Making Your Safari Dreams Come True!

Making Your Safari Dreams Come True!

An African safari had been on my bucket list for a long time, but it wasn’t on Mona’s list for a variety of reasons: safety, safety, and safety. However, that changed when we met an Aussie couple who had recently gone on safari and their photos and stories convinced Mona that we should go. Woo hoo, but now what? How to make this happen?

We have been our own travel agents for years, but an African safari was pretty intimidating. There are so many logistics involved and there’s certainly safety issues to keep in mind so I was/am convinced that we needed help. All we knew was that we wanted to go on safari in South Africa because some friends had done so and we were impressed with their trips. However, both had family in South Africa who helped them with arrangements so we couldn’t emulate them.

Being modern people we did the modern thing; we Googled it. We read lots of blogs and reviews of African travel companies, agents, etc.  and we rated them as we went along. There is a lot of advice out there and sorting it out can take a lot of time. But sort it out we did and ended up with three preferred agencies: Kensington Tours, Africa Direct USA and Africa Travel Resources. We then developed a kind of bidding specification that detailed our basic wants (safaris, Cape Town and Victoria Falls) and asked all three agencies how they would fulfill those wants and at what cost. We then entered their responses into a spreadsheet for comparison and asked loads of follow-up questions.

After all of our number crunching and question asking we came to a decision. Africa Direct USA was our choice and Dianne Williams would be our agent. Their price was very competitive and Dianne was very patient and helpful with all of our questions. Now to book a safari!

Since I’ve only been on one safari I decided to get some help writing this post.  Who better than the agent we choose, Dianne Williams from Africa Direct USA.  Dianne has specialized in African travel since she went on her first safari 16 years ago. She has been on numerous safaris and routinely returns to broaden and deepen her knowledge.  She is passionate about Africa and loves to help others find their love for it too.  From here forward, I’ll interview Dianne and let her speak for herself.

ROTG: What advantages do I gain by using a travel agent for my safari?

Dianne: I think that there are places where you can travel where you really don’t need someone to coordinate your entire trip. You can find extensive material and trusted sources online through forums or in books to feel comfortable and confident with where to go and stay as well as what to do. Just as an example, imagine that you arrive at a hotel in the USA and don’t like how it looks. You can relocate fairly easily to another hotel. Now, let’s compare that to Africa where if you arrive in the bush on safari and the lodge looks nothing like what it does online nor what you’ve been told. You can’t very easily switch to another lodge. There are no cabs or Uber in the bush. Even if you were to get a transfer, by the time you reach the reserve airport, chances are that the last flight would have already left. And besides, you probably have no idea where the next lodge even is! So if you want to go to Africa, it’s really important to have the guidance and support from someone who is truly knowledgeable of the travel logistics as well as has expertise on the lodges. 

I prefer to think of myself more as a Safari Specialist than as a travel agent who books lots of places. I specialize and focus on Africa for clients interested in going on safari and perhaps extending their travel to another great destination like Cape Town, Victoria Falls or one of the incredible beach spots on the Indian Ocean. I tailor and customize a client’s trip with special activities or guiding to meet their interests and put the finishes touches on a trip. My clients are single travelers, families, multi-gen groups and honeymooners and I can work with most budgets. There are no set dates or packages as my business isn’t about “canned tours”. For the most part, from the time that my clients land to the time that they depart, I arrange everything from hotels/lodges, activities, guides, flights and transfers. All their trips are entirely unique and customized to the individuals traveling. The result is a trip entirely tailored to their interests, style of travel and budget. My goal is to meet their vision for the trip. Their goal is to have the most memorable experience ever!

