Package Vs Non-Package Tour: Which Is Better?
On one side, you have a well-organized, pre-planned tour. Everything goes according to the plan, from flights to drives to lodges. You are here to do what’s included in your itinerary, and you don’t have to set an alarm because your guide knows what’s next. On the other hand, traveling is the only thing you had planned. No middleman. Just you and your feelings. You decide what to do after you arrive. You switch destinations the way you want, and maybe you are on a self-drive safari.
Both sides are convincing. The first promises discipline while the second promises flexibility and freedom. Should you pre-plan your safari or not? On this blog, we compare package and non-package tours, and we recommend which one fits who and when. But first, let’s look at the terms ‘package’ and ‘non-package tour.’
A package tour is an organized trip that indicates destinations to be visited, accommodations, modes of transport, and activities. On the other hand, a non-package is quite the opposite. A traveler doesn’t pre-arrange the tour, nor does he know where he will stay and what he will be doing.
Who is the package tour for?
The simplest answer to this question is everyone. Yes, everyone needs a package tour at some point in their safari. But if you fall into any of the categories we’ve analyzed below, a well-planned safari tour is the right decision.
1. Long-haul visitors
Picture this: you fly for over 12 hours to reach your safari destination. By the time you arrive, your sharpness has diminished, and you are in a new place. Good luck if you have already booked a hotel for your arrival night. But if you haven’t, options may shrink to just a few hotels because last-minute deals aren’t great. And you are the one who should be careful enough to pick the right transport to your hotel.
That’s daunting, right? We all know that. Being in a new place without a plan comes with loads of fear and uncertainty. And you are a vulnerable target for scammers. To avoid all these, a package tour is better than a non-package tour. At Explore African Safaris, for example, we handle every detail, from flights to places to stay to trip activities. That allows you to relax before and during the trip.
2. First-time visitors.
You are in Tanzania for the first time, and we know you want to make your holiday unforgettable. Booking early is the best way to do this, and we have reasons to back this. First, from our 10-year experience in organizing safaris, one common trend is that first-time visitors are drawn to Tanzania’s popular destinations, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Zanzibar, which are difficult to explore on a non-package tour.
Second, navigating Tanzania’s destinations is a hassle. Getting to the Serengeti from Arusha requires about five hours of driving. Getting to Tarangire from Arusha requires 2 hours of driving. For a first-timer, finding the best way of transport may be tedious and time-consuming. A pre-planned tour ensures easy access to included destinations because most of our safari packages, for example, include transfer to and from.
Lastly, a package tour saves time. You don’t have to think about what’s next because everything is already in the plan. Someone will handle it when it’s the right time. As a result, a package tour can tick all your favorite destinations. Imagine having activities planned from flights to bush dinners. That makes your first experience in Tanzania memorable.
3. Holiday makers
Tanzania harbors some of the most appealing destinations for those traveling for leisure and holiday. But there has been a trend: holiday makers prefer package tours over non-package tours. Why is this? Because they want to make use of their much-awaited holidays. So, they should hire someone they trust (like Explore African Safaris) to organize their entire trip.
Peace of mind is an important part of any leisure travel. That peace is always there when visitors are in safe hands. They are with a knowledgeable guide and driver, and they are sleeping in their favorite lodge. “If I’m going for a safari, I will want to know where to start and where to finish the trip. Planning helps me anticipate what to expect rather than relying on my mood,” says Mr. White from the UK.
Non-package tour
On the flip side, a non-package tour is when you travel to your destination without planning the trip. Most visitors who prefer this kind of tour include those traveling for business and meetings, visiting friends and families, and repeat visitors. After fulfilling their primary purpose, visiting friends and families and attending business meetings, they usually visit a few destinations before departing
Who is a non-package tour for?
1. Repeat visitors.
We’ve observed this trend among travelers who have been to Tanzania several times. They are familiar with the hassle of getting to the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater only because they want to experience it on their own—no safari package. Repeat guests prefer this because it gives them peace of mind. They don’t have to switch from one location to another just to catch a planned event; they plan it by themselves.
2. Short-haul visitors.
Visitors from nearby countries like Zambia, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo prefer non-package tours because of their familiarity with Tanzania’s destinations. By the way, they don’t have to fly for over 12 hours, which allows them to arrive early and plan their next day. If you are one of these people, a non-package tour may be a great option for you.
3. Visitors coming for business and meetings.
You know, sometimes you just traveled for that conference, AGM, or just came to sign business deals (like Dangote). You don’t have to plan what you will be doing after you’ve met your travel purpose. That’s when a non-package tour comes. You may want to visit a beach or do a full-day game drive in a nearby safari park.
Which one is better?
Now you know whose package or non-package tour it is. However, this blog is not one-size-fits-all advice because we know everyone has preferences. Some repeat visitors love package tours, and some first-timers prefer non-package tours. Either way, we are here to help you make your trip unforgettable. We are an email away. Email us at info@exploreafricansafaris.com.
