Safari & Travel Industry Glossary
Key terms every tour operator, DMC, and travel professional should know — from accommodation types to pricing models.
B
Banda
A banda is a simple, traditional-style accommodation structure found in East African national parks and rural areas. Bandas are typically small standalone huts or cottages with basic furnishings.
Bed and Breakfast
Bed and breakfast (BB) is an accommodation rate that includes the room and breakfast only. It is typical for city hotels and overnight stops where guests arrange their own lunch and dinner.
Big Five
The Big Five refers to five iconic African wildlife species: lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo. The term originated from big-game hunting but is now used in wildlife tourism to describe the most sought-after animals to see on safari.
Bush Camp
A bush camp is a small, remote safari accommodation set in a wilderness area with minimal infrastructure. Bush camps prioritize proximity to wildlife and an authentic bush experience over luxury amenities.
F
Free Independent Traveler
FIT refers to a traveler who books a custom, independent trip rather than joining a group tour. In the safari industry, FIT itineraries are tailor-made for individuals, couples, or families with flexible schedules and personalized preferences.
Fly-in Safari
A fly-in safari uses light aircraft to transfer between camps and parks, replacing long road drives. It is common in remote areas of Tanzania, Kenya, and Botswana where road access is limited or time-consuming.
Full Board
Full board (FB) is an accommodation rate that includes the room plus all three meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is the most common meal plan basis in the safari industry.
G
Game Drive
A game drive is a guided wildlife-viewing excursion in a vehicle, typically in a national park or game reserve. It is the most common safari activity, usually conducted in the early morning or late afternoon when animals are most active.
Ground Handler
A ground handler is a local company that manages on-the-ground logistics for tours — vehicles, drivers, guides, permits, and transfers. They execute the operational side of an itinerary once it's sold.
H
Half Board
Half board (HB) is an accommodation rate that includes the room plus two meals, typically breakfast and dinner. It is less common in safari lodges but standard in some beach hotels and city properties.
High Season
High season is the peak travel period when demand and prices are at their highest. In East Africa, high season typically runs from July to October (dry season, Great Migration) and December to February (short dry season).
L
Safari Lodge
A safari lodge is a permanent accommodation built in or near a wildlife area, offering rooms or suites with en-suite facilities, dining, and guided safari activities. Lodges range from mid-range to ultra-luxury.
Low Season
Low season (also called green season) is the off-peak period when travel demand drops and accommodation rates are at their lowest. In East Africa, low season typically runs from March to May during the long rains.
M
Markup
Markup is the percentage or fixed amount that a tour operator adds on top of the net (cost) rate to arrive at the selling price. It represents the operator's gross profit on each component of the trip.
Great Migration
The Great Migration is the annual circular movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. It is one of the world's greatest wildlife spectacles and a major driver of East African safari tourism.
Mobile Safari
A mobile safari uses temporary camps that move to follow wildlife or access remote areas not served by permanent lodges. The camp — including tents, kitchen, and staff — travels with the guests.
S
Shoulder Season
Shoulder season is the transitional period between high and low season, offering moderate rates and decent conditions. In East Africa, shoulder season typically falls in June and November.
Single Supplement
A single supplement is the additional charge applied when one guest occupies a room designed for two. It covers the revenue the lodge loses from the empty second bed.
Sundowner
A sundowner is drinks and snacks enjoyed at a scenic spot in the bush while watching the sunset. It is a classic safari tradition and a popular inclusion in afternoon game drive itineraries.
T
Tented Camp
A tented camp is a safari accommodation using semi-permanent or permanent canvas tents with en-suite bathrooms, beds, and furnishings. Despite the name, luxury tented camps rival lodges in comfort while offering a closer-to-nature experience.
Tour Operator
A tour operator designs, prices, and sells packaged travel experiences. In the safari industry, tour operators build itineraries combining lodges, activities, transport, and guides into a complete trip.
Travel Agent
A travel agent sells trips on behalf of tour operators and earns a commission on each booking. In the safari industry, agents connect travelers with specialist operators who build and execute the itinerary.
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