Safari Checklist
1. Absolute numero uno, Consider the season. Rainy season makes game viewing extremely difficult for two reasons: 1.) The high concentration of plant life obstruct game viewing. 2.) Animal life spreads between an abundance of watering holes instead of focusing around one or two main bodies. I highly recommend visiting during dry season. When grasslands have been reduced to short and unobtrusive lengths and animals congregate around the last few remaining watering holes.
2. Depending which country you would like to visit, Migration patterns can dramatically effect your safari. Kenya and Tanzania, for instance, are very dependent on a yearly phenomena called, The Great Migration. When millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate between Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and Kenya's Masai Mara National Park in search of limited food and water supplies. This influx of game attracts predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs, also favorites among safari goers. If you arrive to far before or after the migration, the variety and volume of animals you'll see, could be severely limited.
3. Safari in numbers. This is one of the biggest pieces of advice I can offer. The more people you have in your entourage the cheaper rates you will find. For example, if the going rate for a 3 day / 2 night safari is $400/person, you, as a solo safari goer, might get a $50 discount as incentive to book. But 4 people bargaining for the same safari will easily double, if not triple, that discount. In short, a safari company would much rather receive say $250 per person ($1,000 total) rather then lose all 4 people's business to another safari company because they didn't reduce enough. Remember, you are in the driver seat. If your favorite safari company won't offer an appropriate discount, remind them of all the other companies that will.
2. Depending which country you would like to visit, Migration patterns can dramatically effect your safari. Kenya and Tanzania, for instance, are very dependent on a yearly phenomena called, The Great Migration. When millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate between Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and Kenya's Masai Mara National Park in search of limited food and water supplies. This influx of game attracts predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs, also favorites among safari goers. If you arrive to far before or after the migration, the variety and volume of animals you'll see, could be severely limited.
3. Safari in numbers. This is one of the biggest pieces of advice I can offer. The more people you have in your entourage the cheaper rates you will find. For example, if the going rate for a 3 day / 2 night safari is $400/person, you, as a solo safari goer, might get a $50 discount as incentive to book. But 4 people bargaining for the same safari will easily double, if not triple, that discount. In short, a safari company would much rather receive say $250 per person ($1,000 total) rather then lose all 4 people's business to another safari company because they didn't reduce enough. Remember, you are in the driver seat. If your favorite safari company won't offer an appropriate discount, remind them of all the other companies that will.
4. Shop Around. When choosing which tour company to discover the "Big 5" with, first consider these Big 5.
1.) Duration. Your safari should include a least 2 game drives (one pre-dawn drive when animal life is abundant) along with a boat cruise game
viewing. Definitely stay in the park 1-2 nights, the savannah by night is gorgeous but anything beyond 2 nights, as I found, becomes a bit repetitive.
Sure, if your'e seeing new wildlife daily, the excitement will remain but after a dozen hours in a safari vehicle looking at the same animals,
elephants, wildebeest, zebras, etc, the novelty does, sadly, wear off. I recommend keeping the safari short and sweet so your enthusiasm abounds
during the entire expedition.
1.) Duration. Your safari should include a least 2 game drives (one pre-dawn drive when animal life is abundant) along with a boat cruise game
viewing. Definitely stay in the park 1-2 nights, the savannah by night is gorgeous but anything beyond 2 nights, as I found, becomes a bit repetitive.
Sure, if your'e seeing new wildlife daily, the excitement will remain but after a dozen hours in a safari vehicle looking at the same animals,
elephants, wildebeest, zebras, etc, the novelty does, sadly, wear off. I recommend keeping the safari short and sweet so your enthusiasm abounds
during the entire expedition.
2.) Safari vehicle style. There are two main styles. The "Pop Up" and
"Open Air". "Pop up's", require passengers to stand and view game from a cut out portion of the roof. "Open air" vehicles have no doors or windows to contend with. This means 360-degree photo taking capabilities from the comfort of your seat. Going along with style, be sure to ask the number of clients per vehicle. Often, in an attempt to cut financial corners, safari companies link tour groups together, placing 20+ safari goers in one oversized vehicle instead of the private jeep tour you paid for. 3.) Accommodation Type. Tent, hut, lodge? I have only one thing to say about accommodation…you're on a safari to be in nature. Choosing to stay at a ultra-comfortable, self-contained lodge defeats the entire purpose of a safari. Get out of your box and into a tent. 4.) Meals. Most multi-day safaris should include all your meals along with cold drinks but it never hurts to ask what exactly is provided. Hate to get out in the middle of nowhere with only a granola bar and solo bottle of luke-water to your name. 5.) Price. Booking in person almost always yields the best rates. Companies will urge you to book in advance through online servers, but the "best deal" they're offering, is far from it. Build a few research days into your itinerary before departing on safari so you can visit all the tour operators and bargain rates in person. Trust me, once your dollar signs are sitting across the desk from them, online rates will go out the window, and "in the moment" rates will apply. You will also SAVE hundreds, if not thousands. Another piece of advice, do not choose the cheapest tour operator out of the gate. You might save a few dollars and haggling headaches but there is a reason for the reduced rate. Bad service, horrible food, broken down vehicles, etc. Focus on the midrange safari companies and bargain the price down. You can often snag a similar rate to the cheap company but receive the mid-range company service and amenities. |
5. Safari Pack List. Biggest mistake people make…bringing too much. You don't need to change your outfit daily or even shower daily. You simply
need deodorant. On a 2 night, 3 day safari, I recommend:
1. Day Bag: Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Safari Hat, Bug Spray, Chapstick.
2. Camera With Zoom. It absolutely pays to bring a nice camera. Point and shoots may capture the overall vista but for those up close snaps of
animal intimacy, a 10 + zoom is necessary!
3. Flashlight i.e. Torch
4. Waterproof Jacket
5. Warm Fleece
6. Water resistant or quick dry pants - 2 pair. (Don't bother with shorts, no matter what the heat. Mosquitos see skin and they attack.
7. 2 T-Shirts
8. Swimsuit.
9. Personal Med's - Malaria Tabs, Antibiotics, Generic Pain Relief etc.
10. Journal - Capture the moment in words, not just photos.
With your Safari Checklist complete, there is only one more piece of advice I can offer. Enjoy the moment. Yes it's great to capture moments on camera, but its much better to experience them first hand. Footage can never fully transport you back. Appreciate first, then Snap.
need deodorant. On a 2 night, 3 day safari, I recommend:
1. Day Bag: Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Safari Hat, Bug Spray, Chapstick.
2. Camera With Zoom. It absolutely pays to bring a nice camera. Point and shoots may capture the overall vista but for those up close snaps of
animal intimacy, a 10 + zoom is necessary!
3. Flashlight i.e. Torch
4. Waterproof Jacket
5. Warm Fleece
6. Water resistant or quick dry pants - 2 pair. (Don't bother with shorts, no matter what the heat. Mosquitos see skin and they attack.
7. 2 T-Shirts
8. Swimsuit.
9. Personal Med's - Malaria Tabs, Antibiotics, Generic Pain Relief etc.
10. Journal - Capture the moment in words, not just photos.
With your Safari Checklist complete, there is only one more piece of advice I can offer. Enjoy the moment. Yes it's great to capture moments on camera, but its much better to experience them first hand. Footage can never fully transport you back. Appreciate first, then Snap.