Should you’re a part of my technology, you most likely grew up watching Uncover and Nationwide Geographic discoveries that includes the Nice Migration and the continent’s massive cats and crocodiles profiting from the motion. And should you’re like me, you most likely have dreamt of happening an African safari a minimum of as soon as in your life. Nicely, that dream has simply turn into a actuality for me lately.
We’ve simply wrapped up our African tour, making stops in 4 international locations alongside the best way: Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The extra I look again, the extra it turns into crystal clear that the highlights had been undoubtedly the safari drives!
However these excursions should not straightforward and never like your unusual sightseeing journey. They’re not probably the most reasonably priced, both. So the less boo-boos, the higher. It’s straightforward to method a safari the identical method you’ll another journey. And that might be your first mistake. Safaris are vastly totally different. On this article, we’ll share with you a number of the belongings you shouldn’t do and the errors to keep away from when becoming a member of a safari!
1. Don’t fall for scams.
The web is rife with accounts of people that acquired scammed by bogus tour operators, and plenty of of them are nonetheless fairly current. Some are honeymoon journeys that had been utterly ruined by fraudsters who ran away with their cash. And thoughts you, these safari excursions are NOT low-cost. And usually, you need to settle each the downpayment AND the steadiness earlier than you even arrive in Kenya.
To be trustworthy with you, up till I noticed our first lion, I used to be nonetheless having doubts. You see, I didn’t know anybody in Kenya AT ALL. And nobody in my circle had any suggestion or contact, so I barely relied on critiques on on-line boards and Fb teams. On reflection, I noticed simply how dangerous it was. Fortunately, the corporate we booked was legit and we nonetheless had a grand time.
At this level, you’re most likely asking, “So with what firm did you guide?” And the reply to that’s Mufasa Excursions and Travels. This was its preliminary quote for a 6-day safari for eight (8) vacationers:.
USD 1510 (P85,000) per individual
5 nights, Kenya solely (price range)
inclusive of the next:
- car (van good for 8 pax)
- driver/information payment
- all nationwide park entrance charges
- all resort lodging (price range)
- all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- plus airport pickup and dropoff
That is probably the most primary possibility – price range lodging, and the car for use was a van that might accommodate as much as 8 pax.
However some folks on our group backed out and we would have liked to search out replacements, and by the point every little thing was finalized, a number of the authentic goal resorts had been already totally booked. We additionally upgraded to 2 4×4 land cruisers for a extra snug expertise. Ultimately, all of us paid USD 1,650 (roughly PHP 93,000) per individual.
Observe that flights to and from Kenya should not but included. That solely covers the safari.
Think about, if we had been scammed, we’d have misplaced USD 1650/individual or a complete of 13,200 USD (P745,000) for all 8 of us. That’s A LOT OF MONEY!
So sure, be sure you’re transacting with a legit operator.
By the best way, that is NOT sponsored by Mufasa. We paid for our safari in full.
Should you’re from the Philippines and you favor coping with a neighborhood journey company as a substitute, choose a good one! Established businesses like Constellation Travels supply Kenya Excursions, too.
In fact, it’ll be pricier particularly by default as a result of they bundle Kenya and Tanzania they usually normally choose extra upscale resorts, however most of those excursions could be personalized. You possibly can request for cheaper lodging or less complicated or shorter itineraries.
However the wonderful thing about reserving with Constellation Travels or different respected native businesses is, they’re registered right here within the Philippines, so if one thing occurs, somebody can be accountable for you right here. And also you even have quick access to buyer assist. For inquiries, contact this quantity or electronic mail them at this tackle.
CONSTELLATION TRAVELS, INC.
E-mail: [email protected]
Landline: +63253227667
Cellular: +639175926845
Once more, to be clear, our Kenya safari was not sponsored by Constellation Travels. However we have now a very good relationship with them as a result of they assist us replace our visa posts on our web site. That is for many who don’t need to cope with all of the planning.
2. Don’t anticipate a easy journey.
And we imply this in some ways.
Not all nationwide parks are the identical. In Kruger Nationwide Park in South Africa, most main roads are paved. However in Kenya, calling the roads bumpy is a serious understatement, particularly in Masai Mara. As you hunt down wildlife, anticipate to be shaken fairly a bit. The guides also have a time period for it, “African therapeutic massage.” Nevertheless it’s something however enjoyable.
