On a safari, you are somewhat confined to or dependent upon the tastes of the group as a whole it is a democracy, after all. For example, if you’re only interested in birds and the rest of the group is just after getting as many sightings of the Big 5 as they can, you could be in for a disappointing time.
2.Go at Your Own Pace
Especially as we had a three-day safari (I don’t think this would have been evident with a 4-day safari), there was a definite sense of urgency to get as many sightings as possible in as short a time as possible. You’re always on the move, in search of that elusive sighting, whereas if you were on your own, or had more time, there’s perhaps be time enough to linger at a waterhole for a while or even just sit and watch the crazy antics of rutting impala for a little bit longer
3.Group dynamics
This depends on the others in your group. Obviously, you’d feel more at home with a group of friends or family and would relax more. With a group, there are other elements to consider, e.g. language barriers, personality dynamics and so on.
Personally, I like to unwind after a day’s traveling around a campfire and discuss and dissect the day’s viewings. My fellow companions had traveled across the globe and were suffering from jet lag, so preferred early nights to recover. I enjoy the nightlife in Murchison falls national park sitting around the campfire and listening to the sounds of lions roaring, the whooping and cackling of hyenas, the grunting of hippos … taking a torch and going around the perimeter fence to see what unexpected visitors you can see … the brightest stars that seem so close you could almost reach out and grab one …
But one thing I can thoroughly recommend is … You have to visit Murchison falls national park. Even if you only get there once in your lifetime. It’s a precious corner of the world – a vast, sprawling wildlife conservation area where you can experience nature and wildlife up close and personal. Unrehearsed. Untamed. Unexpected. Unbeatable!
And as Simon so rightly says: “No two safaris are ever the same …”
Have you ever been to Murchison which do you prefer? Self-drive or guided? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Uganda Tailor made Travel an advice
Every traveler has their own preferences. Do you need assistance in planning your self-drive trip to Uganda our experienced tour consultants are ready to assist you! Together we fully customize the tour to your personal preferences, wishes and budget. We can assist you in many different ways. Our team of friendly and service-oriented Tour Consultants is available in Europe and Africa to assist you in creating a personalized proposal for your tailor-made trip to Uganda and to answer all your questions you might have.
How to Be a Conscious Traveler:
Conscious travel is more important now than ever as the effects of a booming tourism industry have had negative effects on local communities and environmental conditions.
This guide is dedicated to teaching you ways to travel more sustainably and preserve the planet for generations of other adventurers to enjoy in the future! These top 2 Eco-travel tips will teach you how to be a conscious traveler!
1. Cut out Meat and Dairy
Opting against a diet with animal products is the best thing you can do for the environment as an individual, hands down.
Raising animals for food produces more greenhouse gases than all the trucks and cars in the world combined. You avoid excessive CO2 and methane production that contribute to the rising temperature of the planet, as well as the production of nitro us oxide which damages the ozone layer, a vital component of human life on earth.
You can also save massive amounts of water, avoid the pollution of streams, rivers, and oceans, and reduce the destruction of natural wildlife habitats that are destroyed for agricultural land.
Some may think that adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet while traveling would be hard to manage, but I’ve found it to be easy to do and oftentimes cheaper! While it may take more research on your location and deliberation over where to eat, the benefits of plant-based diets outweigh the minor inconvenience.
If eliminating animal-based products from your diet feels like too much of a commitment, consider just cutting fish out of your diet. The effects of over fishing are immense, and scientists estimate that our oceans will be virtually empty by 2050. The commercial fishing industry has already eliminated 90% of large predatory fish populations since its inception.
The truth is that there is no such thing as sustainable fishing and animal-raising procedures when dealing with commercial companies, so just avoiding them altogether is a huge step toward not only conscious travel but an Eco -friendly lifestyle.
2. Cultural Exchange or Volunteer Work
Cultural exchange is the best way to become a more conscious traveler as experiences like these highlight the local culture of a host country and allows you to learn about and embrace that culture!
World packers and Work away are two popular and trustworthy platforms for finding cultural exchanges wherever you want to explore. Each has thousands of opportunities that will allow you to help a local community and oftentimes receive free accommodation and meals in return.
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or Worldwide opportunities on organic farms, links visitors with organic farmers to promote both cultural and educational exchange through the opportunity to work on a farm committed to the sustainability movement. Choosing to participate in a farming project contributes to the local culture and the environment while teaching you more about Mother Nature.
Consider working for your accommodation and helping the local community
With all-inclusive packages for travelers to volunteer abroad and help out in hundreds of different sustainable initiatives, Give Volunteers is the way to go. With Give, you can combine seeing the world with making an impact and keeping our planet beautiful for generations.
Volunteer programs and work exchanges are not only great resources for cutting costs on your trip but also allow you to experience off-the-beaten-path adventures and learn more about the way of life in your destination. It is common for travelers to gain a greater appreciation for the places they visit after learning more about their roots.
