TEN COMMANDMENTS OF AN AFRICAN SAFARI.

So finally you’re going for that safari that you’ve been dreaming of or that you have taken ages to save for?  Congratulations!

So amid your excitement you’re a bit nervous because you don’t know what to expect? Don’t worry anyone going to a new country, more so, a different continent will have to be a bit nervous.
Consider yourself blessed if you are traveling to Africa. It will be an experience you will never ever forget. An experience of a lifetime. Don’t be fooled by those television pictures of people starving and famine. Africa has a lot to offer.
So if you didn’t have a single clue of what to expect I’ll start you of with 10 things that you should know when you are going on Safari. Ladies and gentlemen I present to you the…10 SAFARI COMMANDMENTS.
I call them the Ten Commandments because they are a few tips that any person going on safari should keep in mind.
Commandment 1. Check thy Home Security Checklist.
A home security checklist is a list of things you must do to guarantee the security of your home when you go on Safari or vacation. We don’t want you coming home from an exhilarating safari in the Maasai Mara only for your joy to be spoilt on finding your home was broken into.
Commandment 2.  Check thy safari checklist.
A safari checklist contains things that you will find useful and might need to carry on your safari. Such a list may include stuff like.
• Any prescription medicine you are taking.
• Credit Cards/Traveler cheques.
• Sun glasses/shades (You can carry 2 pairs so that if one is damaged or lost you will have another pair.
• Insect repellants especially if you will be going on a wildlife/game drive safari. You wouldn’t really need one of you were going on a beach Safari.
• Correspondence address list.
• Camera and extra film if your camera is not digital. Don’t forget the Digital Camera Charger.
• Pocket size currency converter.
• Passport.
• Small Converter/Adapter especially if you are from North America - electricity in most of Africa e.g. East Africa is 220V -240V.
• Pen and tiny notebook in case you want to note down an experience.
• Sunscreen, hand sanitizers, Cosmetics,
Commandment 3. Thou shall carry a camera.
Sounds obvious! But wait till you want to snap away at a Lion making a kill only to realize that you don’t have a camera! You also need to take photos of yourself in Africa to always remind yourself of the scenery and the vacation in general. Show them to those doubters who won’t believe you went on Safari. A phone camera will not be as good as a proper camera. A camera that has a zoom lens will be even better. Don’t forget to carry extra batteries or the camera charger.
Commandment 4. Thou shall not drink tap water.
Do not drink water from the tap. The tap water in Africa is safe in some areas and unsafe in others. Due to this inconsistency do not take the risk. Bottled water is readily available in most shops/supermarkets/convenience stores. You can also buy bottled water in most hotels/lodges/camps. Soda, beer, coffee, tea wine and other beverages can be bought at hotels, lodges and camps.
Commandment 5. Thou Shall Bargain
Bargain! Bargain! Bargain! Bargaining is part of African culture. Of course I don’t mean that you go bargaining in a supermarket or convenience store. Those places have fixed prices. But when in a market or souvenir/artifacts/curio shop, bargain away. You are expected to do so. Travelers to Africa are not really used to bargaining for their goods. But every time you pay that “special price” you make it harder for others travelers that will come after you.
Commandment 6. Mind thy clothing.
Visitors on safari don’t wear worn olive, tan or other neutral colours just for the sake of it. These clothes reflect the heat so you won’t get too hot; they don’t show the unavoidable safari dust and will help you to blend into the surroundings rather than looking conspicuous when in fact you don’t want to stand out during a safari.
But you can wear whatever you want. It’s usually hot during the day but it can get surprisingly cold at night. So carry one or two warm things that you can wear during the day in case it rains and that you will be comfortable sleeping in, in case it’s hot during the day and cold at night. Carry clothes that are easily laundered and dry quickly. You will be exposed to the sun a lot and at these altitudes it is easy to get sunburns. A complimentary safari hat is given to each of our guests, so you will not need to pack one. However carry your own sunscreen.
Be observant and watch how the community you are around dresses. Africans dress conservatively as compared to Europeans and Americans. Don’t be too revealing when you are in a conservative area. Nobody will say anything to you but you will make most people uncomfortable. When on the beach, a bikini of any kind will do but nudity is not allowed anywhere I know of in Africa.
Commandment 7. Thou shall take care of your property and valuables
Ordinary care and reasonable safety measures should be observed as anyone would in the United States, the UK, Europe or other parts of the world. There are pickpockets and thieves in every society in the world including Africa. Do not leave your money, travelers’ cheque, jewellery or exposed and unattended in hotel rooms. Most Lodges or hotels have safe deposit facilities for your valuables.
Commandment 8. Learn thy neighbors’ language.
In most of Africa, English or French are the official languages. In most West, North and Central Africa, French is spoken. In East and South Africa English is spoken. However in Mozambique they speak Portuguese. In most countries there will be a national language..
This is will be a language that most locals speak. For instance, in Kenya, Uganda, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania, Swahili is considered the national language although most locals can speak English. Occasionally you may encounter some people that don’t speak English. It helps if you can say a few basic words in the local language.
You will also soon discover that when you can say a few words in the local language you will often get special results.
A simple guide to pronunciation: a as in father, e as in bed, i as in tin, o as in or, u as in truth.
Helpful Words and Phrases in Swahili should you be headed to East and Central Africa.
General Hello! - Jambo! How are you? - Habari? Good, fine – Mzuri. Bad - Mbaya. Thank you (very much) - Asante (sana.) Please – Tafadhali. Good-bye - Kwaheri. Welcome! - Karibu Danger - Hatari. Help – Saidia. Friend - Rafiki. Sorry – Samahani or Pole. Excuse me, please – Samahani.
Commandment 9. Thou shall find thy credit cards useful. American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in most African countries including Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Seychelles and Zanzibar while you are in major towns. Don’t go to a village and expect to buy anything with a credit card. Most Lodges/hotels/camps accept credit cards.
Commandment 10. Remember thy Insurance, passports, visa and to keep them valid.
All travelers must have current passports valid for 60 days after the expected departure date from Africa. Travelers should have medical insurance, as they will be responsible for all medical expenses they may incur. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised. The cost of your safari is an investment that you will want to protect.

