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

In the event you’re a part of my era, you most likely grew up watching Uncover and Nationwide Geographic discoveries that includes the Nice Migration and the continent’s huge cats and crocodiles profiting from the motion. And for those who’re like me, you most likely have dreamt of happening an African safari at the very least as soon as in your life. Properly, that dream has simply turn into a actuality for me 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 aren’t simple and never like your strange sightseeing journey. They’re not probably the most inexpensive, both. So the less boo-boos, the higher. It’s simple to method a safari the identical means you’ll every other journey. And that may 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 received scammed by bogus tour operators, and lots of of them are nonetheless fairly current. 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 generally, it’s important 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 advice or contact, so I barely relied on opinions 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 e book?” 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:

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

That is probably the most primary possibility – funds lodging, and the automobile for use was a van that would accommodate as much as 8 pax.

However some individuals on our group backed out and we wanted to seek out replacements, and by the point all the pieces was finalized, among the authentic 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.

Be aware that flights to and from Kenya aren’t 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 the event you’re from the Philippines and you favor coping with a neighborhood journey company as a substitute, decide a good one! Established companies 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 and so they often decide extra upscale resorts, however most of those excursions may be custom-made. You may request for cheaper lodging or easier or shorter itineraries.

However the wonderful thing about reserving with Constellation Travels or different respected native companies is, they’re registered right here within the Philippines, so if one thing occurs, somebody shall 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.
E 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’ve got 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 wish to cope with all of the planning.

2. Don’t anticipate a easy 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.” Nevertheless it’s something however stress-free.

By easy 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 won’t all the time go as deliberate and a few points 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 all the pieces of their energy so that you can see them, however it’s NOT assured particularly for those who 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 happening a safari, you’re inspired to pack mild and neutral-colored garments. Mild as a result of it could actually get sizzling at mid-day even in cooler months. However not white. Some nationwide parks are very dusty. Living proof, 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 mild coloured pants, not white, however lighter than khaki, once I stumbled and fell close to a waterfall in Nakuru, and it inadvertently received brown spots.

Neutrals or earth tones are really helpful as a result of vivid colours are mentioned 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 mentioned 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.

Usually, your baggage shall be stowed in the identical automobile that you’ll be utilizing. Most autos have an area within the again for baggage, however for those who’re an enormous group, among 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 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 may hire 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 among the rays nonetheless get in.
• Mild jacket or windbreaker. Whereas it could actually get sizzling through 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 the event you’re coming from the Philippines, proof of vaccination is NOT required to enter Kenya. However based on the World Well being Group, Kenya is without doubt one of the international locations with danger 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 the event you’re coming instantly from Europe, US, or Asia together with the Philippines, NO, you gained’t want an ICV.

BUT for those who’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 getting 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.

Now we have 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 for those who 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 take heed to your guides and heed their warnings. It’s to 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 may 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 very 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.

Happily, most of us in our automobile had been introverted and customarily 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’d like them to not depart and have extra time admiring them at a long way, simply zip it! You don’t should be fully silent! It’ll be arduous 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.

Sport drives, particularly in Kenya, aren’t simple. It’s arduous sufficient for the passengers, not to mention to your drivers. And they are going to be driving you across the whole day for days, simply so you can 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 had been advised 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
  (larger 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 robust tipping tradition.

So sure, be sure to have sufficient money for tipping!

Our information in Kenya, Dennis, as soon as advised 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, based on 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 internet of data.

9. Don’t scrimp an excessive amount of.

I do know this tip is wealthy coming from an internet site known 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 can. The very last thing you need is be depressing!

So once 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 you might not have a window view.

And for those who may afford it, e book that sizzling 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 for those who additionally learn to say no generally.

10. Don’t maintain 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 relies on the individuals 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 automobile, meals, and many of the actions. Our guides as soon as shared with us that lots of their friends who’re {couples} on a honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary usually find yourself in bickering or in a clumsy combat 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 buddies – and a multi-day safari tour takes the take a look at to a different degree. So to be sure to’re gonna have the time of your life, select companions that you simply actually like and love.

Now we have a video model of this text on our YouTube channel!

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