“Ultimate Guide to Planning a Memorable Kenyan Safari Adventure”
Planning your safari holiday in Africa is an incredibly thrilling experience. With a wide array of bucket-list adventures to choose from, ranging from witnessing natural wonders to staying in beautiful tented camps and lodges, and immersing yourself in captivating landscapes – be it mountains, beaches, rainforests, or deserts.
For over two decades now, we’ve been crafting unforgettable safari experiences since 1998. Our passion lies in tailoring the perfect mix of locations, accommodations, and activities to match our clients’ desires, transforming their African safari dreams into reality and creating exceptional and unforgettable vacations.
We take pride in our exceptional service, reflected by our nearly perfect rating on Feefo, an independent review system where our clients leave honest feedback. You can read about their experiences and insights on our services there.
If you’re ready to embark on a safari in Africa, we have expert tips to help you seamlessly plan your journey:
- Know When You Want To Go: Timing is crucial when planning an African safari. The continent’s best safari experiences are influenced by natural elements like seasonal rainfall. Therefore, having preferred travel dates significantly impacts your itinerary. You wouldn’t want to miss the spectacular wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara by being in the Serengeti at the wrong time!
Understanding how long you plan to spend in Africa and the specific time of year you prefer are vital details to consider when starting to plan your itinerary. This not only shapes what you’ll encounter during your safari but also affects your budget. If your safari revolves around a seasonal event, the prime spots to witness it are usually booked well beforehand. Hence, knowing your ideal travel dates at the outset of planning is key.
Peak or High Season:
- Dates: June to October
- Highlights: Cool, dry weather; easiest animal sightings; most visitors
- Book Up: Around 12 months in advance
Low or Green Season:
- Dates: November to May
- Highlights: Lower rates (excluding holidays); lush, rainy weather; fewer visitors
- Book Up: Aim for 2-6 months prior
- Know Where You Want To Go: Begin by setting a specific goal for your safari. Whether it’s the desire to see gorillas, witness Victoria Falls in full splendor, or encounter the Big 5 in their natural habitat, your dream safari’s core elements will likely determine your ideal destination.
Consult with your travel expert about:
- Prime locations for seeing your targeted wildlife
- Ideal regions for the experiences that pique your interest
Once you have a primary destination and rough travel dates, you can explore compatible attractions and experiences that align with your goal. This is why we curate and present tour packages and itineraries, allowing you to discover suitable combinations of locations and attractions from a logistical and cost perspective. By expanding your initial vision with additional places and experiences, you’ll create a wishlist that our Africa Safari Experts can craft into a dream vacation itinerary tailored to your preferences.
One aspect of our service is ensuring that your journey aligns with your unique travel desires and needs. Whether you’re traveling with young children, elderly parents, celebrating a special occasion, require specific dietary considerations, or prefer private accommodations over traditional lodging, we tailor your itinerary to accommodate your specific requirements and interests.
If you’re still exploring safari possibilities, we recommend conducting some research to identify what truly captivates you. Our weekly newsletter serves as a valuable source of inspiration and guidance – you can subscribe and receive it for insights into exceptional safari experiences.
Alternatively, feel free to connect with one of our Africa Safari Experts to discuss your holiday preferences and dislikes.
- Have A Budget Estimate: An African safari is a considerable investment. Despite the diverse range of itineraries and travel styles available, safari trips to Africa involve intricate logistics. Additionally, safari lodges in remote locations must provide top-notch service, food, and accommodations, which typically come at a higher cost compared to urban settings.
Our Africa Safari Experts advise:
- Having a budget range in mind and sharing this early on with your agent expedites the consultation process, enabling you to reach your ideal itinerary sooner. While discussing your travel budget might seem daunting, especially within a specialized and ethical firm like Go2Africa, revealing your financial constraints greatly influences trip planning, determining what is feasible within your budget.
- Know Your Travel Style: Your travel preferences are a reflection of your personal inclinations, influenced by your companions, budget, and available vacation duration. If staying within a restricted budget, you’ll seek the most cost-effective options. Alternatively, a limited timeframe might prompt you to focus on efficient travel arrangements.
Which Travel Style Resonates with You?
- Tailor-made Trips: Our customization service, offered through Go2Africa, ensures that you receive the best value by aligning your preferences, budget, and wish-list with suitable accommodations, activities, and spots.
- Private Tailor-made Trips: Tailored for intimate experiences like romantic honeymoons or family travels, these trips cater to your exclusivity needs – featuring dedicated guides, private safari vehicles, or personal helicopter transfers.
- Set Departures Dates: These safari ventures are scheduled on fixed dates throughout the year, including luxury train voyages and mobile safari expeditions like tracking the Wildebeest Migration in East Africa. Nonetheless, your itinerary can be uniquely tailored to your preferences.
- Choose An Established Travel Agent: When selecting a travel agent for your African safari, consider the following aspects:
- Personal travel expertise within the specific countries you wish to explore.
- Unbiased advice from an agent not tied to specific lodges, activities, or marketing entities.
- Financial protection ensuring your travel investment is secure.
- Comprehensive travel booking services covering all aspects from flights to activities, accommodations, and transfers.
- 24/7 support while on safari offered by a credible agent based in Africa.
- Recent reviews available on third-party platforms like Feefo.
A reputable agent takes the time to grasp your preferences, address your concerns, and provide detailed, up-to-date travel counsel. Effective planning minimizes risks and maximizes rewards – from prudent budgeting to strategic indulgences, exceptional agents curate vacations that will remain etched in your memory.
Are you ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime? You’ve set your travel objectives, expanded your vacation horizons, determined your budget range and preferred dates, and connected with your dedicated Africa Safari Expert. It’s time to prepare for a remarkable holiday experience…