I’ve Been Touring to Africa for 35 Years — Right here’s What You Ought to Know Earlier than Planning Your First Journey

I first traveled to Africa once I was 5 years previous, and I’ve returned yearly since. Regardless of what number of instances I’m going, I’m at all times stuffed with that very same pleasure and awe I had as slightly boy. 

Now armed with 35 years of expertise touring the continent, I’ve some robust opinions on how you can plan the proper trip to this a part of the world. Listed here are 5 suggestions for anybody seeking to take their first journey to Africa. 

Don’t Consider Africa as a “As soon as-in-a-Lifetime” Vacation spot

“This can be our one and solely, once-in-a-lifetime journey to Africa” is a remark I hear rather a lot when talking with potential vacationers. Not solely does this put monumental strain on the visitor and the advisor to get the journey proper, it additionally actually limits you as to what you’re going to see or do. Africa is a large continent with beautiful landscapes, fascinating cultures, wonderful wildlife, and distinctive experiences that deserves a couple of go to. 

The mindset that Africa is a single-trip vacation spot wants to vary. Folks don’t consider Europe as a one-time vacation spot, for instance; they notice that Spain, France, and Greece are utterly totally different international locations with vastly totally different appeals and cultures. The identical goes for Morocco, Kenya, and South Africa. Every has their very own distinctive providing, and the deeper you dive into every nation, the extra you’ll get out of the expertise. 

Journey to Africa in Mid- or Low season

I’m an enormous fan of touring throughout off-peak season, because it typically permits you to see the parks, animals, and sights of Africa with far fewer vacationers round. That is sometimes the wet season, falling between November and April.

Not solely is it cheaper to journey this time of yr, however I typically discover that the employees on the lodges and camps are extra relaxed and energetic, as they’re merely not as busy. Until you’re set on experiencing a selected occasion — such because the Wildebeest river crossings in East Africa — you possibly can have simply pretty much as good of a safari within the mid-season months, with out paying a premium for it. 

Plan Forward

Planning an ideal trip to Africa requires quite a lot of element, and quite a lot of time. As journey to this a part of the world turns into extra widespread, you’re mainly reserving “final minute” in the event you’re inside a six-month window. If you wish to keep at particular properties and have one of the best experiences doable — significantly when touring with an enormous household — you need to ebook your journey 12 to 18 months prematurely. Belief me, all of these months of anticipation will repay. 

Deliver the Entire Household

Having simply taken my very own kids on their first safari, I can attest {that a} journey here’s a core reminiscence for everybody within the household. For the children, the wildlife, totally different cultures, and individuals are fascinating. And for folks, attending to see your children interact in nature and study one thing new whereas on trip is implausible. Africa is nice for children of all ages, making it a really stress-free journey for the mother and father, too. 

Get Out of Your Consolation Zone 

Whereas I’m a sucker for a luxurious lodge with wonderful meals, a personal pool, and nice service, I do urge folks to spend a number of nights in lodging that they’re not used to. This can be a tented camp within the Masai Mara or a tree home sleep out in South Africa, or you would even sleep underneath the celebrities in Botswana. For me, exploring a brand new vacation spot entails getting out of your consolation zone and doing one thing you haven’t carried out earlier than.

Bjorn Behlert is a member of Journey + Leisure’s A-Record and makes a speciality of journeys to Africa. You’ll be able to create a tailored itinerary with Behlert by contacting him at Bjorn.Behlert@scottdunn.com.