top-end places these will be conducted in custom-made luxury safari jeeps. At the opposite end of the spectrum come the pop-top minibuses used by many budget safari companies. Be careful with these. Some companies make sure that every seat in the vehicle has someone sat on it and if you get a middle seat you won’t see much.
planning a Safari in Africa
7.How exclusive you would like your experience to be
Head to big name parks such as Queen Elizabeth National Park and you’ll find lower prices, but also tarmac roads and masses of other people.
8.Specific requirements due to interests or hobbies
National park boards are fully aware that people are willing to pay more to see a Gorilla than a Baboon . Visiting a park with an abundance of large and visible mammals will invariably cost you more than visiting a small, low-key park where the wildlife attractions are more specialized. If keeping costs down is important then limit your time in big-name parks and instead get excited by the birds and the bees in the smaller, lesser known protected areas.
