Travellers coming to Africa are often beset by worries for their safety, health and the reputation of the tour operator they’re travelling with. Our most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) usually include:
Before you travel
Yes, there is extensive coverage throughout Southern and East Africa. In some countries, this may be primarily in and around major urban areas. However, in South Africa, networks cover all national roads, towns and cities. Before traveling, ask your mobile phone service provider to open your phone to allow international roaming.
Every client over the age of 65 is required to submit a medical certificate or self-declaration of medical fitness before the start of the tour (please request this form from your travel consultant). For all Adventure Safaris, there is an age limit of 70 years. For all Lodge Safaris, there is an age limit of 80 years.
Namibia & SA Tours:
- We allow children as young as 9 years of age on our safaris through Namibia and SA.
Botswana Tours:
- Children under 12 years old will be accepted on a case to case basis. Permission will be required.
- Children under the age of 12 are not permitted on Mokoro trips in Botswana. One parent must stay with the child at the lodge.
Madagascar Barefoot Luxury Kayak Adventure Tours:
- We strictly do not accept children under the age of 12 years old on these tours.
Manafiafy Kayak Experience:
- Children under 12 years old will be accepted on a case to case basis. Permission will be required.
Certainly. Most city hotels will have either internet connection in the bedroom, or a business centre where you can spend time online. Most safari lodges and camps offer this facility in the main area if not in the rooms. In some remote areas, however, there maybe no internet.
On flying safaris, the light aircraft that charter guests only permit 8 kg of luggage per person. Only pack a few items of light and preferably cotton clothing for your stay in the bush. Clothing should be in neutral colours e.g. khaki, beige or bush green. A good guideline is two of everything: socks, underwear, shorts, shirts and one sweater. Bring light trousers and comfortable closed shoes if you wish to go on a walking safari. Don’t forget to bring a hat and sunscreen! In winter, make sure to take warm clothing (jerseys, beanie, trousers) as the evenings and mornings are cool.
Most major world currencies are available throughout Southern and East Africa. Any of the following currencies are accepted: US Dollar, Euro and Pounds. There are ATM machines as well as money exchange companies in most of the major cities in the regions we operate in.
We run the following different types of small guided group safaris:
Adventure guided group camping safaris
These safaris run on fixed departures dates with a maximum of 12 guests. Semi participation means that you are required to put up and take down your tent. Accommodation is a 2-person igloo tent with a foam mattress. All camping equipment is provided.
Guided group lodge safaris
These safaris run on fixed departure dates with a maximum of 12 guests.
Tailor-made adventure/non-participation guided group camping safaris
We can tailor–make a camping safari to meet your departure dates, group size, itinerary and budget.
Tailor-made lodge guided group safaris
We can tailor–make a lodge safari to meet your departure dates, group size, itinerary and budget.
Flying safaris
A chartered plane to take you from one lodge to the next. Flying safaris either making use of tented camps or lodges.
Self-drive safaris
Have the flexibility to travel and go where you want to. We will supply the vehicle, detailed plan, map and make your accommodation bookings. All you have to do is drive yourself.
There is a risk of catching malaria in Africa. It is highly recommended to ask your doctor’s advice about anti-Malaria drugs before leaving your country. If you take anti malaria drugs – your chances of getting it are slim. Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes and, as the insects are most active at night, it is recommended that travellers wear long-sleeved trousers and shirts at night and sleep under mosquito netting. Pack a good mosquito repellent.
For detailed visa information for each of the individual countries, please see our visa section.
Booking Process
We accept Visa and MasterCard for your safari deposit. A deposit of 30% is required to confirm the booking. A 4% surcharge will be added. For more information, please see Point 2 on our Terms & Conditions page.
All travellers should be adequately insured against all eventualities and circumstances. There are many companies offering travel insurance, so ask your travel agent to recommend the best one for you. Jenman African Safaris carries full public and passenger liability insurance on all of our safaris at all times.
Yes, Jenman is a comprehensive tour operator so in addition to our scheduled safaris we organise all pre- and post-accommodation, transfers, etc. Contact us if you would like us to tailor–make your travel arrangements.
It is better to book as far as possible (4 – 6 months) in advance to ensure availability at the time you wish to travel. This is especially important during the peak seasons: July, August, Christmas and New Year’s. And for those travelling on tailor-made safaris and those adding extensions to scheduled safaris.
Contact us for our terms and conditions document.
Classic
You will experience a classic mid-range accommodation in simple, clean and comfortable lodges, chalets and permanent tented camps.
Superior
You will experience comfort which is equivalent to an upper mid-range level. It’s an excellent value for money experience.
Exquisite
All lodges and tented camps in this category offer complete luxury. It’s the best accommodation in terms of food, decor, facilities and location.
General questions
Yes, many. But once again, the further north in Africa you travel, the fewer doctors and medical facilities there are. South Africa has many private hospitals, excellent specialists and state of the art equipment and facilities, including emergency rescue and air ambulance. Government facilities are overcrowded and should be avoided.
The lodges will usually see to your laundry requirements. On mobile camping safaris, laundry facilities are available in most camps. Information will be found in the detailed itinerary of the safari that you’re interested in.
Yes, we can tailor–make a safari for an individual or for large groups. Contact us for more information.
Africa offers outstanding value for families. But some destinations and establishments cater more fully for the enjoyment of children than others.
Kenya: Children who are five years old and younger are generally not allowed on game drives in the parks and reserves.
Tanzania: It is not recommended for children younger than eight years.
