African Safari & African Safari Vacation FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions - Page 2
Make an informed decision
on which Africa Safari is best for you. Browse the detailed
African safari information on camps and packages. Create a unique
Africa safari tailored to you and your friends. Below are commonly
asked questions about African safaris with informative answers to
make planning your African safari easy. We suggest looking over
our African safari books page
that details the best field guides and photographic books for anyone
wanting to read up before they go
on
African safari.
Links to Frequently Asked
Questions (click for
answers)
African safari pricing
How much does it cost?
African safari destinations
Southern Africa vs. East Africa, which safari region is better?
Your Health and Safety
Is travel to Southern Africa Safe?
What about Zimbabwe?
What are the medical health precautions
and issues?
More on Malaria
Travel requirements
What are the entry requirements (passports and visas)?
Is Southern Africa an expensive or difficult destination
to travel to?
How much money should I bring?
A note on VAT and purchases of gifts in
South Africa
Are there requirements for self driving?
Staying at the African Safari Camps
What is a "typical" day on an African safari?
Are the wild animals dangerous?
What types of food are served on an African safari?
Is there electricity in the camps?
Is communication with the "outside world" possible
while on an African safari?
What laundry facilities are available on African
safari?
African Safari Considerations
How do we get from camp to camp on an African safari?
Can we bring children on an African safari?
What animals will we see on an African safari?
What weather should I expect on an African safari
African Safari Planning
What time of year is the best time to go on an African safari?
What pre-African safari reading do you recommend?
What clothing should I pack and how much luggage can I bring?
What Luggage should I use?
SUGGESTED LUGGAGE LIST
Luggage safety and security
Reserving your African Safari
How do I book my African safari and how early should I make reservations?
Which forms of payment may I use to pay?
What trip insurance should I obtain, if any?
 FAQ's,
page 1
STAYING AT THE AFRICAN SAFARI CAMPS
What
is a "typical" day on an African Safari?
Every camp
and safari location will differ in terms of its activities and schedules,
but in general, safaris follow a general pattern which is consistent
throughout southern Africa.
Typically, a safari day includes
two major activities per day - one which begins early in the morning
and the second which occurs in the mid- to late-afternoon and continues
until dark or sometimes up until 2 hours after sunset.
A safari activity may include game
drives in Land Rovers (or other safari vehicle), water activities
like canoeing, mekoroing or motor boating, and also game walks. Most
safaris are predominantly game drives as this is usually the best
way to see wildlife unless your safari is on a river or in a permanent
water area.
For information on Water / Land activities
for Botswana camps, click: Water/Land
Botswana
Morning activities begin with tea
or coffee and a light morning snack before sunrise with the drive
or activity beginning at or just after sunrise. The mornings
are really the BEST opportunities to see good wildlife and interactions
as it is still cool and the nocturnal animals are still quite active. There
is usually a break to get out and stretch and have another coffee
and snack.
James Golden Rule of Safaris: NEVER
miss a morning game drive. Skip an afternoon drive if you're
worn out or need a break, but the mornings are usually far more productive
for game sightings.
Morning activities are usually
over by late morning and guests return to camp for a full breakfast
/ brunch.
The middle of the day is your own. Because
southern Africa's climate is warm, midday's are typically very warm
to hot and the animals are therefore quite inactive for the most
part and seek shelter in the shade to wait out the heat. Guests
may relax at the camp swimming pool, in a hammock, take a nap, read,
etc. For
the intrepid, most camps will allow a short midday activity like
a game walk or a visit to a hide.
After the siesta, guests return
to the main area for tea (drinks, snacks, etc) before heading out
on the afternoon safari activity. This activity typically starts
at 3:30 or 4:00pm and the weather at this time is usually quite warm. The
activity will carry on until sunset or afterwards for a night drive. Guests
return to camp, freshen up, come down for drinks at the bar and sit
for a full dinner. Drinks around the camp fire are always offered
but most find that they are tired from all the fresh air and are
in bed by 10pm.
The next day begins again before
sunrise and you're out in the bush exploring again. It's addicting!
