As a travel writer who tends to specialize in game lodges and safari destinations, I am more often than not asked the same questions on a regular basis.
In this post I have tried to condense these into sections for clarity and ease of reference.
The first question is more often about tipping. Although some staff members might enjoy receiving Dollars and Euros, housekeeping specifically tend to prefer the local currency (Rand) as it is not easy for them to change foreign currency in a rural area. So bear this in mind when apportioning the funds.
Also. international currency can vacillate against the rand and by the time the staff get to convert, the initial amount might be less than was expected.
Always make certain that you have sufficient money to give tips in cash, where possible. Much better than adding to a credit card and then hoping that the funds are apportioned correctly.
As for what you should/ should not leave as a gratuity, that is entirely up to you. Most lodges will have a room folder that has suggested amounts, but the final decision is up to you.
Top tip: When you are looking to keep valuables safe, consider using your suitcase rather that the lockbox that most lodges offer. I do the for 2 reasons…Firstly, I tend to forget the password and secondly, I can fit my laptop and camera gear into my suitcase.
Choose you traveling companion wisely. My wife and I travel together a lot and although we have had arguments over the years, nothing has spilled out in the public area of a lodge or a game drive vehicle.
You cannot necessarily choose who else in at the lodge, unless you have sole use thereof, but try to make the most of any situation that you find yourself in.
Interact with the other guests, ask questions about their reasons for travelling and who knows, you might make a friend for life.
This has occurred with me and an American couple that I met completely by accident almost 25 years ago in Botswana. And we are still friends to this day! This does not always happen as often promises are made that are never followed up. But you can assume, for a while anyway, that they might be.
Dress appropriately. Neutral colours mean exactly that…neutral.
Don’t be that guest that arrives with only bright primary colours in your suitcase. If you realize that your wardrobe is not correct, then pop into the lodge curio shop and buy an outfit or two.
Top Tip: Don’t lather yourself with perfume or aftershave. You are in the bush and the animals REALLY don’t care what you smell like. However, your fellow guests might when having to sit close to you on a game drive vehicle for extended periods.
In conversation with chatted to James Steyn about what guests can expect from guides and vice versa. Having a good rapport with your guide(and the other guests at the lodge you are staying at) can make or break the safari experience.
James is well qualified, not only as a general manager of a Lodge, but as one of the 10 FGASA Scouts in South Africa, who trains and mentors guides to become the best that they can be.
His mantra? “You don’t know you have had a good guide…until you have had a good guide”.
If you are not a photographer that, like me, is glued to a view finder, then a good pair of binocs is an essential. They are also the ‘most-left-behind-item’ on any trip. Hence you should pack them FIRST…or better still if they are not going to be used between trips, leave them in your suitcase.
Given the erratic nature of of National energy provider, a power station of some sort can be a life saver.
Nowadays, many of the lodges have generator sets, but these are usually switched off early due to the noise that they make and being able to run your devices without interruption might be useful to you.
And make certain that you have all your charging units with you for both phones, laptops and camera batteries.
I have had two instances, one local and one international where I have left device chargers at home.
First time was on a trip to Istanbul when I left not one, but BOTH my camera battery chargers back in South Africa. Needless to say, I was unable to source similar chargers in Istanbul so I had to severely cut back on the number of images I was taking on a daily basis.
And the most recent occurrence was when I forgot my laptop cable at home when I headed off to the bush for a week. Who knew that Lydenburg had a computer shop that was open on a Sunday AND it had an original charger in stock.
Top tip: Make certain that you charge every device and battery BEFORE you leave home. That way, if a charger does get lost, you will at least be able to use your devices while you search for replacements.
If you are an international traveller, make certain that plug on your device will fit into South African socket outlets. And if not, carry and adapter (or two) with you.
You cannot take EVERY lens and camera body you own with you so choose wisely.
That being said, I often take 3 bodies with me with the following lenses attached so I don’t have to change lenses in a hurry or in dusty conditions.
My go to lens is a 50-500mm f6.3 which will do most everything from landscape to telephoto. a wide angel lens of some sort. 10-20mm or a
And finally the big gun, a 560mm, f5.6 for birding. This last lens can be an issue on a full safari vehicle as it is B.I.G. So check with the guide and the other guests if there is room. You don’t want to be THAT photographer.
What you need to be certain of is that you are capable of using the camera that you take with you. I have been on safaris on more than one occasion where guests bought new cameras at the airport and now have to spend valuable time trying to figure out how they work.
That being said, I have taken load camera bodies on trips and forgot to check settings, only to find that at the end of the day I was using the incorrect settings for my editing software.
But if you are using your own equipment, this should NOT be an issue for you.
And, remember to take enough memory cards with you!
Take heed of the local regulations regarding Malaria medication. If you are uncertain, check with a travel doctor as they will be able to give you the correct information.
Take time to chat to the locals.
Look up. Not everything that you will see on a safari is at ground level.
Try to schedule a trip during full moon but not if you are looking to take pictures of the night sky.
Listen to your field guides and trackers. They have spent years and a LOT of money on training and gathering knowledge and information, so ask questions don’t issue perceived facts.
If you are lucky enough to be considering a privately guided safari experience, watch what Alan Yeowart, who holds one of the highest guiding qualifications in South Africa has to say.
If you are going to be spending a lot of money on an adventure of this sort, this might help you with your homework.
The Big 5 are still being used as a marketing tool at many reserves, however guest are relying less on seeing these iconic dangerous game species that looking for the uncommon yet interesting species.
If you are a photographer, look for that shot that sets you apart from everyone with a cellphone camera.
Our African sunrises and sunsets are the best. Wake early and make certain that you don’t waste a single one while in the bush.
You can always book yourself into a non-bush venue for a day or so after a safari in order to recover from the early morning wake-up calls. If you are not a morning persaon.
What you take away from a safari, good or bad, is up to you and you attitude, so make every minute count.
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