African Safaris Guide

Category: Travel Tips

  • Guide to Choosing the Right African Safari Clothes

    When you’re planning a safari to any destination in Africa, you have to also plan for what to wear. Regarding the activities you wish to do while visiting different landscapes, you should mind so much about the weather conditions and then bring suitable clothing. Safari regions like East and Central Africa experience equatorial climate with both dry and rainy seasons every year. Choosing to do your safari in a dry season for instance does not mean there will be no rainfall. That’s it is important for tourists to choose the right clothing with the help of our tips.

    Dress in neutral colors

    Most safari guides recommend wearing colors that blend with African wilderness environment. This is especially so when you’re going for game viewing, jungle trekking or nature walks. Most visitors wear khakis and neutral colors like green and olive not to scare away wildlife and increase chances of spotting animals. Absolutely wearing bright colors such as red you risk missing out some sightings since animals will notice and shy away into the bush.

    Material to choose for your safari clothing

    Cotton and sometimes hand-made fabrics tend to be durable as it with shirts and pants. Whichever you material you prefer to wear, the most important thing is to check the weather conditions. You can easily determine to bring quick drying materials if you were traveling during the rainy season. No need to worry about the dirty clothes, some lodges offer laundry services and you can tell them to wash for you.

    For instance during dry seasons in Eastern Africa especially Kenya and Tanzania, light clothing is recommended for game viewing drives because the savannah is hot and dry.

    In comparison to jungle safaris like gorilla trekking which takes place in tropical forests of Uganda, Rwanda and DRC, where a lot rainfall and wet weather require visitors to wear warm layers.

    Protective safari clothing

    If you never get sick of the hot African sun, then there’s something else worth to prepare for. Eastern Africa destinations have lots of harmful insects especially mosquitoes which cause malaria as well as other. Rainfall is also unpredictable regardless of the seasons.

    It could be a rain jacket, scarf, sunglasses and hat, depending on weather conditions and type of activities. For instance during game drive safaris and nature walks in the bush, it is very vital to protect your skin. You many experience harmful insects or thorny bushes while on hiking safari. When you wear light weight long pants and long sleeved shirts that cover up your legs and arms, you’re better off and safe. You would only wear shorts when you’re off the bush.

    Hat, scarf and sunglasses

    Besides the insects, there’s also hot sunshine which comes with dust and wind. While hats are very helpful for sun protection, sunglasses too are useful during wind. Scarf also helps to keep your neck warm during cold weather in the tropical forested areas like central Africa. It is also used to wipe camera lenses.

    Shoes to wear on a safari

    Depending on the safari you’re doing, for instance adventures through the jungle such as gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking through thick forests require strong hiking boots. Try to get boots that can protect the ankle borne and are waterproof as well. However, if you were just visiting a city or beach, you may not put on the same foot wear.

    To balance what to wear for different safaris, you don’t have to pack loads of shoes. You need at least a pair of boots and sandals to wear while at your lodge as well as relieve you from boots. The only exception of not putting off your hiking boots would be if you were camping in the middle of the national park.

    Consider clothing that works in different environments

    While on a safari, you’ll not spend all the time in the bush looking for animals. So you have got to pack variety of clothing options. Your feeling may be to wear short pants, vests or open shoes when you’re at the lodge. You may also want to visit cultural tourism sites and clothing you wear for that cultural trip cannot be same for jungle trekking.

    Multipurpose

    When packing for your safari, select items that serve many uses. This is especially if you’re adventuring into the wilderness and travelling around a lot than staying in one place. In that case let’s consider backpacks for outdoor adventures. They are much better and convenient to carry, toss around in vehicles or maneuver through crowded places than a suitcase would do.

    Durability

    Before you buy any of your travel clothing gears, it is important to select quality items if you’re going on an African safari for the first time. New clothing recommended for style and fashion but if you trust second hand clothes, they are suitable for activities like jungle treks. Also consider the notion that your clothing will not wear out or fade with a single wash only after one trip.

    Pack light

    Your main aim is to avoid heavy bags when you only pack useful items for your safari. some dirt free travelers do not like recycling clothes and the idea of packing light to them would mean leaving off essential clothing. But you know heavy bags can be a burden and inconveniencing. Before you select or buy items first consider how much weight and space they take.

  • 5 Eco Friendly Tips For your African Safari

    People travel for a variety of reasons, but I think the underlying desire to see unfamiliar places, discover the natural beauty of the world and to breathe the fresh air of the outdoors is shared among all of them.

