If you’ve been looking at the photos of the overland safari tour in Africa and you feel like you are going to have a storm of excitement to experience this experience, then you are one step closer to going on a safari.. (If you do not know about the overland safari tour, I invite you to here first.) Well, how to arrange an overland safari tour in Africa? Let me explain step by step:
1. Determine the budget you will allocate for the Overland safari tour.
It was a standard start, but I have something to say about it.. The two most important and indispensable expenses for the budget you have determined are flight ticket and package tour price.. I have written the approximate minimum values of these below as an example.. If these prices are way above the budget you have allocated, I would advise you not to engage in this business.. Of course, you can find cheaper flight tickets during the campaign period, negotiate with tours and ask for a discount on the prices.. Do not forget that, because you are going for the first time, there will be different costs that you cannot foresee.. You need to consider all expenses as a whole. For example; Safari prices in Namibia Etosha are much lower than safari prices in Kenya Massai Mara and are naturally attractive. Because the entrance fee to Etosha is about $6, while the entry fee to Maasai Mara is $80.. However, transportation to Kenya is more economical than transportation to Namibia.
Lowest round-trip airfares: Kenya $480, Tanzania $565 , Uganda $700, Namibia $1000 (These are the average prices during the campaign-free period)
The lowest tour prices vary by number of days: in South Africa 7-day tented tour $500, a 10-day tented tour in East Africa 964$, a 24-day tented tour we will participate in this year $2670 strong>, 58-day tented tour between Nairobi and Cape Town $4000
2. Determine the time and number of days you can spare for the Overland safari tour.
Overland safari tour is not a 3-5 day activity. I think it is necessary to be included in a program of at least 7 days.. Of course, if you have time, you can join the 58-day tour and become an African expert.. In your mind, “Do I love it?” Do not make a plan longer than 1-2 weeks if there are question marks such as. We went for 2 weeks in our first tour, but everyone in the group had a 40-day program.. When we left, our minds remained officially. The next round; We allocated 30 days, including Eid al-Adha, 30 August and all annual leaves.
3. Choose the region you want to go to in Africa.
Where do you want to go on safari? Where do you want to see the most; The great migration from the Maasai Mara to the Serengeti, Victoria Falls, the deserts of Namibia, the gorilla safari or the Okavango Delta? There are dozens of options depending on the number of days and budget you will allocate.. At this point, don’t forget to make “best time” comparisons by region.. Let me explain this with an example from myself: The recommended time period for going to Victoria Falls is between February and May.. It is said to be the most impressive time as the flow rate of the waterfall is at its maximum.. However, we wanted to enter the part where the waterfall, called the Devil’s Pool, pours, so we had to make a plan when the flow was the lowest, that is, between the end of August and January.
4. Determine and book the tour that suits you from Overland companies.
African Overland Tours, Nomad Africa, Acacia Africa and Drifters are companies that I can recommend to you and you can book with confidence.. Alternatives are available throughout the year according to the number of days, price, region, number of people in the group and accommodation types.. You should determine the time that suits you and contact the tour company.. At the time of reservation, 20-30% of the price is paid by credit card. The remaining amount is paid by credit card 1 month before the tour starts or in cash on the day the tour starts, it depends on the company.. The earlier you leave, the more discounted price you get.. You have the chance to get a discount of up to 20% when you book 12 months in advance.
5. Buy flight tickets according to the reservation date.
Get your outbound and return flight tickets by adding at least 1 day to the start and end dates of the tour.. We bought our outbound tickets on both occasions with our accumulated miles.. The minimum number of miles required at Miles&Smiles is 10,000 for Nairobi and 30,000 for Cape Town.
6. Check the visa requirements for the country you are going to.
Visas are not required in most African countries for safari or there is a visa at the door.. However, since our foreign relations with that region are active, there can be constant updates.. Until 2 years ago, Zimbabwe was not allowed to enter without a visa, but now you can get a visa at the door, for example.. The most troubled country in this regard, I think Namibia. How to get a Namibia visa? You can see the details in my article titled . You should follow the latest visa applications at www.mfa.gov.tr.
7. Go to the Travel Health Center.
Whichever country you go to in Africa, visit the Travel Health Center at least 6 weeks before you go to get information about vaccinations and the current health status of the country. Where to get travel vaccines ? You can see the details in my article titled .
8. Make your hotel reservations for the days you will stay out of the tour.
The tour you buy does not include any expenses other than the start and end dates of the tour.. For this reason, you need to determine the places you will stay at the time of departure and return and make reservations in advance.. You can stay in a hotel directed by the tour company, or you can choose a different hotel.
9. Gather the necessary equipment.
If you are going on a tented safari, you will need a sleeping bag, a large backpack and certain camping gear.. The details of the materials you will take with you are the subject of a separate article, but start planning what you will take 3-4 weeks in advance in order not to get stuck while preparing a last-minute bag.
10. Get travel health insurance.
Travel health insurance is an issue that is overlooked or ignored when traveling to a visa-free country.. There is always the possibility of you getting sick in Africa.. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you do not ignore this issue.. If you already have a worldwide health insurance, check the coverage. For example, some insurances exclude Zimbabwe.
11. Set the currencies you will take with you.
There is a high probability that you will not use a credit card during the tour because the commission rates are very high.. During the travel, you need to determine the amount you will spend additionally and bring cash accordingly.. What might these additional costs be? Alcohol, souvenirs, airport transportation, activities in your area that are not included in the tour (for example, skydiving, shark diving, zipline etc…). And the most important issue: The printing date of the foreign currency you bring with you must not be older than 2009, it is not accepted.. You should definitely check the currency you have before you go.
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