FAQs by Tourists Planning to Visit Africa
Planning & Destinations
Africa is a continent of 54 nations, not a single destination. These answers help you work out which countries, experiences and timing suit your passions — and how far in advance to start planning.
Africa is not a single destination — it is a vast continent of 54 incredible nations. The "best" depends entirely on what moves you. Are you dreaming of:
- Wildlife & Classic Safari: Kenya (Maasai Mara), Tanzania (Serengeti, Ngorongoro), Botswana (Okavango Delta), South Africa (Kruger)
- Culture & History: Egypt (pyramids), Ethiopia (Lalibela), Ghana (heritage sites), Morocco (imperial cities)
- Scenery & Adventure: Namibia (deserts), Uganda & Rwanda (gorilla trekking), Zambia & Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls), South Africa (Garden Route)
Our consultants specialise in crafting personalised itineraries that match your passions. Let us help you find your Africa.
The ideal time varies by region. As a general guide:
- East Africa (Kenya/Tanzania): The Great Migration river crossings peak July–October. Dry seasons (Jun–Oct & Jan–Feb) offer the best overall wildlife viewing
- Southern Africa (Botswana, Zambia, etc.): Dry winter months (May–October) are ideal as animals concentrate around water sources
- Gorilla Trekking: Can be done year-round, but dry seasons (Jun–Sep & Dec–Feb) offer easier hiking in the forest
We'll guide you to the perfect window for your chosen experience. No two trips are the same.
For peak seasons (June–October) and specific experiences like gorilla trekking or popular lodges, we recommend booking 9–12 months in advance. For other times, 6 months gives you the best selection of accommodation and permit availability.
Section 02
Health & Safety
Your health and security are our first concern. Here are the most important things to know before you travel — consult your doctor or travel clinic at least 6–8 weeks before departure.
Other strongly recommended vaccinations include:
- Hepatitis A & B
- Typhoid
- Routine boosters — MMR, Tetanus
- Malaria prophylaxis — essential for virtually all safari destinations
You must consult a travel clinic or your doctor 6–8 weeks before departure for personalised medical advice tailored to your specific destinations and health history.
The destinations we operate in are specifically chosen for their stability and established tourism infrastructure. Like anywhere in the world, safety requires common sense and informed preparation.
- Our guides are trained professionals with deep local knowledge
- We use only reputable, vetted lodges and ground operators
- Comprehensive pre-departure safety briefings are provided for every itinerary
- Political and health situations are monitored continuously
- All primate treks include armed ranger escorts as standard
Always consult your government's official travel advisory before departure. Sankofa Afrika Safaris communicates any relevant developments to clients proactively ahead of travel.
- Altitude: Some areas (Ngorongoro Crater rim, Rwanda's volcanoes, Bwindi) are above 2,000m. We build acclimatisation time into itineraries
- Bilharzia: In Uganda (Kazinga Channel, Nile), bilharzia is a risk. Avoid swimming in fresh water; stick to chlorinated pools
- Malaria: High-risk throughout the region. Anti-malarial prophylaxis is non-negotiable — discuss options with your travel clinic
- Water: Drink only bottled or lodge-filtered water throughout all destinations
Section 03
The Safari Experience
Essentials include:
- Layers for chilly early mornings and warm afternoons — temperatures vary significantly
- Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes or hiking boots
- Wide-brimmed hat and high-SPF sunscreen
- Quality binoculars and a camera with telephoto lens
- Universal adaptor plugs and a headlamp or torch
- Insect repellent (DEET-based for malaria zones)
A detailed, destination-specific packing list is sent to all clients upon booking confirmation.
Safaris follow the natural rhythm of the animals — which means early starts and deeply memorable evenings.
Most city hotels and many lodges now offer Wi-Fi, often in main communal areas only. Connection in remote bush camps can be slow, intermittent, satellite-based, or completely absent — sometimes available at an extra cost.
Section 04
Cultural & Responsible Travel
We live by the Sankofa principle — going back to fetch what has been left behind. We facilitate genuine, respectful cultural exchanges, not voyeuristic visits.
- Always ask permission before photographing people — a smile and gesture go a long way
- Dress modestly when visiting villages and religious sites
- A few words in the local language — hello, thank you — are always appreciated
- Be open to learning, not just observing
Many of our itineraries include community-based tourism projects that directly benefit local people, ensuring your visit creates lasting value beyond memories.
