Travel Africa

The first person to book an advert in Travel Africa was Stewart Cranswick, founder of Landela Safaris. At the time (early 1997), the magazine was still being conceived and we had no readers, so this was a big moment. It meant that someone outside the

travel africa Travel Africa is published quarterly by: GECKO PUBLISHING LTD 12 The Butts, Aynho, Banbury, OX17 3AN, United Kingdom (ISSN 1561-2783) travelafricamag.com facebook.com/TA.magazines @Travelafricamag travelafricamagazine Tel +44 (0)1844 27

What is your recipe for the perfect African wildlife adventure? That aardvark moment, four years ago, contained all the key ingredients for mine. First there's the location; the kitchen, if you like, in which your dish is prepared. In this case, it w

Guided 4x4 self-drive expedition I had always thought that driving alone and unaccompanied was too far out of my comfort zone. Heading off on your own is a daunting prospect, so join a guided tour with an expert to teach you advanced skills and help

Take a fully-serviced mobile camping tour of some of the less-visited parks in search of rare mammals such as aardwolf (above), meerkat and aardvark. South Luangwa is a safari-goers’ dream. Stay at a riverside lodge where you will find a landscape te

Q For readers looking to visit a new country, especially one with a little-known infrastructure, what advice would you give? Whether you travel with the assistance of an operator or on your own, do your homework! Collect as much information as you ca

Traditional bricks-and-mortar travel agents, like you'll find on your high street, will happily book you a place on a fixed-date, group safari operated by a general or specialist tour operator with whom they have a commission agreement. Your contract

What's involved? Driving a rented vehicle around a country(s) with an itinerary tailored to your needs, staying at pre-arranged accommodation (lodges or campsites), for as long as you like. You're free to follow your own timeline. Expect a meet-and-g

“The colour code when they call your flight is brown,” I'm told when I check in at Nairobi's Wilson Airport, one of the busiest in East Africa in terms of aircraft movement. Brown? It's another question to ask Ann Kantai, Safarilink's ground operatio

For the do-it-yourselfer, you need to be prepared to put in the hard yards — researching, emailing, calling and connecting the dots. There will be many questions along the way. Is that combination feasible? Is there a local flight available on that d

There is no more important decision to make when going on safari than choosing a tour operator. That company will have its hand on every experience you have, from the initial communications to the quality of your guides, and accommodation in Africa.

Air Travel Organisers Licence is a financial scheme that protects you when you book a trip that includes a flight and, in some cases, flight-only bookings (check before you pay). If you run into difficulties, ATOL ensures you can stay in your accommo

THE TOUR OPERATOR: David Cartwright of ATI Holidays in Namibia, says: “We ask direct guests for a 20 per cent deposit, which covers things like internal flights and supplier deposits (which can run from 20 per cent to as much as 50 per cent). By sayi

STEP 1: Initial conversations and emails to ascertain what a client wants to do and what would suit them. This can be several emails with ideas, links and questions — or, in some cases, one good conversation does the job. STEP 2: Provide a suggested

Typically, dry-season (April to midNovember) is preferred: access is easier, all camps are open and there are more domestic flights available. July to September are busiest: gameviewing is exceptional and there is plenty of water cascading over the V

Tongabezi Lodge Tongabezi started life in 1990 as a ‘tents with bucket showers affair’ and has since grown into one of the world's mostacclaimed properties, now part of the Green Safaris portfolio. 4 river cottages and 7 houses, each with a private v

My role is so much more than just serving food, says Kennedy Nchiroine, head waiter at Kicheche Bush Camp in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Greater Maasai Mara. “I oversee the operations of the dining area and the front-of-house staff; my primary ro

Tracking white rhino on foot is one of the highlights of a stay at Ongava—a 30,000-hectare game reserve on Etosha's southern flank — and if you're lucky you'll be in the company of Michael Kamerika. While growing up on a farm in northwest Namibia, hi

How do operators try to stand out from the crowd? The answer, believes Jessica Sekei Ree of Tanzanian operator Sassabi Expeditions, is by focusing on the guest experience: “The most important experience we want to share is the authentic beauty of Tan

Past safari experience? Is this your first time or have been before? If it's your first safari, I will know how to give you that once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you've been before — particularly if you are returning to the same place — I would like

We first met Vianney Jacob Kabwine of Vianney's Untamed Expeditions in Tanzania when he was our guide on safari in Tanzania. During those two weeks we became friends and remained in contact. When we returned to Africa the next year, we were invited t

When your bush chef says he is using fresh ingredients, he most probably is, says Emma Gregg When sourcing supplies for a responsible tourism business in a beautiful African location, it often helps to think ultra-local. The nearest proper town may b

As a frequent visitor to safari camps and lodges, I've recently resolved to explore each venue more thoroughly, using that lull between activities that I might otherwise spend snoozing, on social media or lazing by the pool. This inspiration came fro

For most owners, the motivation to invest in a lodge comes from a passion for conservation. With this in mind, when searching for a suitable property look for those projects that enhance the value of the protected areas and the communities in which t

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together…” This African proverb has been a mantra to Zimbabwean safari operator Beks Ndlovu throughout his professional life. Today, it…s more relevant than ever. Some 25 years ago, as a pr

1 (1) Nature Guide acts as a link between the natural and cultural surroundings and the guests, taking on an educational role. 2 (2) Milk 3 (2) Competition between individuals of different species 4 (1) Mutualism 5 (2) Succulent Karoo biome 6 (3) Tax