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Is an Africa safari tour safe?
Yes. Hills of Africa Travel is knowledgeable about every region you’ll visit, and we take all precautions to ensure your safety. In addition to being from Zimbabwe, we frequently take trips to Africa and always use local guides who know each area intimately.
Why would I want to go on an African safari vacation?
Whether you’re looking for a Botswana honeymoon safari or a Zimbabwe family safari, Africa is the crown jewel of travel. Nowhere else on earth has an abundance of majestic wildlife, magnificent scenery, and happy, hospitable people as Africa has. There is a truly magical quality and indescribable energy about Africa, and you’ll feel it as soon as you step foot on African soil.
Hills of Africa Travel clients always say they wish they had gone years earlier, and they can’t wait to go again.
How much does an African safari vacation cost?
Every safari trip is customized to your needs, and pricing will vary depending on several factors such as length of stay, accommodations, and destinations, and whether you choose one of our escorted safaris.
Our itineraries begin at $5,000 per person for a 10- to 12-night Africa safari tour. This does not include the cost of international airfare, but it does include almost everything else, including transportation inside Africa.
Call us at 800-940-9344, or fill out the contact form, and we will be happy to discuss your African safari vacation.
Should I worry about malaria and other diseases?
We provide necessary information about vaccinations and malaria prevention when you book your Africa safari tour. We won’t minimize the fact that malaria is a serious disease. However, it is not as common as you might think, the oral preventative is very effective, and we strive to travel to malaria-free areas as much as possible.
Take the same precautions on your safari vacation as you would while camping. Wash your hands frequently, cover exposed skin, and use insect repellent. If you are concerned, check with your physician or local health department. You can also visit the CDC travel website here.
What about the food and water?
Whether on a Mozambique family safari or touring South Africa’s wine country, your accommodations will be sheer luxury. Not only is the water safe and filtered, but the cuisine will also be among some of the best you’ve ever tasted. Discover African cuisine here.
How close do we get to the animals?
On your African safari vacation, you experience animals in their natural surroundings. Remember, you are in their habitat. Your guides will know how close you can safely go, as they are very aware of the animals’ body language, habits, and personalities. Be sure to listen to your guides, and follow their instructions at all times.
What should I pack for my Africa safari tour?
When you’re packing for an African safari, there are several things to keep in mind. Pay close attention to luggage weight restrictions when deciding what to pack. We’ll tell you about the weather and give you ideas to pack a versatile wardrobe. You’ll only need two or three pairs of shoes, and trial sizes of toiletries are perfect for your African safari tour.
Every item you put in your suitcase should serve a purpose and should pair with other clothes easily. Zip-off pants that convert into shorts are ideal. Reversible and neutral-colored clothing is versatile, but stay away from white, pink, red, and yellow. Don’t forget protection from the sun: sunglasses, a good sun hat, and sun block.
You’ll receive detailed packing information when you book your African safari vacation, but the following is a good guide for clothing.
- 2 pairs of long, casual pants.
- 2–4 pairs of shorts.
- 7–10 shirts (a mixture of long-sleeve and short-sleeve).
- 2 sweaters.
- Thick jacket (only if you are visiting in the winter months).
- Hiking boots for walking safaris and game drives.
- Flip-flops or waterproof shoes for canoe safaris (only if you are traveling in the summer should you pack flip-flops).
- 1 cocktail dress or lightweight suit (only if you have plans to attend an event that requires this attire).
- 1–2 bathing suits.
- 1 light rain jacket.
- Clean underwear for each day.
Some accommodations offer complimentary or noncomplimentary laundry services. Check before packing. Find more information about what to pack here.
Are there luggage weight restrictions?
Yes. For international flights, you’re allowed 44 lbs. total, with two checked bags and a carry-on. However, you’re only allowed one small, soft bag and one carry-on when you fly charter flights. You must ensure that all of your essentials such as photography equipment, proper clothing, makeup, toiletries, etc., can all fit into your bag.
Specific countries in Africa have different luggage restrictions. For example, when flying within Zimbabwe, you can only take 26 lbs. of luggage, while South Africa allows a more generous amount of 44 lbs., and Tanzania allows 33 lbs.
What makes Hills of Africa Travel different from other African safari tour operators?
Probably the single greatest thing that separates us from other leading tour operators is our small size. Unlike the bigger African safari tour operators, we customize every itinerary for our clients. We listen to their wants and needs, incorporate them into the itinerary, and then present clients with an African safari vacation that perfectly fits their budget, time frame, and travel tastes.
Another plus of being a small safari tour provider is that our clients work with the owners of the company. We are passionate about African safari vacations, but we are just as passionate about the client experience. When we design itineraries, we want to expose our clients to the Magic of Africa and keep their needs in mind.We change their lives when they travel, but the amazing thing is that there is another side to the mission. By choosing local African safari tour providers with the Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) label, we also change lives inside Africa with each itinerary.
How far in advance should we start planning our African safari vacation?
The farther ahead, the better. We request a lead time for your South Africa tour of at least six months if possible, especially if you are traveling from June through October.
Do I need a visa for our African safari tour? What are the passport requirements?
If you choose a trip in some countries, such as a Zimbabwe family safari, you’ll need a visa, and we will help you to comply with the requirements. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your return date. You need at least two blank pages in your passport. You will receive more detailed information when you book your Africa safari tour.
We strive to stay current on documentation requirements, but we advise all Hills of Africa Travel clients to inquire with the consulates of the countries they plan to visit about requirements and current restrictions, as they may change at any time. For a list of African embassies, visit http://www.africaguide.com/embassy.htm.
What kind of currency do I need?
When going on an African safari vacation, the best currencies to travel with are the U.S. dollar and the European euro. Depending on which countries you visit, you may wish to purchase other currency. Many countries in Africa have their own currency, but most countries do accept the U.S. dollar.
To make sure you don’t run low on funds on your South Africa tour, bring cash as well as debit or ATM cards and credit cards. Most major cities and large airports have ATMs, and Hills of Africa Travel recommends you find a list of ATMs before departing.
Visa ATM Locator: http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global
MasterCard Global ATM Locator: http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/cardholderservices/atmlocations/index.html
What are sustainable African safari tours?
We’ve all traveled somewhere, such as the local park, and seen people leave trash behind or dig up the grass for a barbecue pit. Now imagine this happening worldwide, and you get an idea of how travelers can negatively affect the places they go.
Sustainable travel is the opposite—it is responsible travel that positively affects the land, people, and animals. For example, tour operators employ local people, giving them opportunities to improve their own economies. Local guides help each African safari tour company provide a fulfilling travel experience with minimal disturbance of the animals and land. Every travel dollar directly benefits the community in which it is spent, and lives are changed.
Hills of Africa Travel is proud to be the first U.S.-based operator to offer Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) tourism itineraries in our South Africa tours.
What is Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa?
The Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) is a nonprofit organization committed to applying Fair Trade principles to South Africa tours. To earn the FTTSA trademark, tourism establishments must meet rigorous criteria, allow on-site inspections, and be subject to ongoing surveillance.
Tourism companies and properties that earn the Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa label must follow high standards for fair wages, satisfactory working conditions, ethical business practices, and respect for human rights and the environment.
See sample itineraries here, and contact us to plan your trip of a lifetime.
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