• Is it safe in Africa?
  In the travel countries offered by Afrikascout, it is as safe as anywhere in Europe. However, there are also rules here that must be observed in order not to put yourself in danger unnecessarily. For example, due to the poverty in Africa, you should not wear jewelry or display valuables openly. Opportunity makes the thief – in Africa as well as everywhere else in the world. If possible, keep your valuables in the hotel safe. Depending on the country you are traveling to, you should no longer walk alone through big cities in the evening.
• Is Africa a worthwhile travel destination?
  All travel destinations from Afrikascout are worthwhile. It depends on your personal preferences which sights interest you the most. Do you like animals very much? Or are you a fan of wonderful landscapes? Are you very interested in foreign cultures and big cities? Africa offers you all that and much more!
• What is the best time to travel to see the migration?
  The route taken by the almost two million wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and antelope in the Serengeti is almost 500 kilometers long and runs from the southern Serengeti up to the Masai Mara in Kenya and back. You can never predict exactly where the animals are when, as the animals depend on the rainy seasons. These are just as difficult to predict precisely as the weather in general. But as a rule, the animals stay in the broad plains of the southern Serengeti, at Lake Ndutu and near the Olduvai Gorge from January to March. Within a short space of time, a whole generation of new ungulates are born here. By March, the southern plains are all but grazed and the animals are slowly migrating north-west. In April and June, the animals migrate further west along the Mbalageti River. Then it continues in a northerly direction: until September they follow their route to the Masai Mara in Kenya, where they arrive in October at the latest. If you want to experience the spectacular river crossing over the Grumeti River and the Mara River, you should travel to Africa in late summer/autumn and accept a long journey, as the animals are now in the very north of Tanzania. However, you have to keep in mind that the animals only follow their internal calendar and not an official one: no one can guarantee that the animals will actually cross the river at the expected time. In November, the animals migrate back towards the Serengeti, where they arrive by December at the latest. And in January, the cycle starts all over again with the birth of a new generation of ungulates in southern Serengeti.
• When is the best time to visit Tanzania?
  The north of Tanzania is an attractive travel destination all year round. Only in April there may be restrictions in some parks due to the rainy season. However, it is also a very cheap travel time in Tanzania. Due to the school holidays in Europe and the USA, July and August are also high season in Tanzania. January, February, September and October as well as the Christmas season are also popular travel months. If you can and want to travel outside of these times, we recommend March, May, November and the first half of December. Then the national parks are not so full and the weather is usually very pleasant. On Zanzibar it is around 25 to 28° C all year round. From the end of March to the end of May there is the rainy season here.
  The high season for climbing Kilimanjaro is January and February and the period from July to September.

Questions about medical care, health insurance and health

• I am sick and on medication. Can I get them in Africa too?
  Since you will often be traveling in very lonely and uninhabited areas on our safaris, it is very important that you take sufficient quantities of all the medication you need with you on your trip. For refrigerated storage, a refrigerator is available on request in the vehicles used by Afrikascout.
• Do I have to take malaria prophylaxis everywhere?
  We cannot, may not and do not want to offer any medical advice at this point. Malaria is a very dangerous disease transmitted by mosquitoes, which are mainly nocturnal. Malaria is present in most of the countries in our program. The risk is not always the same. It depends on the exact areas you travel to during the safari, the respective altitude and, above all, the season. However, we advise anyone interested to find out about the dangers of malaria in good time. Talk to your family doctor and get advice from the Tropical Institute. It is advisable to take stand-by products for malaria prophylaxis and treatment with you to endangered areas. Also always protect yourself with long, light clothing and insect repellent, as well as with a mosquito net at night. There are also special insect sprays that you can use to impregnate clothing, for example from Nobite.
• Are there mosquito nets in the accommodations? Or should we bring them with us?
  Most accommodations either have mosquito nets or the tents/rooms/accommodations are otherwise secured accordingly. However, we cannot guarantee this 100%.
• International health insurance:
  Please take a copy of your travel insurance with you to Africa.
  Your tour guide will ask you for the name of the insurance company, your insurance number and telephone number.
• We have private or credit card health insurance for our trips abroad. What should the copy of the international health insurance look like?
  Your tour guide will ask you for the name of the insurance company, your insurance number and your telephone number (number with German area code, no 0800 number). You should definitely have this information with you.
• Do I have to be physically fit for the safari?
  For most of our safaris you should be in good health and have an average level of fitness. Safaris that may involve longer hikes or exceptional physical exertion are marked and described accordingly.
• I’m having some running problems. How long are the hikes and is there an alternative to staying at the camp?
  The stages are of different lengths. Often the hikes are not circular hikes, but lead directly from one place to the next destination. However, depending on the itinerary, it is sometimes possible to stay at the starting point or vehicle. Just talk to us if you have any concerns. We will be happy to provide you with information.
• I am over 65, can I still go on safari?
  As long as you are physically and mentally fit and trust yourself – why not? We have seen people over 80 on safaris who have enjoyed their dream trip from start to finish in peace and serenity!

