As you start making your safari plans, there are a few things you'll want to think about as you narrow down your various options.
Type of accommodations -- you can stay in everything from a sleeping bag on the ground of a small tent with shared bathroom facilities to a large, luxurious lodge with all the creature comforts of home and many options in between. Know that not all accommodations rhave electricity, wifi and cell signal, running water and heat. Some do, but many do not. Many camps are not fenced, which means the animals can and do come through camp. Do not take anything you're used to in your usual accommodations as a given on safari and if you're in doubt, you should ask the operator or your safari planner to confirm. Mobile tented camps, which is where I prefer to stay, are situated out in the bush and have a small footprint on the land. Nothing is permanent; it can all be packed up and moved. The toilets have a ceramic bowl but flush into the ground. Showers are a bucket of water lifted overhead and fed through a sometimes leaky showerhead; when your 20 gallons are gone, your shower is done. Electricity is normally turned on just around dinner time and wifi is spotty at best. In exchange, you lie amongst the lions and can listen to them and all their savannah friends throughout the night. Sometimes the tents can be too hot, sometimes you'll find bugs or a tiny lizard or frog inside your tent, but sleeping outdoors is pretty amazing, especially when you know your game drive starts each day the minute you set foot outside your tent. And yes, I've seen plenty of wildlife right in camp, often from my tent!
Accommodation amenities -- much like the lodging itself, what each camp offers can vary greatly. Some have only bucket showers, some have soaker tubs or outdoor tubs. Some have swimming pools and fire pits, others offer spa services like massages and hot stone therapy. If you have something special in mind, always inquire ahead of time.
Types of game drives -- most camps I've stayed at are pretty flexible with their game drive schedule. Normally, they are either one all-day drive (going out before sunrise and coming back for dinner, taking a packed breakfast and lunch with you) or a morning and evening drive, coming back for lunch and going out for a few hours before dinner, with a delightful siesta in between. The rules aren't usually hard and fast but you should make sure the camp manager and your guides know your preference. I will never miss an early morning game drive. The best sightings I've had usually come just as the sun comes up and everything is lit in that gorgeous golden light. If, however, you're sharing a vehicle with other guests, which is common in many camps, it may be hard to accommodate everyone's wishes. Some may not want to go out early or out for the entire day. The camps usually work hard to satisfy everyone but sometimes compromises must be made. Some camps also have permission to do night game drives, which happen long after the sun goes down and are aided by a spotlight of some sort. This allows you to see what happens when the sun goes down and everything becomes active. The sky and stars as well as the sounds of the night are pretty impressive on their own. When in doubt on how any camp conducts their drives, you should confirm before you book so as to avoid disappointment. (I've heard how some people expected a pre-dawn game drive only to find out that the drives don't start until after breakfast!)
More than just game drives -- some safari destinations offer more than just traditional game drives. There are opportunities for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey hikes, big cat tracking.
Driving vs. Fly-in safaris -- depending on the routing of your itinerary, you may be offered the option to drive it or fly it. Each comes with a cost. Driving is by far cheaper, although in some cases it can be a hot, dusty, boring drive over very bumpy roads. Flying in between camps is obviously much faster with pretty spectacular views over the land you pass, but flying can be costly. Some itineraries don't allow for flying so driving may be your only option, but it's worth asking. Prepare yourself though as most airstrips in the bush accommodate only small planes able to land and take off on grass airstrips. I fly when I can only to maximize the time that I have available for game driving. In some countries you can even rent a car and drive yourself, with no need for a guide at all.
Adding beach to the itinerary -- many African nations have extensive coastline and beaches available that many safarigoers like to tack on to their itineraries. If that's something of interest, you should ask your operator or safari planner to factor that in.
Additional activities -- beyond the game drives, there are other activities that may be available, like walking safari, tribal village visits, games and activities for kids, canoeing, river safari, horseback riding, mountain climbing, jungle hikes, hot air balloon rides.
There's a lot of decisions to navigate as you plan for your safari. It can be overwhelming and confusing but a good safari planner will help prevent analysis paralysis.
No comments:
Post a Comment