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Safari Frequently
Asked Questions:
Below
are the main questions you should ask yourself in the beginning the
planning process:
Once
you have a clear idea of the kind of safari or tour you want, you
can search our itineraries section for a personalized selection of
trips. We look forward to answering your questions about specific
itineraries you discover and to helping you decide on the perfect
safari adventure!
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Where to go:
East Africa:
No matter which game parks you visit, you
are likely to see a wide array of game in larger numbers than almost
anywhere else. For those of you who are as fascinated and perplexed
by the great migration of the wildebeest as the scientific
community, this phenomenon can be seen here most of the year,
depending on where you go. July through September the migration can
be seen in Kenya's Masai Mara before they move south into the
Serengeti plains of Tanzania, where they ultimately congregate and
bear their young in January and February. The entire herd then
begins its return to the Masai Mara. Uganda in Central Africa offers
gorilla trekking and a rougher safari experience for the
adventure-seeker.
Many of East Africa's National Parks and
highlights are accessible by both road or air, making it an easy
region to navigate. For those who prefer travel by air, an efficient
network of local scheduled flights links the different areas; if
joining a small group, road safaris can be excellent value for those
on a budget. The roads are rough, so travelers with back problems
would do better to fly.
The extraordinary diversity of East
Africa's landscape is not to be missed! From the snow-capped majesty
of Mounts Kilimanjaro and Kenya, to the fantastic Ngorongoro Crater
and savannah plains of the Masai Mara and Serengeti, this corner of
the continent boasts some of the most spectacular scenery on earth.
It is the Africa of your imagination, and has been a classic safari
destination for decades, not only for the wildlife but also because
of her sweeping, rugged, powerful beauty.
Africa is not just
about animals - it is her people which make her an eternally
beautiful, fascinating, and perplexing continent. Nowhere else can
you witness so readily the tribal cultures of the Masai and Samburu
peoples, vividly clothed and beaded in traditional garb, living the
way they have for centuries. A friendly "Jambo" will elicit a ready
smile and wave, and ample opportunity to learn about and share in
another culture.
South Africa:
From the wildest and most
remote safari regions to the cosmopolitan culture and beauty of
South Africa, southern Africa offers astonishing hospitality and
diversity:
Like East Africa, Southern Africa offers an
outstanding and rewarding game-viewing experience. One of the
reasons for this is that drives are conducted in open 4 x 4 safari
vehicles, as opposed to the mini-van which is the most common safari
vehicle in East Africa (although there are some exceptions). The
open vehicle allows unparalleled visibility and the unique raised
seating in some of the vehicles will spoil you forever! Guides in
southern Africa are the most highly-trained and respected
professionals in their field and their knowledge will be one of the
main reasons that your safari to southern Africa surpasses your
expectations.
Southern Africa is quite creative in terms of
ways to view game. Apart from the usual game drives, you will find
that many camps offer night drives as well as walks. You can also do
safari by canoe and mokoro, as well as elephant back! Micro
lighting, whitewater rafting and bunji-jumping are also possible.
Many of the camps can accommodate no more than 16 guests at a
time, ensuring an intimate and non-touristy experience on safari.
Often you will see only one or two other vehicles on a game drive
and for the rest of your safari, you are truly out in the bush! This
suits travelers who want to feel as though they are away from the
crowds and off the beaten track.
Beyond the safari
experience, the cosmopolitan cities and coastline of South Africa
and the striking landscapes of Namibia can be the perfect complement
to safari and we encourage you to take advantage of the contrasts of
this region.
Indian Ocean area:
There
is no doubt about it - some of the best beaches in the world are to
be found on the other side of it! The Seychelles, Mauritius,
Mozambique and the coastal isles off East Africa offer stunning,
sparkling turquoise waters and the powdery white sand beaches that
can be found nowhere else. They are the perfect ending for your
safari, or as a destination in their own right.
The exotic
island cultures in these countries are varied and complex, amalgams
of native peoples, colonizing influences and migrant forces which
have come together to flavor these islands with colorful languages,
cuisines and customs.
Islands of the Indian Ocean offer a
surprising array of indigenous species of flora and fauna, from the
countless coral reefs and marine life to the remarkable coco de mer,
found only in the Seychelles. Far from being a series of beach
resorts, these islands can lead the interested traveler and SCUBA
enthusiast on a fascinating aquatic safari!
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When is a good time to go:
You will hear
varying ideas about the timing of your trip, but keep in mind that
people travel year round to all the destinations on this website.
Each season has its advantages, so if you have set dates for travel,
chances are you will be able to have a great trip no matter where
you are going. It is important to understand the seasonal trends and
how that will affect your trip; but remember that weather is
variable and so it is quite possible to go for days without rain
during the peak of the rainy season, or have thundershowers in the
middle of the dry season!
EAST AFRICA AND CENTRAL AFRICA
The long rains
are from early April through early June, and the short rains from
late November through December. It is often less expensive to travel
during the long rainy season. Dry seasons offer excellent visibility
and more reliable road conditions, and game tends to congregate
around the limited water sources, making the animals easier to find.
July and August are generally extremely busy in East Africa,
offering comfortable temperatures in addition to being a popular
time for travel world-wide … so be sure to book well in advance.
