Although a Kenyan safari was traditionally seen as the preserve of opulent Europeans, Kenyan locals have realized that they too can tour their country’s famed destinations. And at a fraction of the cost!
Self-driven safaris are the new buzzword in local tourism. Travellers no longer have to depend on safari itineraries crafted by tour companies in this new setup. Instead, the traveller devises their trip plan and secures their means of transport.
The idea has been popularized by the easy availability of new vehicles for purchase and rental. The result? A personalized yet pocket-friendly safari. Most Kenyan tourists who’ve tried it hail self-driven tours as the holy grail of local tourism.
Regardless, self-driven trips are not without their setbacks. Even with this newfound independence by Kenyan travellers, guided safaris continue to enjoy their market niche.
We shall briefly look at the benefits and challenges of a self-drive safari compared to a guided one; and how to know which system is best suited for you.
1. Cost
One of the most significant distinctions between self-driven vacation trips and guided tours is their overall cost. With the latter, the traveller ultimately pays a higher price, including the tour agent’s commissions and charges.
With self-drives, the traveller only has to contend with the actual cost of transportation, accommodation and park entry fees.
A traveller who is well-versed with the Maasai Mara, for example, can hire a dependable vehicle and set off for the savannah on a budget safari no matter the season.
The cost element makes self-driven tours a more attractive choice. However, guided safaris remain the best option for travellers unfamiliar with their destination.
Not only do seasoned tour agents know their way around, but they may share tidbits of information that an amateur traveler might otherwise miss during their research. Further information about professional tour agents is available here.
2. Flexibility
Self-driven safaris come with a lot of flexibility.
For people who love to have plenty of options in the conduct of their affairs, the flexibility of this kind of safari cannot be overstated.
It allows you to take your time determining when you wish to leave, what time you want to be back and which attractions you would rather visit. It also allows you to decide how long you wish to be at a given locale and the activities you want to undertake.
Self-driven safaris also allow you to choose where to stay and how many stopovers you wish to have on your way.
Even more importantly, you get to choose your travel party and do not have to contend with going on a road trip bundled with strangers in the car. It is a desirable option to have in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
You get to travel with your family and friends and enjoy the liberties and comfort that come with being surrounded by familiar people.
3. Safety
On the safety front, guided safaris might be your best bet yet.
For starters, reputable tour companies will avail comfortable, customized safari vehicles designed to offer an optimal viewing experience while keeping you safe from wild animals.
These vehicles also have UHD radio for accessible communication even in areas with poor network connectivity, meaning you can never be stranded.
Also, since a professional driver and guide will accompany you, you have the assurance of knowing that you are in safe hands.
In contrast, a self-drive tour is heavily dependent on the traveller’s instincts. Balancing between your sense of adventure and your survival instincts can sometimes prove tricky.
For example, how do you know which places are safe to stop for a bathroom break during a bush safari? Will you finish your bathroom business successfully, or will you be rudely startled out of it by a random lion?
These kinds of decisions can only be handled by a seasoned professional.
4. Unlimited Car choice
Reliable transport is an indispensable component of any safari. That is especially the case when taking a trip into the wild.
With self-driven tours, the traveller can choose a high performing vehicle with all the desired extras.
Unlike guided safaris, where you are bound to travel on the vehicle availed by your tour agent, self-driven tours let you go for the car with the best comfort features.
You may wish to travel in a car with top of the range comfort components that oozes style as opposed to the run of the mill safari vans provided by some tour agents.
Also, self-driven safaris can double up as an opportunity for you to rent and sample top-notch high-performance luxury vehicles while on safari.
5. The excellent condition of the car
Undoubtedly, self-driven tours allow you to choose a new vehicle at your rental, which means travelling with the assurance that the car is less likely to break down mid-trip.
However, that may not be much to write home about as most tour companies also have a dependable fleet of vehicles for their guided tours.
If anything, the vehicles provided on guided tours might be better as they are optimized for the safari experience.
Not only do they have excellent ground clearance, but safari land cruisers are also designed to give you a panoramic 360-degree view of your surroundings.
That ensures that you get the invaluable opportunity to take breathtaking photos on a moment’s notice.
In conclusion:
The choice of safari is mainly dependent on the traveller’s travel goals, personal preferences, and risk appetite.
For tourists who are pretty familiar with their destination and how to find their way around wildlife, then self-driven safaris are an excellent cost-effective way to go for an adventure. Guided safaris are best for the tame and risk-averse traveller who wishes to kick back, relax, and benefit from an insider’s knowledge.
