Many lodge and safari operator websites will supply a list of advice. But, who has time to trawl through and find it all?
Here for your convenience is the ‘standard’ list of how to prepare, what to bring, what to expect, how to behave, what to leave at home, and so on.
Travellers’ Guide to an African Safari / FAQ
What health precautions should I take when travelling in Africa?
If you suffer from any chronic medical conditions, disabilities or have special dietary requirements, you should notify your hosts before your departure on safari. Please take a sufficient supply of any special medications you may need, as there is not always a pharmacy within reach.
Malaria: Your travel agent and/or your hosts will be able to tell you if you will be going to a malaria area. The southern parts of Africa are generally safe in terms of health and other diseases, but when visiting any region we strongly recommend that you start an anti-malarial course of tablets 2 weeks prior to your departure. Although most lodges provide mosquito nets on beds, insecticide sprays, room vaporisers, etc., we also recommend that you bring a personal supply of mosquito repellent. Mosquitoes are generally most active during the evening, especially during dinner hours. Wearing long sleeve shirts and pants in the evenings will help you avoid being bothered by mosquitoes.
Please consult your local doctor for specific advice before departure to Africa. Also remember that malaria can develop once you return home, in which case, visit your local doctor immediately and request a blood test, explain that you have been on a safari in Africa where you might have been exposed to malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
Vaccinations: International certificates of vaccination are required for yellow fever and typhoid before entering either Tanzania, Zanzibar or Kenya - please contact your nearest Tanzania or Kenya embassy/consulate for an update and information before departure for east Africa.
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What airlines should I use to travel to Africa?
The flight may be part of your safari package, but if you have options, the national carriers are normally the safest and you may be able to find a good deal online. Remember that for international flights, you need to check in two hours prior to departure.
For the self-organised traveller, note that there are often departure taxes on leaving many African states. These are usually levied in US$, so if you are not on a package, remember to keep aside $20 to $30 in CASH per person for this purpose.
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May I make alterations to my confirmed safari schedule?
Although your hosts will be flexible to try and accommodate client requests, they cannot make changes to set itinerary safaris which include other clients.
Your safari operator retains the right to change accommodation if necessary due to conditions of roads and airfields, game migrations or other reasons where clients’ safety takes priority.
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What happens if I get unavoidably delayed before the Safari?
Most operators will be flexible but cannot be held responsible for airlines running late or cancelling flights. In case of a group tour, every effort will be made to reunite you with your group, within reason and while respecting the others on the same trip with you.
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What happens if I lose my baggage on a flight?
Losing baggage on a scheduled flight can be a nightmare. We recommend that you take out baggage insurance, and if you are part of a group, try to check your baggage in as a group. Many tours supply a clearly identifiable soft travel bag and/or t-shirt which is sent to all clients confirmed on safari trips – making it easier to identify others in your group.
If your bags are lost, your tour leader will help you complete all necessary documentation required by the airline and arrange to forward your baggage to one of the destination lodges when/if it is found. The airline will have to compensate you if your bags are lost or damaged, and also many credit cards provide automatic travel cover. Please ensure that you keep your baggage bar-code tags safe in your purse, to assist in tracing lost luggage.
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Is the water safe to drink?
Not always. We do not recommend drinking tap water in any hotel, camp or game lodges during your trip unless your host specifically gives you the all-clear.
Tap water is generally safe to drink in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Elsewhere, we recommend you drink only bottled water. The tap water in your room, however, can be safely used to brush your teeth and wash with. Note: To avoid dehydration, drink lots of bottled water and other beverages while travelling, especially in the hot months (August to November). On any walking safaris, please take one or two bottles of water with you. If you set off on a drive into a national park, take a supply of drinking water.
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What Travel Insurance do I need?
We strongly advise you to purchase full and comprehensive travel insurance before travelling, to cover any eventuality including: Safari cancellation, injury, accident, illness, death, medical expenses, medical air rescue, emergency repatriation, loss of money or personal belongings. Many operators make this compulsory and insurance can be arranged at the time of your deposit payment. You can arrange insurance with the safari operator, your personal broker or travel agent before departure.
Safari operators will not be held liable or held responsible for any loss of baggage, damage, injury, death, safari cancellation, accident or illness during the safari trip.
What information will I need to file an insurance claim when I return?
If an incident(s) occurs, keep copies of every detail and document such as police reports, doctor’s notes, when and where it happened, etc. in order to make a claim on your return home.
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What is included in my safari trip?
Check with your individual operator or travel agent. Some lodges which are billed as ‘all-inclusive’ may in fact charge extra for alcoholic drinks, bottled water, or laundry. All your Safari lodge transfers, accommodation and laundry, village and cultural tours, walking trails, game drives, meals and drinks in the lodges, transfer flights from one lodge to the other should all be detailed in your itinerary. Check you itinerary with an eye to what is not listed.
