Will My Cell Phone Work in Africa?
The best way to make sure you can be reached while on safari is to check in with your cell phone provider. Most larger companies like AT&T, Sprint and Verizon have special international plans. Sign up for a plan in advance to make sure you don’t end up paying an arm and a leg for a basic call or text. Specify the countries you are traveling to. Ask for details on rates and find out if it will cost extra for your friends and family to call you too. Ask how much they charge for basic roaming fees. You don’t want to rack up hundreds of dollars worth of bills because you’re playing Scramble with your sister back home in between game drives.

Going Local
If you’re only planning to use your phone for emergencies or a quick call or two, then there probably isn’t a need for you to rent a local phone, buy a local sim card (you need an unlocked phone), or a pre-paid phone card. But if you know you’ll be making daily calls, or you’d like to have internet access while on safari, it’s worth looking at some of those options. If you need to make some quick local calls and don’t want to be charged international rates, use a local pay phone or borrow someone’s cell phone (everyone has them, even in the bush).

Scope out Skype
Using Skype is a cheap and easy way to stay in touch with friends and family but you do need an internet connection. Most hotels and safari lodges will have wifi access, but the fees can be quite steep and it’s generally only available in larger towns and cities. You can also use Skype to call someone’s cell phone or land line, which is very useful because you don’t have to wait for your receiving party to get online. The reception is very clear and it’s certainly cheaper than any international phone plan out there.

More Tips on Staying Connected

• Leave your phone behind while on game drives or other safari based activities. Nothing will disturb the tranquility of the African bush more so than a call with auntie Madge in New Jersey at full volume.
• Keep all your electronic gadgets on airplane mode and/or no-roaming to avoid extra costs and draining your battery. Practice how to do this before you leave. If you don’t know how to, ask any 13 year old and they will figure it out in seconds.
• Bring the right adapters to recharge your phone/tablet
• Internet connections are generally slower in many African countries than what you are used to at home. Uploading a bunch of photos while on your trip can waste precious time and get expensive.
• If your cell phone does not work despite your best efforts, don’t panic. Every safari camp or lodge no matter how remote will have a cell phone at their base that works in emergencies. Leave a detailed itinerary of your trip with someone at home, along with contact numbers (including the international dialing code) and they will be able to reach you.

Contact us for more handy tips and to help plan an enjoyable and stress-free safari in Africa.

Trip Cancellation
Because planning a safari requires a decent amount of pre-planning time (we recommend you start at least 6 months – 1 year in advance) as well as an upfront financial investment, it’s important to get an insurance policy that covers trip cancellation. Who knows what may happen in 6 months; life is always surprising so it’s best to be on the safe side. If your airline will refund part of your ticket upon cancellation, calculate the part that will not get refunded as your trip cost when figuring out your insurance coverage. If you think your job may interfere with your planned trip, then add cancellation protection for “business reasons” to your policy.

Medical Emergencies/Evacuations

Medical emergencies, if they arise while you are on safari, are likely to require some air transportation which gets costly. Keep your insurance carrier’s number on hand while traveling. Should an emergency situation arise, call them first if possible. They will often have specific emergency measures and service providers in place, and will help make all the necessary arrangements for you. If you make your own arrangements without consulting them though, all your out of pocket costs may not necessarily be covered.

Best Time to Get Travel Insurance?
It’s best to purchase your travel insurance as far in advance as possible. Pre-existing medical conditions are usually not covered if you buy the insurance more than 14 days after your initial payment, and if you think you may need to cancel for business reasons, you will also need to purchase the insurance within 14 days. So it is just generally “good practice” to make that extra investment in insurance at this stage. We recommend you do so when you put down a deposit for your safari. You’re filling out lots of paperwork anyway so it’s easy to do it all at the same time while the details are fresh in your mind.

More Travel Insurance Tidbits to Keep in Mind

• A basic travel insurance plan will generally cost about 5% – 7% of the value of your trip
• Children under 18 are usually covered under their parent’s policy at the time of purchase.
• Read the fine print and call the insurance company with questions.
• If you need to use your medical benefits, call the insurance company to make sure you are covered and what get advice on which doctor/service they expect you to use.
• Some credit cards carry travel insurance policies, but you have to use the card to pay for your trip and you MUST double check to see what they cover; they are masters of disguise, just remember nothing is free!
• Most insurance companies will re-imburse you for costs you incur during your trip, like a doctor’s visit. So keep your receipts. If something gets stolen, make sure you get a local police report that lists the items clearly.

