In the event 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 huge cats and crocodiles benefiting from the motion. And when you’re like me, you most likely have dreamt of occurring 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 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 straightforward and never like your atypical sightseeing journey. They’re not probably the most reasonably priced, both. So the less boo-boos, the higher. It’s straightforward to method a safari the identical means you’ll 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 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 acquired scammed by bogus tour operators, and plenty of of them are nonetheless fairly current. Some are honeymoon journeys that had been utterly ruined by fraudsters who ran away with their cash. And thoughts you, these safari excursions are NOT low cost. And normally, you need to settle each the downpayment AND the stability earlier than you even arrive in Kenya.
To be sincere 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 opinions on on-line boards and Fb teams. On reflection, I spotted 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 ebook?” 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 particular person
5 nights, Kenya solely (price range)
inclusive of the next:
- automobile (van good for 8 pax)
- driver/information payment
- 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 primary possibility – price range lodging, and the automobile for use was a van that might accommodate as much as 8 pax.
However some folks on our group backed out and we would have liked to search out replacements, and by the point every little thing was finalized, a number of 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 particular person.
Word 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/particular person or a complete of 13,200 USD (P745,000) for all 8 of us. That’s A LOT OF MONEY!
So sure, be sure you’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 the event you’re from the Philippines and you favor coping with an area journey company as an alternative, decide a good one! Established businesses like Constellation Travels provide Kenya Excursions, too.
In fact, it’ll be pricier particularly by default as a result of they bundle Kenya and Tanzania and so they often decide extra upscale resorts, however most of those excursions might be personalized. You’ll be able to 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 easy accessibility to buyer help. For inquiries, contact this quantity or electronic mail them at this handle.
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 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 take care of all of the planning.
2. Don’t anticipate a clean 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 significant understatement, particularly in Masai Mara. As you search out 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 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 won’t 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 aim 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 every little thing of their energy so that you can see them, however it’s NOT assured particularly when you solely have just a few 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 occurring a safari, you’re inspired to pack gentle and neutral-colored garments. Gentle as a result of it may possibly 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 sporting gentle coloured pants, not white, however lighter than khaki, once I stumbled and fell close to a waterfall in Nakuru, and it inadvertently acquired brown spots.
Neutrals or earth tones are beneficial as a result of shiny colours are stated to scare off wildlife and darkish clothes usually 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 feel this was in Masai Mara — when each my buddy Row and I had been sporting black, and we had been the one ones complaining about flies, whereas the remainder claimed they weren’t bugged in any respect.
Which brings me to this: WEAR COMFY PANTS or TROUSERS. Not tight and never too free. It would shield your legs from bugs.
4. Don’t overpack or underpack.
Typically, your baggage can be stowed in the identical automobile that you may be utilizing. Most autos have an area within the again for baggage, however when you’re an enormous group, a number of the suitcases could also be positioned on the seats. So don’t overpack. Moreover, 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 carry:
- Binoculars. Ask your tour operator if they’d be offering binoculars or if they’ve one they might lease out to you. In any other case, carry your personal.
- Hat. Though you’ll be spending most of your time contained in the automobile, it’s open-top so a number of the rays nonetheless get in.
- Gentle jacket or windbreaker. Whereas it may possibly get scorching throughout 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 line with the World Well being Group, Kenya is without doubt one of the international locations with danger 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 instantly from Europe, US, or Asia together with the Philippines, NO, you received’t want an ICV.
BUT when you’re visiting or transiting in a rustic that’s thought-about a yellow fever danger, then you definately’ll want proof of vaccination.
For instance, our itinerary is KENYA > ZAMBIA > ZIMBABWE > SOUTH AFRICA.
I didn’t have to current my ICV when coming into Kenya. However as a result of KENYA is a yellow fever danger 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’ve a separate tutorial video on tips on how 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 be a priority. So when you may get a vaccine shot or prophylaxis, achieve this.
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 danger, so that you higher hearken to your guides and heed their warnings. It’s in your personal security.
In case your information says you possibly can’t get off the automobile, DON’T do it. If there’s a lion simply exterior 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 might be unpredictable.
In the event you’re staying at a camp inside a nationwide park, observe 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 evening, 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 usually quiet, so we’d all the time catch 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 would like them to not depart and have extra time admiring them at a good way, simply zip it! You don’t must be utterly silent! It’ll be arduous 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.
Sport drives, particularly in Kenya, are usually not straightforward. It’s arduous sufficient for the passengers, not to mention in your drivers. And they are going to be driving you across the whole day for days, simply so you can have the perfect 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 suggestions for safari guides:
- KENYA SAFARI GUIDE
USD 10-20 per day per particular person - SOUTH AFRICA SAFARI GUIDE
ZAR 150-200 per day per particular person
(greater for luxurious lodge sport drives)
Camp employees 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 you have sufficient money for tipping!
Our information in Kenya, Dennis, as soon as instructed us that he cherished 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 net of knowledge.
9. Don’t scrimp an excessive amount of.
I do know this tip is wealthy coming from a web 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. Take pleasure in it as a lot as you can. The very last thing you need is be depressing!
So if you’re given a selection between a packed van and a smaller group in a land rover, take into account the expertise. In the event you’re an enormous group sharing one automobile, just a few of it’s possible you’ll not have a window view.
And when you may afford it, ebook 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 when you additionally discover ways to say no typically.
10. Don’t preserve 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 get pleasure from your safari closely depends upon 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 company who’re {couples} on a honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary typically find yourself in bickering or in a clumsy battle for an entire lot of causes.
We all the time say that journey is a check of relationship – be it with a romantic companion, household or associates – and a multi-day safari tour takes the check to a different degree. So to be sure you’re gonna have the time of your life, select companions that you simply really like and love.
That’s all for now. Bear in mind, plan sensible, journey secure, and make each journey WORTH IT!
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