What is NOT included in my safari trip?
The international flights that bring to you Africa and take you home are often not included. All non-itinerary activities are for your own account, e.g. curio shopping, personal shopping, meals taken outside your lodge, spa treatments or extra activities. Staff tips and gratuities are often not included but sometimes a general ‘service’ fee will be included in the cost of the safari – again, check with your booking agent.
We suggest you budget at least US$30 a day if you intend to shop for souvenirs in the markets. Any extra tours can be arranged and paid for in advance on request.
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What do I bring?
Ideally, try to limit your belongings to 12kg soft bag. Bring also a small day-pack (backpack type) instead of a handbag or purse. Remember, you are coming to see, not be seen.
Pack for the season:
1. The wet summer months are November, December, January and February. Depending on the area, there will be heavy daily rain showers with minimum temperatures of 36 degrees F/2 degrees C.
2. Winter months are May, June and July which can be very cold with minimum temperatures of 36 degrees F/2 degrees C. Frosts in an African winter are quite normal especially in highveld areas. Winters are usually dry (except in the Cape), which is good for game viewing as the vegetation is thinner.
3. Spring months are August, September and October and this is the best Safari season with lowest temperatures of 60 degrees F/15 degrees C.
Generally, try to pack wash’n wear, drip-dry clothing in modern fabrics if possible. Choose neutral mid-tone colours so as not to startle the animals – no bright whites or pastels. Formal wear is not required unless you plan to stay at a golf lodge or upmarket city hotel.
Do NOT bring the following clothing: Army surplus/Camouflage print clothing, army hats.
Baggage: Due to the limited space in safari vehicles and strict weight limits on small aircraft, clients on fly-in safaris are only permitted to carry ONE soft duffel type bag weighing between 9-12 kg and a small daypack for camera, binoculars etc. Large rigid suitcases will simply not be allowed on a small aircraft; please do not be inconvenienced on arrival. Most international flights allow 18-20kg per passenger but if you really need to to bring that much baggage, please first consult with your safari operator.
Here follows a suggested list:
* Good walking shoes – Leather or high quality trainer type, with high ankle
* Good strong sandals
* Long trousers (Preferably unzip at knee type) chinos or slacks.
* Long sleeved shirts for evenings/short sleeved for day
* Polarised sunglasses
* If you wear contact lenses, bring enough cleaner and solution for the trip. Tip: Also pack a spare pair of ordinary prescription glasses – we may encounter very dusty conditions when you will be more comfortable with ordinary spectacles.
* Khaki/green peak cap or shady bush hat
* Swimming costume / bathing suit
* Warm track suit
* Shorts/skirts for ladies
* T-shirts; lightweight wash ‘n wear fabrics are most practical
* One warm sweater or fleece. Beanie, scarf, & warm gloves for winter safaris.
* Underwear and socks
* Lightweight pair of good binoculars
* Lightweight showerproof wind cheater for cold early morning/evening drives
* Basic First Aid kit with any personal medications, anti-malarial tablets, antihistamine cream/tabs, elastoplasts, immodium, antiseptic cream & aspirin. Vitamin A helps to ward off, and heal, sunburn.
* Toiletries, moisturising creams/sunscreen lotions/lip balm
* Cameras and spare batteries / multi-plug recharger / memory sticks
* Torch/flashlight with spare batteries
* Money belt.
• Your valid passport!
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How much should I tip on Safari?
Tipping during safari is not compulsory, and is at client’s discretion – only tip if you had a great time and enjoyed the service given to you. A guideline is:
* Guides at the lodges – around US$6-00 per day.
* Tour leader /guide who accompanies the entire Safari – perhaps a little more than the above.
* General staff at the lodges – around US$4-00 per client per day – some lodges provide a tipping box and tips are shared amongst all the staff.
* In hotels/restaurants, around 10% is usual for excellent service.
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How much cash should I carry on Safari?
We recommend you take a variety of small denomination cash notes in US$ or GB£ for curio shopping, tips, airport departure taxes etc. We suggest US$1, US$2, US$5, US$10, US$20, US$50. Many shops or markets may not have change for large notes such as US$100. The remainder of your funds should be in travellers’ cheques or pre-loaded smart-chip debit card as this is by far the best way to avoid loss of money. ATMs are now common in many areas. Each country’s credit card facilities differ but it’s best to not let your card out of your sight at restaurants, etc.
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How close can I get to wild animals?
Never get close, especially without a professional armed guide. Even if animals come in to the lodge grounds, it is not a zoo or a theme park where animals are accustomed to humans. You will be in a genuine African wilderness with occasional close encounters with wild animals. Attacks by these animals are rare, but they can happen if the animal feels threatened by your proximity. All wild animals need to be treated with caution and respect. Clients are advised to adhere to rules and follow the instructions of the guide conducting your safari, especially on walking trails. Your hosts cannot be held responsible for any injury or incident that may occur due to carelessness or negligence on your part.
