[Trip Review] Waka Waka Africa: Safari Escapade at Serengeti

I have never been to a safari before, and after my Africa trip, I can't wait to go on another one.

Safari Planning - Accommodation

Your accommodation during the safari trip will determine how much your trip will cost. You can choose to stay in Four Seasons for about 2000SGD per night.

Alternatively, you can choose to stay in a tented camp for about 300SGD per night.

Accommodation prices for a safari can vary widely, but you will be able to find one that fits your budget.

Safari Planning - Finding a tour provider

Most tour providers will provide a similar itinerary, and your experience will be largely the same no matter which tour provider you pick. The first provider quoted 1920USD.

The second provider quoted 1707USD per pax for a similar itinerary.

You should do your due diligence by comparing the prices quoted from different providers. You can also do some googling to check out reviews, and check out the prices of accommodation on booking.com, Expedia to prevent getting ripped off.

Quick Tip: If it makes sense to do so, you should book your accommodation yourself instead of going through the tour provider. Most providers will demand payment via cash (or wire transfer). If you book your own accommodation via an online travel agency or directly through the lodging's website, you get to earn miles or cashback.

Please customise your own safari experience. If you would like a night game drive, request for it when you are asking for quotes. If you are not interested in Tarangire National Park, tell them. The providers can accommodate any request so just tell them what you want.

When comparing providers, do ask them what's included in the package. You can ask them the following:

1. Is it full-board (meaning all meals are included)?

2. Will you be flying into the national park via a private airstrip (A fly-in safari tends to be more expensive BUT you will save a lot of time)?

3. Will it be a private tour (meaning just you and your travel partners, or will you have to share the car with another group)?

4. Are all park fees included?

The questions above are non-exhaustive, and only serve as a guide.

Please avoid my mistakes. During my safari planning, I did not ask for a night game drive and I missed out on this valuable experience. I'm going to emphasis again the importance of customising your own experience; ask them questions, make your requests known to them early and they will be able to accommodate it. If you only make your requests in the middle of the trip, you will be disappointed.

If you do not have any friends who can recommend you a provider, just go to safaribookings.com and find a couple of providers to get quotes from them.

Safari Experience

I'll let the photos explain themselves :)

I spent 5 days on a safari, with the first day at Tarangire National Park, second day at ngorongo crater, and the remaining days at Serengeti National Park. If you have the time, I think you can spend one more day inside Serengeti National Park.

A typical day will involve waking up at around 530-6am; you want to be early because most of the animals are more active when the sky is dark. You'll get a quick breakfast and your guide will then drive you around for the rest of the day, trying to spot animals.

You'll have your lunch out in the national park, and you'll continue trying to spot animals until about 5pm. That's when you'll return to your accommodation, have dinner and rest for the day.

Conclusion

I hope this review provides you with the information that you need to plan a safari, and also what to expect from a safari.

Did I miss out anything? Let me know in the comments below!

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