Are your African safaris private and customizable?

Yes. Most One Big Planet safaris are designed as private trips for you and the people traveling with you. Our published tours are starting points, not rigid packages. We can adjust the route, dates, accommodations, activities, trip length and budget. Guided tours normally include a private local guide or driver-guide. We can also arrange independent options, including self-drive travel through Namibia.

Which African country is best for a first safari?

Kenya is a strong choice for travelers who want the classic East African safari experience. Namibia is better for travelers who enjoy road trips, deserts and scenery in addition to wildlife. South Africa is easy to combine with Cape Town, food, wine and the coast. Botswana is best for remote wilderness and water-based safaris, while Zimbabwe combines excellent wildlife with Victoria Falls.

How much does an African safari cost?

A safari can cost approximately $150 per person per day for a simpler self-drive or camping-style trip and more than $1,000 per person per day for an exclusive luxury safari. The final price depends on the destination, season, accommodation, park fees, transportation, guide, activities and number of travelers.

How many days do I need for my first African safari?

For most first-time travelers, seven to ten days is a good starting point. A five- to seven-day safari can work for a shorter introduction. Ten to fourteen days is better when you want to experience more of the country or add beaches, cities and cultural activities.

When is the best time to go on an African safari?

There is no single best month for every country. Dry periods often make wildlife easier to find around permanent water sources, but they can also bring higher prices and more visitors. Green-season travel can offer quieter parks, better value and beautiful landscapes, although rain may affect some roads and activities.

How far in advance should I book a safari?

For most trips, beginning six to twelve months ahead gives you a better choice of lodges, rooms, guides and routes. Consider starting twelve months or more in advance when traveling during migration season, Christmas, New Year, school holidays or when you need specific small camps and fixed travel dates.

What is normally included in a safari package?

Inclusions vary by itinerary, but a guided safari may include accommodation, ground transportation, a safari vehicle and driver-guide, national park fees, game drives, listed meals, airport transfers, drinking water and selected excursions. International flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and optional activities are often separate.

Can I combine a safari with a beach, city or another country?

Yes. You can combine a Kenya safari with Diani Beach, add Cape Town to a South African safari, connect Victoria Falls and Hwange with Chobe in Botswana, or combine Namibia with another Southern African country. We can also plan multi-country routes when the transportation and available time make sense.

Can children go on an African safari?

Yes, but the right itinerary depends on the children's ages, interests and ability to handle long drives and early mornings. Some lodges and safari activities have minimum-age rules. Family trips can include pools, beaches, shorter game drives, cultural experiences and rest days.

Can I take a safari by myself?

Yes. A private safari can be arranged for one traveler, although solo travel is often more expensive per person because accommodation, vehicle and guide costs are not shared. Some lodges charge a single supplement, while others occasionally offer better solo rates during quieter periods.

Do you offer self-drive African safaris?

Yes. Namibia is particularly well suited to travelers who want to explore independently. A Namibia self-drive safari can include the rental vehicle, accommodations and a planned route through destinations such as Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland and Etosha National Park.

Do I need vaccinations or malaria medication for a safari?

Health recommendations depend on the country, route, time of year and your personal medical history. Malaria precautions may be recommended for some safari areas, while yellow fever documentation can depend on where you are traveling from or transiting. Speak with a healthcare provider or travel-health specialist before departure.

Is an African safari safe?

No international trip is completely without risk, and conditions vary by country and region. One Big Planet works with trusted local partners, experienced guides and established accommodations. Travelers should review current government travel information, purchase suitable travel insurance and follow the instructions of their guide.

2027 Total Solar Eclipse Tour to Algeria

Contact to Book

August 2, 2027 Total Solar Eclipse | 7 Days / 6 Nights | Small Group $1449 PP

Experience the August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse in Algeria and spend seven days exploring one of North Africa’s least-visited countries.

Our special 2027 departure combines the eclipse with Algiers, Constantine and some of Algeria’s most impressive Roman archaeological sites, including Timgad and Djemila. The group will travel into the path of totality before eclipse morning, where parts of the Batna region are expected to experience more than five minutes of complete totality.

This is not a trip built around flying into Algeria, watching the eclipse and immediately leaving. We want you to experience Algeria as well — its history, cities, Roman ruins, food and landscapes — with the eclipse as the highlight of the journey.

2027 Algeria Solar Eclipse Tour Itinerary

30 July: International arrival in Algiers. Meet and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Algiers.

31 July: Best of Algiers city tour. Transfer to Algiers Airport and fly to Constantine in the evening. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Constantine.

01 Aug: Drive to Djemila and visit the Roman ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Algeria’s best-preserved Roman cities. Return for the night to Constantine.

02 Aug: Early morning drive to the selected eclipse viewing location in the Timgad/Batna region for the August 2, 2027 Total Solar Eclipse. Experience more than five minutes of totality in this part of Algeria. After the eclipse, visit the Roman ruins of Timgad. Return to Constantine. Overnight.

