Author: Susan Wanjiru
A Dive Into The African Realm: 10 Things To Look Out For In A Private African Safari
- bySusan Wanjiru
- - March 10, 2023
Home » Archives for Susan Wanjiru
Safaris are one of the most intriguing holiday options for anybody to explore. They bring you closer to the beauty of nature while providing a retreat from the monotony of your daily life.
However, there is a lot that goes behind the planning of an African safari. You need to take myriad factors such as affordability, customised packages, and accommodation into consideration to ensure yourself a seamless experience.
Now, one option is to search for the best African safari tour companies that organise group safaris and leave it entirely up to them. Enjoy the experience with a group of strangers who might eventually become friends and also save a little as the total cost will be divided amongst all.
But when you’re going to have an experience of a lifetime, don’t you want to have the best version of it? You’re going to have an incredible time amidst exquisite wildlife, and that means you deserve to have only unforgettable memories of your safari. And that’s where a private African safari can come into play – to make the whole experience tailored to your liking and comfort, to help you go for a safari in the most ideal way, and to make you long for your next safari even before the current one ends!
Still worried about spending extra in comparison to group safaris? Read this blog post further and see for yourself the invaluable experience private safaris offer in return!
Reasons To Book A Private African Safari For Your Next Trip
Enjoy unlimited game drives at your discretion
Imagine having that classic safari feeling at the time you choose to have it. No rush! Well, in a private safari, you don’t have to imagine it because this is exactly what you get. Normally game drives last for 3-4 hours, but when you’re with a small group of like-minded people, you get to decide the duration of this beautiful experience. So, you have a sight that you can’t get enough of? No worries, spend a little extra time there and make the experience worth it!
Choose the accommodation of your choice
Yes, private safaris can be a luxurious affair, but they don’t necessarily have to be. That’s the whole point of going for a private safari – designing it according to your taste. So if you’re one of those people who would prefer staying in camps or tents to explore the wildlife realms, private safaris can definitely offer you that as well. There are no rules. In fact, you make the rules!
Customise your itinerary
In a group safari you have to play along with the whole group’s interests and there’s hardly any room for changes. But what if you want to opt for an add-on activity like a balloon safari, walking safari, or something similar to complete your experience? Your safest bet is a private safari. You’ll have to pay extra for additional activities, but the beauty is you get to decide where to save and where to splurge. So it can still be an economical trip without compromising on your expectations from the safari.
Avoid the consequences of group cancellations
Another con of a group safari is probabilities of cancellations. For example, if some activity requires a certain number of people and your group doesn’t have it, you might end up missing that experience. After making the effort to go for a safari and spending money for it, the last thing you would want is missing the fun! So don’t miss any of it and opt for a private safari where it’s guaranteed that you can completely tick off your safari bucket list.
Travel with more room for you and your luggage
Private safaris directly imply less crowd. And less crowd directly implies a lot of space for you and everything you carry. You won’t have to fret about luggage restrictions which might be a reality in group safaris because they need to accommodate more people than a private safari.
Get the perfect view at all times
In a group safari, usually seats are exchanged on a rotational basis. If the group is huge, it’s highly likely that you might miss the perfect spots at the right time. Plus, if the group doesn’t have accommodating people, it’s another frustrating issue to tackle. In a private safari, you get the front seat for all sightings. There’s no tackling of annoying people or waiting for your turn, only an enjoyable ride with the hope to see varied wildlife species!
Get personalised attention from experienced guides
One knowledgeable guide for 4 people instead of 20 automatically means increased access to them. You can learn about the wildlife and culture in detail, gain better insights, and be assured that all your doubts will be clarified!
Meet new people and form new friendships
The most advertised benefit of group safaris apart from price is the opportunity to interact with new people. But who said this is not possible in a private safari? Once you’re back from the safari, you can mingle with people staying in camps adjacent to yours. This way you can make new friends without compromising on your safari experience too. It’s a win-win situation!
Be in safe company
While on a private African safari, you get to travel with a close-knitted group of people, be it your friends or your family. Such tours provide you with your private vehicle which is meant exclusively for you and your travel buddies. Therefore, you are assured of a safe experience by avoiding contact with anyone outside of your group.