Botswana and Zambia: Many lodges do not accommodate children under 12 years of age.
Most safari lodges have babysitting services available. We offer child discounts on most of our safaris. Should you have any specific questions about travelling with small children or as a family – just contact us.
The cultures, environments and economies that we visit are fragile and require an ongoing commitment from us to ensure a lasting, positive effect. Tourism, when carried out in a responsible manner, can be a real help to local communities providing an income, a positive cultural exchange and a financial incentive to protect the natural environment. We run our safaris in keeping with eco-tourism guidelines.
There are many different types of activities available while on safari such as: game drives, guided walks, bird watching, boat cruises or canoeing. Adventure-based activities like white water rafting, helicopter flights over the Victoria Falls, and hot air balloon trips over the Serengeti, to name just a few, are also available.
Tents in the permanent tent camps are large, spacious and beautifully decorated. Each tent has two three-quarter beds, floor rugs, en suite bathrooms with flush toilet, adequate space to hang clothing, and a viewing deck. Luxury mobile camping tours use either large Hemingway or Meru tents. Semi participation camping safaris use igloo style tents for two people with comfortable foam mattresses.
We cater for vegetarian, halaal and other dietary requirements in Southern and East Africa. Just let us know in advance and we will be able to organise your preferred meals. Our tour guides are trained to cater for different types of culinary tastes. As a rule: do not eat anything purchased at the side of the road, and wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
Click here to find the full list of attractions of the countries we operate in.
Binoculars are recommended, preferably wide angle. A good DSLR camera with a powerful zoom or telephoto lens will reward you with superb shots.
Pack your prescription medication. Cities and towns all have pharmacies (drugstores) with everything one requires from aspirin to Xanax and Zambuk. Bear in mind that South Africa has a first-world infrastructure, but the further north one travels the more difficult it may be to get medication.
We have a range of vehicles which we use depending on the terrain that is travelled. For safaris, we have a fleet of custom-made Toyota Land Cruisers which are either 10 or 12 seaters. The vehicles are customised in our Cape Town workshop to improve both comfort and game viewing capability. For non-safari trips, we use a Mercedes Sprinter or a Toyota Quantum.
East Africa is a safari destination and the best time to travel is during the dry months. The rainy season is from April to June – and there are short rains from late November through December. This time offers great birding opportunities. It is often less expensive to travel during the long rainy season, as well as less tourists to share lodges and wildlife encounters with.
Dry season offers excellent game viewing and more reliable road conditions. Wildlife gathers around the limited water sources, making it easier to spot animals.
July and August are generally extremely busy months in East Africa, offering comfortable temperatures in addition to being a popular travel time worldwide. It is important to book in advance.
Southern Africa is a year-round destination as different regions are spectacular at different times.
Winter months are between May and September. These months are often popular for game viewing, as it is dry and the wildlife is much easier to see and it is also cooler. It rains from November to March, coinciding with Green Season – resulting in lush, green countryside and lovely scenery. This is a great time of year in the bush for birding, as well as witnessing many wildlife dropping their young. There are also generally less tourists in green season, so the perfect time to escape the crowds. It is also less expensive with many fantastic green season specials.
In summer, the temperatures can reach between 30 and 40 °C. But in many countries, summer is the best time to visit beautiful beaches and coastal resorts.
When travelling
It is safe to drink the tap water in most African countries. Tap water in hotels and at other lodges in Southern and East Africa is also safe to drink, but bottled water is available in shops if you prefer. If you are ever in doubt, stick to bottled water. Bottled water is supplied at all the main camps and lodges.
South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia are safe to visit. Adhere to the basic principles of navigating any large city anywhere in the world: do not carry valuables in plain sight, keep cameras hidden and do not walk alone at night. Make use of hotel safety deposit boxes.
Travellers with tour operators are the least at risk and self-drive clients are advised to plan in advance what routes they wish to travel, and to get all of their destination information ahead of time. If travelling by car, make sure the doors are locked at all times and that no bags or purses left on passenger seats – and in the bush the only danger you will encounter are wild animals.
African culture is gracious and hospitable and will take care of you to its full capability.
Semi–participation camping safaris
We usually depart from camp at 8 am on transfer days. During the day we stop off at different points of interest en route like viewing Bushmen paintings. We arrive at our new camp in the afternoon for a game activity like a sunset game-viewing cruise. We usually spend two nights at each point of interest so that you don’t feel like you’re in the safari vehicle all the time. Contact us for more detailed itineraries.
Flying safaris
The early start to the day begins with a light breakfast, an early morning game drive (about 2 – 3 hours), beverages and biscuits on the game activity, and a delicious late-morning brunch. This is followed by a rest period, tea and savouries with an afternoon game activity, sundowners and snacks. The generous dinner in the evening usually takes place in the boma, an open-air enclosed dining area with a large fire, under the stars. Background music is provided courtesy of the African wildlife.
We run small groups, with a maximum of 12 guests, on our scheduled safaris for a more personal and flexible safari experience.
We also cater for larger groups on our private tailor–made safaris. Our itineraries are all different and we will tailor-make your trip to suit your needs. We can create your dream trip – instead of asking you to choose from a set schedule.
Most camps are small and intimate, geared towards personal service and comfort and luxury. The camps cater for 16 to 24 guests. *Our World in One Country Safari through South Africa is the only tour with a maximum of 14 clients as we run these tours in minibuses.
https://www.jenmansafaris.com/product/world-in-one-country-2/
