Incredible Trips That Need To Be Planned At Least A Year In Advance
By SHANDLEY MCMURRAY
If you want to go on a safari in Kenya during the cooler months and witness the Great Migration river crossings, you should book your trip at least a year in advance.
Kenya Safari
The Great Migration involves over two million animals moving from southern Serengeti to Masai Mara. The easiest way to see it is via a guided safari, and they book up quickly.
There are plenty of great places to stay in Masai Mara, but you have to book early. Finally, you'll need time to procure a travel visa and get a vaccine for yellow fever.
If you want to see Japanese cherry blossoms in bloom, prepare for a long wait and a hefty price tag — airfare and hotels jack up their prices during the event.
Cherry Blossoms
Depending on the weather, blossoms will be around for just two weeks between late March and early April. To help decide when to travel, check the Japan Meteorological Corporation.
Aim your search toward Yoshino in Kansai. One of Japan's most famous destinations for cherry blossom sightseeing, it is a stunning place to visit, but it gets pretty busy in April.
This national park strictly limits the number of visitors to safeguard its fragile ecosystem, so you should book a year in advance to secure your spot on the boat.
Galápagos Islands
You may want to consider getting protection against Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, and Typhoid before your trip, and you must have insurance in your home country before their arrival.
To get to Machu Picchu, you'll have to fly to Peru, then take a train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, followed by a shuttle bus and a hike — hence the need for planning.
Machu Picchu
While you won't have to get a visa before your trip, you could run into issues trying to attain a tour guide and entry tickets if you leave planning until the last minute.
Visitors to Machu Picchu are limited to 4,500 per day, and only 500 visitors can walk the Inca Trail to reach the citadel daily.
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda has become a hot spot to visit wild mountain gorillas. The park awards only 96 permits each day, so book between 10 and 12 months out.
Rwanda
An e-visa is required for entry. You may need a yellow fever vaccine, and travelers should get a typhoid vaccine and take medicine to prevent malaria days before they leave.