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What kind of camera equipment should I bring?
The less weight, the easier for you to carry during your Safari. Small hand held digital video cameras with a strong strap are excellent on a walk or game drive. The minimum lens for still photos will be a 200-300 mm zoom lens with SLR cameras, and a lightweight telescopic lens if you wish to take pictures of birds or mammals at a distance.
We recommend that you visit your local camera shop for advice before departure. We advise that you purchase plenty of film or memory storage as these are not always available in the more remote parts. Large camera tripods will take up too much space – a small hand tripod or monopod is ideal.
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Can I bring a flashlight/torch in my backpack?
We recommend you bring a small, powerful flashlight/torch and spare batteries or recharger , especially on fly-camping trips, although many places do equip their rooms and tents with flashlights/torches.
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Reference – Nature Books
Identifying and reading about species of birds or mammals with your local guides is an enjoyable part of your trip. Many lodges have a library of wildlife reference books for guests, but you may want to keep a few of your own. As you are required to travel light, you should purchase just one or two of these recommended books:
* For keen bird watchers: Ken Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa, latest edition.
* Mammals: Chris & Tilde Stuart’s Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa.
* Keen on reptiles? Bill Branch’s Field Guide to the Snakes & Reptiles of Southern Africa.
* You want to try tracking skills on Safari: Clive Walker’s Signs of the Wild, if you can find a copy!
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What sort of electrical power outlets do they use in Africa?
220v or 110v are the most commonly used electrical power outlets. South Africa, Botswana and Namibia have a round 3-pin plug system. Zimbabwe and Zambia have square 3-pin plugs similar to the British type. We recommend you bring a 50 watt Radio Shack multi-nation Travel Adapter that can convert 220/240v to 110/120v and will adapt to most 2- or 3-pin sockets in Africa.
Most game lodges use diesel generators or solar panels for electricity in the camp, please bear with lodge staff and management as they will advise when the power will be available.
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Can I bring my mobile (cell) phone, iridium or radio phone?
Be informed in advance that any type of phone/Radio will not be allowed for usage during Safari, as this will hinder the privacy and the enjoyment of your holiday and may even be dangerous during a walking safari. Should you bring this equipment, please ensure that you keep it switched off, and use it in your room only, not in the public areas at lodges and it should never interfere with any other guests on Safari.
E-mail facilities or internet cafes will be available only in larger cities or towns.
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What happens should a problem occur?
Your tour leader guide, management or the staff at any of the lodge/camps will be able to assist or attend to your problem immediately. All registered and accredited safari lodges have emergency plans and procedures and personnel trained in first aid.
If you are on a self-organised safari, be aware of your possessions, papers and money at all times. Keep vehicles locked if unattended, do not leave expensive cameras or other valuable items in the vehicle – not even locked in the boot. Do not pick up hitchhikers or offer lifts. In populated areas, wear your money belt beneath your clothes, as pickpockets are an unfortunate fact of life.
Where available, lock any valuables away in your room’s safe or put them in the hotel/lodge’s safe.
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Visa and Passport Information
Important: Before your departure on safari, please ensure that your passport has enough blank pages (more than four) and is endorsed with a valid current visa if required for any country to be visited. Make 2 sets of photocopies of your passport, airline tickets, visas, drivers license and other important documentation, and keep these separate.
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay.
We urge you to check the immigration requirements to each of the countries covered in your itinerary, before departure for Africa. Immigration policies, regulations, visa costs and airport taxes in each country can change from time to time without notice. A few examples:
Zimbabwe: Visa entry requirements are US$30 per person (multiple entry). You will also be required to purchase US$20 departure tax stamp in cash at the airport on leaving Zimbabwe on international flights.
Zambia: Charges US$10 per person on entry. From Victoria Falls this will only apply if you wish to tour on the Zambian side.
South Africa, Botswana and Namibia: no entry requirements for US citizens and most European Union countries.
Tanzania airport tax: US$30-00 departure tax paid in cash by passengers at the airport.
Kenya airport tax: US$20 departure tax in cash at the airport.
Zanzibar requires Tsh5, 000.00 departure tax from Zanzibar to any destination within Tanzania, even though it is Tanzanian territory.
If you are on an all-inclusive group safari package, all these taxes may be included by your package operator. Always check, so that you do not end up paying twice, or encountering problems on departure.
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Cultural Tours
If you are going to participate in a cultural tour, remember that these are not sideshows, they are people’s homes and villages, and you should always ask permission before taking photographs. In African society, good manners are still very much intact and in use every day. In many instances it is traditional to offer guests either a small gift of food, or drink – and it is polite to accept and if possible, reciprocate. For instance if you are going to tour a village school, small gifts of pencils, pens, notebooks, etc. would be gladly accepted.