If you are looking for help planning your safari then it’s important that the person you are working with can handle a myriad of questions about an African safari ranging from logistics to lodges, activities, weather, health requirements and more! You should have confidence that they understand your travel profile and style of travel. They should represent many different lodges and not just one brand/portfolio of lodges since there are so many different styles of lodging at different price points. You should ask how they are compensated as some charge a consulting fee while others are commission-based. It’s important that the person has been to the lodges or are a part of a team who routinely visits lodges to ensure that you are getting the standard of accommodation, service, etc that is in line with your expectations. And while not required, it is ideal if that person has an extended team based in Africa.

ROTG: How long in advance should I begin planning for my safari?

Dianne: Interesting question as I have worked on safaris 2+ years in advance as well as just 4 weeks out which is very short notice! 

When to start planning really depends upon the following:

• Do you want to travel peak season?
• Do you have set dates of travel to work with? 
• Do you have your heart set on a certain place or lodge? 
• Do you want to have options?

All of the above require advance planning and, for that, I’d recommend 1 year out or more.

ROTG: I know I want to see the animals, but what other experiences should I consider for my visit to Africa?

Dianne: There are so many incredible things to do and places to go that pair well with safari. As I explain to clients, it really depends upon your interests and your budget. 

For example, the city of Cape Town is an incredible destination to add to one’s itinerary. Known as the “Mother City”, it is iconic with its cultural history of apartheid, incredible beauty and nature, and the warmth of its people. I am always in awe of Table Mountain, which hovers over the city where two major oceans converge! You can explore the bustling waterfront, go on a Township Tour, visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, enjoy an interactive Cape Malay spice tour and cooking class, visit the Penguin Colony and the tip of Africa at Cape of Good Hope, dive with great white sharks or explore the wine region of South Africa which is only 1 hour away from the city! And there’s so much more! There’s truly something for everyone!

Another option would be to visit Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is the largest flowing sheet of water in the world. It is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and just can’t be put into words. You have to see it to believe it because no picture does it justice. There’s some good history there too since the Falls were discovered by David Livingstone and named after Queen Victoria, the reigning Queen of England at the time. They also serve as the division of 2 countries (Zimbabwe and Zambia). The bridge that spans the Falls was quite an architectural and engineering feat inspired by Cecil john Rhodes who wasinterested in connecting North and South Africa with the “Cape to Cairo” railway. In addition to history, the area is certainly known for its focus on all things water: Sunset Cruises on the Zambezi, white water rafting, water game viewing, zip lining, Elephant interactions, Helicopter Flights over the Falls and a tour of Livingstone Island, the point where the Falls were discovered, which includes the chance to sit in Devil’s Pool for an iconic photo. And this is just a sampling!

You can also head to an incredible beach destination on the coast of Africa or to islands in the Indian Ocean such as Zanzibar, Mauritius or the Seychelles. This is where you can enjoy incredible scuba diving, snorkeling, game fishing or just sitting on a sand bar enjoying a picnic lunch! There are many different islands to consider. Some are more developed than others. A beach destination is the perfect way to decompress from Safari since it is such an incredibly moving experience!

Truthfully, I could go on and on but there are definitely places you can extend to if you want. The most important thing is that whoever you are working with understands your vision for the trip, your interests and budget and can make the best recommendations for your traveling party.

ROTG: Are there different price ranges/luxury levels for safaris?

Dianne: Yes, there are all different price ranges and levels of luxury for safaris. There’s truly something for everyone! Certainly the more comforts, amenities and the quality of game viewing are components that impact price. For example, you could be at a lodge where the per person rate includes only tea/coffee and water as beverages while another lodge may include all beverages, even alcohol. Some lodges have a jeep maximum of 10 guests to the jeep while others have a max at 6. If you want a private jeep with a private guide, that’s an increase in cost added to your stay. There are lodges in great game viewing areas and others where the game viewing isn’t as strong. There are also places to safari that are more private such as in the private reserves which abut Kruger National Park. In private reserves, rangers can take you game viewing off road and for sunset evening drives, both of which are wonderful experiences. Lodges in private reserves can be more expensive than those in national parks. So these are just some of the characteristics that can impact the per person costs. There’s quite a big range!