Keep those precious moments private
And our favourite reason to go for a private safari – make this experience sacred by sharing it exclusively with your loved ones. Be it with your family members or partner on a honeymoon, some memories need to be extra special and a private safari offers you that uniqueness. Also, if it’s your first time on a safari and you’re travelling with kids or senior citizens, it makes all the more sense to travel with those you are comfortable with.
Summing it up….
With all these wonderful aspects put into place, Private African Safaris offer you the experience of a lifetime without any compromise! You can relish a plethora of adventurous escapades, intriguing walks, and comfortable stay all in a single power-packed package tailor-made as per your preferences.
All this goodness in a package that is worth the money. Does that sound unbelievable? Well, book a Private African Safari now and witness the madness yourself.
FAQs
Can I observe African culture on a Private Safari?
The African culture brims with umpteen tribal traditions and puts up diverse, colourful, and unique happenings for its tourists. You can witness all of this and more on a Private African Safari.
How is a Private African Safari different from a group safari?
The main difference between a private African safari and a group safari is the flexibility of options with regards to schedules, itineraries, and accommodation. A private safari can be tailored to your liking and you can have an experience exactly like what you want. A group safari may not give this guarantee since its success is dependent on a large group of people. But what a group safari does offer is lower prices than a private safari.
What are the top reasons to look out for a Private African Safari?
Following are the top reasons to look out for a Private African Safari:
- Greater Flexibility
- Exclusive Insights
- Worth the money
- Choice of Accommodations
- Assurance of Safety
What accommodation options are available on a Private African Safari?
Safari lodges, luxurious camps, mobile camps, are some of the accommodation options when you go for a private African safari. Safari lodges have a hotel-like infrastructure with all the basic amenities. Tented camps could be permanent or semi-permanent and are usually located at places for excellent game viewing. Luxurious camps have large beds, private bathrooms, spacious rooms, well-suited for honeymooners. Mobile camps are exclusively set up for a couple or a small group and are completely immersed in the beautiful landscape of Africa. It’s considered to be the ultimate safari experience.
Pack Like A Pro: A 101 Guide For An African Safari
- bySusan Wanjiru
- - March 6, 2023
Home » Archives for Susan Wanjiru
It is the season for planning amazing trips and we are all excited. But aren’t you bored of conventional trips and tours? Well, if that is the case, we have an intriguing option for you to explore.
African Safaris are a great option if you want to relish nature and wildlife closely. These are quite different from ordinary trips owing to the fact that such expeditions take you deep into nature among the wild realms. Therefore, everything might not be accessible at hand which calls for a packing spree that makes sure you have everything in place before leaving.
If that has gotten the hoarder in you worried, we have you sorted. For an African Safari, your packing list should entail some necessities that keep you covered considering the factors of climate, environment, and availability of resources.
Thus, we have curated a comprehensive list of some packing essentials for you to enjoy a wonderful African Safari.
Everything You Need For Your First Safari—Or Your Tenth African Safari
Must-have documents for a seamless travel
Documents are essentials that you should never miss. Make sure you have the following documents at hand when you are travelling abroad for an African Safari:
- Original passport
- Credit or debit cards
- Travel insurance documents
- Directional maps or itineraries
- Medical and vaccination certificates
- Valid visa
- Copies of essential documents like the photo identification card, first four pages of the passport, and so on
Backpacks to stuff all things essential
Backpacks will come in handy when you are out on dusty safari expeditions since they can help you carry all your essentials. Invest in a lightweight, compact, and compressible backpack that is easy for you to take with you throughout the day. Another option is duffel bags with detachable straps that can be easily accommodated in small spaces.
Shoo away the critters with insect repellents
Jungle safaris call for carrying some good insect repellents that can protect your skin from insects and critters. Make sure that you carry one that suits your skin type to avoid any allergic reactions on your trip. Also, eco-friendly insect repellent lotions or body mists are impeccable options since they are gentle to the environment as well as your skin.
