In case 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 large cats and crocodiles profiting from the motion. And should you’re like me, you most likely have dreamt of occurring an African safari no less than as soon as in your life. Effectively, that dream has simply turn into a actuality for me just lately.
We’ve simply wrapped up our African tour, making stops in 4 nations alongside the way in which: Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The extra I look again, the extra it turns into crystal clear that the highlights had been positively the safari drives!
However these excursions are usually not simple and never like your strange sightseeing journey. They’re not probably the most reasonably priced, both. So the less boo-boos, the higher. It’s simple to strategy a safari the identical manner you’d some other journey. And that might be your first mistake. Safaris are vastly totally different. On this article, we’ll share with you among 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 obtained scammed by bogus tour operators, and lots of of them are nonetheless fairly latest. Some are honeymoon journeys that had been fully ruined by fraudsters who ran away with their cash. And thoughts you, these safari excursions are NOT low-cost. And most often, you must 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 evaluations on on-line boards and Fb teams. Looking back, 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:
- automobile (van good for 8 pax)
- driver/information charge
- 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 fundamental choice – price range lodging, and the automobile for use was a van that would accommodate as much as 8 pax.
However some folks on our group backed out and we wanted to search out replacements, and by the point the whole lot was finalized, among the unique goal resorts had been already absolutely booked. We additionally upgraded to 2 4×4 land cruisers for a extra comfy expertise. In the long run, all of us paid USD 1,650 (roughly PHP 93,000) per individual.
Notice that flights to and from Kenya are usually 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 to’re transacting with a legit operator.
By the way in which, that is NOT sponsored by Mufasa. We paid for our safari in full.
In case you’re from the Philippines and you like 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 often choose extra upscale resorts, however most of those excursions will be personalized. You may 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 help. For inquiries, contact this quantity or e mail them at this deal with.
CONSTELLATION TRAVELS, INC.
Electronic mail: company@constelltravel.com.ph
Landline: +63253227667
Cellular: +639175926845
Once more, to be clear, our Kenya safari was not sponsored by Constellation Travels. However we have now a great relationship with them as a result of they assist us replace our visa posts on our web site. That is for individuals who don’t wish to take care of all of the planning.
2. Don’t count on 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, count on to be shaken fairly a bit. The guides also have a time period for it, “African therapeutic massage.” But it surely’s something however stress-free.
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 features of the journey are out of your management. Most vacationers be part of an Africa safari with one objective 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 the whole lot of their energy so that you can see them, however it’s NOT assured particularly should you solely have a number of days. In case 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 occurring a safari, you’re inspired to pack mild and neutral-colored garments. Mild as a result of it may well get scorching 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 mild coloured pants, not white, however lighter than khaki, after I stumbled and fell close to a waterfall in Nakuru, and it inadvertently obtained brown spots.
Neutrals or earth tones are really helpful as a result of vivid colours are stated to scare off wildlife and darkish clothes sometimes 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 engaging to flies. And there was a day – I believe this was in Masai Mara — when each my buddy 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 unfastened. It should shield your legs from bugs.
4. Don’t overpack or underpack.
Generally, your baggage can be stowed in the identical automobile that you’ll be utilizing. Most automobiles have an area within the again for baggage, however should you’re an enormous group, among the suitcases could also be positioned on the seats. So don’t overpack. In addition to, in our expertise, even the price range resorts are well-equipped.
However don’t underpack both. Listed below are some issues that we urge you to convey:
- Binoculars. Ask your tour operator if they’d be offering binoculars or if they’ve one they might hire out to you. In any other case, convey your personal.
- Hat. Though you’ll be spending most of your time contained in the automobile, it’s open-top so among the rays nonetheless get in.
- Mild jacket or windbreaker. Whereas it may well get scorching in the course of 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.
In case you’re coming from the Philippines, proof of vaccination is NOT required to enter Kenya. However in line with the World Well being Group, Kenya is among the nations with threat of yellow fever transmission, so it’s greatest 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? In case you’re coming instantly from Europe, US, or Asia together with the Philippines, NO, you received’t want an ICV.
BUT should you’re visiting or transiting in a rustic that’s thought-about a yellow fever threat, then you definitely’ll want proof of vaccination.
For instance, our itinerary is KENYA > ZAMBIA > ZIMBABWE > SOUTH AFRICA.
I didn’t must current my ICV when coming into Kenya. However as a result of KENYA is a yellow fever threat 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.
We now have a separate tutorial video on get yellow fever vaccination certificates within the Philippines.
However these insurance policies change over time so all the time double examine with the authorities to be completely sure.
In lots of African nations, malaria can be a priority. So should you may get a vaccine shot or prophylaxis, accomplish that.
6. Don’t dismiss the principles 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 threat, 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’ll be able to’t get off the automobile, DON’T do it. If there’s a lion simply outdoors the automobile, 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 will be unpredictable.
In case you’re staying at a camp inside a nationwide park, comply with 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.
Fortuitously, most of us in our automobile had been introverted and customarily quiet, so we’d all the time catch a great have 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’d like them to not go away and have extra time admiring them at a good way, simply zip it! You don’t must be fully silent! It’ll be exhausting to comprise the awe, however don’t be too loud.
8. Don’t neglect to tip your driver/information.
Tipping your information is very inspired.
Recreation drives, particularly in Kenya, are usually not simple. It’s exhausting sufficient for the passengers, not to mention to your drivers. And they are going to be driving you across the total day for days, simply so you possibly 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 instructed that these are the usual or anticipated ideas for safari guides:
- KENYA SAFARI GUIDE
USD 10-20 per day per individual - SOUTH AFRICA SAFARI GUIDE
ZAR 150-200 per day per individual
(increased for luxurious lodge sport drives)
Camp workers 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 to have sufficient money for tipping!
Our information in Kenya, Dennis, as soon as instructed 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 line with him is nice for them as a result of in addition they get to relaxation longer and recharge.
Enjoyable reality: 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 cross one another. They’re really sharing scoops. When somebody spots a leopard someplace, they share it with the others, like a large internet of data.
9. Don’t scrimp an excessive amount of.
I do know this tip is wealthy coming from an internet 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. Get pleasure from it as a lot as you possibly can. The very last thing you need is be depressing!
So while you’re given a alternative between a packed van and a smaller group in a land rover, take into account the expertise. In case you’re an enormous group sharing one automobile, a number of of you might not have a window view.
And should you may afford it, guide that scorching 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 will do you good should you additionally discover ways to say no generally.
10. Don’t maintain dangerous 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 take pleasure in your safari closely is determined by the folks you’ll be touring with, particularly if it’s a 5- to 10-day tour.
You’ll be with them for a lot of the day. You’ll be sharing a automobile, meals, and a lot of the actions. Our guides as soon as shared with us that a lot of their visitors who’re {couples} on a honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary typically find yourself in bickering or in an ungainly battle for a complete lot of causes.
We all the time say that journey is a check of relationship – be it with a romantic associate, household or mates – and a multi-day safari tour takes the check to a different degree. So to be sure to’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 good, journey protected, and make each journey WORTH IT!
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