In most camps, yes! Many have card readers, so you can pay for souvenirs or extras with ease. If a camp only takes cash, we’ll highlight that for you in your itinerary so there are no surprises.

It’s best to stick to the size guidelines we give you. Light aircraft often have very small luggage compartments, so soft-sided bags are essential – they can be squeezed into tight spaces far more easily than hard suitcases. (link to What luggage for safari)

It depends on where you are visiting, but many African countries require visas. We will always provide you with the most up-to-date advice and links to where you should apply for these. You will not need an in-person appointment; you’ll simply fill out the right information online, and they’ll email it to you.

Often you will need vaccinations before travelling, though it depends on your destination. Recommendations include Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Malaria prophylaxis and yellow fever for some East African routes or transits. Please consult your GP for all medical advice.

No need to hunt down local currency before your trip. US dollars are widely accepted across most safari destinations, while South Africa and Namibia use South African Rand. For tipping, you may want to bring smaller denominations for convenience.

We recommend you buy insurance when you pay your deposit. This protects you from flight delays and unexpected cancellations, and provides medical cover and evacuation in remote locations.

All flights and flight-inclusive holidays are financially protected under the ATOL scheme, and ABTOT covers any remaining arrangements. When you book, you will receive an ATOL Certificate – please check that all your flights, hotels, and services are listed on it. For more information, visit the About ATOL page.

Please note that if you choose to book directly with companies in Africa, or through a non-bonded UK company, your money will not be protected.

Tipping on safari is one of the most common questions we’re asked, and the honest answer is that there’s no one-size-fits-all figure. The right amount depends on several factors: the level of service you’ve chosen, the size of your group, and whether you’re travelling with children. What is worth emphasising, however, is that tips are a gesture of appreciation for exceptional service, not a substitute for a fair wage. Our team are well placed to offer the best advice.

Think comfort and blending in with the surroundings. Neutral tones like greens, browns, and khakis are ideal, especially if you’ll be heading out on walking safaris. For wildlife drives or boat trips, you’ve got a bit more freedom, though it’s still best to skip bright whites, reds, or anything fluorescent. Steer clear of black and navy blue as this may attract tsetse flies. If you’re travelling in the warmer months, pack loose, breathable fabrics – linen is perfect and layering up works best. https://aardvarksafaris.com/what-to-pack-for-an-african-safari/

Absolutely. The camps we work with are fantastic at catering to dietary needs, whether it’s an allergy or a preference. Just let us know ahead of time so we can pass the details along and make sure everything’s prepared for you.

We recommend a minimum of three nights in one place. This gives you enough time to settle in a camp and enjoy great sightings, without getting too tired from early starts and action-packed days. Combining a safari with time at the beach and in the winelands adds another dimension to your holiday.

Not at all! The “green season” (November to April in southern Africa, November, April, and May in East Africa) has its own magic. Visitor numbers are lower, prices are often more affordable, and the landscapes are beautifully lush. Plus, you may catch some dramatic thunderstorms rolling in – a real treat if you don’t mind a bit of rain. (Link to Seven reasons to visit Zambia in the green season)

Peak season varies a little by country, but generally runs from June to October and through the festive period. This is the dry season, when spotting wildlife is usually easiest because the bush is less dense. Prices are also at their highest and camps are busy, so we recommend planning well in advance if you’d like to travel then. Peak season varies a little by country, but across southern and East Africa it generally runs from June to October and a shorter dry season in January and February. East Africa’s dry season is May to October. During this time, wildlife is usually easier to spot because the vegetation is thinner and animals gather around water. Prices are highest and camps are busiest during these times, so we recommend planning well in advance if you’d like to travel then.

Safari accommodation ranges from authentic mobile camps that follow seasonal wildlife migrations and fly camping and sky bed sleeps-outs to luxury stone-walled lodges with private heated plunge pools and glass-fronted suites, private homes and villas.

Yes, we arrange every flight and transfer, from your international flights to the light aircraft and road transfers between camps.

Booking it all with us means one team has your whole journey in hand. We co-ordinate each connection, we know the luggage limits on the small planes, and there’s one point of contact for your whole trip rather than a handful of separate bookings.

Your money is protected too. Holidays that include flights are ATOL protected, so if anything happened to us, you’d get your money back or be brought home if you were already travelling. Our other bookings are protected through ABTOT, which keeps the money you’ve paid safe in the same way.

Once you’re on safari, you can reach us 24/7. If a flight is delayed or plans need to change, one call and the team will sort it out while you enjoy your holiday.

We tailor every safari to what you want to see and do; the price depends on where you go and when you travel.

A safari for £5,000 per person is possible. Last year, our average booking was around £8,500 per person. Most safaris are fully inclusive. Meals, drinks, and daily activities are usually covered, so you won’t be reaching into your pocket every five minutes, and you can completely switch off.

Being flexible on dates can make a real difference. Many camps charge less outside peak season, and the quieter months often mean fewer vehicles at a sighting. We’ll tell you when each destination is at its best and when the timing works in your favour.

