On Safari – Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the more frequently asked questions about Safari’s, planning for them and what to expect. Our safari planning and implementation resource boasts a team of over 20 safari experts with an impressive number of years of combined personal experience in the field and African Safari Packages are our passion. If you can’t find an answer to any of your questions here, reach out, contact us and one of our “Itinerary Rangers” will do their best to assist you with an answer.
1. How much does an African Safari package cost?
Safaris come in all shapes and flavors. There is a wide variety of safari destinations, various levels and combinations of accommodation and a range of meal plans. It’s also important to consider the time of year at which you would like to travel. For examples of pricing, your daily budget should be between $300 – $550 per person sharing if you’re looking for a luxury four star safari on a bed and breakfast basis. If you prefer a luxury five star safari with an all-inclusive package option, you could expect to budget from around $1,000 per person per day. As there is no additional cost to you we suggest that it’s best to speak to a travel consultant about a fixed price as there may also be special offers, combination deals or seasonal specials available, which you can take advantage of.
2. Do you offer free personal African safari consultations?
Absolutely. We offer a free introductory 30 minute Personal African Safari Package Consultation. We are confident that you will be so impressed with our initial risk free consultation that you will feel comfortable continuing to work with us. As a team of passionate safari package professionals, we deliver our best when we understand exactly what your requirements are. To take advantage of this “face-to-face” we offer click through to our contact page and book your slot through our Personal African Safari Package Consultation link.
3. When is the best time to travel on Safari?
No matter what time of the year you are planning to travel, you will find a destination in Africa that is perfect for that time of the year. It is generally accepted though, that the dry season is the best time for wildlife-viewing (game-viewing) although this occurs at slightly different times in different parts of Africa. In Southern Africa the dryer season is from April through October whilst for East Africa, the dry season is generally from July through October. Southern Africa’s most popular wildlife reserve is the Kruger Park where the season from August to early October is best as it covers the end of winter. This results in vegetation which is considerably less dense, cooler day-time temperatures and more active animals which are all ideal for bush excursions and game viewing. Please bear in mind that because of these factors, these months are traditionally peak seasons, so it is essential that you book well in advance for travel during this time. Our team is happy to advise on the options available.
4. How long have you been in business?
Our “Chief Itinerary Ranger”, has been guiding and working in the safari industry since 1986 and registered the company over 20 years ago in 1999 under the Imperial Holdings banner. We’re proud of our repeat client base, satisfied guests and the reputation we have built over two decades of providing life-changing luxury safari experiences to clients from all over the world.
5. How do I make an affordable African Safari package?
To make your African Safari Package more affordable, we suggest you try the following tips:
Wireframe your Dream Safari Experience – make sure you have a really good, detailed outline of your hobbies, interests, budget, time available and the types of things you want to see and do while on your safari vacation. Make note of the things you disliked or really enjoyed about previous vacations as these will be invaluable pointers in the planning for your safari package.
Recognize the value of your time – Utilize the services of a local expert. We don’t believe that you can underestimate the value of local, on the ground knowledge in putting together a winning, enjoyable, seamless itinerary. It shouldn’t cost you more because a professional Destination Management Company’s (DMC) fees are included in the discounts we get for buying in bulk and pass those savings on to you. We have the flexibility of supplier contracts with thousands of options and you get to pay through one channel with a bonded supplier, so any deposits you pay are safe.
Make use of free consultation services – it will help you get started on the road to your safari trip and give you a great idea not only of the kind of itinerary options available to you but also of the potential service and relationship you can expect from your DMC before you buy.
Package – Letting a professional DMC put an end to end package together for you rather than a piecemeal approach gives us more wiggle room with our suppliers and often means preferable pricing for you. Check out the packaged option and chances are that swings and roundabouts, you win.
Honeymoons – It’s important to let us know if you are planning your Honeymoon Safari because we often have special honeymoon packages, added value offers and discounts for that special occasion (let us know about those special anniversaries too).
Research, Research, Research – do your homework, ask questions and work with your supplier to get the best value for money deals available. Remember, some of us have been doing this for over 20 years and we pride ourselves on the supplier relationships we have built and in bringing you (our guests) great value.
6. Is there anything to do besides Safari?
Absolutely, because we tailor-make our safaris to guest requirements you can rest assured that each and every About in Africa Safari is laser-focused to put you in touch with the true spirit of the region you are visiting. Our itineraries vary in destinations visited, distance covered, experiences included, duration and focus of the itinerary. For example destinations like South Africa’s Mother City, Cape Town, and the Victoria Falls can combine an eclectic city vibe, gastronomy, world-renowned restaurants and wine estates, art and cultural tours with a wide range of adventure activities like hiking, surfing, deep-sea fishing, shark-cage diving, white water rafting, river cruises, helicopter tours, bungee jumping, tiger fishing, and visits to local villages.
Among others, choices include East Africa and Botswana which are more wildlife-intensive, Mozambique and Madagascar’s barefoot luxury, or some like South Africa, which have a more vibrant view of the blend of African cities, wildlife and scenic landscapes. If you have questions, aren’t sure which style would best suit your interests or are battling to choose, feel free to contact one of our “Itinerary Rangers” here.
7. What type of food can I expect on Safari?
Simply put, in a word, delicious. We take cuisine and dietary requirements very seriously and because our guests hail from all over the world we have catered to vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, jain and some of those not so run of the mill requests. We ask a number of questions because we believe that it is key to the value of your experience to ensure our products know what your preferences are, especially in the food department. Our top end lodges offer a range of international cuisine, in addition to local specialties and delights to appeal to a wide range of palates. By way of example, Nairobi boasts a variety of regional specialties, ever-abundant fresh fish and game (venison) options in addition to exceptional French cuisine and mouth-watering Indian curries, while South African specialties are influenced by Indonesian styled cuisine with mildly spicy Malay dishes being popular, especially around Cape Town. Often sourced from the surrounding area’s rich farmlands, fresh meat, fish, vegetables and fruits arrive daily because we want all food served on an About in Africa safari to be of the highest quality. Hospitality is in our culture and with no better way to get to know the locals than sitting around a table sharing good food, good drink and great stories, we’d love to tempt you to sample some of what our locals enjoy most.
8. How long should I go on Safari for?
In our experience the most frequently booked package length has an average of 11 nights on safari. Of course, it is all about your personal preference, budget and how much time you have available. We like to suggest that you carefully consider the number of destinations you would like to visit, in order to create a balance between relaxation and getting to see enough. A typical safari package may kick off with 3-4 nights in Cape Town, 3 nights in the Kruger National Park and then a 3-4 night stay in a beach destination in Southern Africa, East Africa or even Seychelles or Mauritius. Most of our first-time guests choose a fairly standard routing of 10-14 nights and sprinkle it with activities that meet their interests and hobbies and a balance of leisure.