 Top
Are the wild animals dangerous?
Most of the regions
visited in Southern Africa are in areas where you are within the natural habitat
of the wildlife and so there
are no fences surrounding the camps. In South Africa you will find that most
of the private reserves are fenced, but within the confines the animals roam
freely and you still need to be cautious.
The best advice to be given here is to
listen to your guide's instruction while in camp, ensure that your
tent flaps are not left open and doors
are closed etc. At almost all the camps the guides walk you to and from
your tents and they are trained to handle any situation, should it arise.
Keep in mind that animals do wander through the camps during the day
and at night, so at all times just be aware of your surroundings and
you
will
be
fine. Having wild animals in such close proximity
is one of the main reasons people visit the area – enjoying
them in their natural habitat is what makes the experience
all
the more special.
The game drives are conducted in open-air vehicles
which really allows you to get up close and to see that animals from
an unimpaired viewpoint. Many people argue that animals only
see the vehicle as it would a tree (albeit, a tree that moves") and
not the people in it. This point is debatable but, personally, with
hundreds upon hundreds of hours spent on game drives, we feel that
most of the animals, and certainly the primates like Baboons and
Monkeys and most likely the larger cats like Lions, are keenly aware
of human presence. But they do not, for the most part except
if you are in an area that has seen poaching from a vehicle, view
a Land Rover with people in it as a threat. The animals actually
become habituated to the vehicles and eventually ignore them for
the most part - this allows guests to view animals exhibiting
their natural behavior. It is truly a pleasure, I can assure you.
Occasionally
an Elephant, especially the females in the breeding herds, become
annoyed and their protective, motherly instincts take hold and they
chase a vehicle off, but this is rare. Also, the guides at
the camps are very good with reading an Elephant's moods and will
avoid situations which could be potentially dangerous. Mostly,
you are in no danger whatsoever if you listen to the guides and keep
aware of your surroundings - always remember that you are in a wild
place, with wild animals. After all, this is Africa's allure!
Top
What types of food are served on an African safari?
Top class
British and European cuisine as well as some local dishes are served
in the hotels,
lodges, camps and restaurants. Most foreign visitors are very
impressed with the quality and quantity of food provided while on an African
safari. Some of the more up-scale camps provide food, presentation
and service
which
rivals that of a 5 star hotel in any top
city.
The tables are elegantly set under the stars, under thatch or
even in a boma - and you will never go hungry.
The standard 3 meals a day is done away
with in the bush as the meals are geared around the game viewing times
and activities. Typically one
starts off with a light continental breakfast upon waking before heading
out on the early morning activity. Guests usually return at about 10/11
am for a large brunch, which incorporates meals from both the breakfast
and lunch menus. A light tea and snack is offered before the afternoon
activity and upon returning to camp in the early evening, a hearty
three-course dinner
is enjoyed followed by after dinner drinks around the campfire.
The camps are able to cater for all food
types as long as they are made aware at the time of booking so as
to ensure
sufficient
time to fly in the necessary supplies.
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Is
there electricity in the camps?
Camps and safaris in the remote wildlife regions of
Southern Africa have no access to electrical power due to the remote nature
of their locations. Most camps have generators on site with 220v electricity
or they make use of solar panels. The generators are not normally heard
by guests as they are run for a couple of hours at a time in the morning
and afternoon while guests are enjoying their activities.
The electricity is used to power ice
machines, fridges and freezers that keep the food and drinks cool and
fresh. The generator charges batteries
that provide the power for the bedroom lights and overhead fans in the
rooms. There is plenty of power available to charge batteries for cameras
and video cameras, but not for hairdryers and the likes.
For most mobile tented camps there is
no electricity; lighting is by paraffin lamp and campfires in the
true traditional style of Africa. For any lodges in South Africa there
is ample electrical power.
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Is
communication with the "outside world" possible while
on an African safari?
For
most people wishing to visit the remote parts of Southern Africa,
getting away from civilization so to speak, is the major attraction
and reason for going. As with electrical power, communication by
phone, fax, etc. is out
of the question given the remote locations of the camps. All
camps do however have radio communications with their town/city offices
in case of any emergencies. Most lodges in South Africa offer
full telephone and internet services for those who do not wish to detach
from the world completely.