As mentioned above, we’re not insurance experts but we have some experience with clients who have had to use policies in the past, so don’t hesitate to contact us with questions if you are booking your trip with us. We generally recommend the classic travel insurance plan through Allianz.

More Practical Tips: Tourist Visa Advice l Staying Healthy on Safari l When to Plan Your Safari

Essaouira
Essaouira is a small port on the Atlantic coast, just a two hour drive from Marrakech, but a world away from the hubbub. It’s walled medina offers lovely shopping, spice markets and antiques, in a tranquil setting. There are wonderful Riads to stay in, and excellent restaurants to enjoy. The seafood along the harbour is particularly delicious. French expats have been coming here for decades, and many have second homes here. You can take yoga classes, stroll down the old ramparts, and enjoy some traditional music in the evenings. Our favorite places to stay include the delectable and luxurious palace L’Heure Bleue, and the chic intimate Riad Madada Mogador

The Atlas Mountains
You can see the majestic Atlas Mountains from the rooftops of Marrakech, they’re just a few hours drive from the city and a world away in terms of peace and tranquility. You can hike every day of the year, and explore Berber villages tucked away in beautiful valleys. If you enjoy trekking, Djebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak is in reach, as well as a dozen other peaks. If you just like to rest and breathe some clear mountain air while enjoying traditional Berber hospitality, a few nights at either Kasbah du Toubkal or the magnificent Kasbah Tamadot are just the ticket. Taking a donkey ride or a half day hike, followed by a visit to the hammam is how we like to spend our time.

The Desert
While you can ride a camel in the Palmeraie, just outside of Marrakech, but riding the “ship of the desert” in the Saharan dunes is incomparable. The dunes of the Erg Chebbi in Merzouga are truly awe inspiring and no movie or photo can do justice to the real thing. The color of the sand, the texture and the patterns the wind makes as it blows over, are all utterly mesmerizing. Unfortunately, getting to the dunes from Marrakech requires a long day drive, but it’s a pretty one! We recommend the comfortable Kasbah Tombouctou. Camel rides are optional, but the experience of staying in a Bedouin tent should not be and we like to spend a night under the stars at the luxury camp Erg Chigaga.

Please contact us for more information and check out our Moroccan itineraries to get a taste of what we offer.

Here are some tips that will help you succeed in finding the best value for your money, or miles, to get to Africa:

Book Far in Advance: Begin looking for flights 330 days before you wish to travel, that’s as far in advance as the airlines schedule their flights. Unfortunately, this is not always the time that they allow you to use your points or miles. Airlines like to wait and see how the full fare tickets are selling, before they offer discounts. Make sure that you do not book your flights before you have planned your safari!

Get Familiar With Alliance Agreements: It is much nicer to fly to Africa direct if possible, than endure a layover in Europe or the Middle East. Unfortunately the list of airlines that fly direct is slim from the US. They include Royal Air Moroc, Egypt Air, Delta, United, South African Airways and Ethiopian. Check with the lists of alliance partners to see if one of these airlines will accept your miles, before trying anything else. Star Alliance is one of the largest groups, and includes United/Continental, US Air, South African Airways, Egypt Air and Ethiopian.

Avoid Stopping in Europe if Possible: We used to like European stopovers because it saved our clients a lot of money. But with airport and security taxes going through the roof, a European stop over is not always a good deal anymore, even when using miles. Stopping in Europe also takes an extra day that you could be enjoying on safari instead. So unless you have to stop over, see if you can fly direct to save time and money.

Check out the Middle East options: Emirates has an extensive network in Africa and you can get some great deals on flights to destinations like the Seychelles, Nairobi, Mauritius, Uganda, Johannesburg, Tanzania and more. If you fly to Africa regularly, they have a generous mileage program, although unfortunately they don’t partner with any US airlines as of this time. But they do have truly wonderful service on their flights. We’ve also experienced much more convenient layover times.

