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Factors To Consider When Planning 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 types of safaris each with different costs. This is why it is important to do some research and find which package you can afford. Some factors that affect the cost of your trip include length of stay and luxury accommodations. Most packages are priced according to double occupancy so if one is travelling alone, it is important to pay for a single supplement. Luxury packages are quite expensive and allow for comfort accommodations in the wild. Mobile safaris are the cheapest, participatory packages where a group of tourists travel together and share costs and other experiences. Adventurous people may opt to drive themselves personally throughout the tour.

It is important to have a clue on where exactly you want to go. This decision is based on what game you want to see. Different countries have different animals. Popular destinations on the continent are East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and Southern African countries like South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Kenya and Tanzania are famous for the Wildebeests migrations while Uganda is famous for its primates. The south is known for its impressive elephant population.

Timing of the trip is everything. This is especially so if you plan to see a specific event like the wildebeest migration. Animal behavior is affected by weather, climate and other natural phenomena. It is generally better to visit during the dry season.

Since the continent is prone to diseases, make sure to get vaccinated at home before the trip. Make an appointment with a specialist in this field and get all the relevant shots. These include typhoid, yellow fever and hepatitis. Malaria is given a treatment and protected against by nets and repellent sprays.

Beware of scams and conmen especially when selecting a package. Research the prospective provider, ask for references and look for any relevant reviews online on sites like TripAdvisor. Also, ask for cancellation and refund policies if any.

Always stay safe throughout the trip and stay in constant communication with people at home. Stay in contact with the State Department and check travel advisories. Also, get a medical cover and travel insurance.




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