No doubt, the internet has transformed the travel industry, giving us more convenience and control. We can book flights, reserve hotel rooms and arrange car hire services, all from our smartphones. However, booking your safari tours in Tanzania is not nearly as straight forward. In this instance, traveling with a local safari operator is definitely the more prudent way to go.
In the below article we look at some reasons why it is beneficial to you to use a local safari operator for your next African adventure:
Local Operator vs. Self-Planned Safaris
SAVES YOU A LOT OF TIME
It can be fun to browse the web to see for yourself what’s on offer at your chosen Tanzanian destinations and plan your own trip, but it’s a steep learning curve setting up a good safari. Especially if it’s your first time in Africa. It will take time, patience, extensive research, and constant comparisons among available options, which you may not be particularly up for. Consider the time and effort it takes to make payments to multiple camps/lodges, book (domestic) flights, arrange airport transfers, and sort out local transportation from one camp to the next. Then there’s the weather – rainy and dry seasons affect the quality of the roads differently, as well as influence wildlife patterns and some camp locations. A lot that goes into planning a safari and trying to figure it all out on your own is definitely a very time-consuming process, so you might as well leave it to the experts.
CATERS TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS AND WANTS
Perhaps you’re vegetarian or planning to travel with your kids or simply have the special desire to see specific animals and landscapes during your stay. Imagine having to plan for all these on top of the regular planning process? Even if you do get those unique needs and wants, they will likely cost more to accommodate in your itinerary. A knowledgeable safari operator can make it happen for you. Some of them have been in the industry for years and have such in-depth knowledge of the region that they can personalize the itinerary to meet your exact needs, no matter how unique they may be.
IT IS MORE COST EFFECTIVE
For many people, the number one reason not to use a tour operator is the belief that booking independently can save them money. This might be true in some instances like maybe you’re planning to spend a weekend in Arusha or Dar Es Salaam. Sure, it will be cheaper to go online and book direct. But if you are planning a week-long safari – no way! Even though tour operators might add their commission to the overall cost of your trip, they are usually able to pass along discounts and deals to you thanks to their longstanding relationships with camps and lodges within the parks! Local operators are often given a cost incentive by the properties for helping them get guests to their lodges and camps. It is all part of the wrap around service that safari guests enjoy. So you really do not lose any money at all.
PROVIDES YOU WITH A MEASURE OF PROTECTION
Tanzania’s national parks and game reserves are pretty much safe to visit, but political instability and natural disasters can happen. Tour operators stay up-to-date on any potential security concerns and weather hazards. A small skirmish in southern Tanzania or a completely flooded route may not make headline news on CNN, but a local safari tour operator will know about it and make the necessary redirects to your safari to keep you safe. It will be hard and often expensive to make changes like these on your own. Plus, you’d certainly feel a lot better knowing that there’s a registered organization looking out for your welfare during your stay should any emergencies arise.
SOME SAFARI OPERATORS CAN HELP ENSURE YOU TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY
Choosing to travel responsibly is something that is expected from every traveler, even if they’re not explicitly aware of it. In the case of a safari, you’ll want to make sure your trip doesn’t have any negative impact on the wildlife, landscapes, and people that you encounter throughout your trip. Many local safari tour operators today, like Sababu Safaris, are committed to sustainable travel, helping local communities, and supporting conservation efforts. You not only feel good about the new and exciting experiences but also that your adventures are making a positive social impact at the same time.
Local Operators vs. Travel Agency
It’s easy to confuse one for the other, but they’re actually quite different. For one, a local tour operator provides hands-on service themselves, taking care of all operations including tours, accommodation, food, transportation and guides. Travel agencies, on the other hand, are usually big companies selling and administering travel packages from various tour operators based on what their clients are looking for in a safari. So they’re actually outsourcing their trips to the local operators. With this key difference, we can immediately start to point out some benefits of going with a local operator for your safari.
The benefits of going with a local operator vs. a big box travel agency include:
MORE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Especially smaller local operators are communicating with their guests directly. Instead of dealing with a huge team of sales agents at a travel agency selling packages they have not experienced themselves, by contacting a local operator you are able to directly convey your wishes to the people on the ground who will actually take you on safari. It makes for a more personal experience from the moment you reach out for the first time until you return home after your trip!
MORE IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DESTINATION
A local tour operator is based in the country so they know the area way more than a travel agency would. For instance, here at Sababu Safaris, we live and breathe Tanzania so we are able to provide our guests with a more authentic safari experience. We can answer all your questions directly so you know what to expect from start to finish.
LOCAL OPERATORS ARE EXPERTS IN THE TOUR PACKAGES THEY PROVIDE
When going on safari, it’s much better to book your trip with people who specialize in safari tours in that country. At Sababu Safaris, we only sell itineraries that we’ve experienced for ourselves so you can enjoy a more personalized experience because you are directly in touch with us and we can easily make necessary tweaks to suit your needs. Also, since we do not outsource our services, we have complete control over the quality of our safaris. Travel agencies don’t usually have this level of expertise since they typically cater to different countries and different types of tours.
LOCAL SAFARI OPERATORS EMPLOY LOCALS AND SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Tourism has come a long way and calls for sustainability and local community support during travels is fast becoming the norm. One of the simplest ways to achieve this is to travel with a local operator. Not only do they employ locals, but revenue earned is also invested back into the local communities. At least, that’s how we do it at Sababu Safaris.
TRAVELING WITH LOCAL SAFARI OPERATORS MAY BE CHEAPER
If you book with a travel agency, they will add their own commission on top of what the local tour operator earns. So if you book directly with a local tour operator, you can avoid this extra markup and spend that on the tour itself instead. This way, you know exactly what you’re paying for and can avoid this extra layer of commissions.
Personalize Your Tanzania Safari Tours With Us!
The benefits of booking your safari with a reputable tour operator like Sababu Safaris are numerous and far-reaching. With many years of experience in tourism around Tanzania, we are fully equipped to make your dream safari a reality by removing the overwhelm and doing what we do best, for you! You’ll be the beneficiary of many years of valuable lessons learned. When you use Sababu Safaris to book your safari, you can expect the following:
* Expert and accurate advice based on up-to-date detailed knowledge (we know our stuff!)
* A dedicated consultant who’ll know exactly where to find that special place you’re looking for, and who can incorporate any specific lodges or camps that you’d particularly like to stay at
* Fantastic value for money, as we’re often able to negotiate competitive rates with affordable and reliable suppliers
* Tips on how to save money, or where to allocate your budget to maximise value
* A single point of contact — we’ll take care of domestic flights, transfers, accommodation and handle all safaris ourselves, eliminating potential hidden fees and surprises.
* Huge time savings! Putting an itinerary together can be a really complicated and time-consuming project
* Importantly, should anything go wrong on your safari, Sababu Safaris will be able to provide help right away, something which is worth its weight in gold!
At Sababu Safaris, we’re all about helping you travel with purpose. As your trusted local safari operator, we provide you with tailored safari tours to suit your travel style and preferences.
Call us today at +1 914-207-4426 or fill out our contact form to create your personalized dream safari.