Prime 10 AFRICAN SAFARI MISTAKES to Keep away from in Kenya & South Africa

In the event you’re a part of my technology, you in all probability 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 when you’re like me, you in all probability have dreamt of happening an African safari at the very least as soon as in your life. Nicely, that dream has simply change into a actuality for me just 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 have been positively the safari drives!

However these excursions aren’t simple and never like your unusual sightseeing journey. They’re not essentially the most inexpensive, both. So the less boo-boos, the higher. It’s simple to strategy a safari the identical approach you’d some other journey. And that will be your first mistake. Safaris are vastly completely different. On this article, we’ll share with you a number of the stuff 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 current. Some are honeymoon journeys that have been utterly ruined by fraudsters who ran away with their cash. And thoughts you, these safari excursions are NOT low cost. And normally, 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 advice or contact, so I barely relied on opinions 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 in all probability 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 (funds)
inclusive of the next:

• car (van good for 8 pax)
• driver/information charge
• all nationwide park entrance charges
• all resort lodging (funds)
• all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• plus airport pickup and dropoff

That is essentially the most fundamental choice – funds lodging, and the car 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 seek out replacements, and by the point all the pieces was finalized, a number of the authentic goal resorts have been already totally 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.

Word that flights to and from Kenya aren’t but included. That solely covers the safari.

Think about, if we have 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, ensure you’re transacting with a legit operator.

By the best way, that is NOT sponsored by Mufasa. We paid for our safari in full.

In the event you’re from the Philippines and you like coping with a neighborhood journey company as a substitute, decide 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 decide extra upscale resorts, however most of those excursions could be personalized. You’ll be able to request for cheaper lodging or easier or shorter itineraries.

However the beauty of 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 easy accessibility to buyer assist. For inquiries, contact this quantity or e mail them at this handle.

CONSTELLATION TRAVELS, INC.
Electronic mail: company@constelltravel.com.ph
Landline: +63253227667
Cell: +639175926845

Once more, to be clear, our Kenya safari was not sponsored by Constellation Travels. However we now have 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 clean experience.

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 actually have a time period for it, “African therapeutic massage.” However it’s something however stress-free.

By clean experience, 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 facets 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 of the continent’s most iconic safari animals. These are:

• Lion
• Elephant
• Cape Buffalo
• Rhinoceros
• Leopard

The leopard is particularly elusive. Your guides will do all the pieces of their energy so that you can see them, however it’s NOT assured particularly when you solely have a number of days. In the event 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. Gentle as a result of it might probably 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 might simply flip khaki or brown by the top of the day.

I used to be sporting gentle 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 beneficial as a result of vibrant colours are mentioned 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 mentioned to be particularly enticing to flies. And there was a day – I feel this was in Masai Mara — when each my buddy Row and I have been sporting black, and we have 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 can shield your legs from bugs.

4. Don’t overpack or underpack.

Generally, your baggage can be stowed in the identical car that you can be utilizing. Most autos have an area within the again for baggage, however when 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 funds 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’d be offering binoculars or if they’ve one they may hire out to you. In any other case, convey your personal.
• 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.
• Gentle jacket or windbreaker. Whereas it might probably get scorching in the course of the day, nights are sometimes chilly within the parks.
• Insect-repellent lotion. Shield your self from mosquitoes and different bugs.

Talking of mosquitoes…

5. Don’t ignore vaccination necessities.

In the event 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 likely one of the international locations with threat 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? In the event you’re coming immediately from Europe, US, or Asia together with the Philippines, NO, you gained’t want an ICV.

BUT when you’re visiting or transiting in a rustic that’s thought of a yellow fever threat, you then’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 have now a separate tutorial video on methods to 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 international locations, malaria can also be a priority. So when you might 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 threat, so that you higher hearken to your guides and heed their warnings. It’s in your personal security.

In case your information says you’ll be able to’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.

In the event 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 extremely 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 might 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 car have been introverted and usually quiet, so we’d all the time catch 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 would like them to not depart and have extra time admiring them at a good way, simply zip it! You don’t need to be utterly silent! It’ll be exhausting to include the awe, however don’t be too loud.

8. Don’t overlook to tip your driver/information.

Tipping your information is extremely inspired.

Recreation drives, particularly in Kenya, aren’t simple. It’s exhausting sufficient for the passengers, not to mention in your drivers. And they are going to be driving you across the total day for days, simply so you may have one of the best expertise. So chorus from antagonizing or annoying your driver-guides. Don’t be impolite or imply. And be thoughtful.

We have been informed 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 recreation drives)

Camp workers like bell boys, even the again of the home, are additionally usually tipped, particularly in South Africa, which appears to have a powerful tipping tradition.

So sure, ensure you have sufficient money for tipping!

Our information in Kenya, Dennis, as soon as informed us that he beloved 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 seek out the BIG 5. You’ll discover them speaking on the radio or chatting with one other driver as they go one another. They’re truly sharing scoops. When somebody spots a leopard someplace, they share it with the others, like a large net 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 may. The very last thing you need is be depressing!

So while you’re given a selection between a packed van and a smaller group in a land rover, contemplate the expertise. In the event you’re a giant group sharing one car, a number of of chances are you’ll not have a window view.

And when you might afford it, guide that scorching air balloon experience. Sure it’s costly, however it’s magical and actually unforgettable.

That mentioned, don’t splurge on a regular basis. Know that some stops could also be vacationer traps, and it might do you good when you additionally learn to say no generally.

10. Don’t hold 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 take pleasure in your safari closely is dependent upon 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 usually find yourself in bickering or in a clumsy battle for a complete lot of causes.

We all the time say that journey is a take a look at of relationship – be it with a romantic companion, household or pals – and a multi-day safari tour takes the take a look at to a different degree. So to ensure you’re gonna have the time of your life, select companions that you simply actually like and love.

That’s all for now. Bear in mind, plan sensible, journey protected, and make each journey WORTH IT!