FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to our most common questions. Do you have a question? Maybe you'll find the answer below... but if not, don't hesitate to get in touch with us!
How intense are these trips? Will there be time to relax like a holiday?
This is different for each photography trip and their specific itineraries, but generally there's always plenty of time for relaxation amidst the game viewing and photo tuition. It's important you enjoy your time on safari - so we plan out the schedules with downtime integrated, but if you'd rather take another swim in the pool or spend more time in bed, then that's not a problem.
Do I need to be a
photographer for these trips?
Absolutely not. Our trips, although predominantly aimed for photographers, are open to anyone and everyone with an interest in wildlife and nature. Whether you want to learn more about photography, or have zero interest at all, is entirely up to you - but our trips work just as well for those without a camera, as they do for those that do.
​
We've catered to many guests who don't have an interest in photography, and they've always had nothing but the best experiences. Ultimately, it's all about the experience of being in the presence of wildlife and sharing those moments with like minded people, learning about what you're seeing and celebrating it - and that's absolutely open for everybody to enjoy.
​
I'd like to spend more time in Africa, is this something you can help with?
Absolutely, yes. We always advocate for longer stays in Africa to absorb as much as possible. A lot of our safaris are planned so that one leads into another, so if you're wanting to double your safari experience, there's generally another trip available to book onto. Otherwise if you're looking to spend your time in another way, then there's usually plenty of options and we can definitely help you in figuring out what would be the best option for you. A few days relaxing at the beach? Exploring the many gems of Cape Town? Just let us know and we can give you invaluable information and advice on how to perfectly extend your African experience.
Do I need to worry about malaria and getting some sort of medication?
Please check in with your local travel clinic or doctor for advice. Most of our safaris operate in low risk malarial areas or at low risk times, but for your own peace of mind, it's recommended that you take a prophylactic if your doctor agrees.
It's also best to carry and apply some form of mosquito repellent and use preventetive measures such as wearing long sleeved clothing and keeping doors and windows shut at night with a fan on to keep air circulating.
How much do you recommend I leave as a tip?
It's important to remember that you do not need to tip everyone you come into contact with. It's customary to tip a couple of dollars or so if someone helps you with luggage at airports or hotels - but once on safari you only tip at the end of your stay and upon departure. It is safari tradition to tip your guide and the lodge $20 each per day on safari (so approximately $40 per day in total for each guest).
Will I have phone signal or wi-fi?
The cellular industry in Africa is pretty good and if your phone is on roaming you will get signal (even if patchy) in most locations. Wifi can be very slow and may only work in certain areas of a lodge / camp - so it's best to sometimes plan ahead and consider buying a local SIM card to use local data (although this can be quite expensive in Africa). Keep in mind that power-outages are a common occurance - so there's no guarantee of communiactions, in which case we go by the saying “no news is good news” and put the phone away. It's best to notify loved ones that you may be out of contact to set expectations.
Will I have power to charge electronics?
There will always be a way to charge camera batteries and laptops. Most of the time this will be done in your room but some camps there is have a central charging station in the camp dining area which is sometimes restricted by generator times or solar energy. This often sounds a lot worse that what it is, but just requires you to plan ahead a bit and think about charging batteries ahead of time and not overnight.
What plug do I need?
Different African countries have different plugs - but it's easy and quick to find what one is needed and to acquire an adaptor as our destinations don’t always stock them. In East Africa and many other parts the plugs are UK style and for South Africa they are mostly a large round three-pin configuration.
Don't forget to bring a power-strip so you can charge multiple accessories off one plug.