faqs

Magamba Safaris was founded in 2002. Our first trips were a Classic Safari to Zimbabwe and Namibia in September 2002, and a Grand Safari in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia in October 2202.

No, we hope you'll select us as your safari partner, and so we're happy to answer all of your preliminary questions.

Chances are, they're a lot like you. Our guests include families, couples, friends, and solo travelers, from all walks of life. They share a passion for observing and learning about the wonders of our world. They range in age from their late 20s to mid-70s, reminding us all that we can never be too young or too old to enjoy new experiences, and have fun!

It isn't necessary that you hire a guide for your adventure. Each of the camps and lodges have excellent resident guides and rangers.

However, we realize that a great adventure travel experience is more than a matter of offering impressive destinations, state-of-the-art equipment, exciting activities, or gourmet food. That greatness, without a doubt, comes from the trip leaders — and we are proud to offer you the best of the best.

Our leaders are the common thread as you move through your journey. They are your link to discovering exciting new places and cultures. They are your key to an exceptional experience. You'll learn more from them than from any guidebook. And their expertise, undying enthusiasm, language skills, environmental appreciation, cultural understanding, and safety training are unparalleled. They'll show you scenic wonders you'd never find on your own, and they'll make sure everything runs smoothly and safely.

We can honestly say that the nicest accommodations we have experienced in our journeys around the world have all been in Africa! Your lodging options range from luxury safari lodges, to elegant game camps, to cozy accommodations in classic tented camps, each with a delightful ambiance and character.

It all starts with having the right Africa travel partners. Our carefully-selected partners each offer a range of camps and lodges for your consideration. They are often family-run, so you'll be treated as an honored guest, and feel right at home.

We love staying in mobile camps, which provide us with the unique opportunity to visit destinations far from well-traveled routes and suitable nearby lodging. By their very nature, mobile camps feature more rustic accommodations, but you'll be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable we can make you feel. You'll love the spacious tents (the kind you can stand up in), comfortable bedding, and dining tent with tables and chairs — where we share spirited conversation and great meals! Of course, bathroom tents and shower tents are also included, so you can rinse off the dust after an exhilarating day of wildlife viewing.

One of the great things about traveling in foreign lands is discovering fantastic regional cuisine. We include most or all of your meals on our trips, and we enjoy sampling a variety of tempting local dishes, usually topped by a glass or two of the regional wine. (Good thing we have pretty active days, otherwise we'd all put on a few pounds.)

Even in more rustic settings, you'll dine equally well. The camp cooks are experienced professionals who manage to prepare amazing culinary treats in the most remote places. In some regions the supply of produce may be more limited and consequently the food will be less varied. But you can rest assured that it will always be hearty, healthy, and tasty.

We will normally be able to accommodate any special diet requests, but we ask that you please discuss your requirements when signing up for your trip.

All you need to bring — besides your spirit of adventure — is your personal gear. Don't worry, we'll send you a detailed clothing and equipment list in your pre-departure information package.

We provide the rest (as required), including top-quality, state-of-the-art vehicles, and camping and commissary equipment.

Of course! Most of our clients have us put together an itinerary that is unique to their personal interests.

Our trips are a perfect way to share and celebrate special occasions, with friends and family. They are ideal for special-interest groups, and even honeymooners. Let us create a special trip tailored to your specific needs and wishes. If you can imagine it, we can make it happen! We'll take care of all the details, including guides, accommodations, meal arrangements, transportation, and equipment.

Accommodations in lodges and tents are based on double occupancy. If you prefer single accommodations, you will be required to pay the Single Supplement Fee, listed in the cost for each Trip Itinerary. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate of the same gender. If there is no one with whom you can share, you will be required to pay the Single Supplement Fee.

On some trips, single accommodations are not available.

Yes! We offer a group travel discount for four or more people traveling together.

Only if you want to make someone really happy! We think the gift of adventure is a fantastic statement for any special occasion — especially for honeymoons and wedding anniversaries, or as incentive awards for top sales achievers or marketing teams!

Adventure travel works best with a certain-sized group of people. In order to keep your group small, our scheduled trips are priced according to the number of clients on a full trip. In determining the number of clients for a full trip, Magamba Safaris staff, trip doctors and other discounted travelers are excluded.

We require a trip deposit at the time of your booking. Payment can be made by PayPal or personal check. Prices are quoted in US dollars, and all payments must be made in US dollars.

Scheduled Departures

• At trip booking: 25% of the trip cost
• 90 days prior to departure: 25% of the trip cost
• 60 days prior to departure: Balance of the trip cost

Custom Trips

• At trip booking: 25% of the trip cost
• 120 days prior to departure: 25% of the trip cost
• 90 days prior to departure: Balance of the trip cost

Items included in our trips:

Professional guides, accommodations, all meals (except where noted in the itinerary), airport transfers, sightseeing as noted in the itinerary, items of a reasonable personal nature, including laundry, sodas and alcoholic beverages, all park entrance fees and permits, and ground transportation.

Items not included in our trips:

International airfare, regional/domestic airfare, charter flights, meals not noted on itinerary, optional gratuities for your professional guides and local staff, excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes, cost of medical immunizations, and insurance of any kind,. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance.

You may alter your itinerary, or transfer to another trip without penalty, up to 90 days prior to the scheduled trip departure. We recommend that you purchase the travel insurance package to protect yourself.

We recommend that you purchase the travel insurance package when you book your trip, to protect yourself against unforeseen events.

At the time we receive written notice or a fax that you must cancel your trip, the following fees will apply:

Scheduled Departures

• Over 90 days prior to departure: $1,000
• 60-90 days prior to departure: 50% of the trip cost
• Less than 60 days prior to departure: 100% of the trip cost

Custom Trips

• Over 90 days prior to departure: 25% of the trip cost
• 60-90 days prior to departure: 50% of the trip cost
• Less than 60 days prior to departure: 100% of the trip cost

Additionally, there is a $250 cancellation penalty for all trip extensions.

Easy. These trips are not particularly difficult, but keep in mind that travel itself can be wearing. You'll get more enjoyment out of any trip if you are in good physical condition. Many scheduled activities are optional, and the trips involve fairly easy travel.

Moderate. More active trips, usually involving hiking or canoeing. On many trips, you can elect to skip a day's activity. You'll need to be in good health and physical condition to enjoy these trips, with adequate muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, and balance.

Moderately Strenuous. These trips may include extensive hiking (4 to 6 hours a day) over more rugged terrain, or other more demanding activities (such as 4 to 6 hours of paddling per day). You'll need to be in excellent health and physical condition to enjoy these trips, with very good muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, and balance.

After selecting the style and destination of your safari, the next most important thing is to make sure it fits your interests and physical abilities. We encourage you to discuss the physical requirements of the trip you're interested in with our guides. They will assist you in choosing a trip that's appropriate for you.

Most people can get in shape for their planned adventure if they start several months before departure, and take their training program seriously. We can send you a suggested training program. Take your training program seriously — it'll be worth it!

Consult your physician before commencing any new workout program.

We have evaluated each of our trips on several criteria. Our Trip Comparison™ will help you find your dream Africa Safari.

• Wildlife. Factors include concentrations of wildlife, quality of wildlife viewing sanctuaries, time of year, and trip duration.
• Culture. Determined by the current economic/political conditions, opportunities to interact with local ethnic groups, safety concerns for our clients, and length of trip.
• Scenic Wonders. How many scenic wonders will we visit, time of year, and trip duration.
• Value. A subjective rating, which compares the overall trip rating to the cost of the trip.