Top
What
laundry facilities are available on an African safari?
Most safari camps in Southern Africa offer a laundry facility, but
there are a few where given water restrictions and the location this
is not possible. Please check with us to make sure.
This service is included in the accommodation
cost for most African safari camps. Hotels in the cities as well as
some lodges charge a nominal fee
for it. Most underwear and delicates are
not washed by the local people due to their traditions and so washing
up powder
is supplied in most of the
rooms/tents for this purpose.
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AFRICAN SAFARI
CONSIDERATIONS
How
do we get from camp to camp on an African safari?
Eyes on Africa’s
ground handler is closely allied to an independent air charter company,
Sefofane Charters. Sefofane is a Setswana word, which means airplane.
Flying is an integral part of many of the itineraries as it is a wonderful
way to get a bird's-eye view of the countryside you will be visiting.
All aircraft are flown by commercially rated bush pilots in aircraft,
which are serviced after every 50 or 100 hours of flying (depending on
the country's regulations).
For information on flying times between
camps in Botswana, click: Fly
Times
Botswana
On the tailor-made fly-in African safaris,
inter-camp flying is usually costed on a seat-in-plane basis where
guests are flown with other guests to their destination. If you prefer
to book a plane for your party's exclusive use to ensure that you are
flown directly to the next camp (and possibly to allow you an increased
baggage allowance), please request this when booking and we will add
the extra cost to your price.
We offer air transfers in Zimbabwe, Botswana,
Malawi, Namibia and South Africa in Cessna 210s, Cessna 206s, Cessna
Caravans and Islanders. Charters in larger and faster planes are possible
from Johannesburg to Maun and Victoria Falls as well as on some of
the other longer routes. However, most guests traveling from Johannesburg
or Cape Town to Maun, Victoria Falls or Windhoek use scheduled flights
on SAA, BA/Comair, Air Botswana or other reliable carriers.
For the inter-camp air transfers, space
and safety concerns don't allow for lots of baggage on these planes
- so there is a strict 12kgs (26lbs) baggage limit on all flights (unless
you have booked a private flight). All bags must be soft to allow us
to squeeze your bags into tight corners. 12kgs doesn't sound like much,
but as the dress code in the camps is casual and as most camps and
some African safaris offer a laundry service (and most often this is
a free service), the 12kgs is ample. If you have to have more baggage,
then we can often sell you an extra seat on each flight, which will
allow you and your party up to an extra 70kgs (also in soft bags).
If you have lots of bags, but don't need the bags in the camps, we
can often send your bags ahead to your next city as unaccompanied baggage.
There is an additional charge for this service.
Most of our safari flights in Botswana now permit 20kg (44 lbs) per
person (as opposed to the 12kg previously allowed) - check with us
for details. Scheduled airlines in South
Africa have a luggage restriction of 20kg (44 lbs) maximum per person.
We cannot afford to take a chance
on safety. If you come with more than your 12kgs baggage allowance
and you have not made arrangements with us for your extra baggage,
you will be forced to leave some of your baggage behind and arrange
a private charter at considerable extra cost and inconvenience to
yourself.
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Can we bring children
on our African safari?
Most African
safari camps welcome children over the age of eight. There are few exceptions,
so please check with us when making an enquiry. These rules can be waived
by booking out smaller camps for exclusive use by parties with young children.
Families with children between the ages of 8 and 12 will have to book private
activities so as not to disturb other guests. Depending on the size of
the family, this may necessitate additional costs at certain camps or at
certain times of the year.
Some camps have family tents where families
are able to have their children in the adjoining tent (sometimes sharing
the same bathroom). Children staying in the family tents get a discount
for this type of accommodation.
To elaborate further on age issues, there
is no upper age limit at most African safari camps. On some cross country
and camping safaris, suppliers set an upper age limit due to the active
nature of some of the African safaris. Please advise ages if in doubt
and check with us for any possible restrictions.