    People travel to Africa largely for the wildlife, exceptionally diverse landscapes and the richness of ancient cultures. Humans that live according to the tune of the earth and extraordinary animals, that have paced the surface of this continent for thousands of years, are sought after by travellers, wanderers and adventurers. We have a responsibility to play as the role of ‘caretakers’ if we wish to cherish the role of ‘admirers’ for years to come. Luckily, for the roamers out there, there are plenty of opportunities for us to make sure that for whatever reason we are travelling, we are doing what we can to protect and conserve.

    1. For those embarking on culinary journeys

    Some people travel purely for the pleasure of eating, and commit to a taste-bud discovery of the world. Aside from the fact that organic, additive-free food is far healthier for you, its production also requires local input. Make sure that the places in which you choose to eat employ local suppliers, enabling you to rest assured that you are contributing to the people whose land you have journeyed to see. A good indication of an eco-savvy kitchen is the use of a compost heap, a sustainable and conservative use of water and efficient waste disposal. As with most delicious dishes, an accompanying good wine often rounds off the experience perfectly. Consider varieties that are bottled in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) canisters, which use 50% less packaging energy than glass, and, in bulk, reduce negative shipment effects by 25% due to their reduced size and weight.

    1. For those jet-setting on business

    If you’ve got an appreciation for city flavour, make use of local transport, which in Africa may be a rickshaw. Even better, hire a bicycle or stretch those legs and walk when possible.  There are few better ways to spruce up for the day than to drink in the scenes of a foreign city. Choose your accommodation based on its environmental ethics. Hot water bottles instead of electric blankets, water-saving fixtures, energy-efficient lighting and recycling disposals are among the modest changes to look out for. Make use of coffee mugs or flasks and reusable water bottles so as to eliminate the use of paper and plastic drinking vessels. Bear in mind that your own preparation for travel has a great effect too. So pack light and reduce the weight of your carbon footprint… literally.

    1. For those seeking a destination wedding

    A wedding is traditionally the extravagant, symbolic step into a life shared with one’s soul mate and showcases what that shared life will represent. Travelling to a beautiful destination is romantic and memorable, and often it incorporates local flair. For a spectacular arrival, indulge in a fairy tale horse-drawn carriage or even a tandem bicycle. Consider  flowers grown locally and requiring little water: succulents and bamboo are eco-friendly and present beautiful alternatives to exotic blooms. Biodegradable confetti, such as dried rose petals and birdseed, puts a unique spin on one’s departure from the venue.

    1. For those heading off on honeymoon

    This is bound to be one of the most romantic times in one’s life, and it is fair to assume that those heading to Africa in search of this romance are seeking nature, the outdoors, quiet nights and starry skies. Opt for solar-powered lodges, country style bucket showers and, of course, candlelight. Everlasting soy candles are aromatic and ambient, while hypnotically demonstrating renewable energy.

    1. For those on quests of self-discovery

    On a journey of discovery and cultural indulgence, one could agree that this is the perfect time to partake in community uplift. Help plant trees in Kenya, where reforestation is working wonders for local prosperity. Provide your manual labour in exchange for food and accommodation and enrich your soul with education about sustainability, the environment, creating awareness and making a change. Wildlife capture and data collection help sustain animal populations in game reserves; an activity that would attract the adventurous, single traveller. A keen photographer can dedicate their efforts to local eco-initiatives, photographing and reviewing various projects and movements working towards a greener future for Africa.

    Find out more about greener getaway destinations with  Experience Africa Safaris.

  • Guide to Finding Cheaper African Safaris in 2018

    Africa is a place where you can find large herds of impalas and cheetahs that move over the savannah. There are large elephants and giraffes that are found in the acacia trees which make it a beautiful place for wildlife encounters. The Nature tourists have an opportunity of enjoying the adventurous stories that are told around the campfires under the clear sky dotted with stars before enjoying sleep at the known selected accommodation.

    Getting an affordable African safari is not so easy and sometimes it feels like an elusive dream for the many low budget tourists. Many safari lodges as well as camps are mostly considered restricted accommodation facilities all over the world and these cover $1000 that is per person per night. The cost includes; meals tour activities within the itinerary. And the luxury safari is so expensive for a distinctive traveler since it includes costly flights. The tourists are encouraged not to give up on visiting Africa. This is mainly because there are many safari options that can be taken by different travelers and this depends on the type of Accommodation being selected. Below are some of the main strategies to be put into account as you trey searching for a very affordable safari to suit your budget.

    Traveling off season; Africa has got two main seasons and these include; the high and low season, these resolve around the rainfall patterns and the dry season that is known to be the most popular time of visiting since many animals assemble around different water sources and this makes it easier to spot them when the vegetation is so sparse. The low season is mostly known as the green season and has got many benefits since its prices are mostly lower and very affordable to many interested travelers. Though the weather is wetter, the rains are irregular and brief which helps at keeping the dust down as well as the grass green. Many wild animals mostly give birth during this season and the clouds with in the sky offer great stunning sunsets that are a bonus for the photographers. Masai Mara of Kenya offers great wildlife viewing opportunities all year round.

