Safari Club Advice

Affordable Safaris – Our Tips

Going on safari is never cheap, but, considering that most things are included, the total cost is often less than at first appears. There are a number of ways you can make a safari more affordable in some cases the savings can be very large without compromising the experience.

• Avoid peak season travel, most destinations have low and mid-season rates and often these can be half the price of high season rates. With good guidance we can advise on where you will get a great experience outside of low season. Particularly good value can be had in Botswana or Kenya both of which have great game viewing at any time.
• Travel with friends, you won’t save much on a flying safari, but privately guided overland trips and self-drives in countries like Namibia, South Africa or Tanzania can be much cheaper.
• Don’t try to do too much, getting from place to place in some countries can be expensive in Africa, it may be better to spend between 6 and 10 nights between two or three different camps in different parts of some of the larger reserves. The Serengeti. South Luangwa, Kafue, Hwange and the Okavango Delta for example.
• Reduce the average daily cost of your African holiday by adding time at the beach in Kenya or Tanzania or maybe spend a few days at Victoria Falls, Lake Malawi or Cape Town.
• Consider carefully which country to visit, as a general rule South Africa, Zimbabwe, Southern Tanzania and Kenya are more affordable.
• Book as far in advance as possible, the most cost-effective lodges and those offering special deals tend to get booked up very early. Nine months is perfect.
• Late availability deals are sometimes available for guests able to travel at short notice who are flexible with dates and location. It is worth asking!
• Travelling with children, try half term or Easter as the summer holiday period is invariably expensive.
• Consider more simple accommodation, whilst it is certainly true with safari holidays that you get what you pay for, spa’s, butlers, gyms, pools and other extras are included in the rate at more expensive lodges and camps but you may struggle to find time to use them. The essential ingredients of a wonderful safari are safety, comfort and great game viewing, guiding and interpretation, all possible at an affordable price.

What to bring

What to bring can vary from place to place but as a general rule the following list will cover most eventualities.

• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Moisturiser
• Strong insect repellent (good supply of roll on or spray with Deet base)
• Anti-Histamine cream and tablets
• Any personal medication
• Three sets of cotton safari clothes in bush colours i.e. green, brown dark khaki; avoid white and bright colours.
• Two sets of lightweight cotton evening wear long sleeves and long trousers will minimise insect bites
• Warm fleece
• Warm lightweight jacket for early morning game drives and cooler winter evenings
• Sports bra for ladies will reduce discomfort on bumpy roads
• Good pair of lightweight walking boots if on a walking safari otherwise a pair of thick soled trainers will suffice
• One pair of binoculars per person (Best you can get)
• One torch per person with long life batteries
• Camera Equipment including 200/300 mm Telephoto lens and lots of fast film and flash film. Digital cameras are particularly good for taking lots of photos
• Cleaning equipment for cameras and binoculars and a dust proof bag to carry them
• U.S dollars cash (bring smaller denomination notes) are the most readily exchangeable form of currency; credit cards are accepted in most camps

Read our blog – Safari Packing Advice

Special Note: As transfers may be in small aircraft with a baggage capacity which may vary between 12 and 20 kgs, it is essential to pack all your safari equipment and clothes in a soft lightweight bag. Clients who are going on to other destinations on a combination holiday may be able to arrange for a suitcase to be left at our agents’ offices or the airport while on safari.

What to expect

No two safaris are the same and every day will bring different sights, experiences and adventures.

There is always an element of luck on any safari but the intimate and local knowledge of the bush which our guides and trackers bring will ensure that you will have a truly memorable experience.

A typical day will begin with an early morning call and hot cup of tea or coffee, followed by a game drive usually returning to camp mid-morning for a late breakfast or brunch.

Sometimes a longer game drive may be planned in which case lunch and or breakfast is normally a picnic in the bush.

All our vehicles will normally carry a good stock of ice cold soft drinks, water and beers.

Normally during the middle part of the day the animals are resting and this gives you an opportunity to enjoy a siesta or make use of the camp facilities.

An afternoon or evening game drive then starts mid to late afternoon returning to camp at dusk.

Where night drives are available, these may be a continuation of the afternoon drive or a new game drive.

The last game drive of the day is normally followed by a delicious three course, home-style meal at elegantly set dining tables, under the stars, under thatch, in an open air boma or an elegant dining room.

Finally, finish off the day with a nightcap in a well-stocked bar and exchange stories of the day’s adventures.

Most of our camps offer other types of game activities, for example: guided bush walks, boat and mokoro trips, horse riding, fishing, ballooning and many others, these make an alternative to game drives by 4×4 vehicles.

Our camps are mostly located in private concession areas or areas where there are few, if any other tour operators, ensuring a unique and exclusive experience for every one of our clients.

We also offer a number of mobile safaris and fly camping options in several of our destinations. These are suitable for those who are looking for a more where can i buy aciclovir cream adventurous experience camping wild in the bush and getting even closer to nature. These include cycle, canoe and horse riding trips as well as 4×4 vehicles.

Our well maintained safari vehicles are mainly open top Land rovers and Land Cruisers. We do not generally use minibuses. This ensures an intimate experience and personal attention from your driver/guide.

We personalise your safari as far as possible. Please let our consultant know if there is anything you particularly want to see or do and we will tailor your trip to satisfy your demands.

We try to make our safaris as inclusive as possible most of our camps include all meals, drinks, game activities, park fees, laundry service, transfers (often a game drive in their own right). Items of a personal nature and tips are not included. Luxury imported spirits and wines are included in some camps but not in others.

To make the most of your safari experience and to ensure that you see a wide range of animals and environments we suggest that you combine two or more camps in different parks or areas of the park. Our consultants will be pleased to advise you as to which camps or reserves complement each other.

Our philosophy, shared with our associates in Africa, is “conservation through tourism” which aims to share the benefits of tourism with local communities to ensure the protection of these special areas for future generations.

We also offer holidays in other very special places where game viewing is not the principal attraction; many of these complement a Safari Club tailor made safari perfectly.

Please remember no two camps or destinations are the same. Please look at the details of the individual camps for what activities are available and what is included. The details of the reserves will give you an idea of what to expect in the way of game and scenery and our well informed consultants can answer any other questions you may have.

When to go

Any safari in Africa is likely to be a worthwhile experience but weather conditions and time of year can effect both your own comfort and what you are most likely to see. Please refer to our specific country and region pages for detailed advice.

Medical Advice

We suggest that you consult your GP for advice on any injections or prophylactics that are currently being recommended for the regions in which you are travelling. Generally most of our destinations are in areas where malaria may exist, so protection is essential.

Sun Screen: Particular care should be taken to avoid problems related to the hot African sun, when travelling in an open top vehicle or on a boat the breeze can make the sun’s power seem deceptively weak. Cover up well, use plenty of high factor sunscreen, moisturise your skin, drink plenty of water and wear a suitable hat and sunglasses.

Insect Repellent: We strongly advise you to use a strong insect repellent on exposed areas of skin particularly from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active. We also advise you to sleep under the mosquito net if fitted over your bed at night.

Hygiene and Sanitation: Please be assured that the high, first world standards of hygiene and sanitation in our camps ensure that most visitors will have trouble free fantastic holiday.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking that all guests and their travelling companions carry adequate medical and travel insurance for the duration of their trip with us.

Your insurance should cover but not be limited to cover in respect of cancellation or curtailment of the safari, emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, damage/theft or loss of personal baggage, money or goods.

Please feel free to call for any advice or an informal chat with our country expert on Tel 0845 0545 0889