SAFARI - the Wiktionary definition is : "A trip into any undeveloped area to see, photograph or hunt wild animals in their own environment." From Wikipedia: "A safari is an overland
journey, usually a trip by tourists to Africa,... the word safari means "long journey" in Swahili."
We are offering you a SAFARI to see AND photograph wild animals in their own environment and the bonus of our safaris is to see and photograph stunning scenery AND also in many cases to see, meet and photograph different cultures and people. We do NOT offer hunting wild animals and prefer not to support the lodges that host hunters as well. Our short journey safaris are from 2 to 7 days and then our longer safari journeys are from 8 to 52 days!
The safaris we are offering you for your forthcoming holiday include the countries of South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya and Uganda.
We can offer a variety of types of safaris:
Most of the itineraries we have featured on our website do specify the type of safari - so please choose carefully. We will gladly send you more information or answer any questions you may have.
We have listed the various countries in Southern Africa, and if a safari starts, ends or passes through a country, you will find the itinerary listed under those countries.
Our speciality is to customise any safari to our clients requirements - where you can tell us your destinations, duration, level of standards and transport preferred - and then we can compile such an itinerary and quote you accordingly. "Ask and thou shall receive"!!
NOTE: TRAVEL INSURANCE - all clients travelling on these safaris require travel insurance. Many hospitals and clinics will not accept a patient unless they are guaranteed payment. If you as a client/patient is incapacitated to communicate, it is up to the Group Leader to get the guarantee for the hospital and your travel insurance details are required before any safari departs. Your Travel Insurance should cover you in the event of cancellation or curtailment, death, any medical or rescue expenses, as well as for any loss of baggage, money or personal items. The insurance should be purchased in your home country.
Safaris with a Tour Code starting with the letter N - offer "Participating camping" safaris and also budget "Accommodated" safaris. The accommodated safaris are in twin-share (unless a single is booked) basic chalet/bungalow accommodation. Throughout Southern Africa all accommodation is en-suite and in East Africa there are a few nights with shared facilities. The Participation camping safaris have accommodation in 2-man dome tents of around 2.4 x 2.4m square and a mattress is supplied. In certain cities/major towns you will stay in a dormitory accommodation so that you can all be within walking distance of the centre and you have the freedom to go out or not.
Safaris that start with the Tour Code "UB" or "YB" have different styles of safaris. These include:
BASIX (these are adventurous with some amazing experiences and often will have optional activities as not all activities interest all clients. The accommodation is safe and simple. Ideal safari for first-time travellers seeking fun and adventure with the security of a group leader and for backpackers wanting minimum hassle and maximum flexibility.)
ORIGINAL (these are all about variety - the people, the places, the activities and even the accommodation and transport used. There is a new experience daily with many activities included.)
COMFORT (These are for travellers who want a few extras and you stay in better hotels and guesthouses all with plenty of local character and solo travellers have the option of paying a single supplement or sharing with someone of the same gender.)
OVERLAND (These adventures will have clients travelling in purpose-built vehicles along rugged roads, whilst you search for wildlife, visit isolated communities and camp in tents. On these adventures, you are part of a team and like all great adventures, the more you put into it, the more you'll get out.)
Safaris starting with the Tour Code "D" are Fully inclusive tours and no food kitty's and offer a good mix of camping and fixed accommodation on most of their safaris. Many of the accommodations used in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, they own these lodges and are private. The tours are aimed at the 18 to 55 yr old market. The sheer physical and youthful mentality which prevails on these tours make then generally unsuited to anybody over the age of 55 yrs. There is no single supplement as single clients may share accommodation with other single clients of the same gender.
Safaris with a Tour Code beginning with the letter "W" are middle to upmarket safaris. These wilderness safaris are in some of the best conservation & wildlife areas you will find in Southern Africa, and the owners very often are taking their clients in private concession areas so the number of tourists in these areas are very limited and strictly controlled. Accommodation shall either be in permanent camps - where you sleep in en-suite Meru-style tented chalets, or in seasonal camps where Meru-style or dome-tents are set up at the beginning of the season with en-suite or adjoining ablutions. The ratio of staff to guest is a lot higher than the other type of safaris as the groups are a lot smaller. Transportation from one area to the next can be by light-aircraft, 4x4 vehicle, canoe or on foot. The itineraries do describe what is included and what to expect.
Safaris with a Tour Code beginning with the letter "P" are middle to upmarket and take place in Tanzania or Kenya only. The tourism grading system in East Africa is different to Southern Africa - and in our opinion what might be 5 star in East Africa, is between 3 & 4 star in Southern Africa. These tours are scheduled small group safaris and all accommodation is in hotel, lodges or luxury permanent tented camps. These safaris can easily be customised to your preferred dates and accommodation establishments - and we shall need to quote accordingly.