| Planning for an African Safari can get you very | | | | walking under the African sun for hours, this is |
| excited. But usually when you're a first- timer, you | | | | probably more to your liking. Imagine yourself |
| find yourself at a loss on what to do. The first | | | | riding in a 4X4 vehicle past a herd of gazelles or a |
| step in creating that perfect African adventure is | | | | pride of lions. One advantage of opting for a |
| to know what your options are. Here is a | | | | mobile safari is that you're able to cover more |
| rundown of the different kinds of African Safaris. | | | | ground in less time. You can also expect to spend |
| Read through them and see if one particular type | | | | some time exploring on foot, as there are certain |
| catches your fancy. | | | | stop - over points during the journey. |
| 1. Walking Safaris | | | | 4. Self-Drive Safaris |
| Undoubtedly the best way to experience the | | | | This is the kind of safari for people who are a bit |
| African wildlife. It usually consists of a group of | | | | more daring and adventurous. Basically, you rent |
| five to eight people led by armed and qualified | | | | your own vehicle, decide on your own route |
| professional guides. The tour takes you into the | | | | (some agencies offer pre - planned self - drive |
| African "bush" through walking trails. As you walk | | | | itineraries that you can choose from) and explore |
| along areas abundant with game, the guide or | | | | at your own pace. This will take up much of your |
| ranger tells you interesting things about the | | | | time in making preparations, as you would have |
| surrounding plant and animal life. You might even | | | | to conduct a little more research about the area |
| learn a thing or two about tracking animals and | | | | you're planning to travel around in. |
| perhaps even get the chance to watch a roaming | | | | 5. Fly-In Safaris |
| lion from a safe distance. You can choose to be | | | | If you have a big budget but not a lot of time on |
| based in a luxury lodge or go back to basics and | | | | your hands, a fly-in safari (by plane or helicopter) |
| rough it in bush camps. Walking safaris can take a | | | | is the best way to go. The pilot guides you on a |
| few hours or even last for up to five days, | | | | trip to specific spots and you're sure to travel in |
| depending on the itinerary you wish to take. The | | | | style because stop-overs usually have very |
| most important things you should look into when | | | | exclusive camps and lodges. Another bonus with |
| choosing a walking safari are how experienced the | | | | fly-in safaris is the ability to travel to seldom - |
| guides are and the quality of the location. You | | | | visited areas that are not accessible by land. |
| must also be reasonably healthy and fit before | | | | 6. Canoe Safaris |
| thinking of joining a walking safari. | | | | One of the most popular safari options. If your |
| 2. Privately - Guided Safaris | | | | safari fantasy includes rowing along an African |
| A more exclusive type of safari, usually for | | | | river while peacefully observing wildlife, then this is |
| people who are trying to study a particular | | | | for you. It's a fun alternative especially for those |
| subject related to the African wilderness. | | | | who enjoy much physical activity. You don't |
| Excursions are more in-depth and reach far out | | | | necessarily need to have previous experience as |
| into more remote areas. This kind of safari also | | | | most of the guides can easily give you a quick |
| usually makes use of specialist guides who are | | | | training. |
| experts in a particular field. The specialist guide | | | | Whatever safari option you pick, make sure it |
| accommodates one to two clients and the safari | | | | works with your budget. There are several |
| may take longer than the usual depending on their | | | | resources on the Web to provide you with all the |
| arrangement with the client. | | | | information you need. You may also contact your |
| 3. Mobile Safaris | | | | favorite travel agency to help you decide on the |
| If you're not the type who can keep up with | | | | perfect African safari for you. |