African Travel and Safari FAQ 

1. Can a suitcase be left in storage at Johannesburg International Airport while we are on safari in the bush?

A. Yes. If you go to Lock-up-Luggage at Terminal 2 in the basement below International Airrivals at Johannesburg Airport, they will store your suitcases there for approx US$35 per item per week, or approx. US$5 per day

2. What about the other airports?

A. The other international airports offering a lock-up facility are Cape Town, Durban and Windhoek.

3. What is the typical number of people on a safari in the bush?

A. The camps we use are mostly small and intimate, geared around personal service and comfort and are very luxurious. These camps cater to between 16 and 24 guests. Larger, less expensive game lodges have between 50 and 100 rooms.

4. How large are safari tents?

A. The tents in permanent tented camps are large and spacious, beautifully decorated, with two three-quarter beds, floor rugs and adequate space to hang and pack clothing, with private facilities and viewing deck. On luxury overland camping tours, tents are either larger Hemingway or Meru style tents. On participation camping tours, tents are igloo style and sleep 2, usually on stretchers.

5. Is the washroom arrangement very far away?

A. Luxury safari tents all have their own en-suite bathroom facility with flush toilet. Many tents also have a private outdoor shower.

6. Is there a high quality lodge that might be used for a day or so in the middle of the tour rather than tenting the entire time?

A. As said before, these are high quality lodges. Do not be misled by the word tent, these are not your average camping tents, unless you are planing a participation overland adventure. Rather, they are high luxury Bedouin style canvas cottages. There is also a central lodge facility with dinning areas, lounge and decks. Some even have libraries. You will love it!!

7. What does a typical day consist of while on safari?

A. Early start to the day / light breakfast / early morning game drive (+- 2-3 hours) / beverages and biscuits on game activity / late morning hot & cold full brunch / rest period / tea & savouries / afternoon game activity with sundowners & snacks / generous dinner in evening, usually in boma (open air, enclosed dining area with large fire and fine dining under the stars. Background music courtesy of the African wildlife.

8. What activities are there?

A. Game drives, guided walks, birdwatching, boating, canoeing etc

9. What is the likely type of vehicle? Is there good visibility?

A. On private safaris, you will be travelling in on open Landrover or similar 4x4 vehicle, which offers excellent visibility and outstanding photo opportunities. On overland tours, vehicles are either landrovers or larger Unimog-type vehicles.

10. How many passengers are accommodated on the vehicles?

A. The exclusive lodges use Landrovers with three rows of tiered seating, and carry six or seven passengers. No-one is squashed into the middle!! Unimogs and large overlanders carry between 20 and 30 people.

11. Do the vehicles allow for periodic pit stops for the passengers?

A. As for the pit stops, the guests' requirements and comfort are paramount. There will be coffee and drinks breaks on your drives and everyone will make sure you have a great time, so yes pit stops are definitely allowed

12. Is there any reason we might wish a private vehicle on any particular day?

A. A private vehicle is nice if you are set on doing something specific. People with young children are forced to have their own vehicle so as not to inconvenience other passengers. The guides try to accommodate everyone on the game drives. So a private vehicle is usually not necessary.

13. Do you supply bottled water or is there a need to bring some with us?

A. Bottled water is supplied at all the top camps and lodges.

14. Is local currency available on landing by air in Botswana?

A. You do not need local currency as US$ are accepted in Botswana.

15. Are US$ the easiest to use for tipping on the tour?

A. Yes, they will actually prefer US$

16. Is a safari an exhausting experience?

A. A safari is not without it own set of rigours and demands. Besides the heat, that is another reason for the few hours of "siesta" every afternoon. If you are planning an extensive Southern African safari, it is often a good idea to stop off for a day or two in Johannesburg to rest, revive, shop etc between lodges.

17. What clothing should I take on safari?

A. The light aircraft used to charter guests into lodges only permit 8 kg of luggage per person. That means, one should carry only a few items of light clothing, preferably cottons, for your stay in the bush. Clothing should be in neutral colours, eg, khaki, beige, bush green. NO bright colours - they scare away the animals! Besides, shocking pink or lime green looks plain dumb in the bush. Khaki rules, okay! A good guideline is two of everything - socks, underwear, slacks/shorts, shirts, but ONE pullover or cardigan. A hat is essential!

18. Who washes my clothing?

A. The lodge will usually see to your laundry requirements.

19. Can I buy photographic equipment in the bush?

A. No, take enough with you. However, film is available in all types and makes in the cities and towns. Cameras, lenses, camcorders (standard and digital) can be bought in all the cities in South Africa. Prices are comparable to Europe, but more expensive that the USA or the East. All the top names are represented. Equipment can also be repaired.

20. Can I get film developed in Southern Africa?

A. The cities have many One Hour Processing labs - ask at your hotel. Prices are reasonable, approx. 9 UD$ for 36 exposures.

21. What camera equipment is essential on safari?

A. Binoculars are vital, preferably wide angle. A good 35mm camera with a powerful zoom or telephoto lens will reward you with superb shots.

