Africa Safari Travel - FAQs

AfriChoice! uses 4x4 safari cruisers as well as mini buses of safari vans in East Africa. Whichever you choose, the price may vary slightly. In Southern Africa we use mini buses, open-roof vehicles and 4x4 vehicles on safari. The specific vehicle used on a particular safari depends on the country and the reserves to be visited. All vehicles are equipped with two-way radios and are maintained to provide the maximum level of comfort and safety.

You will find these on your day-to-day safari itinerary that we shall send to you. The letters indicate the meals that are included on a safari or tour. B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner. B&B (or simply B) refers to Bed and Breakfast. You may also see DR that refers to Day Room.

An Africa Safari is perfect vacation for people of all ages, from eight to eighty-eight. A safari is not particularly strenuous or tiring, so anyone in reasonably good health should be able to enjoy his or her stay. Because a safari has something to offer everyone, it has become an increasingly popular motivation incentive as well as a family vacation.

The beauty of Africa encompasses not only birds and animals of all shapes and sizes, but also the many different tribal peoples, and the exotic physical features from mountains to broad savannas, forests to rivers and deserts. Your safari has been carefully planned to include a wide variety of sights and activities.

In a typical day you can expect to see 15 to 20 animal species- lions, elephants, giraffes and rhinos, to name a few. Buffalo and wildebeest may be in herds of hundreds or more. Others, like the swift cheetah, are more likely to be found alone. And then there are the birds, over 300 species! Birds in Africa are particularly colorful and easy to spot. Even if you've never looked at a bird before, with the help of your driver you'll easily learn to identify twenty to thirty of the most striking and beautiful birds of Africa. Experienced birders can expect to see 60 to 100 different species in a single day. A special thrill is in store if your safari coincides with the annual wildebeest migration. You'll see thunderous herds of wildebeest and zebra, totaling more than 1 million, stretching across the horizon. On their trail follow the predators the big cats, and the scavengers hyenas, jackals and vultures. Whenever you go, you'll see animals as you've never seen them before roaming free, just as they have for millions of years.

Because you are traveling in protected game reserves, many of the animals have no fear as long as you are in a vehicle. You can get surprisingly close, especially when lions are busy feeding on prey, or at rest. Elephants often walk up to and even surround a minibus. Monkeys and baboons may study you as closely as you study them. But natural behavior will only continue if you give the animals some space and are quiet. If you go too close, or talk too loudly, the animals may just leave. Most animals will be more interesting if allowed the space to continue their natural behaviors- stalking, mating, playing with their young. Your driver will know the best viewing distance. Please do not encourage him to "stalk" or otherwise interfere with hunting or other activities crucial to the animal's survival.

No, not if you stay within the marked boundaries of your lodge or in your minibus. Your guide and driver know what is, and is not, safe. Incidents involving animals are rare in East Africa and are, almost without fail, the result of someone doing what they have been advised not to do. Nairobi is a big, bustling city. Avoid wearing flashy jewelry, hold onto your purse and camera bag, beware of clever conmen and don't walk in the city at night. Do not wear money belts, since they can easily be cut off from the rear. It is always a good idea when you travel to keep a photocopy of your passport in your suitcase and another at home. It's a fact that traveling on safari is safer than traveling in most U.S. cities. The people are friendly, and the government patrols the game parks - their most treasured resource- for the safety and benefit of all.

Great! almost all year round! Because of the high elevation (3000 to 8000 feet above sea level), and proximity to the equator, there is a pleasant weather throughout the year. The "dry" season is July through October, and December through March. During this time you may expect to find the greatest concentrations of animals because they will congregate around the remaining water holes. The dirt roads may be dusty, but should not prove to be a major discomfort. The relatively "rainy" season includes the month of April, May, and November. During this time the landscape is beautifully green, and there are fewer tourists. The animals are more dispersed, so will be harder to spot. Expect showers interspersed with beautiful sunny skies. Many travelers prefer to go on safari during these months. If your itinerary includes a coastal resort, the best times for you to visit are August through October, and December through March.

AfriChoice! uses only the finest accommodation available. Hotels in Nairobi are deluxe, with quality shops, restaurants, and amenities. The game lodges are imaginatively built with marvelous gardens and terraces. A typical lodge has bungalows spread across the grounds, a large central reception area, dining room, shops and an attractive outdoor swimming pool. Many have exercise room as well. Each room has twin beads and private bathroom with flush toilet and shower or bath. Tree hotels, such as the Ark or Mountain Lodge, are more rustic, yet feature great views from their lofty perspective, and each bedroom has its own private facilities. Some of our safaris feature permanent tented camps, with large canvas tents erected on concrete or wood platforms. They all have sewn-in floors and net screens. Comfortable beds and a private connecting bathroom with flush toilet and shower make for a most comfortable stay. Many even have swimming pools! Most permanent tented camps in Tanzania retain all the style and glamour of the famous mobile-tented camps. Sensitive to this fragile environment, these camps retain an elegant simplicity, yet offer every feature to ensure a comfortable stay: excellent meals: fine wines and liquors: insect proofed tents with twin beds: private hot water bucket shower: discreet safari toilet: free laundry service. Private camps are set up in private game viewing areas far from other tourists. Here you'll have a chance to view game on foot, or by four-wheel drive vehicle with your highly trained naturalists guides. For most, these exclusive camps are the ultimate African experience.

Good! All meals- buffet-style American or Continental breakfast, and sumptuous lunches and dinners- are included while on safari. In major cities, some of our safaris include only breakfast. This allows you to dine on your own at some of the outstanding local restaurants. Check the inclusions described for your specific tour. You'll savor everything from African delicacies to international specialties on a AfriChoice! safari. The meals are well prepared, the menus varied, with fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and meat amply provided. And food never tasted better than upon returning from an exciting day on safari.

