African Safari Planning Process – Answer Questions First

The information contained on this page, is intended to simplify your safari planning process, which will in turn, help you reach a decision as to where, when, how and which safari.

This session is written with some help from our clients who have been to Africa, and mostly from traveler who have visited Africa more than once. Today, more and more of our new clients are expressing their appreciation for the contribution this information is making, in not only, simplifying the planning process but also easing their decision as to which safari interests them. A simplified planning process helps you to quickly elevate decision making to the next level – thus saving time for other responsibilities. As it is always the case, planning a safari combined with work can be demanding especially just before vacation. With our question asking planning process, we hope to make this exercise fun and exciting just like the safari itself.

Once you have finished reading this session you can go on to check out our destinations and activities. Based on some deciding factors such as, budget, period of stay, choice of activity, travelling style etc, you can choose luxury safaris or budget safaris. Should you require us to personalize a pre-defined adventure or have any other questions on any of our trips, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We look forward to working with you through this process. The process enriches you with knowledge about your destination and also assist you in putting together a perfect dream safari adventure to Africa!

Our so called “question asking planning process” starts with the following questions:

Which would be the best destination?

We at Coco-de-ville by Amarantetrf believe that this question can only be answered by the traveler. Nonetheless, here below is a button that leads to some information and facts on the regions where we operate our adventure safaris.

Which are the best times for travel?

We feel fortunate working towards these destinations because of their generosity and flexibility throughout the year-it is simply so that each month is a good time to travel depending on an individual’s budget.

East and Central Africa

Long rains period from the beginning of April through to early June. Short rains, November through to December. One advantage of traveling during the latter period is that it is less expensive giving the clients who want to travel then a good reason to do so. During this period, the coastline climate becomes cooler, the palms are greener and their night whispers add to a serene feeling.

The dry seasons, on the other hand, offer the traveler excellent game viewing possibilities. By nature Game tends to accumulate around the available water resources, thus giving the client possibilities of experiencing Rituals of the Wild. The more experienced the safari driver/guide is, the easier it is for them to find core of action.

One of the world’s most spectacular wild galore, often referred to as The Great Migration takes place in July/August, making East Africa extremely busy and more expensive. As a result, our itineraries sell out rather fast and therefore, it is advisable to confirm your safari well in advance.

South Africa

Rainy season often accompanied by afternoon thunders, runs from November to April. With the high season starting in July, buying a holiday in May and June would be ideal in terms of saving some money School vacation and the popularity of local tourism in December makes this month extremely busy and as a result expensive. As you well may know, South Africa has small safari camps and lodges thus giving rise to crowded beaches. The surcharges make it expensive and at the same time, limited availability, so book well in advance.

Indian Ocean Islands (Mauritius and Seychelles)

Welcome to this charming destination of the Indian Ocean. With private and luxurious accommodation facilities coupled with sun-drenched beaches, Turquoise waters, evocative sunsets, the Indian Ocean is an ultimate beach holiday hide- out and a place for everyone who is romantic at heart. Tailored for candidates such as honeymooners, Mauritius and Seychelles weather resembles that of Southern Africa, with rainy season running from November to April. Sporadic cyclones characterize this destination.

What activites are there, to choose from?

Click this link for further assistance.

How much should I/we spend?

We recommend you to consider this as one of the most important criteria when creating and selecting a trip, as much as we know that for some travelers cost consideration is not an issue for different reasons, some travelers will have a specific price in mind to work with, but remember, you get what you pay for! By the time you finish reading the headings that interests you in this website, you will learn that there are major differences in accommodation, transportation and food. Comfort of flying between camp sites is obviously expensive. The price tag will be affected whether you choose an organized tour or a custom designed tour. We at Trf Sketchers, believe in “anything is possible” and we are sure to find something within each client’s pocket but remember the saying “you get what you pay for,” holds some truth when it comes to how much you want to spend, and the level of quality your budget can buy you. This is one of the reasons we have chosen to go both ways: budget or luxury safaris!

Below are some of the factors that can, in general, affect price:

• Level of luxury
• Duration of trip
• Staying at camps, lodges & hotels or just camping in the jungle?
• The extra activities you choose to take while on trip?
• Choice of travel style
• Season of course

How do I choose my travel style?

Though most travelers assume this as the least important factor, consider what you see and do while travelling on road en-route your destination vs. the level of comfort in flying to your destination but remember, whatever your travel style choice, budget will be the deciding factor. So, have you chosen the correct travel style?

Consider the following while choosing your travel style:

Luxury arrangements will offer the traveler top-edge safaris, transporting you by small plane to posh lodges with every comfort. Dining and lounging facilities will be in the main building offering lots of entertainment in an African atmosphere. Accommodation is normally in a private bungalow, permanent tent with shower and toilet facilities – all in the surrounding of wildlife!

In East Africa, middle class safaris offer some similarities of high-end safaris but transport by plane is replaced by minibuses. A prominent difference in this moderate safari arrangement is that lodges are larger with guests from other tour operators. These lodges may seem less luxurious compared to top edge option but may not be obviously noticeable. It is very important that clients understand this difference!

Our budget safaris, which we also refer to as rustic, use our own permanent campsites or pitch-up tents for a day or two before moving to the next station. Outdoor showers and toilets are available. Some budget safaris have en-suite tented arrangements.

The adventurous thing about the rustic safaris is that you will actually be camping in the bush-adventure at its best! You will have an opportunity to hear the roars of the lion through the thin walls of the bedroom and sometimes, the smell of wild just grazing outside. Camping is the pot of adventurous fun – go for it! Security is our priority but we urge you to adhere to our security policy.

Other important questions

Other questions you may want to put into considerations before choosing travel style are:

• What age is the traveling party?

Take into account the age range that makeup your party. At age 65, you may want to accept that a camping safari, interesting and adventurous, as it may sound, may be a bit too rough for aged travelers. Some safari camps just do not accept children under age 12. Quietness is paramount during game drives, children may not have the required patience and most importantly, some travelers require a certain amount of concentration and their patience, which may be tampered with by children behavior.

• What is the reason of your travel?

Honeymooners may just want that comfort that goes with luxury depending on the couples interest and hobbies. And while traveling on business, with a load of work and appointments dictating your movement and time, we may not have much choice other than to tailor make safari solutions meeting your needs.

• Are you traveling in a small group, large group or individual?

We keep our small groups to no larger than 8-16 participants in case of luxury safaris. If you are traveling independently, you are also assured of transport from the airport to the hotel – but please remember to highlight that in the booking form.

• What is your mode of transport – by road or air?

Travel by air while expensive, is the most efficient mode of transportation giving you ample time for transfer between safari camps. It also allows you plenty of time for additional activities at each camp – which we want you to have because this is what this trip is all about! Going on safari and having loads of time to experience as much adventure as possible! Pay attention to the fact that planes used on these trips are generally small and therefore those with difficulties flying in small aircrafts should look into our other traveling alternatives e.g. by road where possible.

Travel by road on the other hand is inexpensive, but it can be a bit exhausting. You cover long stretches of distances on dusty and sometimes bumpy roads, safari vehicles can be, at times uncomfortable and it is time consuming. Despite that, overland/by road safaris offers you a chance to inhale the endless scenic beauty of the countryside and also the opportunity of meeting local inhabitants along the way – perfect opportunity for the traveler to unearth africa’s culture and heritage.

Let Coco-de-ville by Amarantetrf’s Safari Sketching Team join you in the journey of planning your african dream safari, by simply clicking here.

Call us now! We arrange only a few trips in a year to ensure meticulous administration of those selected and few safaris. Be one of them, take contact with us.