Questions about the invoice, payment processing, insurance, booking, documents

• When will I receive my detailed travel documents?
  You will receive the travel documents with all the information you need after receipt of the final payment. After receipt of payment, you will receive from us 4 weeks before your departure: detailed information about your trip, your travel voucher and, depending on the tour and destination, additional documents such as our animal welfare circular.
• Do you need additional documents from us for the travel preparations or the trip itself?
  That depends on your trip. As a rule, we do not need any additional information or documents. If we still have questions or need additional information from the local partner, we will ask you about it in good time and automatically.
• Can I pay my Afrikascout bill by credit card? I am also insured about it.
  You will receive an invoice for Afrikascout trips, which you can pay by bank transfer. We do not offer credit card payment.
• Can I book insurance at the same time?
  Everyone has different security needs. That’s why we don’t sell off-the-peg insurance. But we have put together a lot of tips and information about sensible and possible insurance for you: https://www.afrikascout.de/scoutservice/reiseversicherung/
• Can I book everything in one go?
  With us you will not find 0-8-15 package tours from colorful catalogs like in a travel agency. We are a special tour operator and offer a correspondingly wide range of modules and options for your dream trip. The flights are also not offered in a package with the trips, but are booked separately by you (with our support if you like) in order to be able to guarantee you the greatest possible flexibility in your itinerary. You can also save a lot of money by booking your flight online on an online flight booking platform.

Baggage Questions – What do I need to pack?

• How big should my travel bag be?
  Please note that on most of our trips, your travel bag must not exceed the following dimensions to fit in the safari vehicle overhead compartment: 37 x 32 x 80 cm
• What is the maximum weight of my luggage?
  This depends on the airline you have booked and also on the safari trip you have booked. If you have booked domestic flights or other transfer flights, separate weight limits often apply here as well. You can find all the information on this from the respective airline provider with which you booked your flights.
• How many pieces of luggage can I take with me?
  That depends on your airline and the booked safari trip. If you have booked domestic flights or other transfer flights, special rules often apply here as well. You can find all the information on this at the respective airline provider with which you booked your flights.
• Do I have to take mosquito nets with me?
  Where necessary, these are usually available.
• What sleeping bag should I bring when visiting the Okavango Delta?
  A warm sleeping bag is advisable from June to August as the nights can get chilly. For the rest of the year, a normal sleeping bag is sufficient.
• What clothes do I need to take with me?
  In southern Africa, please pack warm clothing during the cool winter months. Otherwise, light and loose clothing in natural tones has proven itself for safari tours. White, beige, brown… you should definitely have sturdy shoes with you. Also important: Please pack long-sleeved shirts, shirts, etc. and also long pants to protect against insects. You can find more information and a packing list here:
  https://www.afrikascout.de/reiseinformation/safari-reise-checkliste /
• How warm should the clothes be for the early excursions? Thicker fleece or a really thick jacket with hat and gloves? Do you have any clothing tips for the African winter?
  The African winter has a lot to offer and you have to be prepared for everything. It can get very chilly at night depending on where you are and during the day temperatures tend to climb to over 20 degrees. We therefore recommend short and long pants/T-shirts, warm pullovers, fleece pullovers and softshell jackets (in principle, these should be warm enough in combination). It can be chilly in an open ATV in the early hours of the morning – pack a hat or similar if necessary. We strongly recommend wearing a hat to protect against the sun’s rays during the day.