Top
What
animals will we see on an African safari?
The variety of animals found in the
Southern African Sub region is incredible. For example, there are 337 different
species of mammal and 480 different reptile species currently known to
occur here. As for bird species, the number is difficult to give with certainty
because the known total is constantly changing as new species (usually
visitors) are often recorded. However, a recently compiled list of birds
in Southern Africa gives a total of over 900, with all doubtful species
not included.
Of course, most visitors want to see "The Big Five". The big five is
a term originally used by the "Great White Hunters" in Africa to refer
to the five most dangerous prey animals to hunt: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo,
and Rhinoceros. Today, these animals are thankfully more often hunted by those
with a camera than by those with a rifle (although legal and illegal hunting
is still possible for all of these animals). It is possible to see all
five of the Big Five in certain areas in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana
still today. If this is your goal, we can direct you to camps where it will be
possible, and in some cases, even probable that you will see all five.
But for us, African safaris are about more than checking off the Big Five. They
are a magical experience with nature and wildlife that is virtually impossible
almost anywhere else on earth. Yes, we go to look for the big cats, Lion, Leopard,
Cheetah and we love seeing the rare and endangered Wild Dog (or Africa Painted
Dog), but there are so many other incredible animals in Africa, each with interesting
behaviors of their own. Still, if you are interested in specific animals,
like birding or predators or Rhinos, let us know and we can arrange an African
safari with this as the goal. Please also check our Scheduled
African Safaris and African Safari Options page (under the "Safaris" link
in the main navigation menu) and look under the Special Interest Safaris section
for further information.
Finally, we have an extensive list of recommended
reading on the various African safari areas and wildlife under the "Planning" link
at left. These books are perhaps the best way to learn about Africa's wildlife,
and doing a bit of advance study will certainly be worthwhile before you leave
on your African safari. Alternatively, give us a call and ask and we will gladly
answer even the most detailed or specific question on Southern Africa's wildlife.
Top
What
weather should I expect on an African safari?
In general the climate in southern
Africa is as near perfect as you can get with dry season temperatures similar
to those of the Mediterranean, but without the humidity. Daytime temperatures
average 70 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit but can get much hotter, especially
in the months of October and November, just before the rains arrive.
During the winter period June through August nighttime temperatures in some areas
can drop to freezing or below. Early morning game drives during these winter
months can start out very chilly and you should bring a warm sweater, gloves
and even a hat to cover your ears. However, by mid morning (9 am or so)
the layers will start coming off as the days will heat up dramatically. The
rains occur each year during the period November through March with the dry season
stretching from April through October.
For complete information on average temperatures
and rainfall, by month and by region, go to African
Safari Weather.
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AFRICAN SAFARI PLANNING
What
time of year is the best time to go on an African safari?
This is a question
for which there is no exact answer. For most visitors, an African safari
is a once in a lifetime experience and they want to of course maximize
their game viewing experience in the time they have allotted. However,
Africa and the African safari areas have their own true seasons
and the benefits of traveling during one time of year versus another
must be weighed by the individual guest. We will not try to sway
someone into booking in a specific time of year; rather, we offer
some of the characteristics of the different seasons on an African
safari.
Generally speaking, the Southern Africa game viewing safari areas (Botswana,
Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa) have a rainy season (which falls during the
southern hemisphere's summer months of November - March) and a dry season (during
the winter months of May-September).
Most visitors who research this aspect of African safari travel
by reading up in books or website's are steered to the dry, winter
months for the best game viewing. The reason for this is that the
water holes are smaller, fewer and farther between and the little
remaining green vegetation is widely spread out. The
result is that all animals have to come to these watering holes
to drink daily and so the wildlife is generally easier to find. Makes
sense! The
other side of the coin is that the landscape during this dry season
is less colorful and there is a great deal more dust. Photographically,
the greens of the summer months are mostly absent and your photos
will bear a more brownish color. Still, with less vegetation and
cover for the animals, it is generally easier to spot them. You
could drive past a thick, heavily vegetated area in the rainy season
and drive right past a sleeping pride of seven Lions and not see
them; however, driving the same route in the dry months, without
the thick green cover, practically everyone on the vehicle would
likely spot the big cats.
