Travel Agent - November 26, 2007 - (Page T4)

the safari EXPERIENCE A safari adventure is a top-of-the-list activity for many visitors to Tanzania. One quarter of Tanzania’s land has been set aside for conservation purposes, including 14 national parks and 33 game reserves, making it a mecca for animal and bird observation. There’s also more than one way to enjoy a safari. Most visitors will be familiar with the tented camps and safari by open Land Rover. They’ll also have options for boat, hunting and walking safaris. They can even opt for a ﬂy safari, which isn’t what one might think; there are no airplanes involved. A ﬂy safari entails hiking to a new location each night and sleeping on the ground covered only by a mosquito net, for the ultimate back-to-nature experience. There are many accommodation choices for a safari adventure, from budget camping to the opulence of luxury camping safaris. Luxury tented camps are in a ﬁxed location and set up before your clients’ arrival. This minimizes the tedious effort of setting up camp every night, or packing and repacking. Tented camps have a staff of cooks, tent staff, waiters, drivers, and guides. Tents are fully furnished and come equipped with running water and electricity. After a day of game viewing, it’s a safari tradition to sit around the campﬁre in the evening and discuss the day’s excitement. Another option is hotel-style lodge safaris, which make up the majority of safaris in Tanzania. Safari lodges are found in most of the national parks and game reserves, either inside the parks or just outside their boundaries. You’ll have a range of choices for your clients, such as highend luxury lodges, highland cottages, and beach bungalows. Guests at safari lodges customarily have all meals and services provided by the lodge property. There are options for morning and afternoon safaris, while some operators arrange night game drives. During at least one night of your clients’ stay they’ll most likely be treated to a traditional tribal performance. Although budget safari travelers may not have as many services and creature comforts, they can be reassured they’ll have the same opportunities for animal observation as their more well-heeled counterparts. GETTING STARTED There are a couple of things to consider when researching which safari operator to choose for your clients. Many safari tour operators can customize your clients’ trip, qualifying them beforehand to assess their needs. Let the operator know what your clients are most interested in seeing. This will allow the operator to suggest the best times to visit the park and how much time is needed. For example, three days are recommended to assure your clients see the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti. (You must, of course, check on the twiceper-year dates these extraordinary migrations occur.) 4 SAFARI OPTIONS Following is a sampling of the types of safari experiences available in Tanzania: Walking Safari: At ﬁrst glance, walking through a countryside inhabited by lions and other predators may seem foolhardy. In actuality, walking safaris are considered to be very safe. Participants are accompanied by experienced game rangers who are armed with riﬂes. Visitors can opt for multi-day safaris that include camping out, or partial-day hikes where they are transported by vehicle to meet up with the rangers at a speciﬁed spot in the bush. Tanzania Travel Specialist • Travel Agent Magazine

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - November 26, 2007

Travel Agent - November 26, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe: InterContinental Geneva Puts Forth a New Look and a New Way to Get to Know the Swiss City London’s Soho Hotel Pacific/Asia: Taichung: Taiwan’s Third Largest City Pacific/Asia Briefs and Packages Tanzania Travel Specialist Mexico: A Roundup of Premier Hotels in Mexico City Q&A with U.S. Director of the Mexico Tourism Board Mexico Deals Las Vegas: A Three-Day Itinerary for Gen-X couples Creating a Kid-Friendly Vacation for Gen-X Clients that Still Includes Alone Time for Parents Richard Harper of Mandalay Bay Caribbean & Bahamas: What’s Happening in St. Kitts Puerto Rico’s Other Rainforest, Toro Negro Hawaii: The Big Island: First-Class Resorts and Native Culture Hotels: The Sky Lodge in Park City; The Lodge at Vail Tours: American Safari Cruises in Alaska’s Inside Passage Pacific Northwest: Suncadia, Eco-Friendly Resort Near Seattle Cruise: The Added Lure of Sailing with a Celebrity Onboard Small Ships Offer Up-Close Experience Cover Story: Hip Hotelier, Social Scientist Supplier Profile - Maximilian Brockmann: The New Face of Auto Europe Agent Profile: Sigrid Carter of Envoyé Travel The Orient-Express: Fabled Train Remains an Elite Product Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Europe Bookings as Dollar Falls Freestyle Cruising Casinos On the Rise in the Caribbean Maui’s Grand Wailea Resort Prepares for Major Renovation Visit Europe Media Exchange In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - November 26, 2007

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