FAQs

Visas

The one thing that is essential to make sure before you travel is to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your departure from the African country and 2 fully blank passport pages available. If you are travelling on a European, UK or American passport most African countries will either require you to buy a visa upon entry – such is the case with Zimbabwe – or apply for the visa before you arrive – like in Kenya and Tanzania – or will entry for up to 3 months – as with South Africa and Botswana. If you have a passport from another part of the world, you may be required to obtain a visa electronically or pay upon entry. Many African countries require visas to enter, some need to be obtained before travel, while others can be obtained on arrival. It is important to confirm any entry and visa requirements with your government website and local embassy or consulate.

Vaccinations

Different safari destinations have different vaccination requirements, all of which are easily obtained in your home country at either your GP or a travel clinic. Generally, the most uncomfortable thing you can expect from your safari is a few aches after a long flight – for which we recommend a spa treatment. It’s understandable to be cautious when travelling somewhere new, however, if you chat with your doctor beforehand, take various precautions and listen to your travel expert you will be totally prepared for your adventure. In terms of timelines, we recommend that you chat with your doctor at least a month before you travel and make sure that all your general vaccinations are up to date. Then, if you are travelling into a yellow fever area you will need a yellow fever vaccination and the accompanying booklet. This should be done well before you travel. Malaria is something to be mindful of when going on safari and can be found across the African continent. However, prevention is better than cure for malaria. If you venture into a high-risk area you can acquire anti-malarial tablets from your doctor in advance. Overall, stock up on bug spray, cover your limbs as dusk hits and put on closed shoes. If you have very small children or just don’t want to worry about mozzies, then we have plenty of malaria-free safari options as well. However, the risk of malaria differs between the seasons, often dropping significantly during the dry season.

What to Pack

Any prescription medications and multivitamins that you usually take.
A wide-brim hat, sunglasses and good SPF.
Decent walking shoes and some good walking sandals (we’ve all been there with flip flops and trust us proper sandals are a better option).
A warm layer and moisturiser if you’re travelling during the drier, winter months as morning game drives can be particularly chilly, as can evenings.
Light airy layers of clothing that dry quickly and don’t need careful ironing. Many camps have a laundry service, however, don’t worry about going out and buying a full new outfit, or do – the main takeaway is to stick to neutral colours and earth tones as it doesn’t spook wildlife when on walking safaris or game drives. Bright colours such as blue can also attract tsetse flies in some regions, so earth tones are always a win.
If you’re off to the beach, a swimsuit and a good hat.
If you’re going gorilla trekking or hiking, appropriate hiking boots and a good waterproof layer.
Your camera and chargers, as well as universal adapters.
A logbook to take notes of your travels.
A shawl or light throw, is a great way to cover your shoulders on a hot day at the beach or throw over your camera to prevent dust on a game drive.
Some long layers to cover your arms and legs as dusk settles, this is one of the best ways to avoid mosquitos as the sun goes down.
When travelling in certain populated areas, such as Zanzibar which has a large Muslim population, it is respectful for women and men to cover their shoulders and wear longer skirts or trousers.
Certain restaurants have a dress code, so if you’re venturing out and about, a smart casual outfit is a good idea.
You are likely to move around a fair bit, so packing cubes is a great way to separate outfits and keep any laundry apart from your clean clothes.
Your passport, medical documents and vaccinations (check our vaccinations section) and a certified copy of your passport in a different bag.

Insurance

We recommend checking with your medical insurance well before you travel and even taking out specialised travel insurance. Most camps that we partner with and regions have emergency air evacuation services and the option to provide basic medical care, however, all of this will need to be cleared and checked with your insurance beforehand.

Baggage Allowance

Most small aircraft charter flights between camps have a strict weight limit of around 15kg in a soft shell bag and one small piece of hand luggage. There may be differentiations based on locations, so do just check with us before you travel.

How much should I tip?

Tipping is discretionary and always up to you – however, it’s a great way to show an exceptional guide or member of staff your appreciation. You can usually tip in US$ in East Africa and Southern Africa or in the local currency if you happen to change money, e.g. Pula in Botswana.

Travelling with children

Multi-generational safaris are a wonderful way to connect with your nearest and dearest and create lifelong memories. Many camps accept children of all ages and there are plenty of malaria-free options if you are concerned or have very small children. Very remote camps may have an minimum age requirement of about 5 or 6, however, we have plenty of partners who will accommodate children of all ages and offer childcare options.

Where should I go on safari?

We’d like to say this is the fun part, but trust us a sundowner on the Zambezi or tracking lions in the Okavango Delta is pretty incomparable. Essentially, the possibilities are endless and it really comes down to you as a person and what you are drawn to and how you like to travel. This is where we come in, from train odysseys across Africa to a relaxed beach escape, let us know what you’re in the mood for and we’ll put together the perfect itinerary and dream lists for you to tailor and select from.

Why should I book through The Safari Edit?

In short, we take care of providing you with all the necessary information and other destination-specific requirements. As an international team with multi-generational ties to Africa, we pride ourselves on attention to detail and finding the perfect bespoke fit for your safari holiday – whether you’re a regular adventurer or looking for to book the first of many trips to this diverse and breathtaking continent. To find out more about our team and what we stand for, check out our Who We Are page.

Is a private vehicle worth it?

In certain areas and camps, privacy and specialised guides are by no means a necessity. However, if you wish to elevate your safari experience, do a specialised activity, or not share a game drive with other people – we highly recommend a private vehicle.

What is the best time to go on a Safari?

All of the best times to travel across both East and Southern Africa are listed in our specific destination pages on our website. Generally, Southern Africa experiences two distinct seasons, with the dry season that runs from around May to October, and the green season from November to April. Similarly, East Africa’s dry season runs from June to October, with a second dry season from December to March. With its Green season running through April and May, with a second patch of rains falling in November. In short, whatever time of year you are looking to travel, there will alway be a destination where you can have an unforgettable experience – and we’ll be here to help you choose!

Transfers & pickups

One of the perks of booking through us is that all of your pickups and transfers between destinations and camps, even down to border crossings, are taken care of. All of these, along with destination-specific document requirements, will be included in your itinerary.