Booking a Safari

sarah69696pink

I've never been on a safari before, and although well travelled and a little unsure where to start (other than google) with this.
We want to go in February and for only a week - a lot of options that have come up when I've looked are for much longer.
Can anyone recommend any websites to get me started?

Teahfc

Where are you going ?
I have always booked mine direct with the game reserve. I normally go to Shamwari in South Africa and maximum time is 48 hours. That way you arrive for Lunch, have a couple of hours relaxing, the first Drive late afternoon for 4 hours ish then back for dinner, next morning early morning drive followed by breakfast then relax until late sfternoon then same again and again next morning followed by departure after your breakfast. Should be plenty of time.

sarah69696pink

Thank you - we're not decided where to go. South Africa was our first thought, but when I started to some research it looked like Tanzania was recommended for that time of year? Its not the sort of holiday I've ever been on....when booking direct with game reserve do you make your own way there?

comeandgo

I suggest you join Trip Advisor and read the safari reports in the Tanzania forum. A few of the posters are very knowledgeable and can help.

Teahfc

sarah69696pink wrote: »

Thank you - we're not decided where to go. South Africa was our first thought, but when I started to some research it looked like Tanzania was recommended for that time of year? Its not the sort of holiday I've ever been on....when booking direct with game reserve do you make your own way there?

Yes make your own way. Driving in SA is easy and along the Garden route Cape Town to Port Elizabeth is beautiful.
Never done the Tanzania/Kenya safari but I guess it must be close to the wilderbeast migration time? Also heard of a few who have done
Hot air ballon safari. I am off to Namibia for Xmas/New year on a new reserve.

prenton01

I have done it in South Africa loved it and it's cheaper than you think.

I booked all flights and hotels myself and booked 2 nights at this safari https://www.schotiasafaris.co.za/

Here are my photos

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.116229232812.124915.779567812&type=1&l=8b4c629693

Stayed here and safari team picked us up and dropped us off
http://www.lemontreelane.co.za/

Total cost was around £1200 per person that included 4 days in cape town / 3 days in Stellenbosch doing wine tours and 2 nights safari

Katiehound

It also depends what you want to see.
Botswana has a couple of great places- Okavango Delta & Chobe. (There are others)
Also Zimbabwe- Hwange , and of course Victoria Falls & Zambezi

Beenie

Another vote here for Shamwari. We went in February this year and it was absolutely marvellous. There was a Dutch couple in our group and they had done 10-11 safaris all over Africa and said that Shamwari was definitely the best.

Ballard

I absolutely loved Tanzania and would certainly recomend the northern circuit. Started off in Arusha and took in Tarangiri, Ngorongo & Serengeti. Considered a shot air balloon but the expense put us off. We flew from An airfield in the Serengeti to Dar es Salaam which stayed easily low enough to watch the wildlife.

Finished off with a week in Zanzibar.

I’m not well traveled compared to others on here but I’ve been to 50 odd countries and Tanzania is right up there.

sarah69696pink

thanks everyone this is really helpful - feel like i know where to start now.

Teahfc

At Shamwari i preferred long Lee manor for accommodation also stopped at Eagles crag but at the manor you have great gardens to safely wander and a great pool overlooking the water hole. At Eagles you have to call to move about the open area and be escorted by a armed ranger.
Botswana is brilliant for Elephants possibly the best in Africa but very exspensive.
Google the garden route as loads of things to do from walking with cheetahs to shark cage diving.