TYPES OF SAFARIS

LODGE AND PERMANENT CAMP SAFARIS

Lodge safaris are simply safaris using lodge or fixed camps for accommodation. Some safaris mix lodge with fined tented camps, or camps with chalets or bungalows, providing a greater range of experience for their guests.

MOBILE TENTED CAMP SAFAIS
Private mobile tented camp safaris are, in my opinion, one of the best ways to experience the bush. Group mobile tented safaris are also great way of getting off the beaten track.

Having hippo grazing by your tent at night or elephant walking through your camp by day is an experience not to be missed! When under the guidance of professional guide, this is not as dangerous as it might sound. Animal will almost never try to enter a closed tent unless tempted by the smell of food. If you keep the tent flaps closed at night, you are generally just as safe as if you were staying in a bungalow or chalet. So why not go where the excitement is!

Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Botswana are excellent countries for mobile tented safaris. These safaris are also available in Kenya and Zambia.

Mobile tented safaris range from deluxe to first class, midrange and budget (participation) Safaris.

Deluxe Mobile Tented Camp Safaris
Deluxe mobile tented camp safaris are the epitome of mobile safaris. Each tent has a private shower and toilet tent. Food and service are excellent. Camp attendants take care of everything, including bringing hot water for your shower. Camp is usually set in remote areas of parks and reserves, providing a true Africa experience.

First-Class Mobile Tented Camp Safaris
These are similar to the deluxe safaris in each sleeping tent has a private toilet tent and shower tent. Food and service is also very good. The main difference is that the tents are a little smaller, yet very comfortable.

Midrange Mobile Tented Camp Safaris
Comfortable (and less expensive) midrange mobile tented safaris are available in a number of countries. Like deluxe and first-class mobile tented safaris, camp staff takes care of all the chores. The difference is that the tents are a bit smaller but are still large enough (in which) to stand. The food and service is very good, and guest from one to three sleeping tents may share one toilet tent and one shower tent with (hot shower) facilities.

Budget (Participation) Mobile Tented Camp Safaris
On budget mobile tented safaris, participation is often required to help with camp chores. Park campsites with (if any) facilities are often used.

The advantage is price. Budget camping safaris are almost always less expensive than lodge safaris. However these are recommended only for the hardiest of travelers. Most participants are under thirty-five years of age. Hot showers are usually available most night.

PRIVATE SAFARIS
For those who wish to avoid groups, private safaris highly recommended for several reason.
An itinerary can be specially designed according to the kind of experience you want, visiting the parks and reserves you wish to see most, and traveling on the dates that you suit you best. You may your time doing what you wish to do rather than you have to compromise with the group.

What few people realize is that, in many cases, private safaris need not cost more than one with a large group. In fact, I have been guiding couples and small groups on private safaris for not much more 9 and sometimes less) than group departures with my company which offering the similar itinerary.

If you find this difficult to believe, call or write me with what you have in mind, and I’ll be happy to send you an itinerary. (Itineraries)


SELF-DRIVE SAFARIS.
In Africa, self-drive safaris are a viable option for general sightseeing in countries such as South Africa that have excellent road systems. However, self-drive safaris into wildlife parks and reserves are, in general, not a good idea for several reasons.

One major disadvantage of self-drive safaris is that one misses the information and experience a drive/guide can provide. A good guide is an excellent game spotter and knows when and where to look for the animals you wish to see most. He can communicate with other guides to find out where the wildlife has most recently been seen. This also leaves you free to concentrate on photography and game viewing instead of the road and eliminates the anxiety of perhaps getting lost.

Self-drive safaris, especially ones requiring four-wheel-drive vehicles, are most often more expensive than join a group safari. Vehicle rental cost is high, especially since most have high mileage charge over and above the daily rental rate.

Finally, self-drive safaris by people without extensive experience in the bush can be dangerous. Lack of knowledge of wildlife and the bush can result in life-threatening situations. For instance, if a lion sees you out of your vehicle changing a tire, it may very well attack.

Carnet de Passage is required by most countries to take your own vehicle across borders without paying import duty your automobile association, as it is required by most of the countries covered in this information. Contact the tourist offices, consulates, or embassies of the countries in which you wish to drive for any addition requirements.