ROTG: What if I don’t like camping or sleeping in a tent?

Dianne: No problem! There are all types of accommodation available as mentioned earlier. While it’s possible to “rough it”, the itineraries that I craft for clients are focused on being comfortable and having the amenities that you are generally used to. Styles of lodging can range from freestanding suite-style accommodation to luxury tents. But these tents would have raised floors, ensuite bathrooms, typically also air conditioning and, even some are more luxurious with chandeliers and private plunge pools!. So as you can see, tenting in Africa is more like “glamping”. Again, there’s a wide range of options to suit your style and comfort. 

ROTG: After I get the bid from the travel agent what other costs should I plan for?

Dianne: It depends upon where you stay and how inclusive the lodge as you might incur extra costs for beverages, laundry, massage or spa services, etc. You should plan on tipping your safari guide/tracker team as well as a tip that goes to the general staff. Tipping guidelines are available. Other costs involved could be gifts/personal items, restaurants or activities such as when you extend to another destination on your itinerary. Depending upon where you travel, there are VISA costs as well.

ROTG: Safaris with wild animals sounds inherently dangerous. Just how dangerous is a safari?

Dianne: Going on safari is not dangerous if you follow the rules and guidelines provided by your safari guide and lodge. Animals over the years have become habituated to the sound and profile of the safari jeeps. They have learned over time that the jeeps pose no threat. They are neither predator nor prey. So the animals literally walk right by the jeep and don’t pay much attention to you! The animals have passed this knowledge along to their next generation and so on and so on. Again, they understand the jeep as having a certain profile, which is why rangers ask you not to stand up the jeep at any time nor make loud noises or squeal while in the presence of the animals, especially the cats. It’s also best to not wear bright clothing such as yellow, orange, pink or red as this could be a distraction. If you follow these suggestions and the advice of your ranger and lodge specific to the animals in your game viewing territory, you will feel comfortable.

ROTG: Speaking of safety, do I need shots/medicines before we visit Africa?

Dianne: It depends upon where you are traveling, the time of year that you are traveling, the type of traveling that you are doing and your personal medical health. Each country has its own health entry requirements. South Africa for example doesn’t require any shots coming from the USA, although some may be recommended to you depending upon the type of traveling you are doing and your personal medical health situation. The CDC website and Travel.gov have comprehensive information per country. I always recommend that my clients consult their travel physician in advance of travel.  

ROTG: When I see photos of people on safaris they all seem to be wearing camo or other safari-outfits.  Will I need to buy a safari wardrobe?

Dianne: No, you don’t need to buy a safari wardrobe! Every time I go on safari, there’s always guests who went out and bought a lot of clothes. I’m not sure if this is misguided information or just an assumption to do so. I remind my clients that Safari is VERY casual and everything you need is already in your closet! For example, you can wear jeans or shorts on game drives. Sneakers or good walking shoes are advisable and again, avoid bright colors.

ROTG: What advice can you give about packing and are there luggage restrictions to keep in mind?

Dianne: There are 2 things to keep in mind about packing. First, what I shared before, which is to avoid bright colored clothing. Second, many lodges provide laundry service so I advise clients to pack efficiently and plan on using the service as necessary. 

Before my clients travel, I provide them with suggestions on what to bring based upon the weather for that time of year and their overall travel logistics, such as a lightweight raincoat, small backpack, brimmed hat or baseball hat, fleece jacket, sunscreen/chapstick, sunglasses etc.  

All internal flights in Africa have baggage weight restrictions. For the most part, internal flights restrict you to 1 checked bag per person with a weight restriction of 20kg (44lbs). Believe me, that’s A LOT of weight! There are however, as I previously mentioned, some light aircraft transfers between lodges or within reserve(s) with weight restrictions of only 15kg (33lbs). More importantly for light aircraft transfers, regardless of a weight restriction, bags have to be soft-sided only. This means no hard case luggage, no wheelie bags, no wheeled duffels, and no bags with any internal framed structure whatsoever. This is because bags are put into cargo holds and they need to maximize space for all those flying. Again, this is for light aircraft transfers. Before you depart, you should be clear about your baggage weight and limit restrictions!

