8 Reasons it’s Best to Book a Safari with African Travel Agents
Why is it best to book your safari through African travel agents?
Travel agents have become more important and necessary than ever before, especially for travelling in Africa. Here are 10 reasons why African safari travel agents are a must-have, now more than ever before.
10 Reasons to Book Your Safari with African Travel Agents
- Better African Travel Experience
- Peace of Mind
- A Safety Net
- Convenience (Save Time & Hassle)
- Save Money on your African Safari
- Expert Travel Advice
- Answers to Your Questions
- Tailored & Personal Service
African Safari activities
As a recent client of our travel agency said:
"I would encourage anyone planning a visit to Africa to consider the tremendous advantages of having this company [African Budget Safaris] help you along the way to plan and then embark on the most wonderful trip of a lifetime." (Safari Review by Dan Dinger, US, Aug 2021)
1. A Better African Travel Experience
The most compelling reason to use a professional travel agent is you're almost guaranteed to have a better trip.
This is especially true when it comes to African safaris. You are far more likely to have the African safari of your dreams with the help of a professional African travel agent who specializes in safari travel.
A recent travel client of ours summed it up nicely in his safari review:
"All-in-all it was a fabulous safari and [the travel agent] was instrumental in making it so. I can't recommend her enough!" (Safari Review, Tom Sparhawk, US, 2021)
The main reason you're almost certain to have a better safari when booking with African travel agents is they know more about travelling in Africa than you do. Our travel agents have years of experience. Both with working in the African travel industry and with going on safaris across the continent.
Established travel agents also have a network of travel partners and contacts throughout Africa. When planning an African safari with you, they are able to draw on relationships built over years of working in the African travel industry. Plus, African travel agents like ours (specializing in affordable African safaris) have access to discounts and travel deals you won't find elsewhere.
In short, experienced African travel agents make sure you have the best African safari trip possible.
"Phenomenal!! What else can be said. Working with African Budget Safaris (and specifically with our agent ...) was without question one of the best travel experiences I have ever encountered.
Both [the agent] and the company went out of their way time and time again to assist us in every possible way, making our 21 day Safari one of the most rewarding experience of my life. I cannot thank them enough for all that they did to ensure the best possible trip one could imagine. (Trustpilot Review by Dan Dinger, US, Aug 2021)
2. Peace of Mind on your Safari
The most valuable benefit of using an African safari travel agent is the peace of mind it gives you.
Booking with a reliable travel agent enables you to relax, knowing that you are in good hands. It takes the stress and hassle out of planning and taking your trip.
This is what working with a good African travel agent should be like:
"What a brilliant, brilliant trip. My wife and I came to Africa on honeymoon and we left everything in the hands of African Budget Safaris. We were helped every step of the way by their brilliant agent...
She gave us complete peace of mind and left no stone unturned.
I would 100% completely recommend African Budget Safaris to anyone wanting to have an amazing experience in Africa without stress and hassel." (Safari Review by Edward Thomas, Tanzania, Sept 2021)
3. A Safety Net
African Safari Travel
Using an expert travel agent to book your African safari gives you a safety net. Someone experienced to help you if anything goes wrong. A single, knowledgeable point of contact to call upon.
If your trip needs to be changed due to Covid-19 or one of your flights is cancelled or something unexpected happens (Africa is full of surprises!) you won't have to find a piecemeal fix for each part of your trip. If there is a problem, your travel agent is there to make changes to your entire trip as needed. It's the difference between communicating with your travel agent and trying to contact numerous travel service providers, from lodges and airlines to game reserves, activity centres, and transfer transport companies yourself.
Before you Go on your African Safari
Before you go to Africa, your travel agent helps you with the process of booking and preparing for your trip. They are there to help you navigate the ever-changing travel regulations and restrictions, in preparation for your travels in Africa.
During your African Safari
During your African safari, your travel agent should be on standby to help you deal with any hitches you may encounter along the way.
"[The travel agent] stayed in touch during the tour as well, providing a way to contact her 24/7. And along the way while we were on the tour she inquired about how we were doing and any issues we might have faced. Luckily, there were none.
All-in-all it was a fabulous safari and [the travel agent] was instrumental in making it so. I can't recommend her enough!" (Safari Review by Tom Sparhawk, US, Sept 2021).
After your travels to Africa
A good travel agent also provides support after your safari to ensure that everything went smoothly.
"I felt safe, informed, and knew that ABS would be there for both my group and me before, during and now even after our trip."(Safari Review by Dan Dinger, USA, Aug 2021)
4. Convenience (Save Time & Hassle)
You'll save yourself hours and hours of online research by outsourcing to a professional travel agent.
Travel agents give you personalized travel recommendations and advice. You won't have to sift through the overwhelming array of lodges, safari packages, guides, destinations, activities, tour companies, advice, and so forth, available online. And you can avoid having to decide which websites are trustworthy which can be tricky.
