Planning a trip is enjoyable and exciting, but there are many factors to consider. This is why it is recommended to plan in advance and use a travel professional with locally based knowledge on the ground like Ker & Downey Africa. A good travel operator will be with you every step of the way and is the single most important aspect of your safari.  Before your consultation, visit our website and browse through the many exciting destinations, itineraries, and experiences to enjoy in Africa. During your research, narrow down some key destinations you would like to visit and consider the dates when you can or want to travel. These will serve as important considerations to guide the preparations for your unforgettable safari adventure!  After sending through an enquiry to our specialist team of LuxVenture Designers, you will be contacted within a few hours and a call will be set up to chat to you personally. After obtaining more information about the best options for your trip, a bespoke itinerary will be carefully crafted to suit your exact requirements. This detailed itinerary will take into account your chosen destinations, budget range, room configuration, number of persons travelling, age of persons travelling, duration, special occasions, type & level of accomodation, and what you would like to do and see while in Africa. This process takes between 2 to 3 days to craft and the team will go above and beyond to ensure the perfect camps and lodges are selected and that there are unique experiences for you to enjoy while traveling. When you consider for example that the Serengeti National Park has over 115 properties and that the international and regional flights need to link in with the availability of the lodges, there is a lot that goes into planning the perfect organised program tailored to your needs. Once you receive your itinerary with the full quotation, take time to go through it in detail with inclusions, exclusions, experiences and activities. Some itineraries might look more cost effective than others but do they have the same inclusions, like number of wildlife game drives per day, extra activities and meals.  It might take a couple of email exchanges, updating of itineraries and walk-through calls before you commit to your final itinerary. For longer itineraries, it can take up to 3 weeks from time of enquiry to final confirmation. Then it’s time to pack your bags!