Traveling in Africa can be a wondrous experience but it can also be a very challenging one. Not only will you be visiting new places but you will be traveling in a new culture and you will be dealing with local language and customs. This means that you need a travel advisor who is familiar with the continent and has deep contacts with people on the ground.
In today's world, you can get anything you want with a few clicks on your keyboard.
But if your dream is to see Africa, you might want to forego the Internet and book your trip with someone who knows the continent. Trust me on this. Having been to Africa and experiencing firsthand that complexities involved, I would not dream of doing so without the assistance of a local expert.
Here are 10 reasons why using a travel advisor who is familiar with African travel and has contacts with local experts will give you a better trip experience.
Save time. There are more safari camps and lodges than one might imagine. You might think you can handle finding the camps and lodges, booking a guide, arranging flights, setting up transfers and pickups to and from airports, but it's very time-consuming, especially if you have never done it before. Leave the work to a travel advisor, who is familiar with the process and accustomed to doing it all. The ability of a professional travel advisor is truly underestimated until you try to do it yourself.
Cut out the confusion. If you don't know Africa, you are sure to be confused by all the logistics involved in the planning. It is so much easier to let the expert sort it all out. Activities and experiences are extremely seasonal in Africa due to the climate, terrain, and animal migrations. Arriving at the wrong time because you overlooked the fine details could be devastating. And overlooking details, even if you’re an organized planner yourself, is very easy when there is a lot of information on the internet but most of it is not verified. Your travel advisor has direct access to the information source which cuts out the confusion and noise.
Better value for your dollar. Whether you are traveling in high end luxury or perhaps a more conservative style, everyone likes to know they are getting value. Travel advisors are renowned for being able to secure perks, benefits, and upgrades that you simply cannot get on your own. Not only does that make for an enjoyable trip but it also means that the trip investment itself is full of value.
Advice from the pros. There are 54 countries in Africa which means that there are also countless experiences to be had. Finding the ones that will give you what YOU want is key. All of Africa doesn’t offer the same experiences, so it is important to have someone who will ask the right questions to assist you in creating the best Africa adventure for you. Experience is the combination of training and practice. Let your travel advisor put that expertise to work for you.
Fewer mistakes. If you are unfamiliar with the continent, you could make some mistakes when booking on your own that could lead to a disappointing trip. Every destination on the planet comes with its own unique planning quirks. Sometimes it is a local custom that must be adhered to, and other times it’s as simple but critical as time management when mapping out your itinerary.
Let their relationships work for you. Travel advisors have connections with other experts in the industry who help make your trip a lot smoother, whether it be a tour guide or someone to greet you when you get off the plane. Their network includes locals in destinations all the way to airline officials and tourism board members. If a travel advisor needs to get their hands on information, they can do it at the touch of a few keys or calls.
Detail-oriented. When you are booking a trip on your own, it's easy to forget essential details. But a travel advisor familiar with the regulations won't let visa requirements, immunizations, attire, pandemic travel protocols, the type of electrical plugs you need, etc. slip. One random fact or detail to you, is standard and common to someone who plans travel for a living.
Travel Insurance. A travel advisor who is familiar with the various tour suppliers (hotels, resorts, tours, and safari companies etc.) will very easily know what type of insurance you will need. They will consider everything from the value of your trip (what you paid) to medical evacuation and repatriation, medical treatment, unexpected circumstances, lost and damaged property, liability insurances and of course if you are concerned about Covid, we can help with which policy will cover you for Covid related expenses that you may incur. Your travel advisor will be able to anticipate any typical challenges related to travel in the region and ensure that you are adequately prepared.
Someone to fall back on. You can rely on your travel advisor if anything goes wrong. If you have ever booked a vacation online before with the big booking engines, we probably don’t have to remind you that if something does go wrong (knock on wood), the internet won’t be calling you back. You just don't have that protection and support if you book on your own or online. Having a professional travel advisor who can advocate on your behalf from the other side of the world is critical.
It's just easier. It is much simpler to get someone more knowledgeable about Africa to do all the work for you, so all you need to do is enjoy your trip! Remember, you have time to you’re a vacation or take one…which would you choose? So go ahead and close the 300 browser tabs open and instead spend your time thinking about your outfits and experiences ahead rather than worrying about the small print.
Ready for your own African adventure?? Contact me today so we can start planning!
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