Getting “Close” is not Always Good Enough: We have had euphoric clients that managed to use their miles to get to Gaborone, only to find out that they really needed to be in Kasane. Botswana is a big country, and internal flights don’t always come cheap. Booking agents at airlines don’t necessarily have a great grasp of African geography, so you can’t rely on them to know where to fly you. And unfortunately many African airports do not top the list of “best airports to sleep in“! Speak to your African travel specialist and make sure you are booking flights to the exact destination that matches your safari itinerary.

And If all fails … Do what our senior consultant Yvette does. Pay for your flights to Africa with American Express and use the huge amount of points you accrue to save on domestic flights, or give them to friends as gifts!

If you are booking a safari with us, we are happy to offer any advice on flights to Africa, current deals we are aware of, and other useful tips. Contact us!

Choosing Where to Go
When you’re booking a safari you’ll need to make decisions about what you’d like to see. Do you have your heart set on seeing: gorillas, the Big Five, whales, cultural festivals, birds, the “great migration”, tropical beaches? There are a lot of options and you want to have enough time to weigh each one. Once you’ve determined what you would like to experience you can start to figure out the best time of year to go on safari. Of course, that’s where your travel consultant can help you. If you are an avid birder and also want some beach time, there are really only a few months a year where these two activities are at their respective peaks, since one requires rain and the other sun! So starting to plan in advance gives you the best chance of catching that perfect window and allows companies like ours to translate your dreams into realty. More on “Where to Go on Safari”…

Getting There
Airline reservation systems start showing flights 330 days in advance. With direct flights to Africa being few and far between, this is when you want to book your seat so you can get the lowest possible fare. Given the lack of competition between airlines for flights to Africa, there are very few sales to take advantage of. If you wish to use Airline miles for your flights, then you certainly want to book as soon as the schedule is published.

Booking Hotels, Camps and Lodges
Of course there are more accommodation options than airplane seats, but you may be surprised to discover that the best safari camps fill up a year in advance. This is especially the case around Christmas and at the height of the safari season. Luxury safari camps cater to fewer than 20 guests, so availability runs out very quickly especially if you need more than one room. One of the most enjoyable aspects of planning a safari is browsing through the incredible camps on offer, so make sure to book far in advance to avoid any disappointment. More about Safari Camps and Lodges …

Planning Over … The Fun Begins
Once the planning stage is over and you have the itinerary in hand, then you can relax and look forward to the trip. Try and read as much as possible about the destinations you’ll be visiting, it truly enriches the whole experience. Add some of our favorite inspirational movies to your Netflix list and get in the mood. Practice taking pictures with the cameras you plan to bring along, a great idea is to visit your local zoo.

Final Prep
A few months before your trip, you should check in with your travel clinic to get the right immunizations and malaria prophylactics if necessary. At this time you should also find out if you need a tourist visa and double check to make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after you arrive in Africa.

More: Safari FAQ’s l Safari Planning 101 l Safari Budget Tips

2011 has been a wonderful year for us and we’ve been lucky enough to have visited: South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar, Kenya, and Botswana. We’ve discovered new lodges, restaurants and camps that we can’t wait to share with you. Here are some of our personal highlights from this past year:

Diane – “This year, my two brothers, their wives and children (12 in total) decided to forgo the annual Christmas holiday in favor of an African safari. Since we at African Portfolio pride ourselves on creating great family safaris, I knew the pressure was on! The adventure started in Cape Town where one of the highlights was walking from the Cape of Good Hope to the Cape Peninsula. From Cape Town, it was on to Victoria Falls where bungee jumping, the bridge slide and sunset cruising were the order of the day while sampling the local cuisine and mbira music making were on the menu at night. And if that wasn’t enough excitement, with the spectacular setting of the majestic Falls in the background, my nephew TC proposed to Katie.

The adventure kicked into high gear at Makalolo Plains in Hwange (Zimbabwe’s largest National Park) where the game viewing was all a first time safari go-er could wish for, including a pride of 15 lion. From the plains of Hwange to the riverine forest of the Zambezi Valley, the safari continued at Ruckomechi Camp, situated along the Zambezi River in Mana Pools, “my little bit of heaven”. We enjoyed day and night game drives, walking safaris, boat cruises and canoeing. The youngest girls proved to be the most distinguished anglers while the boys preferred to take up a paddle for better view of incredibly close crocodiles and extremely loud hippos.

