All What you Need to know Before traveling to Africa
Grab your stuff and let’s get lost.
Introduction
A safari in Africa is one of the best travel experiences one may undertake (the word “safari” is a Swahili word from East Africa that means “journey” or “travel”). The sight of acacia trees, stunning sunrises and sunsets, and herds of roaming animals is an experience that will linger in your memory for a very, very long time.
Going on a safari, whether it is your most memorable time or you are an experienced traveler, is as yet an exciting experience and unquestionably one of the highlights of your vacation to Africa. You go through your days awakening to the hints of the African shrubbery, taking energizing game rolls over the fields and through the bramble to see the Big 5 animals in their natural habitat, and ending with a a leisurely dinner beneath the stars – there cannot be a better way to pass the time!
where should you go for your perfect African safari?
An African safari holiday features on most travel bucket lists, but with so many incredible wildlife destinations to choose from, how do you know where to go for the best safari in Africa? Your choice depends on what you’re looking for: a particular species you want to see in the wild, the type of safari holiday you’re interested in (walking, game drives, camping, luxury) and who you’re travelling with, especially if you’re planning on doing a safari with kids or require an accessible safari holiday.
In Africa, there are primarily two safari-friendly zones in which you can go for a safari. Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda are all in East Africa, whereas South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, and Malawi are all in Southern Africa. There is an undeniable distinction between the two zones. East Africa is home to the largest animals, such the elephants and lions, to name a few. the reason of this difference is because poaching was endemic in Southern Africa and it wiped out the largest of most species – whereas this did not occur on such a scale in East Africa. However, compared to Southern Africa, East Africa tend to be more expensive than those in Southern Africa.
Some places are better known than others for their wildlife. Some places are better known than others for their wildlife. The Maasai Mara/Serengeti habitat, which covers Tanzania and Kenya, is the largest of them all. Every Year 2 million animals (mainly wildebeest, but also zebra and several antelopes) migrate between the northern and southern regions of this ecosystem each year, in what is termed ‘The Great Migration’. For a safari experience, nothing comes close to the spectacle of The Great Migration.
When is the best season to Go on a Safari
The dry seasons in Africa, which go from June to September and December to February, are the ideal times to go on a safari. Although The Region features several seasons which should be considered when planning a safari here, the weather is fairly temperate and favors travel all year round due to its compact size, proximity to the equator and high altitude.
Peak Season is the time of year when the animals are most numerous or easily seen. For example, they are most numerous on the Maasai Mara National Reserve between July and October, when 2 million animals move from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, Conversely, the Serengeti is better in the December-June period because the migrating animals are all in that zone. In places where waterholes provide the best viewing, the dry season is better. Thus in Etosha National Park in Namibia, the dry season is May-October, and it offers the best viewing experiences.
The Green Season is the season when rains bring lot of green. It is usually the cheapest time to visit a place. Sounds lovely, but there are some things to consider. The more it rains, the more foliage appears and the harder it is to see animals. Due to the extra water, animals that usually gather around waterholes can find water elsewhere, thus making it even harder to find the animals. Remember, that in some places where the green season occurs (such as Kenya) parks will close to visitors because the dirt roads become impassable. The green season is a great time to go on safari if you’re seeking for natural beauty, but if you’re seeking for wildlife, you could consider choosing a different season.
Shoulder Season happens between the two mentioned above, and it is quite random. Sometimes the animals will stay longer if they find more food in the area, however, this varies significantly from year to year. For example, in the Maasai Mara November is the shoulder season. Still, if there have been more rains in Kenya during the proceeding few months, there will be more grass to graze on, and the animals on The Great Migration will linger for long past their normal departure date of October. This occurred in 2016, and anyone who visited the area in the first few days of November saw a lot more animals than they would have in past years.
What do I need to pack before leaving home for a Safari in Africa?
