Tailor-made safaris and travel to Southern Africa
PLANNING YOUR SAFARI
LIYATSHWA SAFARIS SAFARIS AND PORTFOLIO
PLANNING YOUR SAFARI
PLANNING AND ARRANGING - SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Planning and Arranging
Planning a trip to southern Africa can be rather overwhelming, and even frustrating. The region is so rich in highlights, with such an array of options for accommodation and safari, that it is very difficult to know where to start.
One of the major aims of this website is to assist travelers through this process. The two sections entitled Introducing Southern Africa and Liyatshwa Safaris Highlights provide background information on southern Africa as a region, and it's major attractions. In the course of reviewing these sections, one should come away with a sense of which aspects are of most interest. The Liyatshwa Safaris Portfolio page includes an interactive map, showing the relative geographic position of all the region's major travel destinations, as well as providing more specific information and advice on each one. Follow the links from the map for pages with detailed information and images of our favorite properties in those areas. The page on Liyatshwa Safaris Safaris provides information, itineraries, and costs for a selection of the finest safaris in southern Africa.
While a logical progression through these various pages should be of great assistance in narrowing down the options and alternatives, nothing beats informed and objective advice from seasoned experts with an intimate knowledge of the region. In this regard, we encourage travelers to contact us for advice and further information on any of the safaris or properties on the website, or with general questions pertaining to safari in southern Africa. Whether you are attracted by any of the great natural wonders, the wildlife or cultural wealth of Southern Africa, or whether you are planning an adventure safari, the perfect romantic honeymoon, or an 'holistic African experience' we will help you realize your African dreams. With your interests and resources as starting point, we will help you decide which parts of the region would best fulfil your aspirations, and then assist you in putting together the ideal itinerary.
Once the fun part of the planning phase is over, and together we have decided on an itinerary, the Liyatshwa Safaris client can begin preparing themselves for the excitement of their safari. We will provide - specific to your interests, destinations, and the time of the year you are travelling - a host of information and advice on things to see and do, packing, photography, health issues, and other pertinent subjects. In the meantime, we will deal with all the tedium of making bookings, arranging flights, transfers, and guides, and all other mundane logistics which, however boring for the traveler, are so crucial to the success of the safari.
From the time you leave your home country until you return, you will be taken care of by only the best local guides and operators, with impeccable records of safety and reliability. You will also be furnished with a local telephone number that you can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week should you find yourself in a fix and require help. In short, you will continue to enjoy the type of service to which you have become accustomed as a Liyatshwa Safaris traveler.
It is only because of our extensive knowledge and firsthand experience of the region that we are in the unique position to offer such flexibility to our clients, and we strongly believe that it is this personalized service which sets us apart from the competition. Nor are we the only ones who think so - we can very happily provide potential travelers with names and contact details of references who have travelled with Classic Africa, and found the experience to have far exceeded their expectations.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Isn't it difficult and very expensive to get to SAFARIS?
What travel documents do I need?
Will I require inoculations and other medication?
Will I have to carry around lots of cash?
Will I be able to communicate with local people?
Will I be able to stay in touch with the outside world?
Is it possible to drive oneself around?
Isn't Africa politically unstable and dangerous?
Isn't there lots of crime in SAFARIS?
Isn't it difficult and very expensive to get to SAFARIS?
Actually, it's a lot easier and less expensive than you probably think. There are direct flights from New York and Atlanta to both Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa, with a flying time of around 14 and a half hours.
Depending on when you fly, Liyatshwa Safaris can offer tickets from either New York or Atlanta starting at $999 return, some of the most inexpensive in the industry. We also offer a number of very low cost add-ons between New York or Atlanta and virtually any major city in the USA.
Although the flying time may sound quite long, once you're in the air, watching movies and sleeping, the time passes much quicker than you might expect. It is also a great advantage not to have to change planes, as that is always the most tiring and stressful part of flying.
What travel documents do I need?
Anyone travelling to the Southern African region requires a valid passport (typically valid for 6 months beyond the date of entry). At present, holders of American, Canadian, and European Union passports do not require visas for South Africa, Botswana, or Namibia. Holders of American passports do, however, require visas for Zimbabwe and Zambia, but these can be purchased at the point of entry into the country with no difficulty (Zimbabwe: US$ 30 for a single entry visa, US$ 45 for a double entry visa; Zambia: $25 for a single entry visa). Holders of Commonwealth passports and citizens of most western European countries do not require visas for Zimbabwe, but British citizens do require visas for Zambia (GBP35 for a single entry visa).
These visa requirements can change suddenly and with little notice (especially in Zimbabwe and Zambia), and you should be sure to ask your tour operator or travel agent what the current situation is.
Will I require inoculations and other medication?
The good news about Southern Africa is that you will not legally require any inoculations unless you are travelling from other African countries where Yellow Fever is prevalent, in which case you will need to be vaccinated against this disease.
The most important health consideration in the region (anywhere in Africa for that matter) is malaria. There are malaria-free parts of especially South Africa, and it is possible to design a completely malaria-free Southern African itinerary but, for the most part, the average traveler will be exposed to some level of malaria risk. We can offer informal advice (particularly on all-important measures to prevent being bitten by malaria-bearing mosquitoes), but it is up to the traveler to consult their doctor for specific medication. Other sources of advice include the Centre For Disease Control in Atlanta at (404) 332-4559 (website: www.cdc.gov), and the British Airways Travel Clinic (www.travelclinic.co.za).
