Invest in a good guidebook if you prefer to book your own safari.
Rough Guides and Lonely Planet offer many useful tips for safaris in their guides to Kenya, Tanzania and East Africa. Find the most current guidebook by looking at the copyright at the front of the book. Travel information changes frequently.
Read the guide's section on booking safaris.
Find a safari company or tour operator that is well-established, has a good reputation and is willing to work with you to ensure that your trip is tailored to you. Any safari company worth its salt will accommodate your needs and wishes, including booking cost-conscious hotels and lodges, meeting special requests, arranging for lunches and picking you up at the airport.
Rough Guides has detailed reviews and lists price ranges for specific safari companies and tour operators. Choose two or three that look right for you and prepare a list of the things you want to see and do on safari. If you go to Tanzania, you might check out the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater; in Kenya, many tourists flock to the Masai Mara and Tsavo.
Do not book or pay ahead with a company not included in your guide.
Contact a company to discuss your trip. Be sure to ask for the total price and what is included before booking. Keep in mind that you will need to tip your driver guide.
Check out websites for the hotels and lodges the safari company has set up for you. Rough Guides and Lonely Planet also have reviews of several hotels in their guidebooks. Talk to your safari company if you don't like what you see.
Use a travel agent if you feel more comfortable having a professional do all the work for you. Travel agencies charge fees for this service. Some agencies charge a flat fee per person, while others base their fees on the service involved.
Find a travel agency that is well-versed in safari trips. Agencies list their specialties and services on their websites. Make a list of two or three in your area.
Contact an agency and book a trip based on your preferences and the cost. Your agent should be knowledgeable about Africa and safaris and the hotels where you will be staying.
If you prefer to sleep in a bush camp with lions roaring nearby, tell your agent that. If you want a luxury hotel with a top-notch concierge and chef, request that.