The packing list below is just a mere guideline as you may have your own preferences:
– 1-2 long sleeved shirts
– 3 short sleeved t-shirts
– 2 –3 pairs of light weight slacks/trousers – that can dry quickly (if wearing on treks)
– 1 pair of shorts
– 1 sweater or sweatshirt
– A waterproof and windproof jacket
– 1 skirt ( for women)
– Gloves – gardening or similar (for gorilla trekking)
– Strong waterproof walking boots – pants should be tucked into socks and boots while trekking (heavy soled rain boots also work well)
– Pair of sports sandals like Tevas
– Hat-wide brim or with a visor for sun protection
– Sleepwear
– Underwear
– Lightweight wool socks
– Swimsuit (and a plastic bag)
Miscellaneous
Sunscreen, Sunglasses with neck strap, Insect repellent with DEET
,Small day pack, Flashlight, Binoculars, Extra batteries, Camera and extra lenses, Film particularly fast film for the gorillas, Personal toiletries, Prescription medicines and possibly prescription itself, Kleenex tissues, Small notebook
First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit including rehydration sachets, anti-diarrhea medicine, aspirin, cold medication, antiseptic cream, band-aids, motion sickness pills, lip balm, eye drops and personal medication.
A light rain jacket
Headband or hair ties (in case you have long hair)
What About entry Visa in East African Countries?
Going on an exotic tour in Africa? Three East African countries – Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya – in 2014 introduced the joint visa system – The East African Tourist Visa (“EATV”), which gives the right to visit any of these countries (or all three at once).
You can apply for an EATV online shortly before your trip. We tell you how to do it and what rules you need to follow.
East Africa Tourist visa requirements
The East Africa Tourist visa can only be issued for tourist purposes. It does not allow you to study or to be employed.
To obtain the EATV, you need to fill out a simple electronic form and pay the visa fee. The approved East Africa Tourist Visa will be mailed to you within several business days.
The EATV must be issued by the first country of entry. In all three cases, the application process is slightly different:
Rwanda. If your journey begins in Rwanda, you can apply for a visa through the Rwanda Online Visa Application System. In addition, Rwanda is the only country on the list that issues East Africa Tourist Visa on arrival. The cost of fees in all cases remains the same.
Kenya. If your trip starts in Kenya, you can get the East African Tourist Visa online at this link.
Uganda. If the first country of entry is Uganda, use this link to apply.
Documents required for East Africa Tourist visa application
The document package differs slightly depending on the country issuing the visa. Here is a complete list for all cases:
Documents required for Uganda visa:
Passport valid for at least 6 months from the planned date of entry;
Yellow fever vaccination card certificate;
Travel itinerary (e.g., hotel booking or invitation letter);
Return ticket or ticket to the third country;
Digital Uganda visa photo.
Documents required for Rwanda visa:
Passport valid for at least six months from the planned date of entry;
Digital Rwanda visa photo (the list of requirements is below);
Return ticket or ticket to the third country;
Some applicants may be asked to provide proof of sufficient funds for travel.
Documents required for Kenya visa:
Passport valid for at least six months from the planned date of entry;
Return ticket or ticket to the third country;
Hotel booking or an invitation letter from your host;
Digital visa photo.
Note that if any of your passport data changes after the visa is issued, it will become invalid. If you lose or change your passport, you will need to obtain a new visa.
East Africa Tourist visa photo requirements
The specified requirements are applicable for Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda online visa photos:
Photo must be in color;
Photo must be in good quality; scans are not suitable;
East Africa Tourist visa photo size must be 500×500 pixels;
The photo must be taken on a solid white off-white background;
The applicant must look directly into the camera with a neutral facial expression;
Tinted glasses are not allowed unless worn for medical reasons (in this case, you may need to provide a medical certificate).
How to get Entry Visa In south African Countries
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) region comprises of 15 countries with a diverse range of culture and socio-economic issues. South African countries tackle many social, development, economic, education, health and political issues. Covering these stories offers reporters a range of storytelling opportunities.