What was most magic of all was the privilege of being surrounded by pristine wilderness sharing these adventurous experiences together. No phones, no computers, no sms – just old fashioned conversation, story-telling, and laughs to last a lifetime!”

Also check out Diane’s idyllic stay on Mnemba Island, another highlight!

Yvette – “I am as certain as ever that when it comes to scenic flights over the mile-wide Victoria Falls, I prefer the microlight experience over the helicopter flight. It’s less noisy, lower, and slower and just generally more relaxing since one doesn’t need to hold on to a camera. (There is one mounted on the frame for taking pictures like this).

How could I ever forget that amazing moment in the Masai Mara when a curious cheetah cub leaped right inside our vehicle. She was clearly just curious, and we hadn’t done anything to encourage or invite her, but perhaps because David and I were alone in the land rover, she seemed to take the opportunity to determine for herself, what it was everybody was always
coming to look at…”

Susan – “I went to South Africa in March for my niece’s wedding, mostly Cape Town. They were married against the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain. Ten days of family, gorgeous Cape Town, great weather, good food and wine, it doesn’t get better than that!”

You can see more highlights from Susan’s trip here and get some great insider tips on where to eat, stay and play in Cape Town.

Shelley – As the newest member of our team, Shelley’s highlight was of course joining African Portfolio! Shelley has traveled all over the world, but Africa has always been her passion. She is looking forward to sharing her expertise and enthusiasm for safaris throughout the continent, cultural tours in Morocco, and her deep knowledge of the Indian Ocean Islands. Shelley is also responsible for bringing the sunshine a little closer to home during the winter months as a Caribbean island specialist.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations can be a little painful and even expensive, but they are essential for many safari destinations. Make sure to make an appointment with your local travel clinic a few months before your departure date as some vaccines come in a series. Not every vaccine is necessary, but for several safari itineraries a yellow fever shot is mandatory. Recent outbreaks have made it an entry requirement for several countries including Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and South Africa — if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present. For example, clients combining a safari in Kenya with a beach vacation in Zanzibar, need to have proof that they have been vaccinated against yellow fever. The same goes for people wishing to combine the Victoria Falls with a visit to Cape Town or Kruger National Park. The vaccination is valid for ten years, and absolutely worth it to see more than one great destination in Africa.

Basic vaccinations you may have had as a child will also be recommended including Tetanus, Diptheria, Hepatitis A and B. Check with your local travel clinic since certain vaccines are more important than others depending on the time you plan to spend, and where you are traveling to in Africa. Many vaccines are valid for several years, so the more often you go on safari, the more mileage you get out of them. The perfect excuse to book your next trip quickly!

Avoiding Malaria

Your chances of contracting malaria are slim while you’re on safari. Firstly, the malaria parasite requires a human host in order to complete its life cycle and in most cases, safari camps and lodges are situated in remote, unpopulated areas. Secondly, the mosquito that transmits the disease is active during early evening and at night, so by taking basic precautions, your risk is small. Precautions include wearing a mosquito repellant with DEET, covering your wrists and ankles by wearing appropriate clothes, and by sleeping under a mosquito net at night.

To reduce you chances of contracting malaria even further, take a course of malaria prophylactics. Your travel clinic can help prescribe the most effective course for the areas you will be visiting. It’s best to take the pills at night to avoid any potential side effects, the most common one being slight nausea. Note that malaria transmission is at its highest during the warmer and wetter months of November through to April. From May through to October the risks of acquiring malaria are reduced. So if you are unable to take malaria pills due to pregnancy or other health risks, this may be the best time to go on safari for you.

Upset Stomachs and Sunburn

While it’s rare for any of our clients to contract malaria or something equally serious, the most common health related annoyances we hear about include stomach upsets and sunburn. One of the joys of traveling is trying local foods, but sometimes the different oils and/or spices can make this troublesome later on. All our lodges and camps have excellent chefs and are careful about using clean water. But even so, a little bottle of antiseptic gel is very handy for washing hands before a meal and a couple of tums or anti-diarrheal tablets are good to have on standby.

