On safari!!

madlyn

I have a special birthday coming up next year (half century) and I'm looking into a nice holiday.
I have a couple of possible destinations on my list, but a safari is at the top of it.
So I'm after some advice please. When, Where, who to book with, websites for in depth advice, basically everything safari related.

The only real issue I have is that I will be going on my own, so a solo traveller. unless Hugh Jackman suddenly becomes available!!

Thanks in advance.

Ballard

I’m not a safari expert but have been on a couple and covid put paid to a third. 

Northern Tanzania was about 15 years ago and took in Arusha national park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngororgoro, Serengeti & Tarangiri National Park. I don’t recall how much it cost (would be pointless knowledge after 15 years anyway) but I booked through an agency in Arusha (can’t remember the name but again, pretty pointless anyway now). I would recommend this sort of trip. We finished it off by spending the last few days in Zanzibar. 

The other trip I did was in South Africa starting in Durban taking in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve and St Lucia which has the animals walking through the streets. I’d highly recommend safarisforafrica.com for information on this. 

Just before covid I was looking at a trip to Botswana to the Okavango Delta (again through safarisforafrica) but that didn’t happen. This is probably one of the most expensive safari options but also known to be very special. 

I have no affiliation with safarisforafrica but we used them (Sue) to arrange a couple of trips in early 2019 and another friend used them for a safari and was also delighted with the service.

zagfles

We are thinking about a safari but not done one yet, most safari holidays seem to be ridiculously expensive if you book as a package from the UK but considerably cheaper if you book locally and sort your own flights etc. I did bookmark this earlier thread which seems to contain useful info https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/79961490#Comment_79961490

Try also the tripadvisor forums, these are great for destination specific advice.

Alan_Bowen

Kenya seems to be a relatively 'easy' introduction into Africa, you can mix a safari with a few days on the beach, Tanzania is quite expensive and South Africa gives me slight security concerns. If you haven't been before I think it makes sense to book a package from the UK with a company that has a team in resort as it were to give you help and reassurance. Somak is a good company and you could do worse than begin by looking at their website for ideas, they offer holidays in numerous countries. Check with an expert for the best time of the year to travel to see the animals you particularly want to see, migrations take place at different times

shayne66

Hi, I'm going on my 1st safari to South Africa (Kruger National park area) on May 22nd booked with Newmarket Holidays. 
It might be an option to look at as everything is sorted and organised with a few different activities alongside safari trips. Plus the camp is small with 6 tents, so as a lone traveller you'll get to know other guests pretty quickly. 

Archergirl

Might be worthwhile deciding if you want to take Malaria tablets and have Yellow fever jabs, as this will impact your destination choices 

frankie

I have been on a few safaris but January 23 was the best. Went with Trailfinders to Kenya, was going to do a combined Kenya Tanzania on but yellow fever requirements put me of being at a certain age!

Any way we did a 10 day private safari with Trailfinders who use a company called Pollman Safaris (google them) as the local agents, Pollmans were great and later found out you can do direct booking with them, you'll need to do your own flights though.  Our guide was brilliant and he made the trip for us.  We enjoyed it so much we are going again January 24.

Kenya is obviously well set up for Safari adventures and would be good for first trip and although been twice before was still fantastic. Previously been to northern area of South Africa and that was good too, but for me lacked the open vistas of Masai Mara and Amboseli. If going to Kruger you'll most likely need Malarial protection.  Yellow fever is only a problem with certification if you transit one YF area to another. Flying direct from non YF area (ie UK) to a YF area is not a problem regarding certification.

Audley Travel has good info on climate timings etc.

Where ever you go a safari will long last in you're memories. Have a good one..