SADC Visa Requirements
Although SADC in place, protocols on tourism, travel and the facilitation of the movement of people, amongst others, there are still entry visa requirements between at least three SADC Member States and the other 12 mainly because of the pace at which they are concluding the bilateral agreements. Although some countries offer visas on arrival, media practitioners need to ensure they understand the specific requirements for each country ahead of their travels. Visitors’ visas may also have limitations on what activities can be conducted in the respective countries with regard to work and employment even on short term basis such as during a SADC Summit. It is therefore important to always find out what guidelines and limitations of the visitors’ visa before traveling to a country to cover a story. Visitor’s visa costs range from US$30 to about US$100 and may need to be backed by a range of supporting documentation.
Vaccinations
It is wise to visit your doctor or a Travel Clinic ahead of any reporting trip to ensure that you are prepared for health eventualities. A number of countries now require a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. Other possible vaccinations to deal with health concerns include Cholera, Polio, Meningitis and Hepatitis A.
Water borne diseases such as Cholera and Dysentery are prevalent in some areas and it is advisable to drink boiled or bottled water and avoid uncooked foods.
While many strides have been made in curbing Malaria, travellers are still advised to be cautious and, when travelling in Malaria-prone areas. These precautions include wearing appropriate clothing, using repellent sprays and creams, sleeping under nets and taking anti-malarial medication.
Where to Stay during a Safari in Africa?
The hotels and lodges you choose define an African safari, and we take a deeper look at the three categories of safari accommodations to assist you decide where to stay during your adveture in Africa.
Most visitors have an idea of what they want to see on a game drive, but few expect the high quality and range of safari lodgings available. Across the continent, African safari accommodations tend to exceed expectations.
Lodges and camps are not just a place to sleep, but “art galleries in the bush”, boutique spaces that inspire and enchant with African influences that cannot go unnoticed. There are three main options for the luxury safari traveler and good reasons to try them all.
Definitions blur, names are often used interchangeably, but where to stay in Africa during your safari can be broadly split into three categories for the luxury traveler: lodges, luxury tented camps, and mobile camps. In certain countries, one of these dominates, while in others, a safari itinerary could include a variety of lodging options. One thing they all have in common is that whether enjoying the best places to visit in Africa on safari or looking into the best African safari countries and where to go within them, you can expect outstanding service and unique experiences each day of your stay.
There are three different areas to stay when on safari. The first is to stay within the park. This puts you in the middle of the action and allows quick access to and from the wildlife viewing. Given the size of some of the larger parks (such as the Serengeti in Tanzania), this is the only option to consider as you would otherwise be too far away from places where the animals gather.
The second is to stay within a conservancy adjacent to major parks. The advantage of staying in conservancies attached to major parks is that they attract far less vehicular traffic. They charge an additional fee to enter, thus deterring many from coming in. During peak season some parks can become a traffic jam, whereas the adjacent conservancy has just as many animals but with only a handful of vehicles.
The third option is to stay outside the park. You do not need to stay in a park (and thus pay park fees) if you stay very close by – plus you can still enjoy animal viewing.
How to Enjoy a Perfect Game Drive
Game drives are at the heart of a safari experience – And the longer you spend looking for animals while driving, the better. The best times for viewing are the 30 minutes before sunrise and 60 minutes after sunrise, as well as 60 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunset. However, animals can be found at any time of the day.
Look for camps that provide the most game drive time. Some places will only permit 2 hours for both sunrise and sunset, so be mindful of that. While staying at these may be less expensive, but it is a waste of money.For example, let’s say you have found a camp that costs you 400 US dollars per night, and they provide you with 4 hours of game drives per day (2 hours sunrise, 2 hours sunset), but there is another camp that charges 600 US dollars per night, and they provide you with 8 hours per day (2 hours sunrise, 6 hours afternoon and sunset). Now consider the different rates per hour for your game drives. In the first, your 400 US dollars for 4 hours of game drives equates to 100 US dollars per hour. But for the second, your 600 USD dollars for 8 hours of games drives equates 75 US dollars per hour – this is far better value. I will guarantee that if you are on game drives for less than 6 hours per day, you will feel you are missing something.
