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 Enjoying and experiencing a game safari is in the bucket list of probably all travelers. More and more baby boomers now consider a safari as the ideal inter generational family vacation or even grouping with their friends. Safari destinations are also now increasingly becoming choices for honeymoon as well as wedding destinations. We were fortunate in looking after one - wedding at a Masai location. The most well known regions that offer good wild game safaris include East, Southern and Central regions of Africa with India and Sri Lanka in Asia. These are the world’s most sought after wild game destinations. It is here that we see wide range of animals roaming free in their wilderness in natural settings. Each safari region has many national parks and each park has its own unique attractions to offer. It is however important to note that there are some factors that go across the board when researching for an ideal safari trip. To enjoy and get a real experience of a safari there are lots of factors to take into consideration. As a tour operator originating from Tanzania and one who has been arranging safaris for half of my life (and I am, old!) I will touch on four items that most people miss out when doing their homework. These four ingredients that will help make a remarkable safari are transportation, accommodation, seasonality and the human element - your guide.
Game runs in the vast natural parks demand that you should be equipped with a good vehicle. In the case of Tanzania using a 4x4 land cruiser not exceeding 7 passenger seats (thereby allowing each one to get a window seat) is really the way to go. Don’t be tricked into using a mini van which will certainly make the cost go down but you will not be able to make it to the top of Ngorongoro Crater. Minivans also donot have the speed power that a real safari demands. Check also if there is radio control, water and chiller on board and how old the vehicles are. Safaris can also be done by flying into the game parks as against road travel. Ask us for details. 02 ACCOMMODATION Location! location! location! Lodges are located in different parks of the parks and also on the outside borders of the parks (so they donot have to pay the park fees). Lodges located next to a river or a water pool often are venues where animals come to drink water and bathe and this offers a lot more private undisturbed moments from your hotel rooms. Accommodation come in various categories, sizes, shape and include nice permanent tented camps. There are quite a few chain of good lodges in Tanzania – and then there are some individual properties that stand out and are amongst the best safari lodges in the world. 03 WHEN Whilst game parks do not run out of animals during the rainy “low season”, safaring in the right season is where the best of the experience will be. When we look at the experience one can get during the annual mass animal migration the importance of the right timing cannot be underestimated. For timing of seeing migration safaris see: https://bestway.com/tours/tanzanian-migration-safari-phase1/ 04 SAFARI GUIDE Last but not the least is the guide who in most cases is the driver too. His experience and knowledge of the parks, animals, flora, fauna and his desires to make your safari worth it will make a big difference. Check also if the driver carries binoculars and books with pictures of different birds, plants and animals besides his experience. Taking a well planned itinerary which has been tried and tested is the way to go. Many safari operators offer scheduled departures with pricing based on a join in basis. Alternatively, go on a private safari tailored exclusively for you and your family/friends. For the 6-year-old the fun is as exciting as it is for the 60 or the 70 years old and not only will it be a memorable holiday but also an excellent opportunity to bond. The most popular combination with the Tanzania Northern Safari is Kenya and ending with the island of Zanzibar. The following sites will give you the taste of these: https://bestway.com/tours/kenya-tanzania-safari-victoria-falls/ https://bestway.com/tours/tanzanian-northern-safari/ https://bestway.com/tours/zanzibar-spice-island/ Your safari experts at Bestway Tours & Safaris are available to help you put together the safari of a life time. Kwaheri (the Kiswahili word for goodbye, farewell, adios!).
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Posted by Mahmood Poonja, Chief Explorer