Questions about entry, visa, required documents and money

• What passport details do you need from me?
  To book a flight, we need your name as it appears on the bottom line of your passport (the machine-readable part). In the booking form you will be asked for all other information that we need for your booking.
• What visas do I need?
  You can find this information in your itinerary. You will receive this with all documents after receipt of the final payment.
  Please read this carefully so that there are no ambiguities on site. Some trips require a double-entry visa, some visas must be applied for in advance depending on nationality. For many countries, this is also completely uncomplicated and can be done quickly online.
• Do we need a visa for the trip or is a valid passport sufficient?
  That depends on your travel country. As a rule, you always need a visa in addition to a valid passport. You can find the exact information on this, for example, at the Foreign Office: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/reise-und-Sicherheitsanleitung
  Please note that you must take care of your entry documents yourself when booking a trip. Afrikascout does not issue visas and is not responsible for vaccination certificates, mandatory tests or other personal matters.
• Can I easily obtain my visa locally?
  This is usually possible without any problems when you enter the country. You can find more detailed information on this at the Federal Foreign Office: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/reise-und-Sicherheitsanleitung
• Do I get the necessary visa from Afrikascout?
  No, please apply for the visa in advance at the respective consulate or online. In most cases, you will also receive this directly upon arrival at the airport (subject to a fee). Please also note the respective entry regulations of your travel country: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/reise-und-Sicherheitsanleitung After receipt of payment you will receive your itinerary. There you will find all the documents and information on entry, required visas, etc. Please read this carefully so that there are no ambiguities on site. Some trips require a double-entry visa, some visas must be applied for in advance depending on nationality. You will find the relevant information in your itinerary.
• passports
  Depending on the country you are traveling to, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and it should contain at least 2, sometimes more, blank pages. Special rules apply to child ID cards. Please note the respective entry regulations of your destination country. You can also find information on this at the Federal Foreign Office: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/reise-und-Sicherheitsanleitung
• How much cash do I need to take with me?
  This question cannot be answered in general terms, as every traveler has different needs and requirements.
  Basically, it is important to consider:
  – usually there is the best rate with the debit card, credit card at the ATM
  – Visa fees are to be paid as appropriately as possible. So for USD 30 it is better to present USD 30 than USD 50
  – You can pay by credit card in many accommodations and restaurants. (Caution. There will be problems in the event of a power failure!)
• How many euros would you recommend exchanging? And you better swap in Germany around or, for example, in South Africa at the airport?
  For example, upon arrival at Johannesburg Airport, you can withdraw local currency from ATMs using a Maestro or credit card. Alternatively, you can exchange money at the airports (e.g. in Frankfurt), which, however, entails enormously high fees. In the larger cities you can also withdraw money during the trip and therefore do not have to carry cash with you for the whole trip at the beginning.
  We cannot recommend an exact amount, as the need is very individual depending on the person.
• Can you pay for everything on site with a credit card or do you have to take the appropriate currency with you for each country or exchange it on site?
  Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. In Namibia, for example, you can also pay with ZAR, which is traded 1:1 with the NAD. For Zimbabwe it is advisable to have USD with you as the ATMs are not always sufficiently stocked. At the Federal Foreign Office you will find further information on the respective payment options in your travel country:
  https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/reise-und-sicherheitshinweise