SOUTHERN AFRICA
The rainy season runs
mainly from late November through mid-April in the safari regions;
however if you are traveling to South Africa, the southern Cape is
experiencing summer at that time and is a wonderful place to visit.
The Cape area can be cold and rainy during their winter from June
through August. Often high season rates for the safari regions go
into effect in July so it is sometimes possible to save a bit of
money by traveling prior to that - May and June can be delightful
months to travel. Due to the smaller size of safari camps and lodges
in southern Africa, it is necessary to book well in advance,
particularly for travel from June through September.
Weather
Details
INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS
Generally
the weather is similar to that of southern Africa, with the summer
rains lasting from November through April, with occasional cyclones
during that time. The dry season from May to October is ideal.
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What kinds of
activities are available:
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Your budget:
This is one of the most
important questions to consider when selecting a trip. While there
are some travelers with an unlimited budget, most of our clients
have a price range in mind, which is extremely important in helping
us select an appropriate safari for you.
The following are factors that affect the cost of a trip:
LEVEL OF LUXURY
Naturally, the more luxurious the safari, the more expensive the
trip. Safari camps can range from $200 to $700 per person per night,
not including transfers, which are frequently by air. Try to
determine what you can realistically afford, and keep in mind that
in general, you get what you pay for: safaris are no exception.
LENGTH OF TRIP
Adding another week onto your
trip can add more to the total cost than you may have originally
planned. The per day per person budget is a good rule of thumb for
determining how long you can travel. Simply shortening a trip by one
day can cut the cost by hundreds of dollars. On the other hand, the
time and expense in getting to Africa is significant. So we would
encourage you to spend the extra time to tour this amazing part of
the world, as rushing your trip to save money is rarely worthwhile.
ACTIVITIES
The safari portion of your
trip is likely to be the most costly. Safari camps are generally
all-inclusive, which means the cost of the accommodations, meals,
guides, game activities, and park entry fees are included. Staying
at a hotel or a beach resort is often less expensive than a safari
camp because you pay for meals and activities, as you choose, while
you are there. Combining a safari with a few days at the beach or
with a self-drive tour along the Garden Route in Cape Town, for
instance, can make a trip more affordable.
SEASON
High season prices can vary quite dramatically from the low season
rates. Rates for high season are in effect for a reason, as often
the game viewing is at its best during these times of year and space
is at a premium. However, if you are flexible with your travel
dates, and can travel in low season, the price of your trip will be
lower. You will find the areas less crowded and have less difficulty
confirming space.
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How do you like to travel?:
This is
probably the least tangible of all the factors, but one of the most
fun to determine!
LUXURY, MODERATE OR
RUSTIC?
The level of accommodation that you are
expecting is important to consider - unabashed luxury or 2-man dome
tents? We prefer an itinerary with consistent levels of
accommodation throughout. It is possible to combine different levels
of accommodation on different parts of your trip; however we are
adamant that you have the right expectations for each of the places
you go.
WHO IS TRAVELING?
The age range
and makeup of your party should be taken into account. Some safari
camps do not allow children under age 12; some mobile camping
safaris do not allow guests over the age of 55. A family has
different requirements than a honeymoon couple. If you are traveling
on business, this may affect our suggestion for your safari; if you
are traveling alone, some safaris are better choices than others.
SMALL GROUP OR INDEPENDENT?
Most of our
clients are well-traveled and enjoy a combination of small group and
independent travel. Groups are generally no larger than 8 - 16, with
age limits and set departure dates. Independent travel is obviously
much more flexible, allowing you to depart at any time, travel for
as long as you wish, to the camps of your choice. While we call it
"independent travel," there is always someone to meet you at the
airport and transfer you to your safari camp or hotel, so even solo
travelers can feel comfortable knowing that they will be well-looked
after on the ground.
ROAD OR AIR?
Both
options are not available everywhere; however, this is a question to
consider in selecting a trip. Travel by air, while generally more
expensive, is the most efficient means of transportation,
transferring you between safari camps easily and with plenty of time
to enjoy activities at both camps, which is why you are there!
Generally the planes are small, so those with difficulties with
small aircraft should plan their trips accordingly. Travel by road
can be draining and definitely time-consuming. Nevertheless, it
affords you the opportunity to see some of the countryside and local
villages between destinations, perhaps giving you a more realistic
glimpse into a day in the life of the people whose country you are
visiting.
GUIDES AND VEHICLES:
A great
guide can make all the difference, and African Portfolio endeavors
to use the best guides available. East Africa is currently
standardizing its guide requirements, while southern Africa has long
been known for its lengthy and intensive guide training. In East
Africa, you are likely to have the same guide throughout if
traveling by road, which allows you to get to know him or her, and
build upon each day's experiences. If you are flying or traveling in
southern Africa, you will have guides from each camp who are
thoroughly knowledgeable about the concessions or National Parks
that they traverse on a daily basis. Vehicles in southern Africa are
generally open 4 x 4 land rovers or land cruisers, while most
vehicles in East Africa are minivans with an opening roof hatch to
allow you the best visibility possible. It is possible to have a 4 x
4 vehicle in East Africa, although this option is more expensive.
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