Cover yourself in layers of comfortable clothing
When you are out on a wildlife safari, staying comfortable is a priority. Thus, you should pack clothing items that keep you comfortable yet stylish.
Wear a t-shirt or a tank top and layer it with a sweater or a collared long-sleeved top. Add a jacket in case the weather is too cold. Wear long pants made from breathable fabric like cotton and linen. Don’t forget to wear a sunhat too!
Shades of khaki, green, and brown work well with the natural realms of Africa. Go for light colours if you’re stepping out for an evening meal. And ladies, if you want to spruce it up for a romantic sundowner or a bush meal, wear a cute and casual dress with a scarf so that you feel comfortable and look stylish too! Plus, you can pack in some cute swimwear and comfy dresses when you want to lounge around the pool area of your hotel.
Comfortable footwear for a walk in the woods
While on an African Safari, you will probably be taking long walks amidst bushes and wet jungle patches. Thus, comfortable footwear is an essential item to travel with. You can opt for lightweight, easy-to-clean and comfortable ankle length boots.
If the hike isn’t difficult, you can opt for casual, slip-ons and footwear that are easy to take on and off for a hassle-free expedition. These will also be helpful when you are casually strolling in the camp area or when you’re chilling in the room.
Medicines and first-aid, your health saviours
This one is a point that can’t be emphasized enough. Pack all your necessary medicines and prescriptions that you might need on the trip. However, private safari vehicles are equipped with first-aid kits, so you can also skip this part if you want.
If you don’t want to carry along a full-fledged first-aid kit, you can opt for some specific medical items. First-aid elements like paracetamol, anti-nausea tablets, allergy medications, rubbing alcohol, bandaids, gauze, anti-malaria tablets, painkillers, pre-prescribed medication, diarrhea medication, antiseptic spray, insect repellent, rehydration sachets, bite cream, are some must-haves on an African Safari.
Spirits and devices – charge them both
You don’t want to roam around looking for charging devices and electronic essentials while out on a safari. To avoid such incidents, make sure you pack electronic items such as power cables, portable chargers, global adapters, and extra batteries.
Laptops, phones, and cameras might require separate charging devices. Ensure that you carry the ones that fit your purpose. Also, don’t miss out on a global adapter to avoid any hassles while charging your devices.
You would want to capture the scenic views that you witness while out on the jungle expeditions. Hence, carry along a camera and some extra storage space for that purpose.
Explore the breathtaking beauty with binoculars
You don’t want to miss out on any amazing wildlife activities only because you don’t have a pair of good binoculars to yourself. Hence don’t forget to carry a pair that will help you observe some breathtaking scenes closely.
Some Additional Tips That Can Come In Handy While Packing For An African Safari
Don’t overpack
While the excitement of going on a jungle safari might make you want to pack anything and everything, make sure you don’t overpack. Keep the baggage limit in mind while packing for both domestic and international flights. Usually, in bush planes in Kenya, the limit is 15 kgs while in Tanzania the limit is 20 kgs.
Don’t carry expensive items such as jewellery pieces
You don’t want to lose out on precious and expensive belongings during the trip. Therefore, avoid carrying items such as jewelry pieces to avoid any such incidents.
Carry the necessary vaccination certificates
Before you fly to East African Countries, make sure that you carry all the necessary vaccination certificates that you might require. These could include certificates pertaining to Yellow Fever vaccination, TF vaccination, routine vaccinations like MMR (measles-mumps-rubella), polio, hepatitis and DPT (diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus), and so on.
Always keep the camera handy
The African Safaris will offer you exemplary views of the natural realms. Therefore, always keep the camera handy so that you can capture all the beauty that pleases your eyes.
Wet bags work best for toiletries
While packing the toiletries, you should always carry wet bags so that the moisture does not seep inside the rest of your luggage. Also, don’t forget to keep essentials such as scarves and wet wipes to keep yourself covered for the dusty tours.
Pack wisely and efficiently….
With all these checklists in mind, you will be nicely prepared for an African Safari. Just make sure you do not miss out on any essentials so that you don’t have to roam around looking out for them. Pack in all these items and don’t forget to bring along an adventurous spirit to put together the experience of a lifetime for yourself.