By easy journey, we additionally imply figuratively. It’s not unusual for tires to go flat and wheels to get bogged. It’s half and parcel of a safari. It comes with the territory.
And even earlier than the journey, settle for that issues is not going to all the time go as deliberate and a few points of the journey are out of your management. Most vacationers be part of an Africa safari with one aim in thoughts: to see all of Africa’s BIG 5, thought-about the continent’s most iconic safari animals. These are:
- Lion
- Elephant
- Cape Buffalo
- Rhinoceros
- Leopard
The leopard is very elusive. Your guides will do every little thing of their energy so that you can see them, however it’s NOT assured particularly should you solely have a couple of days. Should you don’t spot all of them, it’s OK. Simply have a good time within the course of!
3. Don’t put on darkish, white or inappropriate garments.
When happening a safari, you’re inspired to pack gentle and neutral-colored garments. Mild as a result of it could possibly get sizzling at mid-day even in cooler months. However not white. Some nationwide parks are very dusty. Working example, Amboseli Nationwide Park. Amboseli in Swahili actually means salty mud. And sure, it’s so dusty, your garments may simply flip khaki or brown by the tip of the day.
I used to be carrying gentle coloured pants, not white, however lighter than khaki, after I stumbled and fell close to a waterfall in Nakuru, and it inadvertently acquired brown spots.
Neutrals or earth tones are advisable as a result of vivid colours are stated to scare off wildlife and darkish clothes usually attracts bugs. I’m not a scientist, so I don’t know. However anecdotally, I can say the latter bit is true in my expertise.
Half of my wardrobe is black and blue, that are stated to be particularly enticing to flies. And there was a day – I believe this was in Masai Mara — when each my good friend Row and I had been carrying black, and we had been the one ones complaining about flies, whereas the remaining claimed they weren’t bugged in any respect.
Which brings me to this: WEAR COMFY PANTS or TROUSERS. Not tight and never too free. It’s going to defend your legs from bugs.
4. Don’t overpack or underpack.
Typically, your baggage can be stowed in the identical car that you can be utilizing. Most automobiles have an area within the again for baggage, however should you’re a giant group, a number of the suitcases could also be positioned on the seats. So don’t overpack. Apart from, in our expertise, even the price range resorts are well-equipped.
However don’t underpack both. Listed here are some issues that we urge you to convey:
- Binoculars. Ask your tour operator if they might be offering binoculars or if they’ve one they might hire out to you. In any other case, convey your individual.
- Hat. Though you’ll be spending most of your time contained in the car, it’s open-top so a number of the rays nonetheless get in.
- Mild jacket or windbreaker. Whereas it could possibly get sizzling through the day, nights are sometimes chilly within the parks.
- Insect-repellent lotion. Defend your self from mosquitoes and different bugs.
Talking of mosquitoes…
5. Don’t ignore vaccination necessities.
Should you’re coming from the Philippines, proof of vaccination is NOT required to enter Kenya. However in keeping with the World Well being Group, Kenya is among the international locations with danger of yellow fever transmission, so it’s finest to be vaccinated earlier than going and safe an Worldwide Certificates of Vaccination (ICV).
Is yellow fever vax required to enter South Africa, Zimbabwe or Zambia? Should you’re coming straight from Europe, US, or Asia together with the Philippines, NO, you gained’t want an ICV.
BUT should you’re visiting or transiting in a rustic that’s thought-about a yellow fever danger, then you definitely’ll want proof of vaccination.
For instance, our itinerary is KENYA > ZAMBIA > ZIMBABWE > SOUTH AFRICA.
I didn’t have to current my ICV when coming into Kenya. However as a result of KENYA is a yellow fever danger nation and I visited it first, I used to be requested to current my ICV earlier than boarding my flight to and on the Immigration counters in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
However let’s say you’re flying from Manila to South Africa, with a layover in Dubai UAE or Doha, Qatar, no want for an ICV.
Now we have a separate tutorial video on learn how to get yellow fever vaccination certificates within the Philippines.
However these insurance policies change over time so all the time double test with the authorities to be completely sure.
In lots of African international locations, malaria can also be a priority. So should you may get a vaccine shot or prophylaxis, achieve this.
