Most travel companies will organize a private tour for a supplemental charge. That’s what we did for our African Safari and we have no regrets. It was great to have the jeep to ourselves and be able to choose whether to stay longer in a particular spot or to go off the beaten path with our driver-guide.
We have traveled in organized group tours before and during these trips we had to stick with the group. It’s not bad if you have a good group but exceptions do occur. Once we were stuck with a group that took way too long to eat at lunchtime for our liking. We prefer a quick lunch to maximize our daylight time for sightseeing. While we were driving in the Moroccan desert, this lady kept asking our driver: “When do we eat?” There was nowhere to stop, we were in the middle of the desert!
Sometimes while participating on group tours you can also end-up with people with no manners like that guy that I had the misfortune to have an assigned seat next to during meals on a small cruise ship! He kept yelling in my ear to talk to a newlywed across the table.
Some experiences are so much more pleasant when it’s just my husband and I (and a discreet guide if need be). We’ll never forget that wonderful picnic we enjoyed in the savanna—sitting down on a blanket, watching hyenas across the river…
We felt like we were alone in the world. It was magical!
Not sure what type of trip to choose go to: Choosing the Type of Trip