(101 things to know when you go) ON SAFARI IN AFRICA. Patrick Brakspear
have a tight connection, you might want to consider pre-completing the visa application forms prior to arriving in that country (you can get PDF visa forms for most countries from your travel agent). If doing so online, do start the process early – it can take a week or more to be approved. DO NOT LEAVE THIS UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.
Dietary requirements & any medical issues If you have not already done so, be sure to make your travel agent aware of any specific dietary preferences or requirements you may have (and any medical issues that you may have that would be helpful for your hosts to know about, e.g. diabetic, sleep apnea or any walking difficulty re stairs or climbing in and out of safari vehicles). Most safari lodges and camps can cater for most dietary requirements or allergies if given prior notice, and will gladly reserve the closest room should you need it.
Communications & Recharging (phones, cameras, laptops)Try to check which of the camps/lodges on your safari itinerary will actually have mobile (cell) phone reception before you leave home, and do not forget to contact your telephone service provider to be sure that your phone is registered for international roaming (and to find out about any idiosyncrasies or incompatibilities that may apply in the countries you will be visiting). Remember too that voice and data roaming are two separate beasts – speak to your service provider about your options before you leave home. Wi-Fi is becoming more available in camps/lodges and this can be a real boon (and reduces your dependence on mobile coverage). Ask your travel agent for more information on the phone and Wi-Fi coverage throughout your itinerary.Be sure to purchase the necessary converter plugs/adaptors for recharging your mobile phone, video, digital camera or tablet/laptop. Each African country has its own plug type (more details below under Safari travel tips) and so a converter/adaptor plug will be necessary (possibly more than one type if you are travelling to multiple countries). If you only remember this at the last minute, you can generally get these at the airport – do not wait till you get to Africa – this is likely to be too late!
Immunisations & Prescription drugs Make arrangements to visit a travel clinic, tropical health centre or your family doctor (GP) for advice on which inoculations you might need, and get them done in good time. This may take a couple of weeks to complete, and some, like yellow fever, should be done up to 10 days prior to travel. Don’t forget malaria prophylactics if appropriate. But do not be alarmed, getting your immunisations up to date is a good thing all round, and especially if you plan to travel (a tetanus booster, Hep A & B, cholera, typhoid are all worth keeping up to date irrespective). If you take regular prescription drugs you will need to work out how much you should have on hand whilst on safari and get your doctor to prescribe the required amounts. Be sure to do this well in advance of your departure, and at the same time, you can discuss your immunization requirements (see above).If your prescription, either by its nature or quantity, is likely to attract the attention of the authorities (i.e. they might suspect you are drug trafficking – I’m serious), it is advisable to get a letter from your physician stating the reason for the medication, the dosage and clearly state that it is for your personal use *. It is advisable for such medication to be kept in their original containers displaying your name and the dosage, and should be carried in your hand luggage rather than your check-in luggage to reduce the risk of loss.* Carrying prescription medication not for your own personal use, or for someone not travelling with you, is illegal (you don't want the authorities to mistake you for a drug mule).NB: Anti-malarial: Be sure to read the instructions for your anti-malarial tablets to check when you need to start taking them – generally this will be at least a few days, 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 Cards Purchase 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.
Plugs Purchase any necessary converter plugs for your video, camera and mobile phone. See the Safari travel tips section for more details on plugs types for each of the African countries. If you forget this until the last minute you can generally get these at your local airport – do not wait till you get to Africa – this is likely to be too late!
Duplicate your documents Make 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 authorities If 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
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