ROTG: Should I bring anything special other than clothes? What recommendations do you have about bringing a camera?

Dianne: Depending upon your itinerary and whether you will go on any cultural/local village tours, some clients bring things for children such as coloring books/crayons, school workbooks, early reader/phonic books, pencils/erasers etc. Others have brought toothbrush/toothpaste, bandaids and other basic hygiene items. Candy is discouraged because good dental care is not easily accessible in these villages. 

Bringing a camera is a must! Some of the latest phone devices take incredible pictures these days so buying/renting a special camera may not be necessary. Having said that, a high quality but easy to use “point and shoot” camera would be great to bring. You can actually rent cameras so as not to spend money on something that you might not otherwise use. There are a number of reputable camera rental companies, such as LensProToGo, for your travel photographic needs. You can also use an operator in Africa who can provide rental equipment for your needs while on safari and then you don’t have to worry about traveling with the camera nor packing it. Please keep in mind that there are different camera and lens recommendations for different photographic safari needs. I also advise clients that photos will only be as good as you are comfortable with using the equipment. So experimenting and learning how to use a camera before you go is important.

You can also rent high-powered binoculars too. Most of the smaller and inexpensive binoculars aren’t good enough to see something hidden in the grass or up in a tree. Some lodges have binoculars that you can use. Depending upon where you travel, bringing a pair is highly recommended. Again, you can rent binoculars and I refer my clients to Optics4Rent.com. Great provider! He ships the binoculars to you in a box and when you return from your trip, you put them back in the box with the pre-paid label affixed. He has been servicing my clients for a long time now who benefit with a special discount!

Lastly, the most important thing anyone traveling to Africa should bring is an open mind. It’s such an incredible experience and it will resonate with you long after you return home. It is truly an amazing place and I often say “life changing”. It will be more impactful in ways you never thought it could be!

ROTG: What is the best time of year to travel?

Dianne: There are some variations by country for the peak travel period but, generally speaking, the best time of year to travel for game viewing is between May and September. Seasons there are in opposite to ours. Peak travel between May and September is their winter. Like here, winter means less vegetation on trees and bushes, which makes spotting and tracking much easier, especially in the long grass. There are also fewer permanent water holes so animals have fewer places to go to drink. This period is also known for drier weather/clear skies with no humidity/thunderstorms.

Having said that, the bush is special all year round and there’s truly no bad time to go. Their Summer brings incredible birds so if you are a bird lover then this might be when you’d want to go. Some animals calve at a particular time of year in East Africa for example. The December holidays are special times in the bush and celebrating New Year’s Eve can be quite a spectacular and unique way to start your year. Lastly, the shoulder seasons of this period can yield some discounts at certain lodges and if you are lucky, the weather would be just as good as peak. 

So depending upon when you can go, there are certainly places to safari for that time of year. 

ROTG: Thank you Dianne, for all of that excellent advice! Having used Dianne and her team for our first safari; we can attest to all she’s said. I must have asked a hundred questions and changed my mind ten times before I booked. Through all of that she answered all my questions and never made me feel stupid for asking. I must also mention the incredibly detailed itinerary she provided which helped guide us through three countries with no issues. I also love that Dianne provides an additional itinerary which you can use on your smartphone without connectivity.

One more note: We’ve already booked our second safari through Dianne and Africa Direct USA. Maybe we’ll see you out in the bush!

References:

Africa Direct USA

Africa Direct USA Facebook Page

Disclaimer:  We did not receive any compensation in any form from Africa Direct USA.  We are just appreciative customers of theirs. Africa Direct USA and Dianne helped make our safari dreams come true and we wanted to share the information to help others get to Africa.