Planning Guide

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Planning Guide for an African Safari

Many of our clients are overwhelmed by all the choices available when planning their African safari. We are here to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Below are a few questions we suggest thinking about to assist in the planning of your adventure:

What would your dream trip be like?

How many days total do you have for your adventure?

When do you want to travel?

Who do you want to travel with?

What is your estimated budget for your trip?

Which country or countries do you want to visit?

What would your dream trip be like?

Not all safaris are created equal. As you begin to think about what you want in a trip, consider your interests. Here are some questions to get you thinking. Do you want to spend all your time game viewing? Do you want to spend the extra time and effort to get to places others don’t often visit? Would you rather be hiking, biking and rafting or relaxing on the beach? Do you want luxury or basic accommodations? What special interests or needs do you have? Are there certain animals you would like to see? While we can never guarantee a wild animal sighting, there are some regions or types of safaris that have a better likelihood of seeing a certain species. Are you willing to pay more to get the best guides available? Great guides make a good trip great, but bad guides can do the opposite.

Your personal Journey Specialist will want to discuss these types of questions with you as you begin planning your customized safari.

Need some inspiration?

How many days total do you have for your adventure?

Each safari designed by Africa Adventure Consultants is customized to how long you want to travel. Our average trip length is usually around two weeks, including travel time to and from Africa. However, we can plan shorter and longer adventures depending on your schedule.

When do you want to travel?

Timing your African safari is very important. First, you will need to determine if you have specific dates or a more open schedule. Are you hoping to plan the trip around a special occasion, such as a birthday, anniversary, graduation or wedding date? Do you need to schedule around flights already booked or school vacations? Be sure to let your Journey Specialist know how flexible your travel dates are at the beginning of the planning process.

We will also recommend when to travel based on where you are going and what you are looking for in a trip. Each safari destination has a different time of year that is considered the best time to travel. This is called the High Season. Animal viewing is generally at its peak during this time of year. The Low Season, also referred to as Green Season, is a time when many areas experience a bit more rain. You may have to work a little harder to find your lions, leopards and elephants but you will be richly rewarded. Talk with your Journey Specialist about which time of year is the best fit for your group, considering your interests, budget and availability at your preferred accommodations.

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Who do you want to travel with?

You probably already know who you want to travel with – family, friends or others with similar interests such as photography or hiking. As you begin planning your customized safari, your Journey Specialist will ask questions about your travel companions to ensure the safari fits all your needs. You will also need to decide rooming arrangements, so we book rooms that fit your group best.

Journey Specialist Tip: When traveling with a large group or a group with travelers of different ages, it is important to build in activities and amenities that appeal to everyone in the group. We have planned countless family and large group safaris! Talk to your Journey Specialist about your group so your safari itinerary fits your group’s needs.

What is your estimated budget for your trip?

Safari prices vary based on length of trip and quality of services. Our safaris range from about $5,000 – $50,000 per person, excluding flight costs. You will also need to include a budget for international airfare. Our Journey Specialists can help you determine a budget to fit your interests and safari goals.

Which country or countries do you want to visit?

Africa is a diverse and fascinating continent. Focusing on the premier safari destinations in East and Southern Africa, Africa Adventure Consultants recommends the following locations for the best combination of luxury, game viewing, scenic beauty, cultural experiences, and of course, an adventure in Africa. Many safari destinations can easily be combined for a multi-country trip as well.

Not sure where you want to go? Our staff has lived, worked and traveled throughout East and Southern Africa and can help you decide which destination is the best fit for your dream safari. Contact a Journey Specialist to discuss your safari options.

Still have questions?

View our Frequently Asked Questions for more information, view our safari destinations or learn more about the types of adventures we offer. Or, fill out the form below to connect with a Journey Specialist to begin planning.

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LET OUR JOURNEY SPECIALISTS HELP CREATE YOUR TRIP OF A LIFETIME

20 Years of Experience & Passion

Our passion for Africa began with a dream of living on the continent – a dream realized. We explored parks, rivers, mountains and villages, learned about the flora and fauna, fell in love with everything, and came away wanting to share our passion for a remarkable continent. Africa Adventure Consultants was born of the desire to give more people the chance to experience Africa’s wonders. Let us guide you into the wilderness.

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Pick a Destination

Africa is enormous. There are endless things to see and do, and it can’t all be done in one trip. That said, we realize that many people believe that a trip to Africa is ‘once in a lifetime’ (though many more end up realizing once is not enough!). What do you most want to see? What experiences have you been dreaming of? Visit our destination pages to narrow your choices down, browse our safari types to get a sense of the activities and styles available, or talk with a Journey Specialist to hone in on the areas that will deliver the journey of your imagination.

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Trip Ideas

We know it can be hard to narrow down what to do on vacation, especially with the wealth of choices that are available on the African continent. That’s why we have created an array of sample itineraries to inspire your travel. Browse through them – you’ll find everything from family safaris to honeymoons to Kilimanjaro climbs – and find the places and activities that excite you. From there, you can contact a Journey Specialist to start the process of crafting a customized safari just for you!

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Get Started

You’re ready – it’s time to plan your safari! Contact one of our expert Journey Specialists and we will collaborate with you to craft your personalized trip.

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