reservations

Before You Leave

• When is the best time to plan an African Safari?
  
  
  Anytime! Each season has special qualities. Most regions of southern Africa have one or two rainy periods each year, but even these do not prevent you from viewing wildlife (the rains are intermittent), and they create wonderful landscapes, gorgeous flowers, and an abundance of baby animals.
  
  Generally, the cool, dry winter months (April to October) are best for wildlife viewing. The absence of available surface water compels wildlife to concentrate around the few remaining sources of drinking water. Shorter grass, and an absence of foliage, makes it easier to sight the animals. During the warmer summer months (November to March), dramatic afternoon thunderstorms transform the bush into a lush green paradise. Wildlife is more dispersed, and the dense green foliage makes them more difficult to see.
  
  
• What medical precautions should I consider?
  
  
  Carry a complete health history, including indication of any allergies, copies of all prescription medications, and their generic equivalent. We suggest carrying a WHO (World Health Organization) card, listing your latest immunizations. If you are on prescription medication, please have an adequate supply to last the duration of your stay. The National Center for Infectious Diseases provides up-to-date health information for travelers to destinations in East Africa and Southern Africa.
  
  Consult your local doctor or health department for the latest medical precautions. Some countries require advance inoculations (and certificates). Malaria is still present in many parts of Africa. Generally anti-malarial precautions are necessary.
  
  
• What travel documents will I need?
  
  
  All visitors to East Africa and Southern Africa are required to carry a passport which is valid for at least six months beyond the intended length of stay. Please check with the U.S. State Department to see is visas are required for entry to your destination:
  
  U.S. Consulate Consular Information Sheet
  
  You can avoid the hassles of getting your own visas. Zierer Visa Service will purchase them for you! You must apply at least 45 to 90 days before departure.
  
  

Getting to Africa

• How do I get there?
  
  
  Cape Town, South Africa and Johannesburg, South Africa are the gateways to your travel destinations in southern Africa. They can be reached by direct international flights from New York, Chicago, and Atlanta.
  
  Nairobi, Kenya is the gateway to travel destinations in east Africa. Direct international flights are available from London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.
  
  
• How much carry-on luggage can I bring?
  
  
  Not very much! Here are the carry-on limits for international flights originating or ending in the US:
  
  

  • 45 linear inches for one carry-on bag
  • one personal item (a purse, a briefcase, or a small daypack)

  
  When traveling within Africa (except on international connecting flights) you be able to carron-on even less:
  
  

  • one carry-on bag, weighing no more than 10 kg (22 pounds)

  
  Make sure that proper identification appears on the outside (and inside) of each bag. Include a copy of your itinerary inside each bag. DO NOT use corporate ID cards on the outside of your luggage.
  
  
• Do you have packing suggestions?
  
  
  Actually, we do! Roll (don't fold) your clothes. We use large zip-loc bags (don't forget to squeeze the air out). Keep a copy of your passport and travelers check register separate from the originals. And remember, you will be able to have your laundry done, at each of our lodges. So pack light!
  
  Keep your passport, visas, driver's license, money, medications, and valuables with you at all times. Do not pack these items!
  
  

While in Africa

• Will I be safe?
  
  
  Although east Africa and southern Africa are generally safe destinations for international travelers, it is wise to take certain standard security precautions. By following some basic suggestions, and using good judgment, you can avoid most potential problems.
  
  

  • Carry copies of your passport, airline tickets and travelers checks.
  • Do not bring (or wear) expensive jewelry on a safari.
  • Do not flash lots of money, or an expensive camera.
  • Be aware of onlookers, and keep your possessions in sight.
  • Use a safety deposit box in your lodging for expensive items.
  • Never leave personal items unattended (especially at airports).
  • Never wander around the streets after dark.
  • Lock your car doors, and keep the windows as far up as possible.
  • Do not leave your purse, cameras or luggage lying in your vehicle, in clear view.

  
  
• Is it safe to drink the water?
  
  
  Tap water is purified and safe to drink at hotels, inns, lodges and other public places. Bottled water is available for purchase, if preferred. In many locales, water is a scarce resource, so please conserve.
  
  
• Can I use my credit card?
  
  
  MasterCard, Visa, Diners Card and American Express are accepted by most restaurants, stores, hotels, and car rental agencies. Some lodges do not accept Diners Card or American Express.
  
  
• Which areas of Africa have you personally visited?
  
  
  We've traveled extensively in southern Africa, and soon we'll be adding many exciting desinations in east Africa to our list.
  
  

  • Botswana: Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Pan, Gabarone, Maun
  
  
  • Namibia: Namib-Naukluft Park, Skeleton Coast, Etosha National Park, Kaokoveld, Damaraland, Sossusvlei, Caprivi Strip, Windhoek, Swakopmund
  
  
  • South Africa: Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands, KwaZulu-Natal, Greater St. Lucia Wetlands, Drakensberg Mountains, Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg
  
  
  • Zambia: Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba, Lower Zambezi National Park, Kafue National Park, South Luangwa National Park, Lusaka, Livingston
  
  
  • Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba, Zambezi Valley, Mana Pools, Gonarezhou National Park, Chimanimani Mountains, Hwange National Park, Eastern Highlands, Matopos National Park, Mutare, Harare, Kariba, Bulawayo

  
  
  

Wildlife and Photography

• Where did the term The Big Five come from?
  
