YOUR FIRST SAFARI – VICKIE ON SAFARI

CONSIDER SEASON YOU TRAVEL

“high season”(More expensive) typically runs from July through mid-November. “low season” (Less expensive) typically runs from November through June. Low-season prices will save the client at least 20% on any safari. Avoid the crowds all looking at the same lion kill. Rains (green season) doesn’t mean wildlife are limited, consider Ndutu Calving season and you will never regret.

KEEP WITH A SMALL GROUP

Group rates are much less expensive and we are always comfortable to cater for not more than 16 people in one Safari.

ACCOMODATIONS INSIDE THE PARK

These accommodations are much more private and intimate. A lot of game can be seen, while relaxing at your camp. Morning travel to the park may mean missing the morning drive, which often sees the most game.

DRESS CODE

Don't worry about being a fashion guru on safari - the dress code is CASUAL all the time!! And try to avoid taking too many white clothes –
a. white attracts bugs at night and b. anything white turns a delicate shade of dusty brown within about 10 seconds out on a game drive.

ASKING YOUR GUIDE

Don't be afraid to ask questions out on the game drive too - the rangers are a mine of information, and just want to share it all with you. Chances are, another guest is thinking the same but is too shy to ask!

Bring a good binocular then you don’t need to be 5 meters from the animals to see them properly.

Spend time with the animals, if you find a nice pride of lions find a good spot, settle down take a soda and watch them for a while, the chance is that you will see some action. If it is in the middle of the day take a drive and come back to watch the lions in the afternoon.

There are endless possibilities of the types of Safari programs available, with thousands of operators and agents, but the biggest constraint to consider is money. Thus, when considering a safari on a budget the most important thing to do is ask yourself these questions:

When do I want to go on an African safari and for how long?
Do I want to go alone, with friends, or in a big group?
What do I want to do other than view the animals on my safari?
What price range is my target?
How do I want to travel while I’m there?
Do I want a guide on my African safari?
What do I want to get out of my African safari experience?

The advantage of spending quality time at one park, rather than just ticking the box.

Guaranteed time for experience and relaxation rather than just going from one park to another.
Guarantees the sight of many animals.
Leave time to explore Africa’s culture and historic sights.
Do not try to cover the whole of Africa in one trip.
Make a list of what you want to see & do & the importance of each item on the list to you.
Don’t rush if you want to see as many animals in a short time as possible go to a zoo!

Research

Different National Parks offer different experiences – so research the National Parks and other spots we have recommended to be sure of what is right to you.

We can always put you in touch with others who have been to a safari with us and get some valuable advice.
Double check your itinerary.
Do not assume anything; if you are not sure ask for clarification.

What price range is my target?

Make a budget limit!
Be prepared to add to that budget!!!
Be flexible.
Double check your itinerary do not assume anything if you’re not sure ask for clarification!!
Remember you’re a guest in someone else’s country, be polite & respect everyone you meet.
Don’t take it for granted that you will enjoy the same trip as someone else. One man’s meat is another man’s poison.

Tipping?

There is a massive thread on this and views vary enormously but our guest have established the $10 to $15 per day per person as good basis from which to start and yes tipping is highly expected by your driver guide.

It is a good thing to tip the background staff as well barman, chef and all the others who work in camp and who you may not see. Very often there is a tip box at reception in which you can deposit a lump sum which will be shared amongst the staff. If there is not a tip box, you can of course ask the lodge/camp manager how they prefer to do this.

And

When you are on safari, there will always be someone who has been to a better lodge/reserve/seen better viewings – just ignore them. This is YOUR experience, your memories, and it is something wonderful and personal to you. Don’t get drawn into a ‘my lion was better than yours’ discussion – if you are having a great time, don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Things we've learned for years

Take advantage of game drives and try to extend them if possible as late as they’ll allow. We’ve seen people skip a morning drive, but we never have. We suffer from FOMO.
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see a desired species right away or at all. There is so much to see and experience, you will have sensory overload. Take things as they come, and most importantly – BE PATIENT.
Spend quality time with the animals. Some of our best experiences have been sitting with a herd of elephants for >1 hour and enjoying them. That goes for everything in the bush.
Spend more time viewing with your eyes versus through a lens. This took a few trips to learn, but it’s made our experiences richer.
Take videos too. Stills are great, but capturing elephant interactions and sounds are best with video.
When possible, get a private vehicle. This costs more, but worth it. If you don’t, you can get stuck with people that have different interests than you.
Share the dinner table with other guests. It’s great to hear stories others have had.
We highly recommend that a Professional Guide is the main DIFERENCE for your Safari. Not just a driver!
When asking about camps try and limit your time in those with Tse tse flies. They bite and it can have short term effects that aren’t comfortable.
Base your camp decision on the best game viewing, not the accommodations. It’s easy to get caught up in that, but the animals are the reason you’re there.
Try and get a vehicle with a canopy/top. Lots of sun and this makes it more enjoyable, at least for many of our guests.
Bring good binos – 1 pair per person. Must have… (we use variety of brands)
Bring a good camera, multiple lenses if you have them, extra batteries and a charger.
Lots of sunscreen.
Wide brimmed hats and/or baseball caps.
Sunglasses. Also, I suggest 2 pairs of glasses for sun and reading. This omission was painful for me one year.
Bring at least 1 really good flashlight per couple. Must have. At night, they turn the power off at many camps because they run on generators. Make it something you can carry on your belt or in your pocket. They have amazing small flashlights these days.
Don’t over pack. All of the camps do your laundry every day (except women’s “smalls”). For those, bring a mild soap you can use.
Depending on when you go it will likely be hot. Bring shorts or convertible pants where you can remove the bottom half.
For camps that are really hot take a thin cotton wrap that you can dip in water and freeze to wrap around your body during the break or when going to bed.
Bring clothes that you can layer. A bit cold in the AM and hot before lunch.
If you are going in cooler months, bring gloves, skull cap/ear muffs (like 180s) for cold mornings. Your travel agent will make recommendations on clothing based on your itinerary.
Bring something for the wind in the vehicle / something mildly warm (a fleece). They have blankets in the vehicles.