Frequently Asked Questions

  • The cost of a safari can vary quite dramatically based on location, season, and quality of accommodation. A premier camp in Botswana such as Mombo can retail between $2500-$4500 per person per night while a more rustic accommodation such as Somalisa Expeditions camp in Zimbabwe can retail between $400-$800 per person per night. Our focus is always providing our clients the best in bush experience within their budget. Our ask of you is that you be honest with us (and yourself) about the level of accommodation you want and the amenities you need. There is no one size fits all safari, we will work together to create the perfect itinerary within your budget, interests and accommodation style.

  • This depends on how much time you have available to you for your vacation along with your budget, however we suggest an absolute minimum of six nights. The more time you have the more you will get to see and do.

    • A few common activities our clients add on to their safaris are

    • A visit to see The Victoria Falls

    • A few days in Cape Town

    • A visit to the winelands in South Africa

    • A beach destination to relax

  • Like an African Sunset, every day on safari is a little different. However, a typical day can look something like

    5:00 AM: Wake Up call

    5:30 AM: A quick breakfast and coffee or tea

    6:00 AM: Depart on your morning game drive.

    9:00 AM: Stop in the bush for tea, coffee, a light snack.

    11:00 AM: Head back to camp for brunch

    Afternoon: Relax, nap, enjoy camp

    3:00 PM: Meet in main camp area for afternoon tea and a light snack

    3:30 PM: Head out for your afternoon safari activity

    Sunset: Stop in the bush for Sundowners! (An alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink of your choice with light snacks)

    7:00 PM: Head back into camp

    7:30 PM: Sit down for dinner (camps will work within your dietary restrictions)

    9:00 PM: Sit around the fire and tell stories, reminisce about the day’s activities, enjoy a beautiful night sky.

  • Safari is a year around activity- The time of year you choose to travel will depend on your interests and your budget but generally there is something to offer everyone throughout the year. Keep reading to learn about the different seasons.

    Peak Season (June to October): This is the dry season when virtually no rainfall occurs. During the winter months of June, July and August days are sunny and mild to warm, although evening and nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing in some areas. At this time of year, we recommend packing warm clothing, as the wind chill on game drives can make temperatures feel even lower. September and October still tend to be dry, but temperatures are gradually becoming warmer. Guests may find temperatures uncomfortably hot by mid to late October. As the dry season progresses, water sources become fewer and animals will congregate near what remains, which proves a good time to see game in higher numbers. Prices are their highest during this time and non-private reserves such as National Parks will be at their busiest, especially in less remote areas accessible to self-drivers or day trippers.

    Shoulder Seasons (April - May and November): These months can be a very good time to travel. By April/May the rains should be over, although vegetation will be green and lush which can make spotting animals more challenging. November may still be predominately dry and hot, although cloud cover generally builds each day resulting in dramatic afternoon storms. This can be an extremely atmospheric time to be on safari. Game viewing can still be excellent, although as soon as the first rains arrive many animals will disperse to find more productive feeding grounds. Prices during this time are lower than peak season and crowds can be reduced from the peaks during June, July and August.

    Green Season (December to March): Prices are at their lowest during the off-peak or “green” season and single supplements are often dropped during these months. This is the rainy season, with mostly high temperatures although cloud cover and rain can cool things down for short periods. Game viewing during these summer months can be extremely rewarding but the guides and guests need to be prepared to work harder for the sightings. Long grasses and thick vegetation mean that visibility can be difficult, making sightings less frequent. Animals are also scattered over a much wider area as water and food are readily available. Also, if you have a fear of bugs, this is probably not the best time to go on safari.

    On the upside, this is a wonderful time of the year for photography. The light is clear, and the green vegetation provides an excellent photographic background. The rainy season is also the best season to see lilies and many other flowering plants. There are other wonderful experiences in the wet season – many animals drop their young as soon as the first rains arrive to give them the best chance of survival. This leads to easy pickings for predators, so is a good time to see predator–prey interaction. A mini migration of zebra and antelope occurs in the Central Kalahari / Makgadikgadi Game Reserve in Botswana, making this the best time to visit these areas, and up to 10 million “straw-colored fruit bats” migrate to the Kasanka National Park in Zambia.

    The selection of destinations will be lower at this time of year as many camps in Zambia and Zimbabwe are seasonal and not accessible during the rainy season. However, Botswana has an excellent infrastructure for year-round safaris.

  • We highly recommend getting full travel insurance to cover the trip in case of cancellation, however at a minimum a travel policy covering you for medical emergencies and evacuation is required. You can purchase travel insurance through a variety of carriers and can search for different policies on www.insuremytrip.com

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