When you plan your safari, there will be lots of questions you have. Here are eleven of the most commonly asked questions about going on an African safari.
1) Which countries are the best to go on safari in Africa?
Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa are the most popular African countries to go on safari. Kenya and Tanzania offer the traditional open grasslands, making it possible to see large heard of game from a great distance, including the Wildebeest Migration. Botswana and South Africa have more bushland, but also offer a more Western infrastructure and plenty of opportunities to get away from the crowds by staying in private game reserves.
For a more off-the-beaten-track experience, consider a walking safari in Zambia, or a trip to Northern Namibia or Zimbabwe.
2) Is it safe to go on safari in Africa?
Politically Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are some of the safest destinations in Africa, if not the world. Kenya does have it's share of issues, but these tend to occur in the far north, well away from places travellers go.
Most camps and lodges do not have fences fencing themselves off from the surrounding bush. Wildlife can and will stray into the park, but this only heightens the excitement and feeling of being in deepest Africa.
As far as the actual activities go, boating, canoeing, horseback riding and walking to name but a few, while none of them are as safe as staying at home, you will be in the hands of professional guides who will keep you safe so you can enjoy your journey.
3) Is an African safari expensive?
The more comfort you get and the more exclusive your African safari experience, the higher the price. Camping safaris in Africa are the lowest cost (they start at US$200 per person per night), but it entails sleeping in small tents on bed rolls and often you are expected to help with camp duties.
On the other end of the scale, a fly-in safari to a luxury camp deep in the Botswana wilderness can easily set you back US$1000 per person per night.
Keeping mind though that these prices typically include all your transport, accommodation, meals, guiding and park fees. The more exclusive camps also include a good range of domestic and premium drinks.
4) How long should I go on an African safari?
Theoretically you can go ion safari in Africa for as short as one week. But by the time you have flown to Africa, you will likely only have 3-4 days in destination, before you have to return home.
The ideal time is 2-3 weeks. Two weeks is an ideal time to see the best parks of Kenya and Tanzania, or to visit Botswana or see the highlights of South Africa, including Kruger National Park.
Three weeks will allow you to add the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar or a gorilla trek to your East African safari, while in Southern Africa you could add the delightful city of Cape Town and Kruger National Park to your Botswana safari.
5) When is the best time to go on a safari in Africa?
For your first safari in Africa, choose the dry season, as it is the time when there are few leaves on the trees and animals congregate around the little water available. The dry season runs from April through October in Southern Africa. In Kenya and Tanzania, there are two dry seasons. The long dry season stretches from June through October, while the short dry season falls in January and February.
On the other hand, the green (wet) season, comes with a number of advantages. Fewer people means lower prices. It is a great time for bird-watching, and lush landscapes and flowers abound. Skies with towering clouds make for dramatic photography, while animals get their babies, which makes for endearing photos and great predator activity
For more on the topic, see The Best time to go on your African safari.
6) What shots do I need to travel to Africa?
Strictly speaking, most countries do not make having shots mandatory. Diseases that commonly occur in Africa are cholera, hepatitis A, malaria and typhoid fever, among others.
The one shot that some countries make mandatory is yellow fever. At the time of writing this was mandatory when crossing borders between Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
As the situation on diseases is very fluid I strongly recommend you consult with a good travel health specialist well before setting out on your African safari.
7) Should I bring a mosquito net on my African safari?
If you are on a lodge safari, you do not as lodges will supply you with either an air-conditioned (mosquito proof) room, or a tent with built-in mosquito net.
If you are on a camping safari, you are likely to keep your tent closed, so the only reason you would bring a mosquito net is if you wanted to sleep in the outdoors.
8) What visa do I need for my trip to Africa?
For most nationalities visa are not required to travel to Southern Africa. For East Africa most nationalities do need a visa. As the visa requirements always change, I would strongly suggest you consult your travel agent.
Some countries, such as South Africa and Namibia require you to have at least two blank pages side-by-side in your passport.
9) How much money and what currency should I bring on my holiday in Africa?
If you keep in mind that most of your meals are included, your main expense is for on-the-spot visa, a few meals that are not included, drinks and souvenirs. Budget the same price as you would pay at home for souvenirs, tips, meals and drinks, and you will have enough money.
You know your own shopping and eating/drinking habits, so budget accordingly.
Do bring excess funds with you in case of emergencies, some in cash and some in the form of credit cards.
Bring your funds in cash US$. While traveler's cheques are protected against theft, they are harder and more costly to exchange. Credit cards can be used in more expensive shops but not for normal day-to-day transactions.
10) How much should I tip
This depends on the type of trip you are on. For low-cost camping safaris, budget $5 per guest per day for the guide and $2 per guest per day for auxiliary staff such as cooks and trackers.
On luxury safaris these amounts should go up to US$10 and US$5-7 per guest per day respectively.
11) What should I wear
Bring comfortable, casual wash and wear clothes. Muted colours are recommended for game-viewing. Whites are a no-no as this is an alarm colour in nature.
Game-drives take place early morning and late afternoon which can be cold, especially in winter in Southern Africa (June-August) - bring a light jacket or sweater.
Shirts with long sleeves give protection against mosquitoes and the sun. Zip-off pants give you the option to wear them as long pants in the morning and convert them to short during the hot hours of the day. T shirts and shorts or a light skirt will keep you cool when it is hot.
A lightweight water-proof jacket is recommended if you travel during the green season.
Don't forget swim and beachwear as most lodges have pools.
Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent, moisturizer and lip-balm are all essentials.
Most lodges and hotels will arrange for same-day or overnight laundry service. For cultural reasons, some lodges and camps do not wash underwear.
For more information on what to bring on your African safari, please click here.
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