There are three requirements to be successful in this niche:
- understanding the clients
- understanding the luxury market
- understanding the destinations
Want to learn more about unique luxury destinations and safaris experiences? Join Patti Buffolano, General Manager of Micato Safaris TODAY at 12:00 pm (EST) for Selling Luxury Safaris as she explores the differences between Luxury Experiences in East and Southern Africa, and the best suggested itineraries you can curate for your clients.
Safaris are most popular in Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. They range from a few days to two weeks and include accommodations (in various types, from tents to world-renowned game lodges), all meals, and transportation by safari vehicles. Below are Safari Land destination highlights from The Travel Institute’s 2023 Magellan Awards Gold Winning TRIPKIT® program.
Kenya This country continues to be one of the premier destinations for safaris. Snow-capped Mt. Kenya and the open plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve surround the busy Kenyan capital of Nairobi, best known as the point of origin for African safaris
Nairobi’s must-see attractions include:
- Nairobi National Museum: Contains exhibits on Kenya’s history, nature, culture, and contemporary art.
- Nairobi National Park: Provides wide-open grass plains with city skyscrapers in the background; proclaims itself to be the world’s only wildlife capital and is known for being a sanctuary for the black rhino.
- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery: Rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants.
- Giraffe Centre: Is located on Nairobi’s outskirts, in the suburb of Langata, and is a sought-after attraction for visitors looking to connect with these striking creatures. Accommodations Tip: The nearby exclusive boutique hotel, Giraffe Manor, provides guests with closeup views of these beautiful animals.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy (200 km north of Nairobi): Is a private game reserve, where visitors can experience wildlife encounters with the Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes), as well as other animals, such as cheetahs, hyenas, zebras, and hartebeests.
Tanzania While many visitors come for safaris and wildlife adventures, Tanzania is also known for some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the Indian Ocean.
- Islands of Pemba and Mafia: Offer divers and snorkelers clear water, an abundance of colorful fish, and beautiful coral gardens.
- Island of Zanzibar: Boasts beautiful beaches, providing visitors with relaxation and a view of historic Arabian townhouses.
- Mount Kilimanjaro: Is Africa’s highest mountain. Few mountains are as recognizable as Oldoinyo Oibor, as it is known in Maasai, as it rises alone from the plains in northern Tanzania. Peak climbing periods are January, February, and September.
- Ngorongoro Crater: Measures more than 12 miles (19 km) across and has the highest concentration of wildlife in the entire African continent.
- Olduvai Gorge: Consists of five layers atop black lava that flowed for millions of years. Here, humanity’s ancestors left clues to the story of human evolution. Some of the bones and artifacts discovered are more than a million years old.
- Serengeti National Park: Is best known for its huge herds of plains animals (especially wildebeests, gazelles, and zebras) and is the only place in Africa where vast land-animal migrations still take place.
- Gombe Stream National Park: Has been the site of Jane Goodall’s studies of chimpanzee behavior.
South Africa Wildlife sanctuaries here include nature parks, along with private and national game reserves.
- South Africa’s nature parks: Are noted more for their scenic beauty and hiking trails than for wildlife.
- Private game reserves: Offer a more personalized game-viewing experience for your clients. Upscale Kapama and Sabi Sand provide viewing in opulent surroundings.
- Kruger National Park: Is one of South Africa’s most important attractions. The park has 137 species of mammals, 500 species of birds, and more than 100 kinds of reptiles. June through October is the prime time for game watching.
We hope you enjoyed learning about the different safari destinations. If this is a travel experience you want to add to your repertoire, we encourage you to enroll in the online Luxury Travel Specialist Course to get a full understanding of how to develop this niche and include safaris as an important component.
