Safaris in Africa are renowned for their breathtaking natural beauty; from the breathtaking Maasai Mara in Kenya to the interesting wildlife in the Serengeti in Tanzania, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, to get the best out of an Africa safari tour, you need an experienced operator that can make all the difference to the quality of your Africa safari holiday. Hence, it is critical to know what to look for while choosing the right safari operator from among the thousands available today. This checklist helps you make an informed choice:
What are previous visitors saying about their services?
Third-party review sites like TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, Safari Booking, and similar Travel Forums can help you get a good feel of the service quality offered by an operator. These are supposed-to-be reviews from actual customers as opposed to reviews from their websites that they can manipulate.
Have they been in business for at least three years?
A safari operator with at least five years of experience offers the benefit of accumulated lessons and insights, which they share during your trip. It does not imply that one should completely avoid using newer operators. New safari operators can offer an innovative and enthusiastic edge.
How knowledgeable are the guides?
If you are going for a specific event, for instance, the great migration, then you’ll need an operator who knows their way around the area. Check on the guide’s qualifications, accreditation, tour experience, proper licenses, etc as you want your trip to be an educational one as well.
Who runs the operation?
Professional safari operators can customize your itinerary for a more personalized and intimate experience from start to finish. You also gain from direct bookings, which do away with the potential for understanding and delays when working with middlemen. Booking directly can also save you money because you won’t have to pay an agent commission.
How responsive are they?
Do you get a timely response with your inquiries or do you need to almost beg before getting the information you need? Your image of their standards for customer service will already be formed by this.
Which activities are available?
Do you want to spend time in the wild, getting close to Mother Nature, or do you prefer a more opulent vacation where you can enjoy the views and sounds from the comfort of a lodge or an airplane? Check over the activities they have to offer and get a breakdown of your quote so you can understand the costs associated with your safari package.
Do they have their vehicles?
Be sure to confirm what kinds of vehicles they use for all their activities — transfers, long-distance travel, and game-viewing drives. To give them more authority over car upkeep, you should make sure they own the vehicles. Ask for their insurance coverage too.
What are the accommodation options that they offer?
Make sure you are happy with the options provided because you want a cozy location to unwind after a long day. What about the restrooms and toilets? Ensure that those are also up to par. Because safari firms frequently offer excellent recommendations due to their relationships with accommodation property owners, you are still free to make your selections.
Do they have a transparent return and cancellation policy for payments?
Make sure to check the payment terms and conditions as well as the cancellation policy before making any payments. Most direct bookings require up to 50% down payment and the rest is paid upon arrival. Use your best judgment when booking. For instance, it should be enough to raise some red flags if the firm name and the bank account name do not match.
Conclusion
Do you wish to get the best out of your Africa safari tour & make your journey a more memorable experience? A good safari operator will take you to the greatest locations, including undiscovered locales. Finding one that meets all the criteria listed above will help ensure that you have the best African safari holiday you dream of. You will feel the impact they are making. Selecting a safari operator will pay off in the end when you are finally ticking African safari adventure off your bucket list. Rest assured they will help you explore the best of East Africa from a local perspective.
Authors Bio
This article is written by Safari Seekers- one of the oldest and most experienced Kenyan safari operator happy to offer African safari holidays for a successful vacation experience.