Questions about the process and details of the safari

• Who runs the safaris? The employees of Afrikascout?
  Although we know Africa very well, we prefer to leave the on-site implementation to our partners, also for reasons of time. With their many years of experience and permanent, already proven competence, they will make your safari in Africa an absolute dream trip. Afrikascout is your reliable, fast and competent intermediary here in Germany between you and carefully selected and proven local providers in Africa. We are all jointly responsible for your safari and are fully committed to making it the safari of a lifetime!
• How close do I encounter wild animals? Will it be dangerous?
  Most of our safaris bring you up close to wild animals! Depending on the tour, extras and additional modules, you can also go stalking with rangers on foot. From our many years of experience we can say: Attacks by wild animals are extremely rare! But of course we cannot rule them out. Therefore, please observe and follow the instructions of your safari guide at all times. This way you can almost completely rule out any attacks.
  At this point we would like to point out that neither Afrikascout nor our local partners can be held responsible for any injuries on our tours. All safaris are undertaken at your own risk. Please be aware of this when making your booking and during the further course of your trip.
• Are there snakes, scorpions, spiders, etc.?
  Yes, but that always depends on your travel region. Your safari guides know their way around – please heed and follow their instructions. As a rule, snakes are very shy and disappear at the first shock. However, some types of snakes also remain lying down when shaken. These are extremely dangerous because you can spot them too late and step on them. However, your local tour guides will always draw your attention to the dangers at the beginning of your safari, so that you always know exactly how to behave. Neither Afrikascout nor our local partners can be held responsible for any injuries on our tours. All safaris are undertaken at your own risk! Please be aware of this when booking and during your trip!
• How are the prices for a trip to Tanzania, for example, made up? Why isn’t it necessarily cheaper if I find cheaper accommodation by doing my own research?
  The travel price does not depend solely on the accommodation. In addition, the routes and entrance fees for the national parks must be taken into account. In Tanzania, this entrance fee can vary depending on the national park. The length of the journey may also change if a different accommodation is chosen. So if the fare is higher and the park entrance fee is more expensive, the trip may end up being more expensive even though the accommodation is cheaper than initially suggested.
• Why can I find cheaper trips elsewhere, for example to Tanzania?
  Tanzania trips are very difficult to compare. It’s actually not possible for someone who doesn’t know their way around, because he or she will always be comparing apples and oranges. Firstly, as described above, the trip price does not only depend on the accommodations and static entrance fees – the prices change depending on the driving route and the national park. Furthermore, a distinction must be made in detail as to how long the trip is definitely: If you read, for example: “7 days safari trip” and there the arrival and departure days are included, then in the end you only have 5 days for the safari itself . With us you have 7 full days, as we count arrival and departure as separate, additional days. The location of the accommodation is also crucial: Is it accommodation outside of the Serengeti, for example? These are cheaper than those inside the park. But you have to accept long journeys, which are then deducted from your safari time. There are often competitors who limit distances. This means that the guides are only allowed to drive a certain maximum number of kilometers. That’s not the case with us. The guides can decide for themselves how and where to go. If there is another worthwhile destination or a sighting of a predator a little further away, then our guides can explore it with you for as long as you want.
  You see: Tanzania in particular is very tricky and disappointments are guaranteed if you simply book “something” just because you are looking for the “cheapest” price. There’s ALWAYS… a catch with the cheapest price.
• How big is my travel group?
  The group size depends on your chosen trip. You will find all the details about your group size in the descriptive text for your itinerary.
  We will automatically send you the itinerary after full payment has been received.
• It says it’s a guaranteed departure – can the trip definitely not be canceled then?
  The tour is then guaranteed as soon as we have booked you in as a passenger and received confirmation from the respective tour operator. The only exceptions are booking dates that are just before the departure date and thus within a period of the organizer in which tours can be canceled due to a lack of participants.
• Will my phone work on Safari? do i have internet
  The radio network in the travel countries offered by Afrikascout is usually very well developed. Nevertheless, the network coverage depends on the respective provider and your travel region. You can get the exact details from your mobile tariff provider. Internet (W-Lan) is available in most hotels, lodges and guest houses. In remote accommodations, however, this does not always have to be the case.
• Can I charge the camera/video camera batteries every day?
  Most safari vehicles have docking stations and charging facilities. There are also charging facilities in almost all lodges, camps and campsites. We cannot guarantee daily charging, as depending on the country there may be power cuts or the generators in remote camps are not on 24 hours a day. Our recommendation: Always take precautions and take enough spare batteries with you. You also need a travel adapter for the sockets of the respective travel country.