"... after a few emails/phone calls about what we would like to do, [the travel agent] put together an amazing combined package for both countries [Uganda and Kenya]...
To say it was amazing is an understatement. The package that [the agent] put together for us was exceptional." (Safari Review by Elizabeth Cleary, Ireland, Nov 2021)
It's easier and safer to plan and book a safari from afar with the help of a good African travel agent.
"African Budget Safaris representatives were helpful, responded quickly, and answered all our questions. We made the arrangements from the US with no problems." (Safari Review by Betty Rauschenberger, USA, Nov 2021)
No matter how much research you do you still won't have the inside knowledge and industry experience of professional African travel agents. You simply can't beat a whole team of travel advisors with decades of collective African travel expertise!
"Booking with African Budget Safari was very easy and [the agent] was available to answer all my concerns and questions with travel.
I highly recommend this company to book your African adventures, we had the trip of a lifetime, it truly was amazing." (Safari Review by Carrie Kalenda, US, Nov 2021).
Why do it all on your own and become overwhelmed by the options when a travel agent can help you plan and book your safari for you (often at no extra charge), and get you a better price!
It's a win-win, with less hassle and less risk. The whole planning and booking process is easier with an agent AND you gain an advocate to help you on your trip should the need arise.
5. Save Money on your African Safari Travels
It is a myth that travel agents are an expensive luxury. Many travel agents are in fact very affordable, if not free. And even when they do charge, you usually still save more on your trip by using a professional travel agent.
Travel Agents Get Better Deals (Lower Prices)
As an established African travel agent, we use our collective buying power to negotiate the best prices on safari packages with a wide range of African tour companies that we've known for many years.
In this way, our travel agency is able to offer better travel deals. We use our bargaining power to get lower prices and/or more included benefits and extra services for our clients.
"African Budget Safaris gave me and my husband the best deal in experiencing the African culture in the country of Tanzania.
We definitely recommend African Budget Safaris to everyone who plan to have any excursions in the African continent." (Safari Review by Raymond, US, Sept 2021)
Experienced travel agents also know where to find the best prices and which safari packages offer the best value for money.
"At first, I was concerned that I would not be able to visit all the places I wanted due to time constraints and budget, but I was wrong. As soon as I started communicating with [the agent] I told her exactly what I wanted and my price range and she found the perfect tours for us...
Everything ran like clockwork...all on time and efficient. I don’t think I could’ve found these perfect tours without [the agent's] assistance." (Safari Review by Claudia Gigi, South Africa, Nov 2021).
When you use a good travel agent you can get a great price without compromising on quality or fearing nasty surprises.
"This was supposedly a 'budget' safari but felt 1st class the whole time." (Safari Review by Gretchen Bolin, Zimbabwe, July 2021)
Free Travel Agent Services
These days, many travel agents (like us) do not charge you anything extra for our services. Our service is FREE!
Our clients get our help and advice at no extra charge with no markup added to the safari packages and tours that we arrange. Our commission is built into the price we agree on with our travel partners - the longstanding tour companies we choose to represent and work with.
6. Expert Travel Advice
When you use an experienced travel agent you travel with the relevant facts. Having a knowledgeable travel advisor enables you to be a well-informed traveller with ease.
You'll set off on your safari with unbiased information that makes your African travels safer and less stressful. It is our job as travel agents to stay up-to-date on local conditions and changing regulations.
"I got all the information I needed and they helped prep for the trip as well.
Everything they told me beforehand was accurate and aided me immensely as I traveled around the world. I’d use them again for sure... "(Safari Review by Andrew Miller, US, Sept 2021)
We (African travel agents) are the first to know about problems or new destinations and deals. Where to go and what places to avoid. When to go and when to postpone. What wildlife parks are worthwhile? What regions and cities are safe?
As reputable travel agents, it is essential for us to provide our clients with the most up-to-date information. Troubleshooting issues for our clients is part of what we do every day.
"They gave us all the information we needed and even more, always with fast responses. It was like having them by our side ." (Safari Review, Antonio Tomás, Switzerland, 2021)
An experienced travel agent also knows what the fine print contains and how to avoid common challenges travellers encounter. You won't have to pour over the details of each leg of your trip to make sure you don't overlook anything important when you have an agent who knows the ropes.
Safari with African Travel Agents
7. Answers to Your Questions
Professional travel agents give you exact answers to your specific questions. They are not robots that will serve you generic information. And, you won't have to rely on subjective information posted seven years ago by a random person on a travel forum.
An accomplished travel advisor is a good listener who gives you all the information you need.
