Key questions to consider for luxury travel in Africa

Is it safe to travel to Africa? Wherever you travel in the world – safety is always a concern.  There are risks associated with any travel and Africa is no exception.  East and Southern Africa are generally very safe but we would recommend using an experienced and reputable tour operator to make all your travel arrangements.  Africa Exclusive has twenty years experience in arranging luxury tailormade safaris.  We only use reputable ground agents and have excellent relationships with the camps and lodges in Africa.  You will always be accompanied by highly experienced guides and your travel itinerary is triple checked before final documentation is sent out – so you never have to worry about situations like arriving at a destination with no transfer company to greet you.  We also have a 24 hour emergency contact number – just in case you urgently need to get in touch with us. What transport is available in Africa? South Africa and Kenya have a very well developed infrastructure, so transfers by road are fast and comfortable and there are even options for self drive holidays.  More remote safari camps in Zambia, Botswana and Tanzania are usually accessed by a combination light aircraft flight, road transfers or boat transfers.  On some itineraries you will be advised to make use of a private charter flight.  The light aircraft companies are very well run and only use pilots with exceptional flying ability.  They have very high safety standards and guests are required to adhere to strict weight and baggage allowances. What is the accommodation like on an African safari? The standard of accommodation on a luxury African safari is world class and the service is exceptionally good.  The tented suites are very spacious and comfortable with high end camps offering air conditioning as a standard.  The tents all have en-suites facilities and are furnished with proper beds and sofas and occasional tables and chairs.  The beds are very comfortable and the bed linen is always a crisp, clean cotton variety.  The communal areas are luxurious and usually include a dining room, a lounge, a library and large decks from where game can be viewed.  Most of the camps have a swimming pool and an outside entertainment area that includes an open air dining room and a camp fire. Are there any health concerns in Africa? Yes, you will need to contact your GP or local travel clinic who will advise you on the necessary health precautions and travel inoculations or preventative medicines.  Some parts of Africa carry a high risk of malaria and yellow fever.  The standard of hygiene at the high end camps is very good so you don’t have to worry about risks relating to food hygiene. What type of clothing should I pack? Africa is a very relaxed place to travel.  There are no pressures to dress for dinner and you are encouraged to feel comfortable in your surroundings.  If you are visiting some of the more luxurious camps or lodges in South Africa or taking an extended rail journey, then you may be required to dress for dinner.  The best clothes to wear on safari are made from comfortable cotton or linen fabrics in cool colours.  You will be advised to wear neutral tones like khaki, green or brown – to blend in with the environment.  Bold colours like red and orange are not advised as they may disturb the animals.  High heels and fashion shoes are not advised and if you are planning to do any walking on your safari, you should pack a pair of walking shoes or trainers.  Evenings can be quite chilly on safari so you should take a comfortable fleece to wear on night drives or early morning game drives. Rebecca Sparrow is Marketing Manager at Safari.co.uk. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.