Questions about accommodation and meals

• Can I have a single room as a single?
  Yes, that’s no problem at all. We can offer you a single room or single tent for every trip in our program.
• Can I book half a double room on each trip?
  This is possible on most of our trips. There are very few exceptions. Please ask us about it.
• What kind of food do I get on the safari?
  On our safaris you usually get a meal 3 times a day. These vary depending on the country and type of travel. Please read the detailed description of the itinerary. During the safari tour you usually get a lunch box for lunch and you can observe nature and the animal world at beautiful viewpoints in the national parks during your meal.
• Why are some accommodations more expensive than others? For example, why do the tented camps in the Ndutu area of Tanzania cost more than other lodges?
  Basically, as everywhere, there are category differences in the accommodations. Comparable to our star system. In addition, the tented camps in Tanzania are also more expensive because these canvas tent systems are completely dismantled several times a year and rebuilt elsewhere, as they follow the migration of ungulates. This is a logistical effort, which means you can always stay in the middle of the action. An incomparable experience that we can only recommend to you.
  Especially from January to March the Ndutu area is full of wildebeest, zebra and also big cats. The animals have their young there and use the green, fresh grass that has grown here thanks to the rainy season. From March they begin their migration in a north-easterly direction. And then the tented camps follow them.

Questions about self-drive tours:

• After researching on the Internet, I am no longer sure whether the driving distances are not too long?
  We plan all daily stages in such a way that they can easily be done in one day and that you usually arrive at your accommodation before nightfall.
• How is my rental car insured?
  Most rental car companies offer liability insurance based on legal requirements. A fully comprehensive insurance, as known in Europe, does not exist in these countries in the same way. Your normal car insurance contract may include protection for rental cars abroad.
• The car has damage/defects/dents… What should we consider when returning?
  Damage to the vehicle must be reported to the rental company immediately, not only when it is returned. If the return takes place during business hours, this will be entered in the handover protocol. In any case, please take a photo of the damage.
• Do we have to clean the outside of the car before handing it in? Looks pretty dusty after visiting the parks
  The vehicles do not need to be cleaned. If the vehicle is extremely dirty/muddy, the car rental company will charge a cleaning fee. This differs between different providers.

Camping trips:

• What is the equipment like when camping – are sleeping pads, bed, sleeping bag, towels available?
  Sleeping bag, towels and possibly a pillow if you need it for yourself must be brought with you. The mattress and if necessary a bed (if specified in the itinerary) are provided, as well as a tent and, if necessary, mosquito nets.

Questions about traveling with children

• Can I bring a small child on safari?
  There is no general and blanket answer for this. Basically, we offer special child-friendly safaris (trips for families): here we pay attention to short travel times and routes, not changing locations too often and much more. We are also happy to work out an individual, child-friendly tour for you. Important: There are national parks where children are only admitted from a certain minimum age. In addition, you should definitely talk to a pediatrician about necessary vaccinations and possible malaria prophylaxis. If possible, you should take games, audio books or similar with you to make the routes to the national parks varied. We have already carried out many wonderful trips with children and have personally experienced them ourselves. Ultimately, it is always a decision of the parents whether the child is mature enough for this.