 

Spectacular Masai Mara Safari by Road - 2 Nights/3 Days

Tour Summary/ Features:

This is a road package that takes you to Kenya’s Masai Mara; the center stage of the famous, all NEW SEVENTH WONDER OF THE WORLD. Kenya’s & East Africa’s finest game sanctuary.

The masai mara is rich in wildlife making it the area in East Africa with the highest number of species.It is in Kenya’s masai mara that the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place -The great annual wildebeest migration. Millions of wildebeest and zebras migrating from the Serengeti to the Mara in search of water and pasture. trailing on their heels, the predators of the savannah- lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, jackals, hyenas and vultures.

You will easily see the Big Five- lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard, and elephant, not to mention numerous plains animals.

The famous Maasai tribesmen also live within the dispersal area of the game reserve.

Minimum Rate Per Adult: US$ 490
Departing From: Nairobi
Duration: 2 Nights / 3 Days
Departure Time: 0700 hrs
Departures: Daily
Minimum Persons Required: 2
Period: All seasons

Itinerary:

Day 1: NAIROBI – MAASAI MARA
0700 hrs - You head off and drive via Kenya’s Rift Valley to arrive at Masai Mara in time for lunch. Along the way we will have a distant view of Mt. Longonot, Mt. Margaret(hardly a huge mountain) and Mt. Suswa.
1600 hrs - You get to go on an afternoon game drive till dusk.

Enjoy the variety and abundance of wildlife the Mara has to offer. Over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. You may easily see lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes and elephant. With this, get to enjoy the scenic beauty of the vast savannah backdrop and take delight in the African sunset. Nothing beats this combination!

Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa/ Mara Simba Lodge

Day 2: MAASAI MARA
0630 hrs -Early morning game drive in the Mara. Later, return to the lodge for breakfast.
Spend the rest of the morning at leisure.

1600 hrs -After lunch at the lodge, proceed for an afternoon game drive till dusk.

Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa/ Mara Simba Lodge

Day 3: MAASAI MARA - NAIROBI
OPTIONAL AT AN EXTRA COST -Take the opportunity to fly over the Mara in a Hot air Balloon provided at an extra cost.
The balloon package includes a champagne breakfast in the wild! viewing abundant game afloat a balloon is an unforgettable experience.

After breakfast return to Nairobi arriving around 1300 hrs.

Remarks

Note
The above prices are based on a minimum of 2 persons. A price reduction is available for numbers above two persons. Six persons may enjoy upto 20% saving on the per person rate!

Package Includes:
- Transport based on a safari minibus with pop up roof for game viewing
- Park entry fee
- Accommodation and all meals in Maasai Mara
- Service of an English-speaking driver guide
- Game drives as per the Itinerary
- Driver allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
- Government taxes

Package Excludes:
- Hot air Balloon flight in Masai Mara – US$ 385 per person extra
(Price is subject to confirmation at the time of booking.)
- Extras at the lodges: tips, drinks, telephone, laundry or any other personal expenses

**PLEASE NOTE: Prices and availability are subject to revision without prior notice owing to currency, tax, levy and seasonal fluctuations