Where to go if it's your first African Safari.

How to narrow down your itinerary.

Every safari has it's unique advantages so narrowing down a FIRST time safari can be a bit overwhelming. Here is a great place to start.

Courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent

1. Season. You probably have some time of year that you'd like to travel it. That might narrow down where you might head to based on the time of year. They may not have winter / summer but it might be rainy or dry season which could affect where the herds go.

2. Animals. This is crucial. If you're dying to see big cats, there are better places to see them. If elephants are your dream, there are safaris catered to elephant sightings. Primates? Those will definitely limit where you head to as they're in much more isolated areas. Maybe it's your first time and you just want to see a variety and the Big 5, then certain lodges will be perfect for this.

3. Price. Africa is just not cheap compared to other developing countries in other continents, however, there are some cheaper alternatives. Also staying in a more concentrated area will help keep the price down because the intercontinental travel can get pricy and you'll need to add additional time because it's less efficient than other parts of the world.

4. Travelers. Depending on who is traveling, there are some safaris that are more active and some that cater to special needs or younger families. Depending on the amount of activity might depend on where you go.

5. Climate. If you love some sunshine, a rainy season might deter you from certain regions, however, if you're allergic to the sun, then you'll want to consider certain regions, times of the year, or even how you travel, say in an open air truck vs a pop up roof.

6. Activities. If you love hiking, bird watching, being on a boat, waterfalls, photography, or interacting with cultures, this may also help determine where you might want to go for your first safari. A lot of safaris involve quite a bit of sitting but there are some different itineraries that will help break up the long truck rides.

Taking these into consideration, it will help you narrow where to go. You'll find out very quickly that you'll be drawn to certain animals or activities and some you'll have very little interest in.

Courtesy of Amanda Olusanya

If you have any interest in finding out more information, I have plenty of ideas! Connect with me and I can help find or design a perfect trip. The first time I ever went, I went solo and I remember being overwhelmed by all the choices but I promise I can help you ease your choices.

Here is a link to my profile as a Fora Advisor.

Much Love,

-Amanda O-