    The low season of East Africa; there are two rainy seasons with East Africa, i.e. March and April and May and June and the other from October, November and December. Choosing to safari in these periods bring good season conditions as well as the lower prices. Touring in early December is so familiar since the crowds are few before holiday seasons. In January to March, the rains are high and can be an ideal time to visit both Kenya and Tanzania since it’s less expensive and dry. Many of the tourists like moving to both Serengeti and Masai Mara between June and September where the annual migration of the wildebeests’ cross the plains of these parks and these find it so interesting, and also the rates are higher. However, the tourists can get more for their money and view many wildlife species when they travel in the low season months. The travelers can as well consider a few days within the Serengeti Migration Camp were you get to enjoy herds in February followed by a camp found in the northern Serengeti away from the Migration and full of the tour experience which includes both the resident animals and the migratory herds. Uganda is visited mostly in the months of June to September and December to February where the rains are so low and the weather is also favorable for gorilla trekking and many other activities.

    The low season of South Africa; in South Africa, the best season off deals are the cold and drizzly with in Cape Town and the coast during the southern winter, this also includes the months of May to September. The dry and sunny areas within the north involve; Kruger, Madikwe as well as the Sabi sand. This also means that the tourists can find low season quotes when the weather and wildlife viewing are the best. For Namibia and Botswana, the best months are May to November. In Botswana, tourism numbers are kept high so as to promote environmental impact. The large part of the land in Botswana is to the wilderness that harbours large numbers of animal species.

    About choosing the safari camps; there are many safari lodges and camps in Africa, these are rated based from Luxury, moderate and budget. There are well furnished tents at a comfort level for any stay in any African forest. The camps offer a cost mindful trend to the low income travelers and these are quality experience on their safaris in Africa. The up market camps give comfortable accommodations with the extra personalized service and good meals that are filled with many safari activities. The best solution to finding the best and affordable African safari is by the safari online tool. This tool is easy to use with the data base that provides vital and detailed information to over nine safari African countries.

    Deciding to go mobile; this also means that you will need a safari at a cheaper price. There are many ways of finding a high quality safari at relatively low price. One of them is by engaging in mobile camping, where travelers move with their camping items to cut costs. This also means that you can find luxury mobile camping offers at high end permanent camps. The same offers can be got with simpler set ups which provide equal services with good chances to view wildlife depending on the choice of a tour operator.

    The full serviced camping tours; the budget mobile tours can be participatory or fully serviced, in case one needs to have assistance with the tents and cooking, you will need to contact a trusted operator in any of the country that you wish to visit. These offer both scheduled and custom safaris in different countries in Africa. Many of the travelers enjoy different camping facilities that have tents and individual canvas wash basins, a shared toilet tent with a flush toilet, raised cots, hot water bucket showers, camp fire and the dinning tent.

    The participatory camping safaris in Africa; here the travelers spend less since they engage in organizing the tour themselves. This includes setting up the camp, and preparing the meals. These tours are more economical and mostly referred to as over landing. This type of safari is mostly carried out in large open sided truck and switched to a min buses or the 4x4s in the national parks. The safaris are mostly led by two guides including a driver and a cook and these are not sanctioned in the region visited.

    The Self-drive safaris; though many travelers wouldn’t want to take up an independent safari, it’s possible in though in South Africa and Namibia since these countries are well organized for many safari activities. These mostly go to Kruger National Park to participate in such activities. Self-drive tours are advantageous since you set your own pace and pursuing the individual interests. But it’s vital to hire a guide who will help at some point in spotting some wildlife and learning more while on a safari than going alone on the safari.

  • How to Prepare Yourself for the Perfect East African Safari

    There’s no better continent to view wildlife in their natural habitats than Africa. After all, where else in the world can you come to face with mountain gorillas than Uganda, Rwanda and DRC or witness the wildebeest migration in Kenya and Tanzania.

    For most travelers the decision to visit your favorite premier safari destinations, there’s a lot to plan for your trip.

    There are varied habitats ranging from tropical forests, classic open savannahs, swamps, rivers and lakes, high altitude mountains like Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori as well as semi-arid and desert dunes. Whether the most part of your safari is to be doing daily excursions, or visit cities and local communities for cultural encounters, you need to prepare yourself.

    Get travel insurance

    You are visiting a secure and safe destination but you’re not sure of the uncertainties that come with adventure safaris. Whether you want to relax on beach or undertake adventures like gorilla trekking and mountaineering. You need an all-inclusive travel insurance to cover up whatever activity you shall do as well as emergency situations like accidents.

