Group safaris are fun compared to private /solo tours. If you get the right combination of people, a group safari is the lifetime experience you can ever have! However given differences in taste, preferences, budget, and destination choice. Group safaris have always become a challenge to arrange especially for beginners. There are several things you MUST consider before joining a group safari. At Silverback Gorilla Tour we bring you detailed tips for planning a group safari to Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, and the whole of Africa.  Whether you are planning a silverback gorilla tour or any African wildlife safari, Silverback Gorilla Tour brings you tips for planning a group safari in Africa

7 Tips for Planning a group Safari

Where do you want to go?

First of all, decide where you want to go on a safari. Which country or destination are you interested in visiting? After knowing this, you will search for the group safaris headed to your preferred destination. The decision on where to go for a safari becomes easy when you know the top offers that different destinations offer.  You can also search online for the best places to visit in Africa or any continent of your choice. Google search will give you different options for destinations and what makes each destination worth visiting.  After deciding on where to go, you will look and join the group safari headed there.

When to visit

You must join a group safari traveling at your preferred time. After checking your calendar and choosing your preferred travel dates, look for a group safari that falls within your travel time. Choosing a group traveling at a different time different from yours is a challenge. You will end up crashing and missing out on some events of your own

What to do

The tastes and preferences of a group safari must be the same if you want to all enjoy it! First, look through the itinerary for the group safari, check which activities are there, and see whether they are what you want. Are you interested in gorilla trekking or the Big Five game? Do you want to explore the indigenous tribes of Africa or want to hike to the top of the mountain? Look for a group that is going for the same things as yourself. At Silverback Gorilla Tour, we offer guided group safaris to see mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.

Our group safaris also include a safari to see the great wildebeest migration in Kenya and Tanzania plus hiking tours. Just let us know what your interests are and we shall add you to the group safari suitable for you. If you want to see the big five, Kenya and Tanzania are the best destinations for you, if you want to trek gorillas, Uganda and Rwanda are the top gorilla trekking destinations. Uganda shelters the highest number of gorillas trekked at $800 per permit while Rwanda is the best place for luxury gorilla safari destinations. Uganda also shelters a high number of chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park

What is your budget?

Does the group safari suit your planned budget? Each destination and activities require a specific budget which you should look through before deciding where to go. Budget is one of the vital things to consider when choosing a group safari. In most cases, group safaris have one overall cost which is shared among the travelers. See whether the cost of the safari suits your budget and if yes, join the group safari. If the safari costs is beyond your budget, do not join that group to avoid deficits. The overall cost of the safari is determined by several factors which include activities done, the number of days, and the type of accommodation booked.

Book a group safari as early as possible

Unlike a solo/private tour where you can book and confirm in a few days, group safaris require early booking!  Since group safaris require a lot, for example, many hotel/lodge rooms or gorilla trekking permits that can sell out for late bookings, you are required to book a group safari as early as possible. July and August are the best times for wildebeest migration in Tanzania and Kenya while peak season June to September and December to February is the best time for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest and the Virunga Conservation Area.

Dietary requirements

Dietary requirements is another serious thing to consider when booking a group safari to Africa. It becomes so easy when all or most of the dietary requirements for people in a group safari are the same.  If you are allergic to any foods or spices, endeavor to contact your travel operator on time to  ensure proper planning

People also ask

How to handle group bookings

You must be smart to handle a group booking successfully. Because you are handling many people with differences, you have to plan ahead of time, prepare the payment procedures, confirm hotel/ Lodge reservations, and arrange activities in time. Get more than one driver guide and revise the itinerary as often as possible

What is the difference between a private safari and a group safari?

A private safari is more personalized and customized to specific interests. It normally entails a few people such as family and a few friends. On the other hand, a group safari involves a high number of people who have joined the safari for the same cause. Whereas there may be some differences, people on a group safari normally have the same travel interests, budget, and travel at the same time.

How far in advance should you book a group safari?

Booking a group safari requires enough time to ensure smooth operations. The recommended time is at least 6 months before the travel date. This time allows you to secure permits, reserve hotel rooms, and plan for everything

In Conclusion, group safaris are fun and worth doing. Contact Silverback Gorilla Tour, let us know when you intend to travel, your budget, and your interests and we shall  add you to our customized group safaris for the year 2024 and 2025