When do I approach a tour operator or consultant?

As soon as possible we say.!

Well, organizing safaris, planning them and coordinating everything about safaris is made much easier with a tour operator or consultant involved.

This is because like doctors or any other professionals who specialize in their work, tour operators and consultants also specialize in the tours and safaris business, making them the best people to help you bring your safari to life.

Different people get in touch with tour operators and consultants at different levels in their safari planning journey.

However, we advise that as soon as you are able to answer these questions, you can contact a tour operator.

Where do I want to go?

Which activities do I want to do?

What activities don’t I want to do?

When do I want to go on a safari?

Which safari season am I targeting? (Peak or off-peak)

How long do I want to be on safari?

How much money am I willing to spend on safari?

Do I want to go alone on this safari?

Do I want to go with friends on this safari?

Do I want to go with my family on this safari?

These are questions the tour operator will be asking you and the answers to these questions will help the tour operator and consultant plan and organize your safari to the best of their abilities.

You should know though, that just because you have answered these questions, the planning ends there. In most cases what happens after your first discussion with the tour operator, you will then be going into active planning where the tour operator will keep updating you on the different developments on the proposed plan.

Some of the information you will get from a tour operator is

A detailed itinerary that will give you a blueprint of what to expect on your preferred safari.

Detailed budget of the things you will be spending on during your safari.

List of accommodations and other things from which you will have to choose

Guidelines, restrictions, rules, and regulations of your preferred safari activities.

All information on what you need to have on your safari.

The pros and cons of some things you wish to do or have while on safari

A good estimate of time you will need for the safari you desire

Tour guide information and tour guides

Logistic information on your safari

Clarity on documents you need to travel to a given safari destination and other places

Among other things

On top of getting all this information and more from your tour operator or consultant, you will also get a well-organized and planned out safari to the dot.

Without having any stress or pressure as you plan your safari.

So, to answer the question, when do I approach a tour operator or consultant?!

We advise you to do it very early on in your safari planning, to save you stress and waste of time going in circles.

Above all to get the most out of your intended safari.