Africa safari FAQs – Useful Information & Advice on our Honeymoon Safaris and Family Holidays in Africa

Below are answers to frequently asked questions to help your plan well for your Africa safari, whether on a family holiday or honeymoon safari in Africa.

 

It can get both very hot and very cold on safari. Layers of clothing are most practical for the fluctuating day/night temperatures in East Africa.

Depending upon what time of year your client chooses to go on safari, lightweight clothing of cotton and cotton blends is most suitable.

During the winter months it can become very cold and a warm jacket will be needed for their early morning and evening game viewing activities. We recommend a down or insulated jacket as they are lightweight and don’t take up a lot of space in luggage.

During the summer months, we recommend a lightweight water and windproof jacket. Except for sudden rain storms the temperatures are very warm.

For evenings, lightweight long-sleeved clothing as protection from mosquitoes is vital.

Neutral colors such as khaki, beige/cream or olive green are appropriate, and are less conspicuous to the animals.

We also recommend that your clients bring closed shoes, to protect their feet from the cold in open vehicle drives. Heavy walking boots are unnecessary unless they are wanting to do a walking safari. Simple, lightweight shoes or trainers are the most sensible options.

Most lodges have a swimming pool, so remember to bring a swimsuit.

 

 

During the safari, you should bring along a daypack to carry items such as:

  • Sunscreen, sunglasses, safari hat, lip balm.

  • Camera, lenses, spare batteries, binoculars.

  • Waste bags to avoid littering.

  • Insect repellent, hand sanitiser and tissues.

  • Notebook to write down what you see.

 

What’s a day on safari like?

Every day on safari is different—you’ll never experience the same wildlife or scenery—but there is a schedule you can rely on. We’ll outline what a day on safari is like with Skyview of Africa Ltd and all-day game drives. This differs from the traditional safari schedule, where you spend three to four hours in the middle of the day back at camp.

Here’s how your day might look like:

5:30AM: Wake up around sunrise for a light breakfast prepared by our team and time to get ready for the day.

 

6:00AM: Start your all-day game drive. Your guide will look for fresh animal tracks from the night before. At first light and during the cool morning hours, animals are most active.

 

9:00AM: Take a short break in the bush for coffee, tea, juice, and snacks. If you see incredible animals, morning tea will be pushed back or enjoyed earlier. It’s up to the animals and the guests.

 

12:00PM: Your safari guide will find a beautiful location in the bush underneath the shade to enjoy a bush lunch. Lunch is a full meal, including alcohol (if desired), prepared by a chef.

 

1:30PM: Continue your afternoon game drive and your search for animals.

 

6:00PM: Take another short break at sundown for a snack and alcoholic drinks at sundown. This is your chance to enjoy the sunset and last-minute animal sightings before it gets too dark.

 

7:00PM: Arrive back at camp as it grows dark. Either take an early shower or wait until after dinner.

 

7:30PM: Enjoy a delicious chef-prepared meal that pays homage to both local and continental cuisine. A chef will meet any dietary restrictions you have.

 

9:00PM: Enjoy time around the fire, reminisce about your day, spend some time gazing at the star-speckled beauty of the night sky, and then head to bed early for another full day tomorrow!

 

There are some places where the day might start a little later, and you may have an early breakfast at the lodge or camp before heading out for a full day game drive into a park. 

 

This trends to be more common in East Africa and also in national parks where game drives are not allowed out before dawn or after sundown.

All safari tours operated by Skyview of Africa Ltd are private per booking and are operated in own pop up top 4×4 jeep with a dedicated tour driver/guide.

Guests booking safaris with us can form private groups to travel together as families or friends.

We don’t mix tourists who have booked their safaris separately or don’t know each other in one van.

Those who book their trip or holiday together get their own exclusive van throughout the safari. This gives them more privacy, value for their money and allows them to do game drives in their own unique style. They also travel in comfort.

 

 

Our standard safari travel & game viewing drive vehicle is a custom designed 4 x 4 Land Cruiser Jeep with pop up top for ease of photography during game viewing drives and sightseeing. The vehicle sits a maximum of 8 persons for guarantee window seats and access to the pop up top.

Our 4×4 safari jeeps are fitted with long range radios for easy communication, cooler boxes, and first aid kits .This is on top of the other extras in jeep.

 

The 4 x 4 Land Cruiser jeep has several advantages on safari. These  includes a higher elevation, better navigation on rough terrain, deeper reach, more comfort and brings out better the African adventure experience.

 

 

Your safari tour jeep has a generous luggage compartment at the rear and can comfortably carry 6 suitcases with an average 25 -30kgs each.

You may carry hand luggage with your vital stuff inside the safari jeep.

We suggest that you pack/carry your luggage in soft sided suitcases for ease of storage in safari vehicle and also to minimize on friction and damage during the sometimes bumpy road safari trips.

 

 

Our prepaid safari packages often include vehicle transfers, accommodations and safari activities. They also include domestic flights.

On any of our African safari, you will need money for optional tipping the accommodation staff and guides. Although safaris packages usually pay for the activities, the price for optional activities is separate and are indicated in our safari itineraries.

Additionally, you might want to purchase souvenirs, snacks, or drinks at the local shops. Some of these shops may not accept credit

 

Yes, you do need a Yellow Fever vaccine when visiting Kenya. You do not require a vaccine for Tanzania although we do recommend it. When traveling into any African country from a region known for yellow fever you are required to show proof of vaccination.

 

 

Almost all safari lodges/tented camp accommodations during your safari do provide free Wi-Fi. These is in the three accommodation levels of economy, comfort and luxury

 

Wi-Fi is provided in the public areas of the safari lodges/tented camps including the reception, dining areas and lounge. It is not provided in the individual rooms/ tents.

 

 

Our selection of safari lodges and tented camps is well researched and offers the best in terms of comfort, relaxation and atmosphere during safari. Each accommodation category is well catered for in the selection.

We fully understand the need for your protection against mosquito and other insect bites.

All rooms / tents during your safari are fitted with mosquito nets or are insect proofed to protect you against bites.

You are also advised to carry/use insect repellent to further protect yourself especially in the outdoors during evenings