6. Don’t dismiss the foundations and warnings.
When becoming a member of a safari, you’ll be embarking on an journey into the wild. You’re the customer and it’s the animals’ territory. It comes with a danger, so that you higher take heed to your guides and heed their warnings. It’s to your personal security.
In case your information says you may’t get off the car, DON’T do it. If there’s a lion simply exterior the car, don’t let your limbs or head dangle from the window. Animals like lions and even one thing as gentle-looking as elephants or giraffes could be unpredictable.
Should you’re staying at a camp inside a nationwide park, observe their insurance policies. We as soon as stayed at a riverside camp in Zimbabwe the place going too near the river is very discouraged due to crocs and hippos. Or going out of our tent at night time, even when it was simply to go to the reception as a result of if we’re unfortunate, we may simply flip from visitor to prey.
7. Don’t be too loud.
I learn previous to the journey that an excessive amount of noise frighten the sport away. And it was confirmed true throughout our go to.
Happily, most of us in our car had been introverted and usually quiet, so we’d all the time catch a very good take a look at the wildlife. However there was one group that was too loud and each time they arrived, the animals stroll or run away. So if you need them to not go away and have extra time admiring them at a long way, simply zip it! You don’t must be utterly silent! It’ll be onerous to comprise the awe, however don’t be too loud.
8. Don’t overlook to tip your driver/information.
Tipping your information is very inspired.
Sport drives, particularly in Kenya, should not straightforward. It’s onerous sufficient for the passengers, not to mention to your drivers. And they are going to be driving you across the whole day for days, simply so you can have the most effective expertise. So chorus from antagonizing or annoying your driver-guides. Don’t be impolite or imply. And be thoughtful.
We had been advised that these are the usual or anticipated suggestions for safari guides:
- KENYA SAFARI GUIDE
USD 10-20 per day per individual - SOUTH AFRICA SAFARI GUIDE
ZAR 150-200 per day per individual
(larger for luxurious lodge sport drives)
Camp employees like bell boys, even the again of the home, are additionally typically tipped, particularly in South Africa, which appears to have a powerful tipping tradition.
So sure, be sure you have sufficient money for tipping!
Our information in Kenya, Dennis, as soon as advised us that he liked our group as a result of we’re simply so chill, weren’t demanding in any respect, and better of all, that we took our time having lunch, which, in keeping with him is nice for them as a result of additionally they get to relaxation longer and recharge.
Enjoyable truth: Drivers and guides work collectively to search out the BIG 5. You’ll discover them speaking on the radio or chatting with one other driver as they move one another. They’re really sharing scoops. When somebody spots a leopard someplace, they share it with the others, like a large internet of knowledge.
9. Don’t scrimp an excessive amount of.
I do know this tip is wealthy coming from a web site referred to as “The Poor Traveler.” However the actuality is, for many people, a safari journey is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise, so take advantage of out of it. Take pleasure in it as a lot as you can. The very last thing you need is be depressing!
So whenever you’re given a selection between a packed van and a smaller group in a land rover, take into account the expertise. Should you’re a giant group sharing one car, a couple of of chances are you’ll not have a window view.
And should you may afford it, guide that sizzling air balloon journey. Sure it’s costly, however it’s magical and really unforgettable.
That stated, don’t splurge on a regular basis. Know that some stops could also be vacationer traps, and it might do you good should you additionally discover ways to say no generally.
10. Don’t maintain unhealthy firm.
I do know this sounds extra like a life lesson than a journey tip, however that is essential! Whether or not or not you’ll get pleasure from your safari closely will depend on the folks you’ll be touring with, particularly if it’s a 5- to 10-day tour.
You’ll be with them for many of the day. You’ll be sharing a car, meals, and many of the actions. Our guides as soon as shared with us that lots of their visitors who’re {couples} on a honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary typically find yourself in bickering or in an ungainly combat for an entire lot of causes.
We all the time say that journey is a take a look at of relationship – be it with a romantic accomplice, household or pals – and a multi-day safari tour takes the take a look at to a different stage. So to be sure you’re gonna have the time of your life, select companions that you simply really like and love.
That’s all for now. Keep in mind, plan sensible, journey secure, and make each journey WORTH IT!
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