Safari frequently answered questions

October 28, 2020
12:57 pm

Do I need a visa?

This depends where you are from/where your current passport is issued. If you have a United Kingdom passport then you will not need to arrange a visa in advance of travel to visit South Africa, Namibia or Botswana but you will need to get a visa before you travel to Tanzania.

The cost of the visa is currently $50 and can be processed easily online. Visas for Tanzania are generally received within 10 days of applying, although most of the time within one week, but it is recommended that you apply for your visa at least one month before you travel but not earlier than two months. If you are unsure then check with your embassy or get in touch and we can advise.

Can children go on safari?

Without question! Aside from spending quality time with your nearest and dearest, a family safari offers invaluable experiences, memorable wildlife sightings, and the opportunity to learn more about nature.

Most of the camps that we work with are suitable for children aged five and up and with our founder having two very well-travelled young children himself we can advise on things to be aware of and plan for when taking children on safari. There are many camps out there that are particularly child friendly offering specific activities for children including bush skills, identifying animal tracks and craft making but the ‘poo safari’ is always the highlight!

How much do safaris cost?

This is a big question with no easy answer and is dependant on so many factors. The key thing to consider is how long you think you may want to go on safari and if you want to include an additional, or a number of additional destinations, with your safari. In Tanzania, for example, a visit to the stunning tropical island of Zanzibar is easily included with a safari experience. On a self-drive holiday in Namibia there are many other highlights to see including the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei and the desert adapted wildlife of Damaraland among many other highlights.

The length of time that you want to spend away obviously contributes to the overall costs. Checking some of our sample itineraries will give you an overall idea of the sort of costs that you can expect.

Time of year also plays its part. If you can avoid peak months like July, August, Christmas and Easter then your costs are going to be lower.

If you would like to try a safari for the first time along with some time to rest and explore then the combination of Nyerere in southern Tanzania along with Zanzibar is a superb match and offers particularly good value for money – you can check a sample itinerary out for this combination on our website using the following link here.

What are meals like on safari?

Many camps and lodges grow fresh produce and, wherever possible, support local communities by buying locally. As a general rule of thumb there will be options for a hot (English style) and cold breakfast, most often served after your morning safari activity. Lunch tends to be a buffet with fresh salads, breads and meats with dinner being a three-course meal. The vast majority of camps and lodges also offer some form of afternoon tea so one thing is for sure you will not go hungry when on safari!

Dishes tend to include fish, beef and chicken and are hearty home cooked style meals accompanied with fresh vegetables. Often meals are served on a communal table, al fresco under the stars if the weather permits, but if you prefer private dining this is generally easily arranged. Dietary needs are easily catered for including gluten-free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan so just let us know and we will make sure that the camp or lodge plans for your arrival.

What is a bucket shower?

A bucket shower is essentially a waterproof canvas bag, with a tap at the bottom, which is filled with warm water and then suspended in the air letting gravity provide your shower. All this makes having a lovely shower possible in remote areas where plumbing and running water is not available. While these eco-friendly showers might sound basic, bucket showers are extremely popular and a very pleasant way to shower. They really add to the experience of being out in the wilds and are a throwback to a bygone era, and with 20 litres of water in each ‘bucket’, there is plenty of water for a nice long shower.

What are the toilets like in camp and how do you go to the loo on game drives?

At the vast majority of the camps that we suggest there are toilets by the main area and every room is also ensuite. The bathrooms all have proper flush toilets so there is nothing to worry about.

There are toilets available in the very vast majority of national parks however these are limited, so we always recommend going to the toilet before departing on a safari activity. Of course, everyone has ‘to go’ at some point and the guides will explain how this works. They will stop the vehicle at a suitable location so you can walk behind a tree or rock for total privacy.

What to do now?

If you would like any more information on anything in the above, or if you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We have many years of experience and many, many trips to Africa under our belt so are sure to be able to help.

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