BEFORE TRAVELING: make the “traveler consultation” (on SNS or privately). Not only for the possible need for vaccination, but for the information we obtain, for remembering about some care and to go prepared for something less good to happen.

Also before traveling, it is always a good option to arrange the entry visa at the destination in advance. It will save at least 1 or 2 hours in queues upon arrival.

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READ, QUESTION, ASK: As I already explained, the choice of May (mid) was the best possible for my destination and for the type of trip I wanted. But having been 2 weeks before would be synonymous with heavy rains or going 2 months later would have been very dusty and many, many queues. Question, compare, get information about animals, migrations, weather, safety, etc.

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TYPES OF SAFARIS AND PRICES: in almost all operators we will find 3 price levels, usually referred to as “Budget / Mid-Range / Luxury”.

Several aspects change prices and they can all make sense for each of us (a lower level hotel for example, go by private plane or jeep, take a balloon ride or not.

In other cases, “saving” will be the same as not having the desired experience. If you're looking for some exclusivity, you won't want to ride in trucks with very large groups or on public transport. If you want some comfort and time for what you like best, you won't opt for the less expensive option which is to take the e  tent to do the safari in camps.

You will almost certainly not want to visit the cheapest parks, but the best ones. You won't want to book all experiences separately because you will spend a lot of time on presentations and explaining what you want. It makes much less sense to hire an “informal guide” or some operator of dubious quality who will disappear the moment any difficulty or problem arises.

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TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION / FOOD / VEHICLES / PROGRAMS AND VISITS: there are offers for all tastes and even for all (or almost all) budgets. However, in the "packages" on sale at travel agencies, the information is not always the best and sometimes it becomes confusing. Huge disparities, supplements, caveats, etc. will appear.

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ALONE, FAMILY OR IN A GROUP: this aspect will greatly influence your experience (and also  your cost). Travel alone, with 1 or 2 more people, or in a group? And being in a group, a group with similar tastes to yours or will it be a very heterogeneous group?

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There are costs that are the same whether for one person or for 5 (fuel, driver/guide, vehicle entrance to national parks, etc).

Doing in a group is the solution to lower costs, not having to pay an individual supplement in the accommodation and we will even end up saving a little on the bonuses. But now imagine that you go with the aim of seeing as much as possible and that you end up in a group with a couple who want to make the most of it to rest in the hotels and some friends more interested in local drinks or staying up late!.. .

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PHOTOGRAPHY: what are we going to photograph? At what distance? Under what light conditions? What material to take and in what quantity? Everything will depend on the tastes, material and goals of each one. Now, it's certain that we won't be close to any store to buy photographic material and on the other hand we won't want to take what we don't need.

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WHAT TO BRING: Without being exhaustive about what to bring for clothes, shoes, hygiene, medication, photographic material, etc., I would say that the most important thing is to know WHAT NOT to BRING as the least thing we will have on a safari is space for large luggage.

If you wish, contact me and I will be happy to send you my notes/opinions.

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