One more tip: It is much preferable to go on a game drive first and then have breakfast when your drive is over. Inquire if it’s feasible. – and if it isn’t, find a camp that allows you to do this. That period for half an hour, either side of sunrise is when animals are most active.
Note that there is a particular type of game drive called a Sundowner – this is when you head to a viewing point to watch a sunset with a drink of wine and some food. For those who want the African sunset experience, this is a fantastic way to end your day. However, if you love photography, you will find the sundowners to be frustrating. While the animals are more active elsewhere, you are stuck on a hill waiting for a sunset.
Some areas allow you to go on a Night Safari – this is when many animals (such as predators) are most active. The vehicle carries at least one very powerful light that illuminates a wide area. Remember to dress warmly for a night safari as it can get cold, especially with the wind blowing into the vehicle when you are moving.
Remember that on all game drives to keep talking to a minimum. The loudest noise from a vehicle should be the engine and not your voice. It’s not unusual to be driving for 20-30 minutes without people saying anything except ‘beautiful’ and similar words about the landscape. When close to an animal, silence is essential. If you wish to talk about what you have seen – wait until after you drive away from the animals. Also, turn your phone to silent (not vibrate) or turn it off while on a game drive.
How to Book a Safari to Africa Safely?
Thanks to review websites and social media, it is now simpler to make a secure reservation for an African safari. There are several websites where you may book a safari online, but how do you know which ones you can count on?
To be on the safer side, conduct your research and look them up online
1. Check your booking agent or safari company’s reviews out
Many safari companies and lodges have profiles on Tripadvisor, Trustpilot and SafariBookings where where you can check what people write about them
2. Visit their social media profiles
Social media profiles give you insight into the business and its services. You should get a sense of whether the company is professional and safe to deal with from their social media accounts.
3. See what’s on the first page of search results when you Google their name
4. Contact them with your questions and ask for advice
A great way to see if a company is legitimate or not. If a robot responds to your inquiry, move on. You deserve personalized help from a human who will ensure that you have an amazing, and safe, safari.
The Safari Safety Guide: How to Stay Safe on African Safaris
When traveling to Africa it is important to know the facts surrounding your safety. Here, we give you a brief overview of what to expect, how to prepare, what to look out for, and how to behave in both the bush and urban areas in Africa. Here are our top safari safety tips to help keep you safe on safari in Africa.
Safari Safety Guide for Game Viewing
People frequently forget, when seeing African wildlife in its natural habitat, looking all tranquil and gorgeous, that these creatures remain wild; while many of them have become accustomed to the presence of safari vehicles, they are not accustomed to humans and continue to perceive us as an imminent danger.
Following a few, simple, rules of the bush will keep you, and the animals you encounter on your safari, safe and ensure a fantastic experience while on safari in Africa.
A guided safari is the greatest approach for guaranteeing your safety in the African bush. If you decide to self-drive in Africa, consider hiring a guide for certain areas that you visit national parks and game reserves. Alternatively, organize brief wildlife safaris as part of your trip to ensure you have a guide while venturing into rural areas. The presence of a guide makes all the difference. Your safari guide will not only know how to keep you safe while on safari, but he or she will also be able to assist you get the most out of your game-viewing excursions. A excellent safari guide is an expert at spotting wildlife and can impart a wealth of information.
