(101 things to know when you go) ON SAFARI IN AFRICA. Patrick Brakspear
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or up to a week, prior to entering a malaria area (and for some days after leaving the area).
Flights: When you receive your airline etickets, take a moment to double check all is correct – specifically the spelling of your name (must match your passport) and your travel dates. You will be surprised how often this is not done and complications then arise as a result. It is also a good idea to double check with your travel agent that they have recorded a contact telephone number on your booking and confirm that all seating and meal requests have been noted together with your frequent flyer number (if applicable)…and be sure to note the luggage allowance as this can vary between airlines and fare classes.These days most airlines will allow online check-in which is advisable, saving you time at the airport (with shorter bag-drop queues) and the possibility of making your seat selection.
Cash & Credit CardsPurchase any cash that you will need before you leave home, and check that the credit cards you are planning to take with you are not due to expire whilst you are away! It is also advisable to notify your credit card company (or bank) that you will be travelling overseas (make that a must!). By making a note on your account they are better able to monitor and detect any fraudulent use of your credit card whilst you are away (and not embarrass you by declining a payment when checking out of your hotel in a foreign land).The introduction of ‘cash cards’ or ‘travel cards’, which can be pre-loaded with the desired currencies, are generally not suitable for Africa – in the main because the destination currencies, even the South African Rand, are not commonly traded (and hence are not offered by travel card companies). Hopefully this will change in time.
Duplicate your documentsMake copies of your itinerary, passport, visas and details of your travel insurance policy, travel vouchers and etickets. Carry one copy in your suitcase (separate from the originals) and leave a copy with your next of kin, business partner, colleague or friend at home, together with any emergency contact details so that you (or your travel agent) can be contacted in the event of a tragedy or other emergency at home (and vice versa). Or you could scan these same documents and email them to yourself (or upload them to your phone or tablet) so that if you were to lose your etickets, vouchers or itinerary details while away you can access an electronic copy. A couple of passport photos would not be a bad idea either – to go with the photocopies of your passport should it get lost. Make sure your travel agent has these details too (including your travel insurance policy details). In the event of an emergency, the safari operator will most likely contact the booking agent first.Not everyone can be bothered to do this – but it is a sensible safety precaution.
Alert the authoritiesIf you are at all apprehensive about being away from home then you might be advised, for your own peace of mind, to register your details and travel plans online with your foreign affairs department and/or, when overseas, register in-person at your embassy, high commission or consulate.It is always a good idea to check the latest travel advisory notices issued by your own government about the countries to which you will be travelling. In some cases you can also subscribe to receive free email and/or text notification each time the travel advice for your destination is updated. Be aware that it is their role to provide conservative and cautious travel advice from which you can make your own decisions about your travels.Last, but not least, don’t forget to pack in good time. Do not leave this to the last minute. Going on an African safari presents somewhat more of a challenge than your average holiday with regard to packing!“There is something about safari life that makes you forget all the sorrows and feel as you have drunk half a bottle of champagne – bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude and being alive.” – Karen Blixen, Out of Africa
Some safari travel tips
There are a number of important steps in getting ready to go on safari, and it is probably fair to say that there are perhaps a lot more ‘unknowns’ when travelling to Africa than most other destinations around the world. Your Africa Travel Specialist (or travel agent) will already have worked with you on selecting a suitable safari itinerary and secured your airline tickets, and have possibly even been able to assist with advice regarding travel insurance, entry requirements and other aspects of going on safari, but I strongly recommend that you read the Travel Tips, and make use of the To Do List and Final Check List offered below.
Dietary requirements
More and more people are requested specific dietary needs, whether it be vegetarian, gluten free, vegan or a host of food allergies. It is important to provide adequate notice to the camps and lodges on your safari itinerary. In general, most luxury camps and lodges in Africa can accommodate even the strictest of dietary needs. However, this may not always be the case in some of the more remote or less sophisticated styles of safari camp - specifically mobile safaris and fly-camping where cooking and refrigeration facilities are limited. You should be careful to distinguish between food groups that may bring on an allergic reaction (seafood, nuts, gluten) and those you merely do not eat (eggs, red meat, milk products by way of examples).
Cash & Credit Cards
I would recommend that you carry a combination of cash (preferably US$ for most countries…and Rand for South Africa an d Namibia) and at least one credit card (preferably more than one).
You may find little use for local currency on safari, although it can be handy for road-side purchases and possibly tipping (with US dollars, or South African Rand in southern African countries, keenly accepted by staff as a gratuity). Nearly all bills can be settled using your credit card (be sure to ask if there is a surcharge) and most items in camp/lodge gift shops are priced in US$ and can be purchased using cash. In the major towns, ATMs will also allow you to draw additional funds (in local currency only – please note).
As mentioned in the previous chapter, ‘cash cards’ or ‘travel cards’ which can be pre-loaded with the desired currencies, are generally not suitable for Africa – in the main because the destination currencies, even the South African Rand, are not commonly traded (and hence are not offered by travel card companies).
Travellers cheques (checks) have become less acceptable in Africa in recent times (for example, Tanzania is no longer accepting them, even at the bank) and they are mostly refused outside of the banking system (i.e. camps and lodges).
Cash
Whilst most major western currencies (USD, Euros, and Sterling) are welcome throughout Africa, United States dollars remains the most widely accepted currency.
Whilst it is difficult to set a figure, I would recommend taking at least US$150 to $250 per person per week in cash from home (excluding what you might need for entry visas and airport departure taxes). This cash is specifically for paying for small incidentals (including taxis, tips and souvenir purchases). Visas secured on arrival must be paid in cash and often the exact amount i.e. officials will 'claim' not to have change - so carry an assortment of US$5, US$10 and US$20's (plus the required US$50 notes).
Be warned – some countries are not accepting US$ bills dated before the year 2000 due to suspicions of counterfeiting. Don’t be surprised if your US$ notes are run through a ‘counterfeit-checking’ device. Generally, large bills (US$50 and US$100) obtain better exchange rates than smaller denominations (US$5, 10 and US$20) if you need to exchange for local currency.
Be wary of street money-changers! They may offer a better rate but are not averse to using any number of underhand techniques to short change you. If you do use one, be sure to count each note separately to satisfy yourself that the whole amount is there BEFORE handing across any of your own cash. Once counted, be sure not to let the pile out of your sight – it is an old trick to switch bundles and for you to later discover that the new bundle is mostly newspaper. If the money traders are legitimate they will not be offended!
Credit & debit cards
Most establishments will accept international credit cards and I recommend using credit cards as a method of payment wherever possible - as much for the convenience as