Many travellers think a custom safari is expensive. It is not. Here is the truth: at Blue Mountain Trekking, a custom 7-day safari costs the same — or less — than a comparable group tour.
The difference is in the planning. Group operators publish fixed itineraries months in advance. You fit their schedule. A custom safari fits yours.
**How customisation actually works**
*Step 1: The first message*
Most trips start with a WhatsApp message: "Hi, I want to do a safari in August, 2 adults, 1 child, budget around $X." That is enough. We do not need a brief — we need a starting point.
*Step 2: The discovery call*
Within 24 hours, one of our planners schedules a 30-minute call. We ask about: travel style (luxury vs adventure), physical limitations, dietary needs, must-see vs nice-to-have, photography priorities, and budget honesty.
*Step 3: The draft itinerary*
Within 48 hours of the call, we send a draft itinerary. It includes day-by-day plan, suggested accommodations (3 options at different price points), park fees, vehicle type, and total cost with no hidden extras.
*Step 4: Refinement*
Most travellers go through 2–4 rounds of edits. Add a day here, swap this lodge, change the vehicle type. We use a shared Google Doc so changes are tracked.
*Step 5: Confirmation*
Once you are happy, we send an invoice for a 30% deposit. The remaining balance is due 30 days before departure. We book everything — parks, lodges, internal flights, transfers.
*Step 6: The trip*
You arrive. We meet you at the airport. The driver-guide briefs you on day 1. We are on WhatsApp throughout — if anything needs adjusting mid-trip, we adjust.
**What "custom" really means**
Custom does not mean expensive. It means your trip fits you, not the other way around.
A 7-day custom safari for a couple on a $1,200-per-person budget is realistic. So is a 14-day custom luxury safari at $9,000 per person. The customisation is in the design, not the price tag.
**The honest part**
We cannot do everything. We do not book gorilla permits in Uganda (we partner with a Kampala operator who does). We do not run our own beach properties in Diani (we use trusted partners). If a custom request is outside our scope, we will tell you — and refer you to someone we trust.
**Start your custom safari**
Message us on WhatsApp at +254 722 761738, or fill in the trip request form. There is no commitment until you confirm and pay a deposit. We answer every enquiry, usually within 4 hours.