Follow the instructions given to you by your safari guides and hosts, whether in the camp or on a game drive; their top priority is your security, and they have the experience to back it up. If they tell you not to roam around your safari camp alone, don’t. Never, ever leave your vehicle during a game drive unless your safari guide or driver permits it. If a wild animal is nearby and you are on the ground, don’t move. Elephants will pass you if you are motionlessness, and predators will assume you are prey even if you do not smell like one if you flee. If you need to go away and are in the presence of an animal, do it slowly
Please keep in mind that your safari guide is skilled and experienced. Always follow his or her instructions.
Safari Safety on Game Drives
Here are some guidelines for helping you stay safe on safari during game drives.
- Quiet! While the animals have become accustomed to the sound of safari vehicles, human noise will disturb them, either making them run away or get agitated. If you need to communicate at all, do so in a whisper.
- In most game reserves, animals have become habituated to the vehicles used – and their shape. Do not stand up or dangle arms or legs out of the safari vehicle, as this could frighten the animals and may result in them retreating or attacking.
- Watch out for low-hanging branches or those that are close to the sides of the vehicle. Trees in Africa tend to be thorny! Again, a good reason not to dangle arms or legs over the sides of the vehicle.
- Never try to interfere – in any way – with the animals you encounter. This includes trying to change their behavior or position for a good photo shot and feeding them. The feeding of wild animals is absolutely prohibited for both your and the animals’ safety.
- No smoking on the safari vehicle. It is a fire hazard in the dry African bush and may affect the animals.
- Drink only water and preferably don’t eat while on a game drive unless your guide has stopped for sundowners or a picnic break during your game drive. Sweet drinks lure insects to the vehicle and snacks come with packaging. Litter is a no-no.
- Be prepared. The African climate is known for its extremes and fickleness. When going on a game drive in an open vehicle, take hats, sunscreen, and a warm top, to ensure your comfort, regardless of the ever-changing weather conditions.
Type of Vehicles for Game Drives
Many people ignore this when going on safari, yet it is important to your enjoyment. The two most important factors of having the correct car are comfort and viewing. The best method to find out which vehicle will be utilized is to go to the safari camp’s website or ask your tour operator personally.
Minivan – If you find a low-cost safari operator, it is extremely likely that they are going to use these cars. They don’t handle dirt road bumps as well as the other cars listed, their smaller windows limit visibility, and if you accidental seat in the middle, you won’t be able to see much at all. They are not recommended because to insufficient comfort and visibility.
Standard off-road vehicle (such as the Toyota Land Cruiser) – they may be comfortable and suitable great for most outdoor activities. Still, due to the limited windows, these hinder your ability to command a full 360-degree view of the area. Yes, some do have pop-up tops where you can look through the top, but standing while bumping along a road is not comfortable. These are acceptable if your vehicle is not full, but there are much better options.
Modified off-road vehicle – these sit higher and have a longer wheelbase than a standard off-road vehicle. This allows you to see more of the landscape, plus these vehicles handle the bumps much better than standard off-road vehicles. The only issue with these vehicles is that the bars that hold the window frames (that usually have glass) do obstruct your view in some areas. For seating arrangements, many of these vehicles have seats only on the windows (with no middle seat except the last row) thus everyone has an excellent view.
Modified windowless off-road vehicle – these are very similar to the previous vehicle but have no window frames at all and thus provide the best visibility (a photo of one is below). However, these vehicles are harder to find – but if you do find them, you are guaranteed the best experience in terms of comfort and viewing. The only negative is that if the weather gets cold, you cannot close windows. Ensure you bring warm clothes with you just in case.
Note that safari camps or tour operators that use modified vehicles will charge you more, but is definitely worth the extra expense.
Self Drive Safari in Africa – Is it for you?
Most people love driving themselves around – and other prefer it to have someone drive them due to the freedom it allows. The one exception to this rule is a game drive in Africa, where it is far preferable to be driven by a local with knowledge of the region. This is due to a few factors:
Local drivers have a network to find the best animal sightings – Within a National Park, local drivers are connected. Even if they are from rival lodging establishments, you will frequently observe drivers conversing as they pass one another, and drivers from the same accommodation will keep in contact with each other by two-way radios. Drivers shares information about where animals have been found in each of these conversations. You miss out on this network of information if you drive yourself.
