Frequently Asked Questions

It starts with a conversation: we talk through who is travelling, what you dream of seeing, and when. From there we design a draft itinerary, refine it with you until it feels right, and then book every lodge, flight and transfer. Before you leave we send a detailed travel pack, and we stay in touch while you are away and after you return. Start the conversation whenever you are ready.

No. We are paid by the lodges and suppliers we book, not by you, so planning with us does not add to what you pay. Because of our long-standing relationships, we can often secure better rates or added value, such as upgrades, extra activities or special touches, than you would find booking direct. Many clients find they come out ahead overall.

As early as you comfortably can, ideally many months ahead and even earlier for peak season, school holidays or special camps. The best small lodges have only a handful of rooms and fill up quickly. If your dates are closer, talk to us anyway; we often know where availability still exists.

Payment terms vary from lodge to lodge and country to country, usually a deposit to confirm followed by a final balance before travel. We explain the exact terms, including cancellation conditions, before you commit to anything, so there are no surprises.

Yes. Every itinerary we create is built around you, from the pace and the countries to the style of camp, the activities and the occasions you want to mark. Nothing is a package; start with what matters most to you and we shape the rest around it.

You are not on your own. You will have emergency contact details for us and for our partners on the ground, and we will help rearrange transfers, flights or lodging if plans change. Our team and our local partners know the region first-hand, which makes a real difference when things need fixing quickly.

We strongly recommend it. Comprehensive cover for trip cancellation, medical care and emergency evacuation is sensible for any trip to remote areas, and some lodges and flights require it. We are happy to point you toward what to look for in a policy.

The biggest factors are the season you travel, the level and exclusivity of the lodges, whether you use a private vehicle and guide or share, the number of flights between camps, and how long you stay. Luxury safaris are usually all-inclusive (room, meals, drinks and daily guided activities), and remote camps host few guests and must bring in everything, from food to fuel. Park and conservation fees also help protect the wildlife you have come to see. We will help you decide where spending makes the biggest difference to your experience.

Often, yes, because each country offers something different, such as big cats in one, water-based safaris in another, and coast or city in a third. The trade-off is more flights and less time in each place, so we usually suggest two destinations for a first trip rather than many. We will tell you honestly when staying put is the better choice.

South Africa is a wonderful first choice, with excellent private reserves, easy logistics and Cape Town to pair with it. Kenya and Tanzania deliver the classic East African plains, and Botswana is superb for a remote, water-based experience. The right answer depends on your season, interests and travel style, which is exactly what we help you decide.

Both are famous for the Great Migration and open savannah. Kenya tends to be easier to reach and to combine with other places, with a strong tradition of community conservancies. Tanzania offers vast, quieter landscapes, particularly in the Serengeti and the south. Timing of the migration matters a great deal, so see our seasonal guide.

Botswana is wilder and more remote, with the Okavango Delta, mokoro and water activities, and generally fewer, more exclusive camps. South Africa is more varied and accessible, with private reserves, Cape Town and the Winelands in one trip. Many clients combine the two.

Absolutely, and we think it makes for the best trips. A few days on the beaches of Mozambique or the Indian Ocean Islands after the bush is a perfect way to unwind. Cape Town pairs naturally with South Africa, and Victoria Falls, shared by Zambia and Zimbabwe, slots in easily alongside Botswana.

Yes, with the right lodge. Many camps welcome families and offer child-friendly activities, family suites or private vehicles, while others set a minimum age for game drives. We match you to places that suit your children's ages and make the experience special for everyone.

We usually recommend at least a week on the ground, with two or three nights at each camp so you can settle in rather than rush. Ten to fourteen days gives room to add a second destination, or Cape Town or the coast. Tell us how much time you have and we will build the best trip around it.

It depends on the destination and what you most want to see; dry seasons generally offer the best game viewing, while green seasons bring birdlife, newborn animals and fewer visitors. Our best time to visit guide covers every destination we work in.

Yes, when you travel the way we plan every trip: private transfers, vetted guides and lodges in well-established tourist areas. We route you around the parts of any destination we wouldn't send our own family to, and we keep up with local conditions so you do not have to.

Requirements vary by country and change from time to time, so we advise on them for your specific itinerary and passport. US passport holders can generally visit South Africa visa-free for short stays, but several other countries require a visa or e-visa, and passports typically need ample validity and blank pages. We will tell you exactly what to arrange and when.

It depends on where and when you go. Cape Town and the Winelands are malaria-free, and many South African private reserves are low-risk, while other regions carry more risk, especially in the wetter months. We tell you what applies to your dates and lodges. For malaria prevention and vaccinations, including yellow fever certificates that some countries ask for depending on where you have travelled, please see a doctor or travel clinic several weeks before departure.

Think light layers in neutral colours, a warm jacket for early-morning game drives, a hat, sunscreen, comfortable closed shoes and binoculars. Most lodges offer laundry service, so you can pack far less than you think. Bush flights typically limit luggage to around 15 to 20 kg per person and call for soft-sided duffel bags rather than hard suitcases; we confirm the limits for your flights and send a tailored packing guide.

Tipping is customary and appreciated, for guides, trackers and camp staff especially. Many camps have a shared staff tip box, with guides tipped separately. We give you clear, country-specific guidance in your travel pack so you feel comfortable.

Cities and many lodges have good wifi, but remote camps may have limited or no connectivity, which many guests find to be part of the charm. Check mobile roaming with your carrier before you go, and let us know if you need to stay in touch for work or family.