Some repeat visitors to Africa have found that they prefer the
greener, summer months for several reasons. As mentioned, the green
colors make the scenery breathtaking. Additionally,
as the summer is also the rainy season, one finds dramatically beautiful skies
to compliment the lush greens of the landscapes. However, there is always
a risk of a missed game drive here or there (We have only been rained out of
one game drive in many, many rainy season visits). However, we have been
rained upon. Generally though, Southern Africa's rainy season only brings brief,
but powerful bursts of precipitation and not long days of rain. Storms
usually blow through with a vengeance but pass after a few hours.
Another aspect of the summer months is that many of the antelope
species like Impala, Tsessebe and Wildebeest give birth to their
young during this time to take advantage of the plentiful, sweet
and nutritious green grass which covers the ground during the rains. Believe us, the baby animals are everywhere
and, in our opinion, the scene of young animals against the verdant green backgrounds
with big, beautiful fluffy-white clouds in the sky is unbeatable. Most
of the predators also switch to hunting the young animals at this time to try
for easier meals and, while this sounds unfortunate for the youngsters, it is
part of nature's way and many more survive than are taken. For those who
want to see the predator-prey interactions, the summer months provide some of
your best opportunities to see hunting behavior and predator interactions.
Finally, because most visitors tend to focus on the dry months
for their African safari, the winter in Africa is considered the "high season" and the
operator rates reflect this higher demand with higher prices. Occupancies
are higher, safaris must be booked a bit further in advance and your costs are
greater. Still, many visitors swear by the winter months as THE time to go -
it is really a personal preference.
The bottom line and our final comments on this subject are thus...if
you spend several nights in one of these game-rich areas, there
are no guarantees, but you will almost certainly see excellent
game. Africa is not a zoo; it is
wild and unpredictable and the animals roam freely, and for the most part, wherever
they wish. Finding them in the huge African safari areas is part of the
thrill of the African safari. But you WILL certainly see animals and birds and
beautiful scenery. Can we guarantee Lions every day?...NO; Can we guarantee
Wild Dogs if you stay for 2 weeks?...NO; Can we guarantee you will see a kill?...Nope. Can
we guarantee animals?...YES, Predators?...almost certainly; Lions?...probably.
Of course, the longer your stay, the better your chances. It's why those of us
who are totally passionate about African safaris keep going back. Every
day is full of exciting surprises - and finding those Lions or Wild Dogs or witnessing
a hunt is always the greatest of pleasures!
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What
pre-African safari reading do you recommend?
Over the years, we have compiled a
substantial collection of books on all aspects of Africa and we read everything
new that becomes available. There are some truly excellent works
available - most of them available here in the USA. We recommend that our
guests, especially first-timers, do some advanced reading as it certainly
will enhance the experience once you are there. Depending upon which region(s)
you will be visiting, we can recommend any number of our favorites to give
you some up front knowledge of its animals, flora, cultures and history.
Whether it's bird identification guides, beautiful coffee-table photographic
volumes, non-fictional history, or general travel guides, we have probably read
them and can help you select what is appropriate. Follow this link to our suggested
reading page and/or contact us directly to discuss what we would
suggest in your specific instance.
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What
Luggage should I use?
The best choice for luggage on a safari to Africa is the SOFT DUFFEL BAG. Because we have so many requests for luggage recommendations, we decided to create what we believe is the perfect African Safari Duffel Bag. This is the very same bag we use ourselves for our Eyes on Africa safaris and they are the best. The bags are made by Eagle Creek, a manufacturer of very high-quality travel luggage. All Eagle Creek gear is designed to last a lifetime.
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What clothing should I pack and how much luggage may I bring?
There are strict weight restrictions in place on any itinerary including
light aircraft transfers for the following reasons:
• The aircraft are designed with a maximum bodyweight and luggage weight
allowance.