    Most tour operators highly recommend travel insurance for the entire trip days. When traveling to Africa come along with your credit cards. Make currency exchanges since you may be required to make payments in local currency or US dollars.

    Choose an organized tour

    Planning African safari with a tour operator is flexible way to get everything you desire. Before you travel, there’s need to inquire about the destination activities, transportation, meals, lodgings and availability of wildlife viewing permits. You can base from your home country pre-book and confirm your African safari including air tickets. By the time you arrive on time, everything would be already arranged as you wish to relax after a flight and begin comfortable trip the next day.

    For travelers who don’t enjoy being in a company of others, consider having solo trips. You may travel with a group during transfers but for the sake of your special interests.

    Book in advance

    When you book early you get enough time to arrange essential items of your safari such as visa, passport, permits, accommodation and things to pack. For instance a visa must be applied for at least 3 months ahead of date you are visiting a particular country. During peak seasons, many tourists are traveling which make prices high as well lead to low availability of space in lodges. But when you book in advance, budget choices are still many and you won’t pay highly.

    If you’re traveling with children, mind so much about accommodation that runs special programs for kids. While few areas in East African safari places such as Uganda and Kenya have high risk of malaria than in South Africa, they have bright setups for kids. On that note, there are activities like gorilla trekking where children below 15 years are not allowed.

    What to pack

    Understanding what to pack for a long day drive or trekking through tropical rainforest is the strength of your trip. It creates a difference between a disappointing and successful safari.

    Not all safaris are similar, depending on the place you’re visiting. The idea is to be weather ready and pack light, flexible clothing and equipment. For most active wildlife viewing adventures, you wake up before sunrise or you are still in the bush during afternoon and late evening drives. The weather is still cold or winds and hot sun tend to alternate whether it is a wet or dry season. Thus make sure to have a backpack that you can access anything you want while on a trip. You’ll quickly get extra layers, rain jackets when it showers or feels cold or a sun hat when the sun is too hot. It is also important to have hiking boots, socks, and a pair of long pants, long sleeved shirts so that your body is covered up.

    Take useful accessories including camera and extra batteries, lenses, memory cards and binoculars. Game drives and boat cruises offer closer views of animals for your greater shots. But binoculars will also help you to spot animals that keep away from the safari vehicles and more importantly for any bird watching trip. Take a notebook or dairy as well to write about your experiences and create lasting memories.

    If you wish to visit the beach, bring a swimming costume, short pants and sandals.

    Sun protection

    Most Africa safari destinations experience intense hot sun even during rainy season. Take sunscreen, hat along with lip balm. Traveling long distances tend to cause heat and dust to make you feel dry. Even if you happen to use air conditioned vehicles, you’ll still use jeep or land lovers while in the bush which does not have.

    Prepare for your health

    When your safari is fully booked, check with a doctor to get any immunizations you may need.

    Mostly every travel visiting any destination in East and Central Africa must have a yellow fever vaccination card. So come with proof. You may also vaccinate against hepatitis B and tetanus.

    Most destinations in Africa have a risk of malaria infection. To avoid mosquito bites carry anti-malarial tabs and mosquito repellants while on a safari.

    Even though lodges are comfortable places with fresh food, you may be exposed to harmful bacteria and suffer from stomach upsets. So it is important to have a first Aid kit. It should include healthy packs of medications as well as anti-bacterial wipes. Toiletries can help you when you want to ease yourself off in the bush.

    Note, however, preparing for health depends on the disease and epidemic outbreaks. You must check with embassies and consultants to know the situation in the country you’re visiting.

    Be security cautious

    Africa is known to have friendly people including locals, safari guides, rangers and staff at the lodges. These try to give their best for a memorable visitor experience. However, be aware of the theft and crime issues in most cities. Though not directed at tourists, sometimes showing off valuables or moving at night in isolated places can attract thugs.

    Also be aware of the gender issues especially same sex couples. Many African countries are fighting homosexuality, so keep your acts out of public. Local people as well as laws are still traditional and will be harsh at any awkward act by foreigners. The same applies to ways of dressing. Unlike in cities where women can dress short clothes but in rural villages, it is still moderate and decent.

    You may not see all the animals

    The truth about safaris, you’re not guaranteed to see every animal as expected. Some animals are active during morning or evening while others at night. Guides and rangers understand that much and tell you to take optional or do as many activities as you can. Viewing wildlife is popular with day game drive safaris from where you can see elephants, lions, buffalos. During day, you might miss to see nocturnal animals like leopards, bush babies or night jars, you can opt for night game drives.