Have you ever dreamt of going on a wildlife safari but been deterred by the high cost of the luxury experience? Fortunately, there is a way out for you.
Mobile safaris are the new-age way of experiencing safaris in their traditional and original essence. The word safari has East African and Arabic roots, which means journey. A mobile safari takes the traveller back to the root of the world by providing a true journey.
It is adventurous, affordable, and luxurious all at the same time. If you want to get on with a mobile safari experience, here are a few tips to keep in mind. Keep reading.
In a mobile safari, you won’t be staying at the lodges, which serve as your main spot to carry out all activities with a new guide for each camping place. In mobile safaris, you will stay in a walk-in tent which will move along with you as you visit new places. The same guide will be assigned to you for the entire journey.
Depending on the price you can pay, the camping setup will range from a high-end setup with en-suite bathrooms to basic camps with shared loos. Choosing a mobile safari will give you the most authentic experience in the wilderness at a rate you could afford.
So, if you are planning your next vacation for camping in the vast lands of Africa, keep the following tips in mind to walk away with unmatchable memories.
- First-Time Travelers, Choose East Africa
If you have never been on a safari before and have to choose from an overwhelming number of destinations, your best bet is to go with East African areas. Serengeti and Masai Mara national parks offer you the best and most real safari experience. The areas of East Africa are host to some of the most unique animal species on the continent.
- On a Budget? Travel on Low Seasons
A mobile safari experience has something for every budget range. You might have to compromise on a few exclusive perks, but the real-time experience with wildlife remains pretty much the same.
In case you are looking for a budget-friendly option, you might want to consider travelling to the east and mid-Africa during the low seasons. It is the rainy season from November to June and is the time when there are fewer travellers, so the camps offer discounted rates. You will still get to experience most of the wildlife with a few exceptions. Be sure to avoid the month of April as it rains too heavily then.
- Pack a Few Things
Looking at the tent from outside may look like they don’t have much inside, but you will be surprised. Most of the amenities will be accessible to you such as a reasonable bed, covers, lamps on the bedside, bug spray, bathroom, etc.
However, it would still be beneficial if you could pack a few things yourself. Take an extra lamplight with you if you intend to read after the dark or in for sorting through the luggage, as the lamplight in the tent might be as dark. Also, pack a few snacks if you get peckish. Be sure not to overdo the stuff as you don’t want heavy luggage to slow you down.
- Pack a Camera
You will want to take a lot of great pictures for this luxurious experience. So, bring a good quality camera. If you can’t afford a DSLR or a pro camera for the shots, there are several affordable point-and-shoots and smartphone cameras, which will take just as good a shot.
Don’t be afraid to ask for the tour guide’s help to take the best shots. They might even be able to advise on the best position for your pictures with the wildlife.
- Follow Your Guide
This point is a must if you don’t want to ruin your safari adventure with some accidents or unpleasant incidents. The guide has probably been doing the work for a long time and knows the ins and outs of the place. They will know the protocols to protect you from befalling any danger in the wilderness. So, if they give you some instructions or ask you not to do something, don’t be a Tarzan, and listen. It will only improve your mobile safari experience.
Another point to note is that the guides are experts. So, don’t shy away from picking their brains and asking them questions about the places and animals. Knowing about stuff will give you an immersive experience.
- Pack Medicines in Advance
One thing that can ruin your safari experience like no other is falling sick. Always remember to consult a doctor before traveling about the place you are going to. There are higher chances of you falling ill in a foreign land, so be sure to pack the required medicines as advised by your doctor to enjoy your trip in healthy form.
- Take Appropriate Clothing
Comfortable clothes according to the weather are the most essential things for a great experience. If you are always feeling cold or hot, you won’t be able to get the best ride of your life.
Most people who have been on a safari will tell you to pack cotton clothes. While it is true that cotton works best for almost all conditions, depending on the season, a desert area could get very hot or very cold during certain times of the day and night.
If you are going in the summer season, be sure to pack ventilated shirts with moisture-absorbing properties for the best experience. In cooler weather, do pack some fleece and wool hats to protect against the chilly winds. Make sure to do your proper research about the weather of all the places you will be visiting.
- Bring Binoculars
You will need binoculars to see all the great animal species standing more than a few yards away. Binoculars would be necessary to spot those animals as you won’t always be able to get a closer look. You don’t want to miss out on the interesting details. Your tour guides probably won’t provide one. So, ensure to take a pair with you.
Conclusion
Mobile safari can be a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Moving along with camps and getting a single guide for the entire journey can be comforting and easier to handle. Plus, you can do it on a budget. So, don’t wait for life to give you an opportunity. Start planning your mobile safari and grab the opportunity.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media