03 Aug: Best of Constantine city tour. Transfer to Constantine Airport and fly back to Algiers in the evening. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Algiers.

04 Aug: Drive to visit Tipaza and Cherchell, including their Roman archaeological sites and Mediterranean coastline. Return to Algiers.

05 Aug: Transfer to Algiers International Airport for international departure.

*Price subject to change due to currency variations and availability. The price is valid until December 31st, 2026. Upgrades are available to 4* and 5* hotels.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Eclipse Date: Monday, August 2, 2027
Start / Finish: Algiers
Group Type: Small-group guided tour
Eclipse Region: Timgad / Batna area
Totality: More than 5 minutes in parts of the Batna region
Accommodation: Hotels / guesthouses
Transportation: Private ground transportation
Meals: Breakfasts as listed in the itinerary
Visa Assistance: Included
International Flights: Not included

This 7-day/6-night private tour includes all the transportation, gas, tickets, a private guide, 6 breakfasts, visa assistance, and local flights. The total cost is $1449 USD per person with double occupancy. Minimum 1 person with a single supplement. The itinerary does not include international flights.

Is This Tour Only for Serious Eclipse Chasers?

No. You do not need to own a telescope or know anything about astronomy to enjoy a total solar eclipse.

Some travelers may be experienced eclipse chasers or photographers, while others simply want to experience totality once in their lifetime. The trip is designed to work for both.

If you are bringing specialized photography equipment, you should practice using your solar filters and camera setup before arriving in Algeria. During the partial phases, proper certified solar viewing protection is required.

Visa Assistance

Most U.S. travelers currently need a visa before traveling to Algeria. Visa rules depend on nationality and can change, so requirements should always be confirmed before booking international flights.

Our Algeria tours include visa assistance. We can provide the relevant trip documentation and help explain the application process, although the final visa decision is always made by Algerian consular authorities.

More Than Five Minutes of Totality

The path of totality crosses a large part of northern Algeria, but the eclipse experience varies considerably depending on where you stand.

The wider Batna region is particularly interesting because current calculations show around five to five and a half minutes of totality in different parts of the province. Historical cloud statistics for August are also encouraging, although no tour operator can guarantee clear weather on a particular morning.

We are planning the trip around the Timgad and Batna region, but the exact viewing location may be adjusted based on weather forecasts, dust conditions, road access and local arrangements.

I think this flexibility is important. Once you already have more than five minutes of totality, gaining another few seconds is less important than having a good viewing area and the ability to react to conditions.

Why Visit Algeria?

Algeria remains surprisingly unfamiliar to many international travelers despite having some of the most impressive Roman archaeological sites in North Africa.

On this trip you will experience several very different sides of the country. Algiers gives you Mediterranean architecture and the Casbah, Constantine brings dramatic canyon scenery and bridges, while Djemila and Timgad take you into Algeria’s Roman history.

Most of our Algeria trips are private and can be adjusted depending on your available time and interests. You can see our other private tours to Algeria if you are interested in visiting the country outside the eclipse departure.

Private Tour to Algeria 7 Days/ 6 Nights map

Frequently Asked Questions

The total solar eclipse takes place on August 2, 2027. The eclipse will cross northern Algeria during the morning before continuing east across North Africa.

The duration depends on location. Batna Province is currently calculated at approximately 5 minutes and 22 seconds, while individual locations within the region range from around five minutes to more than five and a half minutes.

We plan to be in the Timgad/Batna region, but we are not guaranteeing that viewing will take place inside the Timgad archaeological site. The final viewing location will depend on access, weather and local arrangements.

The eclipse takes place on Monday, August 2, 2027. Totality crosses northern Algeria during the morning, with maximum eclipse around 10:00 a.m. in many of the locations we are considering for the trip.

In the Batna region, the partial eclipse begins during the morning, with totality occurring at approximately 10:00 a.m. local time. The exact timing will vary slightly depending on the final viewing location.

The region offers a long period of totality, less crowds and is also close to Timgad, one of Algeria’s most important Roman archaeological sites. It allows us to combine a strong eclipse location with a part of Algeria that is already worth visiting. It’s perfectly aligns with our existing tour.

Yes. You are welcome to bring a camera, tripod or other photography equipment.

Cameras, binoculars and telescopes require proper solar filters during the partial phases. If you plan to photograph the eclipse, I strongly recommend practicing with your equipment before the trip because totality is not the time to learn a new camera setup.

The August 2, 2027 eclipse will be one of the longest total solar eclipses of the century. The maximum duration anywhere along the eclipse path will exceed six minutes, while parts of Algeria will experience more than five minutes of totality.

That gives travelers much more time to experience the darkness, the solar corona and the changes in the surrounding landscape than during many other total eclipses.