• Most of our airfields are over 3000 feet above sea level and are located
in the tropics, and therefore the permissible aircraft carrying capacity
is reduced.
• The aircraft have physical space restrictions.
1) Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted per person traveling on seat rates, as follows:
· 12kg in Zimbabwe.
· 15kg in Malawi
· 20kg in Botswana, Namibia (including the Skeleton Coast safari but excluding the Best of Namibia Wing Safaris and Namibia Explorations) and Zambia
· 12kg for Best of Namibia Wing Safaris and Namibia Explorations
· 20kg in South Africa.
2) Only soft bags will be accepted - no hard suitcases or bags with wheels can be transported as they physically cannot fit into the aircraft.
3) The maximum dimensions of the soft bags which can be accommodated are as follows: 25cm wide x 30cm high and 62cm long. Should you require a bag, we do have a supply of soft nylon carry-all bags at a reasonable cost. These bags are ideal for use on light aircraft and are the correct dimensions. Please keep in mind that the baggage compartments on the light aircraft are only 25cm high, so the pilots must have the ability to manipulate the bag into the compartment.
• Passengers weighing more than 100kg (220 lbs) must please advise us in
advance as an extra seat may have to be costed in to the package
for safety purposes.
• For those who absolutely must bring more than the maximum allowance
of luggage, an extra seat may be purchased in advance but the bags must
still be soft bags only. Be sure to pre-arrange any extra seats
with us at the time of booking. See further information below under "How
do we get from camp to camp". These luggage restrictions
for luggage sound like very little but bear in mind the following:
• Most African safari camps / lodges and hotels provide basic toilet amenities.
• Laundry can be done on a daily basis (and many camps provide this service
free of charge but hotels do charge a nominal fee).
• Mainly casual clothing is required.As no formal clothes are needed throughout
most of southern Africa, we recommend that you limit your luggage to
the basics. More formal attire
is usually required only when staying in the more prestigious city hotel
establishments or on any of the luxury trains. On an African safari,
casual clothing is the order of the day. Below is a suggested packing
list for
your information.
Luggage safety and security
There has been an increase in the incidence of theft of personal belongings from checked-in luggage at airports in southern Africa. Authorities are addressing this problem, but the level of occurrence remains high. As such, it is imperative that you do not put anything of high value (personal or financial) in your checked-in baggage, as luggage can be tampered with and valuables removed. This includes, but is not limited to jewelry, cameras, video equipment, reading /sunglasses, laptops or other computer/electronic equipment, medication (especially chronic medication) etc. We also suggest you lock all your luggage with a suitable TSA approved lock to deter opportunistic theft.
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SUGGESTED
LUGGAGE LIST
Remember the weight restrictions covered
above!
1. Good quality sunglasses - preferably
polarized. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light.
2. Sun hat.
3. Golf-shirts, T-shirts and long-sleeved cotton shirts.
4. Shorts/skirts.
5. Long trousers/slacks.
6. Sweat pants/sweat shirt.
7. More formal attire for your stay at prestigious city hotels
or on one of the luxury trains.
8. Underwear and socks.
9. Good walking shoes (running/tennis shoes are fine).
10. Sandals.
11. Swimming costume.
12. Warm winter sweater.
13. Warm Anorak or Parka and scarf / gloves for the cold winter months
(May to September).
14. Light rain gear for summer months (late November to April).
15. Camera equipment and plenty of film (or digital storage) - see more
photography information under the Photography Link at left.
16. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair
of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust or pollen.
17. BINOCULARS - ESSENTIAL (and Newman's bird book if you are keen).
18. Personal toiletries (basic amenities supplied by most establishments).
19. Malaria tablets (if you choose).
20. Moisturizing cream & suntan lotion.
21. Insect repellent e.g. Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc.
22. Basic medical kit (aspirins, plasters, Imodium, antiseptic cream
and Anti-histamine cream etc).
23. Tissues/"Wet Ones".
24. Visas, tickets, passports, money, etc.
25. Waterproof/dust-proof Ziploc bags/cover for your cameras.
James' essential "Don't Forget" items:
• Imodium or other anti-diarrheal - bring these, you'll thank me later.
