An Advisor’s Guide to 2026 Safari Planning
Africa is unlike any other destination. A safari isn’t just another vacation — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime journey that requires precision, planning, and insider access. The biggest mistake travelers make? Assuming they can book it last-minute.
The truth: Africa’s most extraordinary journeys book 18–24 months in advance. Advisors who wait risk losing out on premium lodges, gorilla trekking permits, and peak migration experiences.
Here’s why planning early matters, and how UJV Africa helps you secure the best of the best for your clients.
Africa’s Premium Lodges Sell Out Fast
The most sought-after safari camps and lodges have limited rooms, often fewer than 20. When peak season hits — like the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania (July–September) or prime dry season in Southern Africa (June–October) — space is gone quickly.
• Front-row access to the Great Migration in the Serengeti or Masai Mara.
• Luxury tented camps in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
• Iconic properties like Singita, Londolozi, and Angama Mara.
📩 Tip for advisors: Start positioning 2026 Africa trips this fall. “Good availability” becomes “limited options” faster than clients realize.
Gorilla Trekking Permits Are Limited
In Rwanda and Uganda, permits to trek and see mountain gorillas are capped daily to protect the species. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
• Secure trekking permits on their preferred dates.
• Stay in luxury lodges close to the parks.
• Combine gorilla trekking with East African safaris for an unforgettable journey.
📩 Advisor advantage: Promote gorilla trekking as a bucket-list extension to safaris. UJV secures permits and pairs them with white-label itineraries you can deliver confidently.
Bush-and-Beach Itineraries Need Early Coordination
Many clients want more than safari. They want the perfect ending — a few days on a Mozambique island, Zanzibar’s beaches, or Mauritius resorts.
Bush-and-beach trips require coordinating flights, transfers, and seasonal availability across multiple regions. Waiting too long limits the options for smooth, seamless pairings.
📩 Advisor insight: UJV’s Africa team specializes in multi-stop itineraries that flow effortlessly, combining safari with beach escapes.
Multi-Generational and Group Travel Takes Space
Even when it isn’t multi-gen, Africa trips often involve groups of friends or extended families. They need connecting suites, private vehicles, and custom activities. These book up far in advance.
📩 Advisor takeaway: Early planning = choice. Late planning = compromise.
Africa Rewards the Advisor Who Plans Early
Advisors who start now for 2026 have:
✔️ Access to the most exclusive lodges and camps.
✔️ Flexibility to match client style (romantic, adventurous, family).
✔️ Time to layer in immersive activities — hot-air balloon rides, conservation experiences, cultural encounters.
✔️ White-label itineraries designed by UJV that make you look like the expert.
The UJV Difference
At UJV Africa, our specialists design journeys end to end. That means:
• Securing premium accommodations early.
• Handling flights, transfers, permits, and guides.
• Combining bush and beach seamlessly.
• Delivering white-label itineraries so advisors stay at the center.
📩 Start the conversation now. Contact your UJV Destination Specialist today and let’s begin planning Africa 2026 and beyond.
Final Word: Africa Is Not Last-Minute Travel
If your clients want gorilla trekking, the Great Migration, or a luxury bush-and-beach itinerary, now is the time to plan. October through December is prime time to lock in summer 2026 and peak season 2027.
The earlier you start, the more choice your clients have — and the more confidence you’ll deliver as their advisor.