10 Benefits of Letting a Professional Plan Your Safari

​Safari tourism continues to grow as many bloggers and influencers share their experiences. With the possibility of seeing wildlife, amazing landscapes, and exploring heritage sites, it's no surprise that more people have begun booking safari tours.
A safari tour can be a life-changing experience, but planning one is not for the faint of heart. From booking your flight to following the itinerary, things can go haywire. This is where a professional safari planner comes in. Read on to learn why you should hire a safari planner for your trip.

​1. Saves You Time

​Planning a trip can be extremely stressful because of the many areas you must cover. Many websites offer packages and deals, but going through them can get overwhelming quickly. Remember, Africa is a continent that is home to 54 countries. Unless you have one in mind, finding your dream safari destination can take some time.
If you are new to arranging trips, this safari planning can get slow and confusing. A professional safari planner can make this trip stress-free by doing most of the work. After identifying the place you want to visit, you can leave the rest to them. They will even help you identify the place you want to go if you don't know where that is. And often, the place you think you want to go isn't really that place. A free chat with a knowledgeable specialist will enable you to accurately identify the right place for you at the time of year you want to travel. 

2. Less Hassle

From arranging itineraries to transportation, having a safari planner can lift a huge weight off your shoulders. You never have to worry about destinations and accommodation. Allowing an expert to handle the work and guide you is a good decision. They can shed some light on your flight routing and manage accommodations, transfers, communicating dietary requirements and special wishes or needs. 
You can seek their help when issues arise on the trip. You can guarantee a worthwhile safari experience with an expert by your side, virtually.

​3. Offers Peace of Mind

Being far from home can make anyone feel uneasy, especially when you're in a foreign land. One of the benefits of using a safari planner is the peace of mind you get. Aside from taking away the work, they strive to address every concern you have.
For instance, if you have an allergy to seafood, you may be concerned about your lodging serving dishes you can't eat. You can hand in dietary requirements to your safari planner and let them handle it.
Another good example is planning for family safaris. You want the kids to have the best experience, yet you are clueless about how to adjust to the trip. Our travel experts can arrange activities for the whole family to enjoy. A safari adventure is exciting, yet the unknown can get overwhelming. Whether you are new or not to this kind of trip, having hands-on help can make all the difference.

​4. Keep Yourself Updated

Surprises are inevitable even with perfect planning. Your flight can get delayed, your itinerary changed, or your lodging messed up. Regardless of the situation, how do you stay updated with the mishaps?
As the saying goes, communication is key from the beginning to the end of the trip. Your safari planner will keep you updated throughout the journey. Since they are handling all your trip details, they will be the first person to be notified about an issue.
You can count on them to pass the information to you as soon as possible. Moreover, your safari specialist prepares a detailed itinerary for your trip to ensure the best experience. It contains information about the place, its culture, and essential details.

​5. Use Their Connections And Knowledge to Your Advantage

Having worked in tourism for many years, our safari specialists have a wide-ranging network of contacts. Our Africa experts have contact with other professionals across the industry and access to special deals that consumers are not aware of. Often we tell inquirers about reserves and destinations they have never even heard of, and we know the pick of the accommodations in each price range in every area. We know what type of client each one is suitable for, and who it is not good for, in terms of location, ease of access, ambiance, style, etc. 
They arrange meet and greets at airports and transfer points, ensuring smooth transitions between accommodations, and are on hand to answer all your questions before you travel. 

​6. Reduce Travel Costs

​There are many misconceptions about travel agencies and one of them is that they are expensive. People believe they have to pay more if they avail themselves of these beneficial services. However, this is far from the truth. In our case, our services are totally free of charge. 
Moreover, you can get better deals for your safari trip through us. We use our connections to find the best bargains for our clients. For example, a travel planner bargains for the best African safari packages. Our network of tried, tested, and trusted service providers and accommodations keeps us in the loop with special combination and long-stay deals that the general public do not always see. Our safari specialists know where to find the best prices. They know where they can get travel packages that give the best value for your money. 
By pulling all the bookings under one roof, you only have one company to pay, saving you time, but also money when booking with Indigo Safaris. We bank in most major currencies, meaning you only have to make a domestic transfer rather than numerous foreign transactions, and we convert to your currency at the most favorable exchange rate possible. 

​7. It's a Safety Net

Using a safari specialist and getting them to book your trip gives protection for you. Traveling anywhere, whether in your home country or a foreign land, comes with safety risks. A natural disaster can hit out of nowhere, a petty crime may occur, or an accident can happen. Without an expert's help, you can get lost and feel overwhelmed.
Remember, a travel planner strives to give you the best safari trip. Ensuring your safety is part of their service. You can contact your safari planner to help you with your concern. Even before travel, we can help you out. Should an accident befall you or a close family member, with our special relationships with our suppliers, changing booking dates is a doddle, as we look after it all. If you cannot rebook and need to make an insurance claim with your travel insurer, we provide all the documentation required for your claim. All you have to do is send it in. 
Having someone knowledgeable about the course of the trip gives you a breath of relief. Aside from addressing your problems, your safari planner gives you safety pointers before leaving. You can entrust yourself and your safari journey to an expert.

​8. Personal Service and Custom Experiences

Another reason you should work with a safari planner is the custom experiences you can enjoy. It’s nice to work with an African travel expert rather than a general travel agent, as they know the ins and outs and the tricks of the trade, and what is actually possible. 
In the beginning, they ask you questions about your safari trip. These questions will include the activities you want to do and the places you want to visit. Based on your answers, they will create an itinerary. If you want a camping safari, your safari specialist can arrange it for you. Your safari specialist chooses the activities and places depending on what you want. You never have to stress yourself about what to do and how to book them.

9. Get Travel Tips

Going on a safari adventure exposes you to different cultures. Considering practices differ, some things accepted locally might be questionable to you, and vice-versa. Knowing and understanding these differences can make your trip easier and more enjoyable.
If you want factual information, use a safari specialist. They can share their knowledge with you to make you a well-informed traveler.

​10. A Better Safari Experience

Using a professional safari specialist ensures a smooth trip. You can guarantee the best safari adventure experience knowing your guide specializes in this type of trip. Remember, they know more about traveling in Africa than the amount of research you can do for the trip.
First, a safari planner develops a comprehensive plan with custom experiences. Your planner will only be a call away from the moment you leave home until after you return. They know where you can go and what you can do within the parameters of your budget. Aside from the famous African safaris, your travel planner can suggest other places to enjoy, such as beach and city breaks.
If you want to avoid the crowds, your travel guide can help you find the perfect destination. For instance, Kwazulu Natal is an underrated safari and beach destination with much to offer. 
As mentioned previously, Safari travel experts have access to various connections. You can enjoy experiences you might never have considered.

Why Should You Use a Safari Planner?

A safari tour offers some of the most exciting activities and experiences imaginable, and some that you would never even have thought existed. If you want the perfect trip, work with a professional safari planner.
Indigo Safaris offers various packages for families and solo travelers. Check out our favorite hotels, lodges, and itineraries, or contact Indigo Safaris here!