Experienced drivers have the knowledge to keep you safe – Can you identify the warning indications that a bull elephant is going to charge a vehicle? Unless you can answer this question quickly and confidently, you are taking an unnecessary risk if you drive yourself. You have entered an area populated by wild creatures, and local drivers observe how they act on a daily basis, and it is this knowledge that they use to keep you safe.
Local drivers have a support network – What happens if your vehicle breaks down in a National Park? Who is going to assist you? If you hire a local driver, they will always find someone to help, thanks to their two-way radios. If you are an outsider, you will need for assistance yourself in the short term – and with wild animals lurking close, you will value the presence of someone with experience.
If you opt to drive yourself, be sure you have the right type of car and the right color of vehicle. For example, in Kenya’s Mara North Conservancy, only off-road vehicles that are green, beige, or earth in color are authorized.
Is it recomandable to take Children on an African safari?
Many organized game drives require a minimum age of six, while barely some African National Parks have an age restriction for entry.
But it’s free entry in many National Parks for kids under 6 if you are self-driving or you booked a private safari (ie. not going on a group tour). A private safari is absolutely the finest way to experience an African safari with children because you can set your own timetable. If your child needs to relieve himself, you can either drive to a designated rest stop or get inventive with a travel potty or bottle in your vehicle. Plus you can be armed with lots of snacks and not worry about disturbing other travellers whilst they munch on their biscuits.
Another consideration is that bringing your children to Africa for a safari will limit your options for two reasons.. First, some camps have a minimum age restriction, and this seems to be based on the safety aspect of children who could wander off on their own when a camp is surrounded by potentially dangerous wild animals and/or to maintain that exclusive adult feel of a camp. The second barrier is that even if a camp does allow children, some will have a policy that children under a certain age must have a dedicated vehicle for game drives. For example, mum, dad and the 2 children have their own vehicle. This sounds ideal because you have a vehicle to yourself, but this can be considered a ‘private’ or ‘exclusive’ use of a vehicle, thus meaning you will pay a surcharge of several hundred dollars a day. The reason for this policy is that children can be noisy, and one of the critical rules of game drives (as stated above) is that noise must be kept to a minimum. Check with the campsite or tour company to see if these limits and guidelines apply.
Keep in mind that safari accommodations are designed for adults seeking a break from the stresses of contemporary city life. This means that you won’t have a television, a phone, or even WiFi in your rooms. Even if you do have WiFi, it could not be of high quality. Thus your electronic entertainment options for children may be very limited or non-existent. Some eco-friendly camps pride themselves on causing minimal impact to the environment and because of this – your ability to recharge your electronic items may be restricted to your camera batteries and a phone. It may not be possible to charge other items. Therefore, either pick a safari where you can spend as much time outside of your camp as you can, or pick a camp that offers access to game viewing from its grounds (like a location that looks out over a waterhole). Still, the first option is the preferable one.
How Much Does an African Safari Cost?
The cost of an African safari largely depends on the country and specific game reserves or national parks you choose to visit. Popular destinations like Kenya’s Maasai Mara, Tanzania’s Serengeti, and South Africa’s Kruger National Park tend to have a wide range of options catering to different budgets. Less frequented destinations such as Zambia or Zimbabwe might offer more competitive pricing.
There are various types of safaris to choose from, each offering a different experience and price point:
– Luxury Safaris: These include high-end lodges, gourmet dining, and private guided tours. Prices can start from $500 per person per night and can go up to $2,000 or more.
– Mid-range Safaris: Offering comfortable accommodations with essential amenities, these safaris range from $300 to $500 per person per night.
– Budget Safaris: For those looking to experience the wildlife without breaking the bank, budget safaris might include camping or basic lodges and typically cost between $150 and $300 per person per night.
