FAQs

Q. What animals will I see on safari?

A. During a safari in Tanzania visiting the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti at any time of year you can expect to see the following animals: Lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, jackal, spotted hyena, hippo, baboons, vervet monkeys, warthog, hartebeest, impala, and a host of other antelope species and smaller mammals. You are also very likely to see black rhino, cheetah, crocodile, serval cat and with luck and patience, leopard. Other fascinating species seen regularly include honey badgers, African wild cat, colobus monkeys, and depending on the areas visited, some of the magnificent larger antelope such as greater kudu and sable.

Weather patterns cannot be guaranteed and these affect animal movements and hence game viewing, but during the early part of the year, January/March, you can expect to see huge herds of wildebeest, zebra ad gazelle spread out over the short grass plains of the Serengeti, with many young at foot. During the dry season, August to October, the Serengeti is also excellent for cats, and Tarangire National Park offers great herds of elephant, wildebeest and zebra drawn to the water of the Tarangire River, as well as their attendant predators, particularly lion.

Southern Africa is at its peak for game viewing in the dry season between June and October. At this time good numbers of elephant, buffalo and other plains game can be seen in most wildlife areas, with the numbers increasing further into the dry season, as the temperature rises and available water decreases. Lion are seen in most areas, and leopard and wild dog regular sightings in certain areas. The magnificent greater kudu and sable antelope are regularly seen in many parks of Botswana.

During the 'summer' season, from November to May, the land is greener and with beautifully clear light for photography; many of the big herds have dispersed as there is more water and grazing around, but planning the right itinerary still allows for some fantastic game viewing at a fraction of the high season prices.

Q. Will my safari be a specialist birding safari?

A. No, the safaris shown are general interest trips, covering animals, birds, plants and the ecology of the areas visited, they are not specialist birding trips. If you are looking for a specialist birding safari it can certainly be arranged and Africa has some marvellous birding destinations. On a general interest safari, most visitors are amazed by the size, colour and variety of the bird-life, and many generate an interest in birds that they never knew existed; you can expect to identify around 150 different species of birds on a typical safari, ranging from magnificent martial eagles, and massive saddle-billed storks to diminutive lovebirds and exotic bee-eaters.

Q. Do I need inoculations and malaria prophylactics to visit Africa?

A. Depending on the country you are visiting and the time of year different precautions are required. Upon booking you will receive full information on Health and First Aid, and you should speak to your doctor for advice in this area. Generally malaria prophylactics are required and inoculations for the following may be recommended: yellow fever, tetanus, typhoid, meningitis and gamma globulin.

Q. What clothes and equipment should I take on safari?

A. The 'Safari Information' booklet sent to you on booking will give you full advice on clothing with a recommended clothes list and advice on camera equipment, luggage and entry requirements.

Q. Can I arrange my own flights to Africa?

A. Yes, simply keep us informed of your arrangements. Any flights arranged by Journey Into Africa. including flights within Africa, are covered under ATOL licence 10288.

Q. Are insects a nuisance on safari?

A. Generally people are surprised by the lack of insects on safari; weather conditions make a difference and if you are in the middle of a herd of 100,000 wildebeest you must expect some flies. However for the great majority of time and areas, insects are not a problem on safari.

Q. How hot will it be?

A. During the middle of the day, during the hottest time of the year, the Serengeti will reach the 90's fahrenheit or in the low 30 's centigrade. Most safari activities are taken in the early morning or late afternoon when the temperature is more comfortable, and when the animals are more active with better photographic light. As most areas in Northern Tanzania are at altitude, (the Serengeti is at around 5,000 ft above sea level), humidity tends to be low and there is usually a wind. This makes for a delightful climate. The tropical sun is intense however, and precautions against the sun are recommended.

In southern Africa, towards the end of the dry season, from September onwards, temperatures start to climb, until rain arrives normally in November. At these times, safari activities are again geared towards the early morning and late afternoon.

Due to the effect of altitude and generally clear skies, temperatures drop once the sun goes down and sleeping temperatures are very pleasant even at the hottest times of the year. During the southern African winter, particularly in the period June to August, it can be surprisingly cold, particularly on early morning and night drives.

Q. Are safaris suitable for young children?

A. Much depends on the child, but in general children under ten do not enjoy long periods in vehicles, even watching wildlife, and the variety of activities on offer in southern Africa may be more suitable. Many camps have age restrictions on children, or require the whole camp be booked for a group including children. In general, families with children will be required to take a vehicle for their exclusive use. Having said that, Africa is a fascinating place for children and a safari can be a hugely rewarding experience for both children and parents alike, but the safari needs to be planned in part with the children's interests in mind.

Q. What will the food be like on safari?

A. The food is excellent on safari: wholesome, nourishing and plentiful. It also tastes particularly good because of the location in which it is being eaten! People are always amazed by the quality of meals that are produced out of a bush kitchen. Food is predominantly of European style, with plentiful fresh vegetables and fruit, and comprises dishes such as steaks, quiches, curries, pasta, rice, stir-fries and pizzas. Dinners are generally three courses, and full English breakfasts are the norm. Vegetarians and special dietary requirements can be catered for if we are informed in advance.

Q. Is my money protected?

Any money paid for your safari is protected by Total Payment Protection (topp) Policy cover:

In compliance with the UK Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 and the Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organiser’s Licensing) Regulations 1995 an insurance policy has been arranged with Travel & General Insurance Company plc, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, to protect customers’ prepayments in the unlikely event of our financial failure and paid in respect of:

• flight inclusive packages commencing and returning to the UK
• non-flight inclusive packages commencing and returning to the UK
• flight inclusive packages, where the initial flight from your home country, which is outside of the UK, was included in the package price of the holiday
• the ground handling aspects of packages where the customer is responsible for arranging travel to the destination offered in this brochure/literature/document/on this website (subject to the terms of the insurance policy), for:
• a refund of such prepayments if customers have not yet travelled, or
• making arrangements to enable the holiday to continue if customers have already travelled. Customers’ prepayments are protected by a topp policy. In the unlikely event of financial failure please contact the claims helpline on 0870 0137 965. A copy of the policy is available on request.