What animals do you want to see? How do you want to travel through the African bush? Do you want to camp or stay in lodges? Considering these factors will help ensure that your adventure into the wilds of Africa will exceed your expectations – as it should!

Bon voyage!

Tips for Selecting a Safari

With African safaris, the journey begins when you make the decision to go, as there are many options to appeal to different interests and budgets. By asking yourself the following questions, you can make the selection process much easier:

What animals do you want to see?

• Do you want to see what big game hunters refer to as the "Big 5" – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and Cape buffalo?

• Or would you rather see chimpanzees and gorillas – or even birds?

Knowing which animals you most want to see will help you select the region in which you should travel.

How do you want to experience your safari?

• The most traditional safari is a mobile tent safari – the campsites move with you and generally travel to more remote spots.

• A relatively hassle-free option is a guided safari – a group travels together in 4x4 vehicles and follows a detailed itinerary that includes all activities, meals, and lodging.

• A more budget conscious safari is the package safari – you follow a set itinerary, and meals and lodging are included, but you are traveling on your own and not in a group.

And if you don't want to travel through the bush a 4x4 vehicle, some other options for the more adventurous include riding on an elephant or camel, as well as walking, mountain biking and canoeing.

Don't forget to consider the weather.

Summer – (from December to March), The plant life is lush and green and the animals that have glossy coats as a result of being well fed. Birds are plentiful, too, but often difficult to see in the foliage. Other downsides – the temperatures will soar and it's peak mosquito time.

Winter – (from May to August), It's a great time for game viewing and the weather is cooler – even uncomfortably cold at night – but the sights are not very picturesque.

A compromise is often the shoulder seasons with their milder weather.

Top Safari Outfitters

Another important factor in ensuring that your safari is truly an amazing experience is choosing an experienced tour operator. Here are a few of the top outfitters for safari adventures:

Thomson Safaris
"Classic Camping Safari"
Tanzania, East Africa

Thomson Safaris has 24 years of experience offering wildlife safaris in Tanzania, which has a stable government and more land devoted to wildlife conservation that any other country in Africa. The company's "Classic Camping Safari" takes you into the heart of Africa without sacrificing comfort and style – making it a good option for families. This 13-day itinerary has been carefully planned to offer exceptional wildlife viewing in Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. All Thomson guides were born and raised in Tanzania and are trained naturalists and environmentalist.

Land and air packages begin at $4,990 per person, based on double occupancy. Discounted prices are available for children under the age of 12.

Website: www.thomsonsafaris.com

Abercrombie & Kent, Inc.
"Kenya Hemingway Safari"
Kenya, East Africa

Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent was founded as an African safari company, and when it offered its first tented safari in 1962, it introduced a new standard of hospitality for experiencing the bush. Today, it continues to offer the quintessential safari experience with the "Kenya Hemingway Safari". This journey allows travelers to see Africa as Ernest Hemingway did – empty of fellow man.

This 10-day safari begins and ends in Nairobi and visits the exclusive Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Guests stay in the best available hotels, camps and lodges and travel in custom-built four-wheel-drive vehicles that provide every participant a window seat.

Per person prices begin at $4,995, are based on double occupancy and do not include airfare. Each safari is limited to 12 participants.

Website: www.abercrombiekent.com

Richard Bonham Safaris
Custom Private Safaris
Kenya and Tanzania, East Africa

Richard Bonham is considered to be one of Africa's best safari guides. He is the son of game warden Jack Bonham, who was famous for his expeditions in Kenya. Richard Bonham offers custom safaris in Kenya and Tanzania and develops the itinerary to suit individual requirements and preferences. Guests generally fly between locations – sometimes utilizing small aircraft that land on private bush-strips. Accommodations are often arranged on private farms – or at Bonham's lodge, Ol Donyo Wuas in Chyulu Hills, Kenya.

Bonham's safaris generally cost $500 per person per night, including flights within Kenya and Tanzania, but excluding international flights.

Website: www.richardbonhamsafaris.com