SAFARI VIRGINS PART 4: POP THAT CHERRY

27 Nov

Written By Milo Gammond

A last few practical tips so that you are ready to get out there and rip up your safari 'v' plates!

NOTE: My answers are based on my time spent at luxury private game reserves in South Africa. National parks, self-drive safaris and other African countries will have different rules and experiences.

When is the best time to go?
It depends what you are after as each season has subjective pros and cons. Ultimately, being on a safari at any time is a bonus in my eyes as you will be exposed to many different experiences.

*Please note that African seasons are the opposite to the UK e.g. their spring is our autumn.

Spring and summer are high season. The bush is green, lush and thick which can make animals slightly harder to spot but there is the possibility of seeing lots of new-born animals. There will be higher daytime temperatures to contend with and you will need to take note that this is the most expensive time of year to travel.

Autumn and winter are low season. The landscape is dry and the foliage is less dense so spotting is certainly easier. The lack of water also guarantees a frequent visit of wildlife to watering holes for prime viewing opportunities. The temperatures can be distinctly cooler, especially when driving through the bush in open-sided vehicles. These months are when you are likely to find the most favourable rates.

Shoulder season is the window of time between high and low season (between summer and autumn and between winter and spring). There are often good rates and deals during these times.

Optimum stay length?
It depends on your budget, but I think three nights is a fantastic option. One night feels like you’ve barely put your bags down before you are waving goodbye again and two nights feels like you’re just getting into the swing of it and there is still so much potential for great sightings. A number of lodges do provide deals to stay four nights but only pay for three nights . . . surely it’s a no brainer!

Any time spent on safari is magical but there is nothing worse than feeling like you’ve barely scratched the surface and have to leave before you are ready. Just think, if you stopped buying a coffee every day for a year you could spend the savings on an extra night on safari . . . food for thought?!

What else should be considered?
A number of reserves are located in malarial areas so it is important that you organise suitable medication from your travel clinic if this is required. Madikwe Game Reserve in the far north of South Africa is one of the best, non-malarial safari options if you do not wish to take malaria precautions.

Many of the reserves have their own private airstrip for a more direct travel option. Be aware that the light aircraft (12 seaters to 20 seaters) that service these journeys have limited capacity so baggage restrictions are somewhat lower than usual. Soft bags rather than hard suitcases are also essential. If you have lots of excess luggage for further travels, storage facilities are provided at some of the main airports.

Be mindful of your safari clothing choices. Ideally you want to blend in as much as possible, so khaki greens and beige clothing is most suitable. Bear in mind there is very little that is solid white in the natural world so if you wear that, you’ll stand out like a sore thumb . . . especially as most animals see in black and white!

Practical outfits are also key, including sunhats and warm layers. Yes, believe it or not, you’ll soon regret going out on game drives in skimpy shorts and a vest-top. The lodges do provide blankets to wrap up in during game drives as open-sided jeeps give little protection from the wind as you drive around. Even in warm temperatures, I’ve found myself shivering in my seat as we breeze through the savannah!

Is it safe?
Safety is of utmost importance to the lodges. You will be given a briefing on arrival as to what to expect and how to act, but ultimately, you just need to use common sense. Many of the camps consist of a central communal building housing the reception, dining and leisure areas, with individual bedroom buildings spread-out further away. There are often no security fences around the lodges so animals can wander freely. It has been known at some lodges for elephants to walk right past reception and drink from the swimming pool and leopards to hang out in the outdoor bathrooms! For safety during dusk and night-time hours, you will need to be escorted by a member of staff between your bedroom and the main building so that they can scout out the bushes and make sure there are no unexpected visitors lurking.

Is there much for children to do?
Each lodge has different rules regarding the age of children they permit on safari. Babies and very young children are not allowed on game drives as it is neither suitable nor safe to do so. There are often fantastic onsite children’s clubs offering activities on theme with the location so that young children can learn about wildlife while their parents are out on game drives. Private family safaris can be booked to cater for slightly older children. The lodges won’t seat children in vehicles with other paying guests as the rangers will approach the safari and their commentary slightly differently.

Somewhere like Sabi Sabi in the Sabi Sands Reserve is a perfect all-round option as it has four lodges, each with a different character and style of accommodation. One specifically caters for children with its own 'Elefun Centre', whereas the others are ideal for honeymooners, guests with an interest in the history of the area and also those who like more modern interior decor.

Final words
Hopefully this series of four blogs has been tantalising enough to whet your appetite and reveal the true charm of safari. If there is anything else you wish to know, please do get in contact. I would love to help.