• For those who suffer from hay fever and/or "itchy eyes" - Allergy
Relief Eye Drops and/or antihistamine medication - Especially if you are traveling
during the months of November through March.
• Hydrocortisone cream/ointment. This is helpful for any mosquito
bites or scratches.
Please note that bright colors and
white are NOT advised while on an African safari.
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RESERVING YOUR AFRICAN SAFARI
How
do I book my African safari and how early should I make reservations?
We encourage you to plan your African
safari as far in advance as possible; several months at a minimum to
ensure a better selection of camp availability. This is especially important
if you are planning to
travel during the Southern Africa safari "high season" months
of July through October.
Link to our Booking
Terms & Conditions
The best way to start is to have a good look through our
website. It's packed with information on the countries and
all the camps we sell and
there are a lot! When you're ready, you can "start
the ball rolling" in several ways. One, go to our "Contact
Us" link
(in the main navigation menu), and fill out the questionnaire and we
will contact you immediately.
Alternatively, you can email us or call us directly and we will be
happy to answer any and all of your questions and tell you more about
the whole process.
Once we have determined what you would like to do - and there are
MANY different options, which you already know if you've peeked around
our website - we
can begin picking out some itinerary options. Once we have an
idea of the general areas and activities, your available amount of
time, and the general time you wish to travel, we will typically put
together several options. The alternative itineraries may include specific
African safari camps, possibly a low versus high season pricing option,
different add-ons to
contemplate after your wildlife portion - perhaps
a beach or island visit, Victoria Falls, or Cape Town; it all depends
on your intent.
What you should focus on telling us is the amount of
time you have and whether you want a general all-round African experience
or want to focus on some specific theme(s). It's not easy to know
what you want with so many options, we know! That's why so many guests
keep returning to see more of this beautiful destination. If you're
not sure, just give us a call and we will help you make some choices. We
look forward to helping you plan an amazing African safari vacation.
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Which
forms of payment can I use?
Forms of Payment: Payments
to Eyes on Africa may be made by personal, business or certified check,
or by credit card.
Eyes on Africa accepts American Express,
MasterCard and Visa.
To
charge
any
portion
of your trip fare to your credit card, please complete the Credit
Card Charge Authorization form and return it to us
via fax or mail.
What trip insurance
should I obtain, if any?
It is a condition
of booking that the sole responsibility lies with the guest to ensure
that they carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance
to cover themselves, as well as any dependants/traveling companions for
the duration of their trip to Southern Africa.
Please see our Travel Insurance
Acceptance form Travel Insurance Form.
This insurance should include coverage
in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities: cancellation
or curtailment of the trip, emergency evacuation expenses,
medical expenses, repatriation expenses, and damage/theft/loss of personal
baggage, money and goods.
For coverage, we suggest the Travel Insurance Center, which offers multiple products and allows you to easily select the policy best suited for your needs. The total premium will be based on each traveler’s age and total per person trip cost. Please note that many insurers require that you take out a policy within 14 days of paying your initial deposit in order to provide coverage for any pre-existing medical conditions and certain others occurrences. Some plans exclude pre-existing conditions regardless.
The on-line application is very easy to complete on Travel Insurance Center's website. The application offers multiple coverage options and also shows a price comparison for each. Please feel free to contact our representative directly if you have questions
and he will gladly assist you. To speak to our representative, call (toll- free) 866-979-6753/ext.3636 or (direct) 402-343-3636. You may also email by using this link: Insurance questions via email.
Eyes on
Africa will take no responsibility for any costs, losses incurred or
suffered by the guest, or guest's dependants or traveling companions,
with regards to, but not limited to, any of the above mentioned eventualities.
Guests will be charged directly
by the relevant service providers for any emergency services they
may require and may find themselves in a position unable to access
such services should they not carry the relevant insurance cover.
Top
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Eyes
on Africa was selected most knowledgeable
Regional Expert for Southern Africa / Safaris by
National Geographic Traveler Magazine,
20th Anniversary Special Issue. |
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