Congratulations, like thousands of us each year you’ve decided to book your once in a lifetime safari trip to Africa! While this will offer an incredible experience, however, it’s important that you book the right type of holiday from the diverse range of choices now available.
Choosing a trusted tour operator is pivotal, with a plethora of Africa safari holidays supplied by operators like Africa Odyssey to select from you will want to make sure you get to see all you want to see and that you find an itinerary that suits you (and/or your family/partner).
For example, travelling to remote locations can prove to be a bit tricky so that’s something you need to consider. Besides that, here are some more steps you can take that will undoubtedly help you make the right booking.
1.Understand your Travel Style and Budget
Not every safari trip has been created equal, so when comparing the market you’ll need to determine your preferred travel method and how much money you have to spend.
The main consideration here is your budget, so you’ll need to identify reputable operators that exist and offer packages within your financial means. This will create a shortlist of sorts, and one that can help you save money so you can afford your safari.
From this list, you can start to appraise each operator in terms of the type of travel experience that they offer. There’s an array of accommodation types from rustic to luxury, for example, while you can also combine walking safaris with traditional 4×4 game viewing in some instances.
In recent times, safari operators have also begun to offer an array of different activities that supplement the main safari experience, from fishing and scuba diving to those that explore the cultural heritage of a particular region.
2.Distinguish Between Cheap Safaris and those that offer Value
Let’s face facts; even supposedly affordable safaris represent a significant financial investment, so there’s often a tendency to prioritise the cheapest trips when making a booking.
The issue here is that the cheapest safaris do not always deliver value for money, while the operators that sell them may also be less than reputable.
As a general rule, trusted and seasoned operators will place a slight premium on their expertise, while using special offers and the facilities at their disposal to improve the value proposition available.
So when comparing the market, you’ll need to look beyond the bottom line price and review precisely what’s include in the offer. This way, you’ll come to a more informed decision that offers the most value for money within your budget.
3.Check Online for Independent Reviews
While it stands to reason that travellers should select travel operators that are experienced and have detailed knowledge of specific locations, there are other factors that can help to inform their decision.
Take independent online reviews, for example, which are left by travellers who have already booked with a particular operator and share their unique experience.
Independent sites such as Trustpilot even collate brand reviews to rank different brands, helping customers to gain an insight into how they operate and make a more informed decision in the process.
We’d therefore recommend that you head online and see what others have to say about specific operators and safari packages, as this can help you to distinguish between rogue and reputable service providers.
