Common Mistakes To Avoid When Planning a Group Safari

A Group safari is the most affordable way to explore Africa but planning one involves a lot of mistakes that come as a surprise to so many travelers. 

Group safaris in Africa come in all types, from high-end tours for senior travelers to social excursions perfect for backpacking. Group safaris are cheaper than private safaris, allowing you to share accommodation and transport costs and granting access to group rates for park entrance fees and guides. 

They are wonderful in connecting like-minded travelers and making lifelong friends. The social aspect of group safaris can become a problem if you travel with the wrong people in a group. So avoid this and other common mistakes below when planning a big group safari. 

Choosing the wrong type of group safari

A big group tour with an extensive duration can be overwhelming for first-time travelers. Don’t make the mistake of booking a group safari with more than ten participants and spending more than two weeks on the journey, especially if it’s your first time on a safari in Africa.

Start with a short safari trip to see if it suits you. If you’ve never tried traveling with strangers, start with a 6‐14-day group safari. Let someone else handle the transport, accommodation, and activity logistics, then spare yourself for the life experiences.

Travel with a tour operator who offers less than 15-people group safaris. This size group can be more flexible for everyone on the trip, including the tour leader. They can easily change the itinerary in case of any unexpected demand. 

You will often access areas, accommodations, and impractical activities for larger parties when you travel in smaller groups. You’ll also spend less time tolerating annoyances from stragglers and late-comers if there are fewer of you!

Choosing the wrong itinerary

It would be a huge mistake if you randomly chose any safari trip without considering your special interest. You’ll be bored out of your wit when everyone else around you seems to be in a different world.

Choose a group safari itinerary or theme that particularly interests you, like, food testing, cultural encounters, wildlife viewing, photography, adventure activities, and conservation programs. These itineraries attract like-minded people who make the journey exciting and memorable.

Traveling very cheap

Don’t make the mistake of traveling very cheap on safari. Very cheap group safari itineraries are characterized by younger-aged travelers, many participants, and very low-priced facilities. Pay a little extra fee for a slightly more upmarket itinerary if you’d prefer to avoid the younger party animals and enjoy a more laid-back experience. 

If you want to avoid single supplements for a solo traveler, look for a safari operator who can pair you with a preferred roommate. Sharing a room can be a great way to make new friends. 

However, paying the single supplement will ensure your privacy during your journey. Alternatively, you can change the ‘my own room’ option towards departure when you are worn out group sharing dynamics. 

Going with the wrong attitude

Expectations can break or make your trip. Avoid going with high or low expectations. You will find every experience incredibly unexpected, which makes African safari adventures amazing.

Group safari is all about how you carry your attitude around. What you give everyone in the group is what you get back. Join everyone on adventures when they come and deepen your bond with them. 

Keep an open mind throughout the journey, carry an infectious smile, accept that everyone is different, and play the random games”.

Avoid inconsiderate asks and be accommodating and flexible with other travelers. A relaxed and optimistic attitude will intimately connect you with other travelers and allow you to avoid the little annoyances.

Take regular showers for good personal hygiene. No traveler wants to spend long-driving hours next to a person with bad odor, bad breath, or wearing clothes or shoes that really need a wash.

Not speaking up

Avoid accepting everything like you have no voice. Politely speak up if there is something that particularly interests or disinterests you. There will be instances when everyone isn’t interested in an activity on the itinerary, and you can skip it. Tour managers can be flexible when you speak up.

Lastly

Group safaris are some of the most popular itineraries with many travelers to Africa. They are usually planned by an expert who handles all the nitty-gritty of the safari package and saves you time and planning hassle. 

Planning with an expert like Encounter Africa Safaris ensures that all the common mistakes are avoided. All you have to do is hop on the plane and join the party. We highly recommend joining some of our special interest group-safaris like gorilla trekking, bird watching, game watching trips, and conservation tours. Special interest trips will put you in a group with like-minded people with a guide as an expert.

Email us at info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com to get our group offers for this and next year.