  
  Colonial-era trophy hunters ranked African wildlife according to how dangerous they were to hunt. The Big Five are buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino.
  
  
• What photography recommendations can you make?
  
  
  Bring (or rent) a very good camera system. We recommend Canon, Leica, Minolta and Nikon single lens reflex cameras (digital or film), with a wide angle lens, portrait lens, plus a 200mm and 300mm telephoto lens.
  
  Your choice of camera will make an incredible difference in the quality of your photographs. A zoom lens, such as an 80 to 200mm or 70 to 210mm lens, is a good choice for photographing moving subjects. Serious wildlife photographers may want to consider bringing a 400mm or 500mm lens.
  
  The warm African sun provides excellent lighting. Longer lenses will require faster exposures, especially in the early morning and late afternoon light. Bring plenty of daylight film (we use ASA 50 and 100), plus an ample supply of 2GB and 4GB digital memory cards for your digital camera. A lens hood, UV and polarizing filter are advisable, and a tripod will improve image sharpness. A 2X teleconverter is handy, as is a TTL flash. A good bag for your equipment is essential.
  
  
• What photo gear would you suggest for a 15-day safari?
  
  
  I usually bring extra film and memory cards. I also insure my equipment for loss or damage. Here's a list of my equipment:
  
  

  • Leica R8, Film Back, Motor Drive
  • Leica R8, Digital Back, Motor Drive
  • Leica 21-35mm Zoom
  • Leica 35-70mm Zoom
  • Leica 100mm Lens
  • Leica 180mm Lens
  • Leica 280mm Lens
  • B+W Polarizing and UVa Filters
  • LowePro Nature Trekker Camera Bag
  • Gitzo Safari Monopod
  • Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod
  • Arca-Swiss Monoball B1
  • Metz TTL Flash
  • SanDisk 2GB Ultra III Memory Card (10)
  • Fuji Provia ASA 100 Film (30 rolls)
  • Leica Trinovid 7X42 Binoculars

  
  
• What about binoculars?
  
  
  Bring (or rent) a very good pair of binoculars. We prefer Leica, Swarovski or Zeiss binoculars. Your choice of binoculars will make an incredible difference in the quality of your wildlife viewing experiences.
  
  A good pair of safari binoculars should offer an excellent twilight factor (the ability of the binoculars to render images in low-light situations), a mid-range magnification (7X to 10X), and a wide field of view. An excellent source for camera equipment and binoculars is B&H Photo Video in New York.
  
  

Travel Information

• What kind of information will I receive to prepare for my trip?
  
  
  After we receive your deposit, we'll send you a package of documents, including:
  

  • recommended clothing and equipment list
  • insurance information
  • required immunization list
  • invoice

  
  Final trip details will be sent about three to four weeks before your scheduled departure.
  
  
• Can you help me with my international air arrangements?
  
  
  We are not travel agaent. However, if you need assistance in making your airline reservations, please check with our staff.
  
  If you are planning to use frequent flyer coupons to purchase or upgrade your flights, you must do all of your own ticketing through the frequent flier department of the airline you will be traveling with. Book your flights early, since frequent flyer seats are limited.
  
  You can find suggested round-trip airfare prices, from major gateway cities in the US, in the Our Safaris section of our website.
  
  
• Should I buy travel insurance?
  
  
  YES! Absolutely! Ja! Oui! Da! Si! (We could go on).
  
  The price of your trip does not include trip cancellation and interruption coverage, baggage delay and loss protection, or emergency medical treatment and evacuation.
  
  Magamba Safaris offers an optional insurance package, available through CSA Travel Protection. With CSA, you're protected against unforeseeable trip related expenses such as:

  • Trip cancellation, interruption and delay
  • Emergency medical treatment or evacuation
  • Lost, stolen or damaged luggage or travel documents
  • Luggage delay

  
  We HIGHLY encourage you to purchase trip insurance. Based on our experience, trip cancellation due to unexpected medical circumstances is quite common. Additionally, keep in mind that evacuation and medical expenses in remote areas could easily become VERY expensive. We think the Trip Assured Program provides peace of mind for a reasonable fee.
  
  
• Will I need a visa?
  
  
  Visas may be required for your destination, and are not included in the cost of your trip. You can avoid the potential hassles of getting your own visas, and let Zierer Visa Service purchase them for you. We can send you the necessary forms in your pre-departure package. You must apply 45 to 90 days before departure.
  
  
• What if I need to "stay connected" with loved ones?
  
  
  Global Phoneworks keeps travelers connected in over 160 countries around the world. For these occasions, satellite phone service allows you to stay connected, no matter where you are — even at sea, or in a remote mountain-top or desert location.
  
  Global Phoneworks provides two satellite phone service options:
  
  

  • Dual-mode satellite/GSM mobile phone service through Thuraya (coverage does not include southern Africa).
  • Global satellite service through Iridium.