The sun is stronger the closer you get to the equator and you will find it more difficult to avoid sunburn unless you wear a hat and sunblock at all times. Most safaris have a mid-afternoon break where it’s very tempting to have a snooze by the pool, so just be vigilant and protect yourself from the rays.

For insect bites, scrapes and colds all camps and lodges have basic first-aid kits. Our favorite safari camps tend to be those that offer the most exclusive safaris and are by nature remote. So if you have pre-existing conditions, or medicine that needs to be refrigerated, you need to let your safari consultant know at time of booking. At African Portfolio, we include a basic insurance package for every US based customer on all our trips. Do ask us about coverage details before you go ahead and shop for your own insurance.

More expert tips on preparing for your safari….

For just $500 per day, we can offer our favorite exclusive camps in Botswana’s prime wildlife viewing areas as well as our favorite lodges in the Victoria Falls region. The cost includes all meals, game drives and boat rides with professional guides, and transport between camps. It’s an amazing deal for an amazing destination and its valid from 1 December 2011 to 15 April 2012 (with the exception of 20 December 2011 to 6 January 2012 and 6 to 9 April 2012 inclusive). Plan to spend at least 3 nights in each camp to make the most of what the camps have to offer and all the activities available in each unique landscape. South African Airways are offering excellent deals on their direct flights from the US at this time of year too.

In Botswana’s Okavango Delta your choice of camps includes:

• Xigera – explore a combination of islands, waterways and lagoons in the heart of the Okavango Delta by mokoro and boat, nature drives and island walks – including a trip to the famous Chief’s Island.
• Jacana Camp – a true water camp that during these months, boasts fantastic game viewing opportunities on the now dry and lush grasslands of Jao Flats. Experience the picturesque floodplains and lush palm islands on game drives, combined with boat and mokoro activities into the permanent lagoons and channels.
• Duba Plains – Duba Plains is perhaps the Okavango Delta’s most remote camp. The camp is situated on an island, surrounded by expansive seasonally flooded plains and shaded by tall ebony, fig and garcinia trees. This pristine area is home to Lion, Leopard, Lechwe, Elephant and huge herds of Buffalo, as well as a large variety of Okavango Delta bird life.

In Botswana’s Linyati region your choice of camps includes:

• Duma Tau – overlooking a large lagoon, and close to the iconic Savute Channel, this camp and incredible area offers both game drives by day/night and nature walks. The region possesses all the habitat diversity, making it a haven for wildlife.
  

• Selinda Camp – with its large, game-rich floodplains Selinda offers a unique wildlife experience by vehicle and foot. Boating on the Selinda Spillway – a unique waterway linking the Okavango Delta and the Linyanti Marshes – provides a different perspective to this area.
• Linyanti Discoverer Camp – an authentic and rustic safari camp which offers day and night game drives in the productive northern sector of the Linyanti Concession. This is an ideal location from which to explore the Savute Channel, the edge of the African Rift and the wildlife-rich Zibalianja Lagoon.

In the Victoria Falls area your choice of camps/lodges include:

• Toka Leya – set in a private and secluded location in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, overlooking the mighty Zambezi River and close to the Victoria Falls. Tent interiors boast cool wooden flooring, tasteful, uncluttered African décor in earthy hues and climate-control.
• The River Club – located on an elevated bank of the Zambezi River with sweeping views upstream, this well-appointed Edwardian-styled lodge offers a refined start or end to any safari.
• Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma – just upstream from the world-famous Victoria Falls, and built on the banks of the Zambezi, the lodge offers air-conditioned tree houses, connected by wooden walkways, and two private family houses, all with uninterrupted views over the Zambezi River.

Contact us for more information regarding conditions, more camps and details about this safari offer.

Credit Cards/Debit Cards
Credit cards are accepted at many high end hotels/camps and restaurants but you may be charged a processing fee of up to 5%. Also check with your own credit card company to see what extra fees they charge for foreign transactions. Bring a Visa or MasterCard, as American Express is not as widely accepted, and Discover is basically unknown.