"[The agent] kept in touch with updates and answered every question I had quickly and clearly." (Safari Review by Tom Sparhawk, US, Sept 2021)
As travel agents, we are invested in our clients' travel experiences. We want travellers to be satisfied with our service. Our business depends on people being happy with their Africa safari travels.
"African Budget Safaris made booking my first trip to Africa easy and stress-free.
[The agent] responded quickly to my multiple inquiries about the trip and what to expect ... I definitely will book my next visit to Africa through ABS." (Safari Review by Jamie W, USA, July 2019).
A friendly expert to give you reliable answers to all your questions
Can US dollars be used in Madagascar? What currency should I use on my safari? When should you take your PCR test before travelling to Malawi, Kenya, or Tanzania, and...?
When is the best time to go to Masai Mara and Serengeti or..? Is it safe to visit South Africa or...? Do you need to take malaria medication for your safari in Namibia or Zambia...? What are the best flights and flight routes for you to take for your safari? How much should you tip your guide or porter? Which optional activities are most worthwhile at Victoria Falls or Swakopmund, or in Kenya...? What extra expenses do you need to budget for...? What visas do you need? What are the regulations and travel restrictions you need to take into account for your trip...?
With so many questions to ask, many travellers find it invaluable to have a travel agent to give them trustworthy answers. Our role is to help travellers avoid nasty surprises and unnecessary hassles and expenses. We help people to get the most out of their African safari travels by being well-informed and knowing what to expect.
8. Personal Service & Tailored Travel Experiences
Working with a professional travel agent is a pleasure. A good travel agent makes the process of planning and embarking on your trip a more enjoyable and relaxing experience.
Our African travel agents are skilled at finding the best options for specific clients based on their needs. We know how to narrow the plethora of choices down to the best selection for you. And, quickly. Expect fast responses and personalized feedback.
"What an excellent experience...I approached them [African Budget Safaris] with very limited knowledge of what to expect, and where to go, I just knew the month when I wanted to travel.
I absolutely did not expect the level of fabulous consultancy services, broad variety of trips, immediate response times, huge patience ... You really did make a difference in my travel experience. (Safari Review by Katarina, Slovakia, Dec 2021)
As genuine travel enthusiasts, travel advisors are the ultimate source of firsthand travel knowledge. We know the destinations and have been to most of the properties and destinations that we arrange safaris to.
Our advisors also add a friendly personal touch that you can’t get from online research. You'll be dealing with people who know the pros and cons, the ins and outs, of travelling to places throughout Africa.
As this review of African Budget Safaris (ABS) shows...
"[The travel agent] at ABS was so helpful and knowledgeable about all aspects of travel, when an issue came up she quickly and efficiently stepped in to revise a hotel stay before and after our flights.
Great job all around and very pleasant to work with, this is my 3rd time using ABS and it won’t be the last." (Safari Review by John, US, Dec 2021)
We have the knowledge and experience needed to tailor an African safari to your specific needs and wants. Whether you want to experience a romantic honeymoon safari, a family trip, or a long complicated tour in a large group, specialist travel agents like ours know how to do it best.
We have done two very long and complicated safaris with [an ABS travel agent] and she is attentive to every detail. Several times I have asked for several enhancements and she has delivered a few incredibly memorable excursions...
Ask her about extras and go for it! I cannot recommend her highly enough. (Safari Review by John Tamming, Canada, Nov 2021)
Our advisors match travellers with the right African safari experiences. Be it camping adventures, comfortable lodge safaris, or specialist safaris for birders, photographers, older travellers, or solo travellers...you name it, our team of travel advisors makes sure you get the most out of your safari trip.
"... from the first email till the last I can’t remember having to wait for an answer. She gave us the best ideas for our trip...
I cannot use enough words to say what an outstanding time we had and how all along the way she was there for us." (Safari Review by Jay, Israel, Dec 2021)
For private safari tours and more complex safari trips to multiple destinations, having an accomplished travel advisor is even more invaluable.
"I recently did a private 9-day safari with [...] booked though their partners African Budget Safaris... I could not recommend this company more. All was excellent...
if you want to do a safari, don’t hesitate and go with a African Budget Safaris [our African travel agency]!" (Safari Review by Ines SA, Canada, Dec 2021).
These are just 8 of the many benefits of booking your safari with African travel agents, like African Budget Safaris.
All in all, reputable travel agents are experts at helping travellers to plan and enjoy better trips. The best part with African travel agents (like ours) is you benefit from our knowledge and experience without paying extra for it! Why do it all on your own when you can gain an advocate and travel advisor for free?
Contact African Budget Safaris to gain a travel partner that will have your back and make all the difference to your African travel experience.
To see all of our travellers' safari reviews from recent years, visit our African Budget Safaris Trustpilot review profile.
Landia is a nature and animal lover. This South African woman avoids crowds seeking out quiet places. She has worked in the African safari industry for over 16 years!
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