Africa travel advice
Gorilla trekking advice
Tom Harari, from our supplier, Exodus, shares his gorilla trekking advice:
“If you’re debating whether to track mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda, consider the following. If your aim is just the gorillas then they are a lot easier to reach in Rwanda (3hrs from Kigali to the Parc National des Volcans); if you want a more all-round trip then Uganda offers more diversity, including traditional safaris and better opportunities to see chimps and culture. The forest on the Rwandan side is more open, therefore better light for photos, and in Uganda it’s more closed so more atmospheric.”
“If you’re debating whether to track mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda, consider the following. If your aim is just the gorillas then they are a lot easier to reach in Rwanda (3hrs from Kigali to the Parc National des Volcans); if you want a more all-round trip then Uganda offers more diversity, including traditional safaris and better opportunities to see chimps and culture. The forest on the Rwandan side is more open, therefore better light for photos, and in Uganda it’s more closed so more atmospheric.”
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Safari advice
Tom Harari, from our supplier, Exodus, shares his Africa travel advice:
“When going on safari dress in neutral colours as it helps you blend in, making wildlife less nervous. It’s also worth investing in, or borrowing a good pair of binoculars when on safari – if you’re into photography it’s worth having a good telephoto lens too. Lastly, always listen to your guide; if they say not to do something or go somewhere, there’s a good reason. Wildlife is, as the name implies, wild.”
“When going on safari dress in neutral colours as it helps you blend in, making wildlife less nervous. It’s also worth investing in, or borrowing a good pair of binoculars when on safari – if you’re into photography it’s worth having a good telephoto lens too. Lastly, always listen to your guide; if they say not to do something or go somewhere, there’s a good reason. Wildlife is, as the name implies, wild.”
Advice on getting stuck in
Simon Mills, from our supplier Native Escapes, shares his Africa travel advice:“Arrive with an open mind and plenty of humour. Be adventurous and eat in local cafes and restaurants, drink local beers and wine and eat local dishes rather than eating in chain restaurants and drinking imported brands, it supports the country you are visiting rather than large corporations.”
Preparation advice
Simon Mills, from our supplier Native Escapes, shares his advice on researching your trip:"Before you travel, read up as much as you can on your destination, local customs and cultures, history and appropriate dress. A few words of the local language, especially greetings, will go a long way towards breaking the ice.”
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South Africa safari vacation, 14 days
Award winning safari in South Africa
From
£4495
14 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 5 Dec
2024: 8 May
2023: 5 Dec
2024: 8 May
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Tips from our travelers in Africa
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Africa travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Africa travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
Only go on a gorilla safari and Masai Mara trip if you like camping. We had a lion, elephant, hyena, zebra, group of hippos and wart hogs outside our tents at night.
– Phoebe Harrison
“If you go on safari in South Africa in May, take warm clothes and layer! Take the time to just sit and listen to the sounds of nature and enjoy the views, take in all the information that the guides give you.” – Amanda Hathaway
“Go on every possible game drive. Every one of them was special in some way - as first time safari goers we didn't want to go with a checklist of what we wanted to see. We just went to see whatever Africa had to offer. We were not disappointed!” – Janet Thomas
“Don't be put off for traveling in short wet season. We went at the end of Feb and still saw many animals.” – Chris Hehir
“Take a good camera and a long lens. Don't over pack, you only need casual clothing.” – John Durham
“Go on every possible game drive. Every one of them was special in some way - as first time safari goers we didn't want to go with a checklist of what we wanted to see. We just went to see whatever Africa had to offer. We were not disappointed!” – Janet Thomas
“Don't be put off for traveling in short wet season. We went at the end of Feb and still saw many animals.” – Chris Hehir
“Take a good camera and a long lens. Don't over pack, you only need casual clothing.” – John Durham
Spend your money in villages; don't quibble, they need it more than you do.
– John Palmer
“If you’re on a big game safari in Tanzania, enjoy every part of the vacation, whether it is the flight in a prop plane and landing on an air strip with elephants and giraffes standing to on either side (or in the middle), or seeing hundreds of hairy caterpillars in procession. Big or small, take it all in and enjoy watching and listening.” – Joanne Davenport
“In Ethiopia, leave enough time to travel slowly in the south. It is quite tiring and there are long drives on dirt roads. Give yourself time to go for walks and birdwatch and make sure your agent knows exactly what you want.” – Frances Fedden
“Take sensible shoes to Morocco! I know it's obvious, but there really is so much walking.” – Jennifer Baker-Dallison
“In Ethiopia, leave enough time to travel slowly in the south. It is quite tiring and there are long drives on dirt roads. Give yourself time to go for walks and birdwatch and make sure your agent knows exactly what you want.” – Frances Fedden
“Take sensible shoes to Morocco! I know it's obvious, but there really is so much walking.” – Jennifer Baker-Dallison