Which Type of Safari Best Suits Your Needs

Choosing the Arrangements that are Right for You

There are two main safari regions in Africa:

When you use the Siyabona Africa Travel Network, you have the assurance that your arrangements have been planned by professionals; and in the event that an unforeseen problem does arise, a tour escort, local host or representative of the tour operator is generally available to assist you.

Before you begin to study what is available, we suggest you make a list of your holiday goals. This will help to keep in focus the things that are most important to you as you compare the options – what you want to see and experience, when you want to go, and so forth. Don't hesitate to contact us when questions arise - there's no such thing as a silly question when planning your well-earned vacation.

Guided Safaris/ Tours

Guided Tours are the more traditional of safari/tour products, and are more varied that you might think. Guided safaris vary in length, group size, and budget. Although you can still do safaris that encompass many African countries, in a rugged overland truck, you can also travel in style in a small, air-conditioned vehicle, on a much shorter itinerary.

Guided arrangements can also be made on a private basis, where you might only wish to travel with two or three friends, and family members. Itineraries cover the entire spectrum, from the back-to-basics camping, to luxury tented accommodation, and five-star lodges.

Indeed, your Safari in Africa can be enhanced by travelling on an overland basis, with a knowledgeable guide. It is often the best way to travel if you are looking at the traditional, game viewing safari, and what better way to travel during the annual great migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara, for instance.

However, you might also want to travel by light aircraft from destination to destination, but still have the security and knowledge of an accompanying guide. Thus, guided safaris need not only be in an overland vehicle.

Much research goes into planning guided safaris and tours, resulting in reliable and stimulating itineraries. This is particularly true in less developed destinations - where a lack of infrastructure can make independent travel more of an ordeal than a holiday.

Travelling on guided arrangements provides a measure of security and peace of mind. Tour directors themselves are well informed, and personable. Naturalists may accompany trips that include wilderness areas. Local experts may join you briefly to share their knowledge of specific areas, cultures or activities.

Some people wonder if they'll have enough independence on a guided tour. Many of our tour operators build in free time on group tours, giving travellers the best of both worlds.

Conditions for all the tours are supplied at the time of making your reservation enquiry. This information deserves a lot more attention than it usually receives. Many important points are covered, including details about reservations, cancellations, refunds and availability of insurance.

Be sure you understand the policy concerning cancellations, changes in departure date and refunds, and any cancellation and/or modification penalties that may apply, both to land and air portions of the trip.

Other important items usually covered by the Conditions page include Meals, Accommodations, Air Transportation, Sightseeing, Baggage Allowance, Health Information and the items Not Included in the price. Remember, the Conditions page may not be as colourful as the rest of the information, but it's every bit as important in helping you reach the most informed decision.

Price

Be sure to check what's included in the price, and what's not. For example, does the price include airfare, or is it for land arrangements only? You can speak with one of our travel consultants about any queries you may have.

Several other factors may add to the price, such as optional excursions, service charges and/or taxes, weekend air charges and high season supplements. If you're travelling alone, there is often a supplement fee for single accommodation, and transfers.

Tour Itineraries

The day-to-day itineraries described on our web sites serve as a guide for what you can expect to see and do while on a tour. Make note of the cities, lodges and sites that you'll actually be visiting, as opposed to those places that you'll simply be driving through (often indicated by terms such as 'see' or 'view' in the itinerary). There's a big difference, and you should be aware of these distinctions to avoid disappointment.

Other important questions to consider when comparing tour itineraries include:

Independent Safaris/ Tours

Self-Drive:

There's no group on these trips, and no guide. Your accommodation is pre-booked, which gives you peace of mind regarding the overnight stops, but all other arrangements are flexible – when you want to get up in the morning, what activities you would like to do, where you want to eat. By booking through Siyabona Africa Travel, from our inventory, you get the advantage of our group buying power, but without the group.

Fly-In Safaris:

Although self-drive arrangements suit many people, and are suitable for certain countries (South Africa and Namibia being good examples), the option of travelling by light aircraft from place to place is very suitable for some of the more remote areas such as Botswana and Tanzania. As safaris of this nature are highly popular, and, for the time sensitive, save a lot of time travelling from area to area, you need not necessarily have to pay for an entire aircraft.

You generally only pay for the seat that you occupy. Light aircraft can also travel to areas where larger, commercial flights cannot, thus opening-up some of the off-the-beaten-track areas. The operators of such flights also provide meet and greet arrangements, which mean that you are met off all flights, and directed onto your light aircraft.

Hotels:

No question about it, accommodations play a key role in the success of a trip. Many travellers say the most important one. You should pay close attention to the descriptions, locations and types of accommodation offered at the featured hotels.

Also, be aware of location of the hotels. Hotels situated just outside the centre of a city shouldn't be inconvenient if you'll be sightseeing by tour bus or if you have a rental car. On the other hand, if you are going to have a lot of free time in the cities you'll be visiting, you may prefer hotels that are centrally located.

If you still have questions about the hotels after reading the information, by all means check with us.

Meals:

Dining is one of the most enjoyable parts of the travel experience. Read carefully to determine how much regional 'flavour' you can look forward to on each programme.