Will I have to carry around lots of cash?
Perhaps one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises awaiting the traveler to Southern Africa is the level of technological development and basic infrastructure in the region.
Despite being in some of the remotest places on Earth, most camps, lodges, and hotels have facilities for accepting payment by credit card. On safari, almost all major expenses (all meals, activities, and often drinks) are covered in the costs of accommodation such that any extras will tend to be limited, and can generally be paid by credit card. In urban centres, particularly in South Africa, ATMs are to be found in most shopping malls and banks, and will accept U.S. cash cards using the Cirrus and Plus systems, as well as Visa, Mastercard, or American Express credit cards (provided your credit account has a cash withdrawal facility).
Both major international airports (Johannesburg and Cape Town) also have ATMs, and you can withdraw money as soon as you land (generally at a better exchange rate than if you were to exchange cash or travellers checks at a bank). In a word, no, you will not have to carry huge wads of money as any expenses which cannot be charged to a credit card (departure taxes, curio purchases, tips) will amount to very little. Apart from a small emergency reserve of travellers checks, you should never need more than US$ 200 on your person.
Unlike many other parts of the world, tap water in Southern Africa is, for the most part, safe to drink. Most camps, lodges, and hotels will make it clear to their guests whether they should or should not drink the tap water and, in most cases, will provide mineral water free of charge if tap water is not safe. There is no need to travel in fear of contracting some exotic and unpleasant illness from drinking the water or eating fresh produce.
Will I be able to communicate with local people?
English is an official language in all four countries of the region, and is the de facto language of politics and economics. It is taught at school, and is widely spoken in all urban centres. Even in rural areas, many local villagers (especially younger ones who have received schooling) will be able to converse in English. When staying at a private camp or lodge, your guide will very often be able to introduce you to his or her friends and family, and will act as interpreter if necessary. Yes, some amazing interaction with local people is possible, and more than likely to occur while on your trip to Southern Africa.
Will I be able to stay in touch with the outside world?
Again, the relatively sophisticated infrastructure of the region will surprise many guests. All urban centres are well served by terrestrial telecommunications systems, and cellular networks are well developed (cellular phones can be rented for the duration of your stay). Calling cards from most U.S. carriers (e.g. AT&T, MCI, etc.) offer toll free numbers which can be dialled from South African phones for long-distance calls, while local calls can be made with telephone cards from Telkom (the local carrier).
Almost all hotels have telephone and fax services, often internet as well. While out on safari you will be able to escape from modern technology and, but for emergencies, will be out of reach to the outside world (a rare luxury!). All camps do, however, have radio communications in case of emergencies. Certain luxury lodges in South Africa offer full telephone (and even internet) services for those who cannot afford to 'disappear'.
Is it possible to drive oneself around?
Southern Africa boasts thousands of miles of perfectly tarred roads, many of which qualify as some of the least congested roads on the planet! Self-driving is a very good way of stretching your budget and keeping costs down. Some wilderness regions, however, cannot be accessed by road, and the only way in is by light aircraft (the Okavango Delta, for example).
The Western Cape Province of South Africa - encompassing Cape Town, the wine country, the whale route, and the garden route - is an ideal self-drive destination. Namibia can also be visited on a self-drive basis, although a 4x4 is recommended, and this is for the slightly more adventurous.
Having driven virtually every mile of paved road in Southern Africa themselves, personnal of Liyatshwa Safaris are very well placed to advise on self-drive itineraries. One important consideration to bear in mind is that credit cards are not accepted at all petrol (gas) stations, and the self-drive traveller is advised to carry cash for refilling the tank.
Isn't Africa politically unstable and dangerous?
Africa is the world's second largest continent, and is four times the size of the USA. In area, Africa is larger than the USA, Europe, China, India, Argentina, and New Zealand combined. It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the media (and, often, the U.S. school system) treats Africa as a single entity.
A remarkable diversity in political arrangements exists across this enormous continent and, while it may be true that parts of Africa are war-torn and ravaged by dictators, Southern Africa is a model of peace and stability. All five countries in the region are multi-party democracies with stable governments and economies; none is subject to civil war or unrest. In fact, their political and economic systems do not differ much from American or Western European systems, and the traveller from these regions will feel remarkably at home.
Isn't there lots of crime in SAFARIS?
Again, the media's morbid fascination with bad news from Africa has created the impression in many travellers' minds that parts of Africa, especially South Africa, are made inaccessible to travellers by extravagant levels of crime. While it is true that South African cities are battling to come to terms with an increase in crime since the transition to democracy, it is not the crime-infested country portrayed in the international media. It will surprise many people to know that, according to statistics from the 1999 'Economist World in Figures', various 'developed' countries are considered more dangerous and violent than South Africa, including Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand.
Furthermore, the crime that does exist is targeted at people who live and work in the country, and enormous efforts are made by the country's authorities to prevent tourists from being exposed to any dangers. The vast majority of your time in Southern Africa is likely to spent away from big cities in any case, in areas where crime is unheard of. Even while in the cities, by choosing the right hotel and following some simple advice, you are likely to be a lot safer than walking the streets of your nearest city.
To start planning your safari, call on
27-11-463-7889 or
email us at info@Liyatshwa.com
Photo credits: Wilderness safaris (Sunset at a watering hole in Botswana)