Speak to a Bucketlist Safaris Consultant
It takes a bit of courage to travel. Planning a safari adventure can be daunting and a bit scary. You want to have enough time to choose where to go, what you would like to experience and the best time of year to go.
There are a lot of options and of course, that’s where your Bucketlist Safaris travel consultant can help you weigh each one, without rushing into any decisions
Where to go
First-timers looking for a more established setup may want to consider safari heavyweights Kenya and Tanzania. There a many game reserves in Africa, but The Masai Mara in Kenya is quite possibly the best place on the continent to see the Big Five - Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros, Elephant, and Cape Buffalo - all in a day
It's hard to beat the wildlife, biodiversity, and expansive landscapes of Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. These two destinations alone make a solid case for declaring it Africa’s best safari country.
Uganda is your off the beaten path destination. If you’ve been there and done that, but are still craving the adventure that only an African safari can offer, then tracking the worlds two surviving mountain gorillas in magical forests tops the safari agenda here.
When to go
There’s not really a bad time to come to East Africa. While game-viewing may be generally better in the dry season, this is not exclusively the case. Some regions are so established and/or productive for game-viewing that even at the technically ‘wrong’ time of year (i.e. during the rainy season), the game-viewing is still magnificent.
The main dry season is from June to October, with a secondary drier season from mid-December to mid-March. November is historically known as the time of the ‘short rains’, whilst April and May host the ‘main’ rains. However, it can rain at any time in East Africa and so the seasons somewhat merge into each other. Even in the rainy seasons, the days are still predominantly sunny, with rain showers only in the evenings or early mornings.
Booking hotels, camps and lodges and activities
Bucketlist Safaris can organize all aspects of your safari from arrival to departure, including bookings at hotels, camps and lodges, road and domestic flight transport, daily activities and meals
There are many accommodation options, but you may be surprised to discover that the best safari camps fill up six months to a year in advance. This is especially the case at the height of the safari season. Some safari camps cater to fewer than 20 guests at a time, so availability runs out very quickly especially if you need more than one room.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of planning a safari is browsing through the incredible camps on offer, so make sure to book far in advance to avoid any disappointment.
Cost
There are a number of factors that determine how much your overall safari will cost as you travel to East Africa. These include season of travel, number of nights, total number of persons traveling, the type of accommodation, mode of transport (tour van, 4x4 safari jeep, flights) and extra activities. Your interests, time and budget are our highest priority
Food and drink
What can you expect on your plate when you come on safari? The answer depends on your choice of destination. But you can count on mouthwatering local ingredients served in spectacular wilderness settings.
The fact that Africa is not considered a foodie destination is something of a tragedy for those of us in the know. Inspired by its rich cultural heritage, you’ll find everything from internationally awarded gourmet restaurants to aromatic fusion food inspired by Africa’s rich Indian, Middle Eastern and European influences.
Very few lodges offer a la carte dining – you’re much more likely to encounter generous buffets, platters of delicious homemade snacks and tea-time treats, and 3-course dinners. The level of sophistication - and the number of options - depends on the lodge’s distance from suppliers.
It is important to tell your Safari Expert about any dietary preferences well in advance of your arrival. Whether you are vegan, lactose or gluten-intolerant, chefs will go to the ends of the earth to serve you great food to your preferences
Bottled water is available in all tourist centers. It is best to assume that water is NOT safe to drink unless it has been boiled. It is always wise to double check locally if in any doubt.
Wine tends to be imported and may be expensive; however, local beer and local spirits are reasonably priced and easily available as are soft drinks (Pepsi, Coca Cola etc) and bottled water.
Passports and Visa requirements
Passports must be valid for six months beyond the date the visa was issued and/or date of entry, and one page must be blank.
Entering most countries of the region is usually hassle free, although there can be long queues at airport immigration. Visitors are encouraged to apply for visas online in advance of travel at the embassy website.
Health Information
Part of planning your trip is finding out what's required to safeguard the health of you and your family. Certain types of vaccination and preventive medicine recommended have to be administered well in advance of your departure, through your doctor or your local Department of Health
Travel insurance
When life circumstances get in the way, it’s the traveler who really gets nailed. And that is when the inevitable question of travel insurance arises. Choosing the right travel insurance can be complicated, but the unforeseen difficulties that happen more often than you’d think underscores the importance of investing in travel insurance. When you spend so much money on a trip, why wouldn't you spend a few hundred dollars more for insurance? Shop around, but we recommend TravelGuard.
