Often we tip people or businesses that have done a good job. This may be a waitress / waiter in a restaurant or possibly a hairdresser. But should you tip on a South African safari trip?

Many people do chose to tip on a safari, it may be tipping the tour guide or driver of your safari vehicle. Some people do it in cash usually American dollars or South African Rands.

If you prefer not to carry cash with you then most places also allow you to tip by using your credit card (you may wish to check if you will be charged for this).

Of course it is totally optional if you wish to tip someone, but here is a few examples of the amount people often tip:

A Ranger usually gets about $10 per guest per day in a shared vehicle. And you can expect this to be at least double that amount per guest in a private vehicle. General staff including cleaners and cooks are usually tipped about $5 per guest per day if the service they have provided is exceptional.

If you are looking at making your next holiday a safari one then you have a wide range of options available to you when it comes to travel.

If you are going to be travelling to a number of locations for your safari holiday then you need to consider if you are going to go by car, plane, sea or even cycle. Yes, cycle. Cycling on safari holidays has grown in popularity over the last few years. It is a great way to explore the country and really take in the surroundings. It’s not for the faint hearted as you may be travelling for a few days and having to camp overnight but the advantages far out weight this.

If you are travelling by plane to a second or third destination then be sure to check the luggage restrictions as your allowable weight for your luggage will probably be quite a bit lower than the restrictions on a commercial long haul flight.

Some people opt to go on a safari holiday to South Africa alone. This can be for many reasons but often it is down to cost and choice of location. Safari holidays can be enjoyed by almost anyone as there are so many different types you can chose whether you want to be up trekking through the forest or enjoying it from the comfort of your vehicle.

Safaris can be enjoyed alone as you often are so overwhelmed by the magnificent sites you see and wildlife that you come in to contact with that there is little time to feel lonely, but travelling to South Africa and exploring the rest of the country can be unsafe if you are on your own.

Unfortunately South Africa does have quite a high crime rate and therefore it is advised to travel in a group or at least a couple.

If you are wanting to go it alone, make sure that you have all your transport pre-arranged and that you know exactly where you are going.

Most people have seen lions in a zoo or at a safari park in the UK but nothing compares to the experience of the lion Park experience in South Africa. Here you can either go on a self-drive guided tour or go in one of the parks silent electric cars to get right up close to the animals without cages or barriers.

The park also offers a ‘walking with lions experience’ where you can go into an enclosure with baby lions and cheetahs to see them and even help to feed the young lions right up close.

The park also offers a night drive experience that mimics the natural hunt process that lions follow in the wild, during this drive you can see the lions chasing and playing whilst you listen to the roars of the pride. This simulated hunt allows you to witness the behaviour of the lions much closer than you could safely do in the wild.

Many people would think that being disabled means that there are many things that you simply cannot do and many places that you cannot go, however this really isn’t the case, with a little more planning and a bit of help anything is possible.

There are now a number of companies that offer safari based holidays specifically designed with disabled people in mind. These companies cater for all levels of disability from wheelchair users to the blind and even people requiring kidney dialysis or constant oxygen.

The safari holidays are not compromised by a person’s disability as the company ensure that every need is catered for without fuss or complications and the cost of this convenience doesn’t have to be the earth.

The packages that these companies offer vary from luxury safari travel to budget style safari camping all of which are made perfectly suitable for any level of disability.

So, disabled or not, the world really is your oyster.

You may have heard (or even read) that Namibia spans thousands and thousands of square Kilometers with unsurpassed sand dunes of the Namib desert featuring prominently on the country’s landscape. What you may not know is that there’s more to this Sothern African country nestled between the Kalahari and the Atlantic Ocean than the sand dunes. Here’s why you need to embark on a Namibia Safari for an African experience like no other.

The Damaraland Safari

Damaraland may be arid, but this vast, uninhabited area has much more up its sleeve. The mountainous backdrop is indisputably breathtaking, and the night sky is a carpet of stars. The northern section of Damaraland is not only less arid but is bursting with magnificent flat-topped mountains, meandering rivers and acacia woodland as well as rolling grasslands. (more…)

Family safaris in Kenya offer some of the best family experiences in Africa. Combine your safari with a relaxing vacation at the beach by the Indian Ocean and you have a perfect family holiday. The following points are some of the most frequently asked questions from people planning family Kenya safaris:

How early should I plan my safari?

Although safari holidays can be arranged at short notice, it’s better to begin planning as soon as possible. There are lots of options to consider and choices to make. You also might need to put plans in place for vaccinations.

What kind of animals will we see?

This very much depends on where you decide to visit. The Masai Mara, for example, is home to lots of the traditional safari animals such as the Big 5, hyena, cheetah, giraffe, wildebeest and zebra. In other areas there may be certain animals that you won’t find or there may be species that live there in huge numbers. An expert in African safaris will be able to easily help you decide where to go according to what you’re interested in as a family.

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Days begin early on safari because this is the best time to see wildlife. The animals rise early with the sun and the predators begin prowling for their breakfast. You’ll be woken up with a tray of hot tea or coffee (or whatever you like to drink in the mornings!) to begin the morning with, before getting dressed and jumping into you vehicle with your knowledgeable guide. Together you’ll watch the events of the bush unfold.

Breakfast is most likely done and dusted for the animals by the time you begin to feel hungry. Whenever you’re ready your guide will find the perfect spot to stop off for a tasty bush breakfast. Think more steaming hot drinks, breakfast sandwiches, cool juices, cereals, fresh fruits and yoghurts. You’ll refuel before heading back out to see what else you can find.

After your morning drive you can relax at your camp doing whatever you wish. Perhaps you’d like to take a quick dip in the pool? Relax in your room with a book? Learn more about Africa’s fauna and flora in the camp’s library? The choice is yours. Once you’re feeling rested you can begin your afternoon activity.  On a tailor made safari you’re able to choose exactly what you’d like to do. You could go out for an afternoon drive, take a guided bush walk, go canoeing, or many various other activities depending on where you are.

You’ll be met back at the camp by friendly staff who have a cool facecloth and a refreshing juice ready and waiting for you. As night falls you’ll surround the campfire with your fellow guests, sipping on your favourite drink and discussing what you’ve seen that day. Together you’ll enjoy a scrumptious three course dinner under the stars before retreating back to your tent for a good night’s sleep before your next day of safari adventures.

Typically speaking, tourists in Africa will aim to experience the natural beauty there by joining a safari excursion, and aiming to watch all of the big five; Elephants, Lions, Buffalo, Leopard, and Rhinoceros, but there are other options which can be just as engaging. There are options for people to join a trek, where you walk through environments which cars are unable to traverse, like forests and mountains. On these, you can see animals which you can’t through any other way, such as Gorillas, and Chimpanzees. Both of these are some of the most interesting animals around, and the experience of seeing large troops of them living in social groups in a natural setting is truly unique. These are opportunities which, while allowing you to experience incredible animals, also allows you to really see what wildlife is like in areas of Africa. This allows you to explore more in-depth, and there are a number of options for you to help with conservation efforts, and reduce the price of such a trip.