22. Are medical supplies available?

A. It is best to bring prescription medication with you. But cities and towns all have drugstores/pharmacies equipped with everything one requires, from aspirin and aftershave to Xanax and Zambuk. Bear in mind that South Africa has a first world infrastructure, but the further north one travels, the more difficult it may become to acquire a specific medication

23. Are there doctors?

A. Yes, many. But once again, the further north, the fewer there are.

24. Hospitals?

A. Same as above. South Africa has many top private hospitals, excellent specialists and state of the art equipment and facilities, including emergency rescue and air ambulance. Government facilities are overcrowded.

25. What about Insurance?

A. All travellers should be adequately insured against all eventualities and circumstances. This applies anywhere in the world. There are many companies offering travel insurance, so ask your travel agent to recommend the best one for you.

26. What about safety in Africa - the press makes it out to be a somewhat dangerous and violent place. What precautions must we take?

A. While on safari in the bush, the only dangerous creatures are wild animals. The people are gracious and hospitable. But as in many cities around the world, there is a need to be careful and vigilant. Never walk in deserted areas at night, try not to look too much like a rich tourist with six cameras hanging around your neck, pockets bulging with dollars and gold chains, rings and diamonds dripping from your person. Be sensible. As in most cities, there are areas which are safe and areas where gangsters and criminals lurk. So choose the safe spots. Ask at your hotel, or ask some locals.

27. Are there carjackings?

A. In most of Africa, it is not as bad as in Los Angeles. However, it does occur, especially in Johannesburg and Lusaka. Always drive with windows closed, doors locked and watch for suspicious looking people hanging around at traffic lights and intersections. Don't offer lifts to hitchhikers, unless it's your nephew backpacking through Africa!

28. We want to do a self-drive. What are the conditions of the roads?

A. South Africa has a superb network of tarred freeways, highways and roads, comparable to any first world country. There are large filling stations along the freeways, with restaurants, restrooms and rest areas under shade. Of course, in the remote areas, the roads are sometimes gravel surfaced, so driving there requires less speed and more care. The roads in Zimbabwe and Namibia are all good, and most are tarred. We do not offer any self drive packages in Zambia, Mozambique or Malawi.

29. What are the roads in the wildlife reserves like?

A. Most reserves have a good network of gravel roads, well maintained and easy to drive with a standard vehicle, so you don't need a 4 wheel drive car. The majority of roads in Kruger National Park are tarred. Don't leave your windows open when baboons or monkeys jump onto your car - and don't feed them! There are no self-drive options in private reserves and lodges.

31. Can my cellphone work in Africa?

A. Yes, there is extensive coverage throughout Southern Africa. In some countries, this may be primarily in and around major urban areas. However, in South Africa, networks cover all national roads, towns and cities. Before travelling, ask your cellphone service provider to open your phone to allow international roaming.

32. Can I hire a cellphone (handy) at an airport?

A Yes. There are rental companies at the major international airports and some car hire companies also rent out cellphones. However, please note that you will not be able to use it on safari, as most camps are out of range of transmitters. Where there is coverage, guests are not allowed to use cellphones while on game drives. The camps are equipped with radios.

33. What about satellite phones?

A. Travellers can use Satellite phones thoughout the Region. Remember, however, that it is very rude to use a phone while game viewing with other safari enthusiasts. Use these phones in the privacy of your own room.

34. Is there internet connection in Africa?

A. Certainly. Most city hotels will have either internet connection in your bedroom, or a business centre where you can spend time online. There are also some safari lodges and camps in South Africa which offer this facility. In remote areas, however, there is no internet connection.

35. Is the water safe to bath in?

A. Yes. In South Africa, all piped water supplied by local authorities, is potable (drinkable). In the bush, lodges often have to pump water from underground, so ask the hotel staff whether it is potable. But is is always good enough for bathing.

36. But is the water safe to drink?

A. Unlike some countries in Europe, tap water in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe is potable (drinkable). However, some travellers do get a bit of a tummy bug from our water, just as some of us do when we go to your countries. That's because our respective bodies have all got used to the various bacteria which are in our respective tap waters. So it's best to drink bottled water - it's available everywhere. But NEVER drink water, and NEVER swim in, any pond or dam where the water is stagnant, smelly, polluted or where the fish are lying dead on the banks. Water like that often carries bilharzia, a parasite which makes anyone very sick!

37. Are there lions in the streets?

A. If you're lucky, they might cross the road in front of you while you're on a game drive. Sorry, did you mean are there lions in the city streets? No, absolutely not. You won't see a lion outside of a wildlife reserve, unless you go to a zoo. The only lines are the ones on the roads - centre lines, dotted lines, yellow lines - all the things you're used to. But just remember that all over Southern Africa, we drive on the left side of the road. Except in the bush, your ranger and tracker will go just about anywhere to show you the lions!

38. Can I feed the wild animals?

A. Feeding wild animals is not a desirable way to conserve wildlife, nor is such a practice allowed in any game reserve. If you try to feed the wild animals, you place your own life and other people's lives at risk. Remember that wild animals are Wild Animals.