Which is the best African safari company for my safari trip?
This is a question that comes up very frequently and it's not surprising.
There are so many safari operators in the market all promising the earth that it is very difficult to choose between them, especially when you know nothing about them.
But there is a way to improve your chances significantly of making the right choice of safari company for your dream African safari trip and avoid the ones that might turn your trip into a nightmare. And it consists of three simple steps.
Don't let this happen to you
If you leave this decision to chance and just go with the safari company that seems the best or the cheapest you might end up in a situation like Dale and Dana Russell who went on safari in Tanzania and chose their safari company by gut instinct and price.
They were the only two in the safari vehicle on this trip but things started to go downhill fast when they asked their driver and guide questions and he would only answer in monosyllabic grunts and sometimes not at all.
And then on the way to the Serengeti from Nairobi he began to visit his relatives while Dale and Dana had to sit fuming in the safari vehicle.
To make matters worse when they finally did reach the Serengeti he would drive straight at the animals as if he was going to run them over and then stop at the last moment. And finally on the way back to Nairobi he did run over and kill a goat that was crossing the road, making no attempt to swerve or slow down.
Beware. There are a few shoestring operations like this out there but this one has fortunately since closed down.
So how do you avoid these cowboy operators when you choose a safari company for your trip? Simply apply the following three steps and you will cut out all the risky operators.
Recommendations from others
Some of the best advice you will receive about a safari company is from people who have been on a trip with them already. They can tell you exactly how the company performed and it's first hand information without any kind of marketing agenda.
This is a great way to create a shortlist of safari companies so if you know anyone who has been on safari before ask them about it. But what if you don't know someone who has been on safari before?
No problem. There are dozens of websites on the internet that list safari trip reports and travel diaries written by the people who have previously gone on the trip themselves. Find them and learn from them. The tips and recommendations you can glean there are very valuable for your own trip.
Check their credentials
The next thing you need to do is check the credentials of the safari company you are planning to use to make sure they are reputable.
To do your own research here is the process to follow...
Membership in safari associations don't guarantee that a company is reputable but it can be a pretty good indication so find out if your prospective safari guide is listed.
Here are the associations you can check: KATO - Kenya Association of Tour Operators, TATO - Tanzania Association of Tour Operators, SATSA - Southern Africa Tourism Services Association, TASA - Tours and Safari Association of Namibia, ATTA - African Travel and Tourism Association and ASTA - American Society of Travel Agents.
If they are not members it doesn't automatically mean they are not reputable but it does afford some peace of mind.
Ask the right questions
So you have a safari company in mind and you've done a little research to find out more about them and now it's time to get in touch. What questions do you need to ask to make sure you are going to get the best value for your money?
Find out how many other people there will be on your trip. Some of the companies can be guilty of trying to cram too many people into the safari vehicle and that can become unpleasant.
And ask about their payment policies. Some companies place the clients money in trust until the tour occurs so that in the unlikely event of the company going into liquidation your money will be safe.
Make sure they explain their cancellation and refund policy to you clearly and the timing of reservations and payments that need to be made.
There are dozens of other questions that you can ask but these should go a long way towards establishing if they are a fly-by-nighter just out to make a quick buck.
Follow the three steps and you can find the best safari company for your trip with unerring accuracy.
The choose a safari company at the African Safari Journals website is compiled by using the recommendations of previous safari travellers and covers the best companies in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia.
Not sure where to go on safari? These are the choose a safari company in Africa ranked by using trip reports from previous visitors to these areas.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareSimply sitting and watching birds is a popular hobby around... Read More
The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount... Read More
Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in... Read More
If your aim is not good, or is not quite... Read More
The quaint little balcony was large enough to accommodate two... Read More
I bet you're wondering where the heck this articles going.... Read More
Scotland has taken its place as the new Mecca for... Read More
We think that Cape Town has some of the best... Read More
A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of... Read More
The Udzungwa Mountains National park was created primarily for the... Read More
I've had backpacking trips that included rain, snow, lightning, rockslides,... Read More
A South Africa safari is the ideal wildlife trip to... Read More
Back from our family's vacation to Costa Rica, I am... Read More
When you search online for a camping gear outlet you... Read More
The last thing you want on an African safari is... Read More
The most famous Egyptian pyramids to be built are the... Read More
1. Take the early morning drives on safari even though... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
Magnetic declination is an essential principle to understand when navigating... Read More
Tanzania's natural endowment as a wildlife safari destination is unrivalled.... Read More
Do you like to take one day hiking trips? Do... Read More
Mystic Seaport celebrates the seafaring past of New England. Known... Read More
WHAT TO FISH AND WHERE: Alaska offers some of the... Read More
The intricate details on a topographic map can be befuddling,... Read More
There is something about a town tucked between the mountains... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Which is the best African safari company for my safari... Read More
Are walking sticks longer than trekking poles? What about hiking... Read More
The Cairns Fishing Adventure A Great Australia Road TripYou love... Read More
Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer... Read More
Thousands of golfers flock to the Carolinas each spring and... Read More
Do you like to take one day hiking trips? Do... Read More
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest and one of the deepest... Read More
Going on a gorilla safari must rank as one of... Read More
Up to now the preponderant view held by many historians... Read More
(NC)-With approximately 42,000 mosquitoes for every person in Ontario, most... Read More
There are many manufacturers of inflatable boats on the market... Read More
Recently we stayed at a state campground in Michigan near... Read More
I've had backpacking trips that included rain, snow, lightning, rockslides,... Read More
The Northern Circuit is probably Africa's most dramatic wildlife area.... Read More
Hello Again,Today we will be talking about meal planning. Meals... Read More
A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of... Read More
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
Having traveled from state to state and every city in... Read More
It seems like the most adventurous thing in the world.... Read More
Backpacking is a great way to escape the rat race... Read More
As the warmer weather approaches, we look forward to another... Read More
The quaint little balcony was large enough to accommodate two... Read More
1st day : Airport / Amman, O/N Our representative will... Read More
There is something about a town tucked between the mountains... Read More
If you are on a tight budget and can't afford... Read More
Outdoors |