Tips for Planning Your First African Safari
For many people, going on an African safari is a bucket list item. If you are in the position to make your dreams of an African safari a reality, you may be incredibly excited but also overwhelmed. Even experienced travelers can find planning an African safari to be quite challenging. Luckily, with some time, effort, and organization, planning a safari can come together quickly, and you will be able to book your dream trip. Use the following tips to plan an African safari:
Decide Where to Go
Africa is a large continent, so you need to narrow down where you will be visiting before you can make plans for your safari. The vast majority of people either go on safari in eastern Africa or southern Africa. Both southern and eastern Africa offer ample opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife, but the areas are distinct and have some big differences between them. The first thing you need to do is research the different countries, national parks, and areas of eastern and southern Africa to find out which areas sound most appealing to you.
Book a Safari Tour
If you have never been on an African safari, it is not in your best interest to try to make all of the arrangements for your trip on your own. You are much better of booking an African safari tour through a reputable safari company. An example of a tour would be an 8-day Serengeti safari tour. When you book a safari tour, the safari company will take care of all of the details, such as your transportation, your guides, and the lodges that you will stay at over the course of your safari. Most people find that taking a safari tour is the best way to go, especially for your first African safari. African safaris can vary greatly in price, but a safari company will help you find the best tour for your specific budget.
See a Travel Doctor
When planning an African safari, you should always make an appointment with a travel doctor well in advance of your trip. You may need several vaccinations before traveling, depending on which area of Africa you will be visiting. If you will be visiting a country where malaria is prevalent, a travel doctor can prescribe preventative medication for you to take during your trip. An experienced travel doctor will also be able to offer advice and tips for staying healthy while you are on your safari.