Tell us what matters most to you, and we’ll shape your holiday around it, adjusting it as many times as it takes until every detail is right. Once you’re happy with the plan, we’ll send you a detailed quote.

Safari Pricing

Your safety comes first in every trip we plan, and we would only send you somewhere we have complete confidence in.

Each of our travel experts visits Africa twice a year, exploring new areas and returning to camps we already know well. Our knowledge builds year on year, so when we recommend a camp or a guide, we know what you’ll find when you get there. By spending time in Africa, we can hand on heart say we offer you the best advice.

We also work with camps and guides we’ve known for years the people who look after you on the ground. We keep a close eye on FCDO travel advice for every country we send guests to, and we’ll talk you through anything relevant before you book.

With over 27 years of experience, we have our finger firmly on the pulse of what is happening on the ground across Africa. Our long-standing relationships with trusted partners in-country mean we receive real-time insight that goes far beyond what you’ll read in the news. If a situation ever gives us cause for concern, we will always let you know and explore alternatives together. You can plan your trip with confidence, knowing we’re with you every step of the way.

Your guides will be some of the best-trained in Africa and are excellent at reading animal behaviour and respecting wildlife. We understand that a first trip to Africa is slightly out of many people’s comfort zones, so we organise airport meet and greets so you’re met by a smiling face as soon as you land, and shown exactly where to be next. (link to Kenya for a first-time safari blog)

Every safari recommendation we make comes from somewhere we’ve visited. Our travel experts visit Africa twice a year to stay in the camps, meet the guides and hosts and check the details first-hand.

We’ve been planning safaris for decades; we look after everything from your first conversation with us to the moment you’re home. That leaves you free to enjoy a hassle-free Africa.

Why Aardvark Safaris?

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One of the most popular ways to start or round off a holiday. Africa and the Indian Ocean have some of the finest beaches in the world, from the Kenyan coast and Zanzibar to Mozambique, the Seychelles and Mauritius.

Some guests want a few days doing very little after a run of early starts on safari. Others want more to do, like scuba diving on the reef or a morning out deep-sea fishing. We’ll match the beach to how you want to spend your time.

You could add a few days at Victoria Falls, a stay in the winelands of the Western Cape, or time in vibrant Cape Town.

Yes, and children of all ages are welcome. There are excellent family-friendly camps and lodges across Africa, and most of our team have been on safari with their own families, so we know from experience what works at each age.

Many camps have family rooms or tents where you’re all under one roof without sharing a room. Activities can be adapted for younger guests too, and a good guide will turn a wildlife drive into a lesson on footprints, dung and bird calls that children remember long after they’re home.

We’ll take everyone’s ages into account and match you with safari camps and lodges where the whole family will have the best time.

Top 5 ‘Children on Safari’ myths busted

Where the thrill of the African wild meets the comfort of a private, alfresco dinner under an astonishing star-studded sky. Every day is flexible and will be adapted to your preferences and the wildlife opportunities that arise. Let us know what matters most to you, and we’ll make it happen.

(Link to A day on safari)

The most popular safari activity is a wildlife drive, which lets you cover plenty of ground, spot resident wildlife, and usually ends with a spectacular sundowner. However, there is plenty more on offer for those who want a change of scene. Depending on where you stay, you can stretch your legs on a walking safari, cruise the channels on a boat trip, glide through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro, watch the migrations from a hot air balloon, fly over Victoria Falls by helicopter or even ride a horse across the salt pans.

What’s more, many of these activities can be tailored to suit you. Whether you’re an experienced rider or stepping into the saddle for the first time, horse riding can be adapted to ability and pace, and the same applies for families travelling with younger children or guests with specific requirements. A safari really is for everyone, and we’ll always make sure the experience is right for you.

(Link to Exciting additions to your traditional safari)

Wildlife sees a horse as another animal rather than a threat; on a riding safari, you can often get closer to zebra, giraffe and antelope than you would in a vehicle or on foot. You move quietly, cover ground that vehicles can’t reach, and follow the herds at their own pace.

Rides are tailored to your ability, whether you’ve ridden for years or are fairly new to the saddle. Mobile riding safaris, where you ride from camp to camp, usually require riders to be at least 14 years old and confident at all paces. Lodge-based rides are more flexible, and many welcome younger or less experienced riders.

Several of our team are keen riders and have ridden across Africa. Get in touch, and they’ll help you find the ride that suits you.
https://aardvarksafaris.com/african-riding-safaris-faqs/

A safari gives a family holiday something different: days built around what you’ve spotted that morning, and stories everyone brings home. There’s something for every generation, from younger children learning to read tracks with the guide to teenagers refining their photography skills watching the elephant at the waterhole to grandparents who’ve waited years to see a lion up close. Children learn a huge amount on safari without it ever feeling like school.

Most safaris are fully inclusive. Meals, drinks, and daily activities are usually covered, so you won’t be reaching into your pocket every five minutes, and you can completely switch off.

A private house or villa is a wonderful way to spend time together. You have your own guide, butler and chef; the day runs to your family’s pace, and everything is taken care of, from an early breakfast before the morning drive to supper served once the youngest are asleep.

10 good reasons to go on a family safari