You can withdraw money using your Debit card at ATM machines that have a Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus or Maestro logo on it. Barclays Banks are usually a good bet. Note that outside of South Africa, you may only find the right ATM machine in the capital cities and some tourist centers. Here’s a list of ATM machines that accept MasterCard and Visa cards worldwide.

Cash
Always carry some cash with you, American dollars are probably the easiest to use throughout the continent. Carry an assortment of bills with you (very handy for tips) and take into account that many countries charge airport fees in US Dollars and you may also have to purchase a tourist visa in US Dollars. Note that some Bureau de Changes will only accept US dollar bills that have been issued after 2001. If you can, get US bills that have been issued as recently as possible (aim for 2006).

Travellers Checks
Travellers Checks are a thing of the past, bring cash or credit instead.

Exchanging Money/Local Money
US Dollars can be used at most high end hotels and safari camps, except for South Africa where the South African Rand is used everywhere. You can even use small US dollar bills for tipping guides, drivers and porters (more on tips…). Using a debit card to withdraw local money is often the least expensive way to get your cash. Otherwise use a Bureau de Change or bank. Never exchange money on the streets, it’s illegal and you’re setting yourself up to possibly get robbed.

How Much Money Should You Bring?
For many safaris, your transport, accommodation and most meals are included and pre-paid, so you just need to bring money for tips, drinks (expect to pay the same or more than in the US), tourist visas (if applicable) and souvenirs. If you are renting a car in South Africa, gas costs more than $5 a gallon, so if you are hiring a driver expect to pay the same as you would in the US.

More About: Tipping Tips

Are We There Yet?
In Africa you do not ask how far a place is, you ask how long will it take to get there. Because not only are the distances between cities and countries huge, but the road conditions vary from decent to interesting. As in… “Interesting to see if a four wheel drive can make it through the craters in the road after a recent downpour”.

Distances between towns and game parks may not look like much on a map, but they can easily take all day. This is why we sometimes suggest flying between game parks. For those short on time, we also suggest taking a safari in a single country rather than bouncing around all over the continent. It’s not because we want to sell you a more expensive safari, or because we’re too lazy to book a complicated itinerary, it’s because we don’t want you spending all your vacation time just getting from A to B.

Here are some statistics we thought you’d find useful and interesting when planning your African safari.

How Big Is ….

• Botswana (225,000 sq miles) — about twice the size of Arizona
• Kenya (224,081 sq miles) — more than twice the size of Nevada
• Namibia (318,252 sq miles) — about twice the size of California
• South Africa (471,445 sq miles) — almost 3 times the size of California
• Tanzania (364,900 sq miles) — more than 4 times the size of Minnesota
• Zambia (290,585 sq miles) — about the size of Texas and West Virgina combined

Distances Between Popular Destinations

Note that road conditions, goats, cyclists, broken down trucks and police checkpoints all generally work together to make driving in Africa a much slower affair than in the USA. During the rainy season, some roads become impassable and taking a plane may be your best option. A good average speed in East and Southern Africa would be no more than 45 mph, and much less than that through cities/towns and inside wildlife parks.

• Nairobi – Arusha = 170 miles – Same as from Our Office in Old Greenwich to Boston … At avg 35 miles an hour
• Nairobi – Johannesburg = 2,386 miles – Same as Vancouver, BC to Ensenada, Mexico …
• Arusha/Kilimanjaro – Cape Town = 3100 miles – Same As Boston to San Francisco
• Arusha – Dar Es Salaam = 400 miles – Same as Sacramento to Los Angeles … At avg 35 miles an hour
• Serengeti – Arusha = 225 miles – Same as New York to Boston … Picture it on dirt roads
• Johannesburg – Cape Town = 870 miles – Same as New York to Atlanta
• Victoria Falls – Cape Town = 1500miles – Same as Los Angeles to Lincoln, Nebraska
• Maun – Windhoek = 500 miles Same as New York to Quebec City
• Livingstone – Kruger/Mpumalanga = 800 miles Same as New York to Chicago
• Johannesburg – Lusaka = 1000 miles – Same as New York to St Louis, MO

Need more expert help and advice about safaris in Africa? Contact us!