We recommend only bottled water. It can be purchased inexpensively throughout your trip and is good insurance for healthy, enjoyable safari. Beer, wine and soft drinks are also fine to drink. AfriChoice! adds a sparkling touch to the fresh and delicious African fare by providing you with cool, clear bottled water with each meal on all itineraries. We will also offer you the same refreshing bottles of water on game viewing expeditions.

Most of your safari will be in deluxe late-model minibuses. At most tented camps, and in the Ngorongoro, Grater, you'll travel in four-wheel drive vehicles. Everyone will have a window seat for best game viewing and photography. Every vehicle has its own professional driver/guide. One pair of binoculars and guidebooks is furnished to enhance your viewing pleasure. Roads outside major cities are often dirt or gravel and may be bumpy or dusty. You may happen to get temporarily stuck in a muddy patch if there is a heavy rain. It's all part of the adventure and your driver is an expert in dealing with tough driving conditions. Some of our safaris feature short flights, thereby saving hours of surface travel. From this lofty perspective, you will appreciate the size and scope of the African plains, and enjoy the additional time allowed for game viewing drives.

At tented camps in Tanzania and certain tented camps in Kenya, you have the opportunity to view wildlife on foot. During a two to three hour walk your guide will help you position yourself downwind, and surprisingly close, to such awesome animals as buffaloes and elephants. A truly thrilling experience. Your guide will help you read spoor and appreciate the fabulous wealth of small animals, from spiders to birds.

The AfriChoice! staff has escorted over 70,000 visitors on safari to East Africa. Years of first-hand experience mean that your every need has been anticipated and all our tours have been thoroughly proven. Each vehicle has its own local driver/guide. These well-trained professionals make their living by knowing every inch of ground, making sure you have a good time. Their keen eyes and experience give them the uncanny ability to spot birds and wildlife all along the way. In addition to their wealth of knowledge about wildlife, they are happy to tell you all about life in their native land. One of the hardest parts of leaving East Africa is saying good-bye to your driver, who will have become a wonderful friend and companion. For most programs there is a naturalist guide in addition to your driver. These dedicated professionals are with you at all times to make sure that your every need is attended to, answer all your questions, and give informative briefings on the reserves you visit, the birds and wildlife you see, and the people you meet. They can explain animal behavior, pointing out the matriarch in a herd of elephants or the zebra's unique way of listening for predators. AfriChoice! is particularly proud of the outstanding quality of our guides. In Nairobi, a member of our staff will be available to you at all times.

No. English is an official language in East Africa. All drivers, guides, lodge and camp staff and most people that you will meet in East Africa speak English. AfriChoice! also boasts to be one of the local companies that have multi-lingual driver guides who speak more than two foreign languages fluently! It's fun to learn a few words and phrases of Swahili or other local languages, and your guide will help you along. You'll enjoy sharing your smile and few simple courtesies with your African hosts.

Many young people will be anxious to practice their English with you, or help you with your Swahili. At some roadside stops, locals can be competitive in attempts to sell you jewelry or baskets. Bargain if you like what you see. Otherwise, firmly say, "No, thank you," or "Sitaki, Asante Sana," and move on. Never photograph locals without asking their permission first. This may require a fee, which your guide can help you negotiate. Giving away Polaroid photos will help you get pictures that would not otherwise be possible. Please DO NOT hand out candy, ballpoint pens, or trinkets to children. It encourages them to wait for handouts from well meaning visitors rather than going to school. It's okay to barter with tee shirts and caps in the rural shops or to thank someone who's been especially helpful with a tee shirt, news magazine or paperback book, but please don't encourage these beautiful children to beg! Most Africans are extremely polite by the world standards. By keeping an open mind and going out of your way to be courteous and respectful, you'll win friends and much more likely to get your way.

If you are in good health, you should have no problems at all. If in doubt, ask your doctor. This is not a strenuous trip involving hiking, extensive stair climbing, or long periods on your feet. Most of your exercise will be walking from your room to the safari vehicle or the dining room. Those taking the optional Gorilla Trek extension in Uganda MUST be in good physical condition and those hiking to the top of 19,400' Mt. Kilimanjaro need to be in Very good physical condition. Contact AfriChoice! for details.

Your typical day on safari begins with a game drive after an early breakfast. You return to your lodge or tented camp around 11 AM. After lunch you'll have time to nap, swim or read about what you're seeing. Around 3:00 or 4:00 p.m., you'll be invited on another game drive, until dusk. On some days, there is the possibility of an early sunrise drive, with tea or coffee beforehand and breakfast afterwards, or even a night game drive or a walking safari, where park rules permit. On the days that you travel to new game parks, you will generally leave right after breakfast, arriving at the next lodge in time for lunch, a swim and afternoon game drive. Often there are stops to visit interesting features along the way.

A group safari is perfect for children 8 years or older. If you have younger children you may wish to arrange a private safari through AfriChoice!. A safari is even more fun when two or three families go together. Clients often tell us that a AfriChoice! safari was the best family vacation ever!

Every place you travel in East Africa offers interesting gifts, usually at very attractive prices. Most lodges have gift shops stocked with high quality local crafts. Items such as baskets, beadwork, soapstone and woodcarvings, colorful fabrics-even spears and shields - are found in every little roadside shop. The fine stores in downtown Nairobi will tempt you with jewelry, semiprecious stones, leather goods, and traditional handicrafts. Expect to bargain everywhere in Africa- it is part of the fun. You'll know you've hit the bottom price when your vendor lets you walk out the door empty handed!