Planning an African Safari in 2008

A Safari to Africa is best planned well in advance and your Safari Club consultants all of whom have travelled extensively throughout Africa will happily discuss your ideas with you.

You will need to consider what type of safari you would like. Possible options are:

Privately guided road based safaris where you have exclusive use of the vehicle and guide. These are particularly suited to family groups.

Small group road based safaris visiting various game reserves and staying in lodges and safari camps. Safari Club usually
recommend smaller, tougher and more versatile 4×4 vehicles as the preferred mode of transport.

Flying safaris where travel between reserves is by light aircarft which maximises the time spent actually game viewing.

Various camping and fly camping options which can be by vehicle, walking, horseback and so on.

When you are able to travel wll be an important consideration. Most game reserves are to some degree seasonal depending on weather conditions and game movements.

If you are planning on visiting another destination as part of your safari trip, for example the Indian Ocean or African Coast for a beach stay or maybe Cape Town or Victoria Falls then conditions here will also be important.

The type of accommodation you wish to stay in will be important to you. Safari Club normally use small luxury intimate bush camps and lodges in less touristed areas. But of course there are large lodges and also camping are options.

The duration of your safari is an important consideration, we believe that a minimum of three nights at one camp or in one area of a reserve is ideal, so we suggest you allow for three nights per destination unless you are on a mobile safari. it is rarely a good idea to try to visit too many places on one trip.

What activities you would like are a key factor in your choice destination. There are a great variety of activities available but each camp and reserve is different. Balloon flights, Guided walks, horse, elephant and camel riding safaris, river cruises, fly camping, fishing, canoing, white water rafting are all available as well as spa and massage therapies.

Special wildlife interests will also shape your chosen safari whilst some reserves are particularly good for big cats, others have huge elephant populations and still others specially adapted desert or wetlands species. To have a good chance of seeing rarer or difficult to spot animals such as cheetah, wild dog, rhino or leopard you need to choose the best locations for these animals.
Specialist interests such as Chimpanzees, Gorllas or bird watching can also be accommodated.

Budget is obviously the main consideration for many travellers and it is important to be realistic. Safaris supplied by Safari Club are good value for money in the luxury category and are as inclusive as we can make them so there are few extras.

Please advise your Safari Club consultant of when and where you are considering going and the duration of your trip and he will be able to provide an indication of cost. If you can give the consultant an indication of your budget he will be able to plan a trip to suit you.

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