Coming to Africa? What an adventure! But how many inquiries do you really have? A reputable tour operator should answer most of your queries before they are asked. However there may be issues you need to check when booking. It is important to note that we travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us, and this has never so true as Africa.
For instance you may not be as fit as you used to be, so ask whether there will be a ramp where you are staying and ask whether there are handrails around the bath or shower. Also check that your travel medical insurance covers pre-existing conditions.
Establish which meals, if any, are included in the price of the tour and are local soft drinks included? Find out whether the water is safe to drink or is bottled water supplied at an extra charge? Do not rely on toiletries being supplied because they will economically small. Bring plenty of sunscreen and if you are unfortunate enough to be a target for mosquitos bring some cream repellent and change into long trousers each evening.
Ask whether the camp is fenced or open to the bush and what predators surround your camp. When you arrive at your destination, if you are informed, ask about the protocol of using your phone to play music, smoking and other personal habits you may wish to query.
Always request a professional guide before walking outside of the camp, even if this entails an extra cost. Remember to wear long trouser to avoid thorn bushes and various insects when you go on a bush walk. It is better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.
Other queries should include does the camp have electricity? If there is only a generator, at what time is this switched off at night? Otherwise take a solar charger for your electronics so you can take as many pics as you wish.
According to Samuel Johnson, The use of traveling is to regulate imagination with reality, and instead of thinking of how things may be, see them as they are. So if you are not familiar with the southern hemisphere, check in which season your vacation takes place. In autumn, winter and the beginning of spring it is cold as soon as the sun sets. Therefore do not embark on a game drive without a really warm, dull-coloured jacket. If you wish to see game, do not scare them away with bright colours.
Ask whether fees into the national parks, reserves and other entry fees are included in the price of the tour. You do not want to arrive at a venue to discover there is an extra cost involved. The same applies to local taxes.
Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. So bring your binoculars, binos as we call them here, and if you hear a strange noise after dark, whatever you do, don’t look behind you!
