QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED WHEN CHOOSING A SAFARI

Q. When should I go?
A. The ideal time to do a safari is anytime during the winter or dryer months of the year.

This is because the dryer months offer better game viewing. The vegetation is more sparse & it’s easier to locate and see the animals, especially predators.

Once again, feel free to check with me when each country’s dry months occur.

Q. Do I need a visa?
A. All international visitors will require a valid passport + depending on the country, an entry visa. Each passport must have at least two (2) clean pages per country, as some countries stamps can take up a whole page!

Q. Are there any health hazards?
A. As a traveler in Africa, one should ensure that they’ve had a Yellow Fever inoculation as well as the certificate on them. Certain countries will require additional inoculations, please check this with me what exactly is required. Depending on the time of year, malaria prophylaxis might be requied.

Q. Does my chosen destination only cater for media magnates and trust-fund babes,or are there budget options too?!
A. Whilst many lodges do cater for the ‘upper end’ of the market, there are definitely lodges which are more affordable to all. Generally, if you choose to visit a lodge in a remote part of a country, where road access is limited and air travel is essential, your safari will become more costly due to it’s remote location. Within South Africa, there are many fantastic affordable lodges which offer a great game viewing experience. (i.e. – the Kruger Park)

Also remember that the ‘green season’ offers some great deals.

Q. Should I stay in a national park or private reserve?
A. Whilst I would recommend a private game reserve for a better game viewing experience, our National Parks offer some phenomenal game experiences.

Budget depending, a private reserve would be my first choice.

Q. What are the camps like?
A. Once again, this depends entirely on where you choose to go. No two lodges are built the same, but each will offer a unique setting, whether on a river or lake, a gorge, the edge of a forest or savannah grassland – the lodge will offer unforgettable views!

Descriptions of each lodge will be included in each itinerary offered.

Q. Are children welcome?
A. These days, children are welcome in most lodges. Certain lodges cater specifically for children, whilst others have age limits for drives. One needs to be very clear re. what children can and can’t do at lodges before booking.

Q. If the camps are so remote, how does one get there?
A. Private air travel is the easiest, quickest and most common form of transport into & out of remote destinations. Driving can be an option, but a very long one at that and not advisable during the summer months.

Q. How do I choose which camps to visit?
A. Careful planning and basically finding a camp or country which suites your budget, expectations and holiday requirements.

Q. What are mobile safaris?
A. Mobile safaris are safaris are exactly what the names depicts – they are movable. As one moves from area to area, or region to region. Each day or there after, the Camp is broken down, moved and re set up at a new location for your arrival. The daily programs run exactly as they would be in a fixed lodge, with one’s accommodation in tents.

Q. Do different lodges / areas provide different activities?
A. Absolutely & one needs to make sure the lodge you have chosen offers what one is expecting – i.e. – walking safaris, diving, etc.

Q. How long should I spend in each place?
A. Ideally, I would recommend 2 nights MINIMUM in one place, however this depends on varying factors, i.e. - how long is your vacation, what is your budget, what type of safari are you planning of having, i.e. – horse riding - the minimum is a 7 night trip.

Q. What are the conservation ethics and benefits of the chosen lodges and do they benefit the local communities.
A. I am a strong supporter of “ecotourism” – a natural approach to travel that generates local Conservation, allowing wildlife and habitats to “pay their own way”. This in turn, encourages local communities and governments to develop well-designed protection programs. Ecotourism encompasses a commitment to preserving natural resources and a sense of social responsibility toward local communities is created. Ecotourism is travel with an ethic and therefore, I hope that the lodges which I have chosen to support continue to practice the above methods. I also prefer to use lodges and areas which do not partake in hunting.