Frequently asked questions

If you find that your question is not fully answered, please contact us for a
more detailed response.

How flexible are the itineraries that you propose?
Although in one sense our itineraries represent the total of our experience and expertise in organising travel to and within Africa, in another sense each one can be different – tailored to the customer’s own interests and needs. Adding on a day here and there, or diverting to some other tourist attraction (e.g. Victoria Falls ) can all readily be accommodated.

Are there any health/fitness/age considerations?
In general a visit to Africa constitutes an activity holiday, rather than a rest, and you need to be of a reasonable standard of health to withstand the, often long, flight into Africa, together with the stresses of being jolted around cross country on a 4 x 4 vehicle. If undertaking a walking safari you obviously need to be able to take the distances involved (rarely more than 10 km in a day), also bearing in mind the temperature considerations. Age is not necessarily a barrier, at either end, although young children are usually excluded from walking safaris and certain types of camp. However very young children are probably not suited to this kind of holiday, and many operators may operate a minimum age policy – for example 8 years old.

Please see the separate section which discusses the various vaccinations and so on that you may need to consider. Unlike in many other parts of the world, it is usually quite safe to drink the tap water, but bottled water should always be available to you as an alternative.

What is the ideal group size?
Many of the smaller and more intimate camps are restricted to 8-10 visitors (sharing two to a tent or hut). Small group sizes greatly enhance the game viewing, walking and local visiting experience. Please note that, for minimum group sizes of 8 people, it may be possible to book a trip that is personally escorted by AfricaAway’s chairman and managing director, Dr Henry Southworth.

Is it safe to visit Africa?
There are certain countries and areas that we wouldn’t take you to. But rest assured – we want your repeat business, and our prime concern is to see that you are returned in one piece. One of our reasons for making Zambia our destination of choice is its stable political situation, absence of terrorism threats, and low crime rate (virtually nonexistent out on safari, and relatively low elsewhere, barring city centres). Of course, whilst viewing wildlife there must always be some degree of danger, since the behaviour of wild animals (like that of people!) cannot be guaranteed. However attacks on human beings are extremely rare, and you can rely on your guide, and, where appropriate, an armed park ranger to keep you safe.

When is the best time to travel?
This topic is discussed under the heading ‘Choosing a Safari’. Basically the choice is between the dry season, when the wildlife congregates around the remaining water supplies, and hence is more findable, and the wet, or ‘green’ season, when viewing might be reduced, but many species have new young, and the reduction in dust levels makes for much crisper photography. The green season can be best for birding also.

What is included in the cost?
Unless otherwise stated, virtually all costs are already included in the price quoted to you – accommodation, food and drink (your bar bill may occasionally be charged separately), laundry, park fees, airport and other ground transfers, internal flights, guiding and game viewing activities. You will need to take responsibility for international flights (although we can usually arrange these for you), insurance (a requirement), airport taxes, tips and casual expenditure. Tipping is at your discretion, but we would suggest $3-5 per day (usually left with the camp manager or host to distribute). You might like to make a special contribution to an individual guide who has excelled himself. There isn’t a huge opportunity for ‘souvenir shopping’, and casual spending money of $300-400 should be well adequate. Credit cards may be fairly widely accepted as well.

Couldn’t we save money by booking with the camp or lodge direct?
Absolutely not! AfricaAway guarantees that the price that you will pay is no more than you would pay if booking direct, without the hassle of having to arrange each element of accommodation separately, and coordinate ground transfer and internal flight arrangements. In addition you have the absolutely invaluable – believe us – bonus of our being fully financially bonded for your protection.

What about insurance?
It is a condition of booking through us that you have adequate trip cancellation, emergency medical and repatriation insurance in place. The need for this will be obvious. We do not arrange this insurance for you, preferring that you look into this important matter for yourselves, and satisfy yourselves that you are fully covered.

What are the passport and entry requirements?
These will vary from country to country, and with your own country of origin. Obviously you will need a valid passport (with at least six months still unexpired), together with (unless waived) an entry visa (which it may be possible to obtain on arrival). AfricaAway will advise you as to your precise requirements in this respect, but you should also check locally (for example through the internet) in order to satisfy yourself that all is in hand, since requirements can often change without notice.

How do I make a reservation?
You are encouraged to discuss your interests and requirements with us initially, either by phone or email, following which we will put forward one or more possible itineraries, with cost. Once the itinerary is agreed with you we will then check availability and make a provisional booking on your behalf. Once this has been finalised we will require a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the final total, with final payment due 70 days prior to departure. You will be required to complete and sign our booking form (which can be emailed to you), together with acceptance of terms, and giving assurance that you have put adequate insurances in place. See our Terms and Booking Conditions.

Is there a single traveller supplement?
All pricing is quoted on the basis of two people sharing, and hence a single supplement will almost always apply to accommodation costs. However in all other respects the holiday is ideally suited to single travellers. Many of the activities encountered – game drives, walks, mealtimes, talk around the campfire – is of a communal nature anyway, and the solo traveller will find no difficulty in socialising, and will meet many new and interesting people.

What is the food like?
Generally of one of the bonuses of travelling abroad is that of being able to sample the local cuisine. This doesn’t really apply to Africa, but you can be assured that the food that you are served in camp will be tasty, hearty and healthy. Occasionally it borders on the superb, but in all cases, after a busy day’s game viewing, the locale and the company make for a hearty appetite and a wonderful ambiance. Brunch in the bush, and surprise champagne buffets during game drives just add to the total experience. Although you might wonder whether vegetarian or even vegan diets can adequately be catered for (after all, there aren’t many herds of tofu still left roaming the African plain), we can assure you that this is no problem at all. You might imagine that, with all bar bills generally included, this is a recipe for hard drinking through to the early hours. However, with the day beginning at 5 a.m. few guests will last much beyond 9 – 10 p.m.

What do I need to bring?
A separate section of the website deals with this topic 'What to take on Safari' – basically suitable light coloured clothing and shoes (but note that complimentary laundry facilities are a standard feature of most camps), medical requirements, camera and binoculars and so on.

Who looks after us while we are on safari?
You will be met at the local airport (sometimes the international arrival airport) by a representative of the first camp or lodge visited (in certain circumstances this could be someone from AfricaAway instead). Each camp has its own host or hostess, and on many itineraries you will be accompanied throughout by the same guide. Further transfers and other ground arrangements are the responsibility of the camp or lodge that you are departing from.

What language is spoken?
As might be expected, a huge variety of languages and local dialects is spoken across Africa. However English is the lingua franca of the tourism industry, and of course is virtually one of the national languages anyway in many countries, arising from their original colonial days.

Is electricity available?
Most safari lodges and camps are not connected to a permanent electricity supply, relying instead on generators (which will usually be shut down at night), solar panels and battery or oil lanterns.

Will I be out of touch with the outside world?
Communications generally within Africa are surprisingly well developed, and satellite broadband enables regular email communication from all but the most remote locations. So far as Zambia is concerned, mobile phone coverage is good in Lusaka, Livingstone, etc., and although within much of rural Africa you will not be able to use your mobile phone, unfortunately coverage has just reached the South Luangwa National Park. Game viewing often depends on sneaking up on an animal downwind, very quietly, and even the tone of a received text message, never mind a ring, would ruin this, and offenders will be expelled from the group and left to find their way home alone on foot through lion-infested country.

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