Sustainability is core to our identity — not a marketing add-on. In practice this means:
- We partner exclusively with lodges and operators committed to conservation and fair local employment
- We minimise single-use plastics — reusable water bottles are provided on all our trips
- A portion of every booking is contributed to vetted conservation and community projects
- We educate every traveller on being a low-impact guest in fragile ecosystems
Section 05
Destination Deep Dives
Country-specific questions answered in full — from Uganda's gorillas to Botswana's exclusivity, Namibia's self-drives, and beyond.
Uganda
In a word, yes. Gorilla trekking is consistently rated as one of the world's most profound wildlife experiences by the travellers who do it — the kind that changes how you see everything after.
The permit fee ($800) is a deliberate conservation tool, funding anti-poaching patrols, research, and community projects. The trek can be strenuous — 2–8 hours in steep, muddy terrain — but the moment you make eye contact with a silverback is genuinely indescribable.
Uganda is remarkably diverse — the gorillas are just the headline act. The country also offers:
- Chimpanzee Trekking: In Kibale Forest (the primate capital of the world) or Budongo Forest
- Classic Savannah Safari: Queen Elizabeth National Park — tree-climbing lions, and boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel
- Source of the Nile & Adventure: White-water rafting, bungee jumping, or serene boat trips in Jinja
- Volcanic Scenery: Lake Bunyonyi and the "Mountains of the Moon" — the Rwenzori Range
- 1,060+ Bird Species: More than in all of North America — Uganda is a premier birding destination
Kenya
While the Migration (roughly July–October) is a spectacular highlight, the Mara is a year-round premier destination. Outside migration season, you'll enjoy exceptional big cat viewing — resident prides of lions, leopards, and cheetahs — with far fewer vehicles. The green season (November–May) offers stunning landscapes, newborn animals, and outstanding birding at lower prices.
Absolutely. We go well beyond the standard tour. Options include:
- A guided walk with a Maasai elder, learning about medicinal plants and wildlife tracking
- A shared meal with a local family inside a traditional Manyatta homestead
- Visits to community-run conservancies like Mara Naboisho, where your stay directly funds conservation and local livelihoods
Tanzania
Not at all — they are a perfect pairing and most clients do both. The Ngorongoro Crater is a contained, ancient volcanic caldera: ideal for a day of concentrated, unparalleled wildlife density on the crater floor. The Serengeti is about the epic expanse and the thrill of the search.
A classic itinerary includes 1–2 nights at the Crater rim, followed by 3+ nights deep in the Serengeti — often in a mobile camp that moves with the herds.
Zanzibar is the quintessential "bush & beach" finale. After the dust and adrenaline of the safari, a 3–4 night stay on Zanzibar's beaches (Nungwi or Kendwa are our favourites) allows for total relaxation and recharging.
We also highly recommend a historical tour of Stone Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — to understand the Swahili Coast's rich and complex trading history before you fly home.
Rwanda
While Volcanoes National Park and gorillas are the star, Rwanda will genuinely surprise you with its depth:
- Nyungwe Forest: Canopy walks and chimpanzee trekking in a spectacular montane rainforest
- Akagera National Park: A classic Big Five savannah experience with boating on Lake Ihema
- Kigali: One of Africa's cleanest, safest and most organised capitals — including the profound Kigali Genocide Memorial
Botswana
Botswana pursues a deliberate "high-cost, low-impact" tourism model — and it shows. This means:
- Exclusivity: Small, intimate camps of 8–12 tents in private concessions with very few other visitors
- Unique Activities: Night drives, off-road game drives, walking safaris, and mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions — often restricted in busier national parks
- Remote Access: The Okavango Delta (UNESCO site) offers water-based safaris with a completely different perspective on African wildlife
- Iconic Areas: Okavango Delta, Chobe Riverfront (famous for enormous elephant herds), and the otherworldly Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
South Africa
While those are iconic, South Africa's staggering diversity extends far beyond them:
- Cape & Winelands: Table Mountain, penguins at Boulders Beach, and world-class vineyards in Stellenbosch
- Garden Route: Scenic coastal drive with forests, beaches, and adventure activities
- KwaZulu-Natal: iSimangaliso Wetlands, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi (excellent rhino viewing), and Zulu cultural experiences
- Madikwe & Eastern Cape: Malaria-free safari options — ideal for families with young children
Zambia
Zambia is the birthplace of the walking safari — raw, uncommercialized, and extraordinary for those who want to feel genuinely inside the wilderness rather than observing it from a vehicle.
- South Luangwa National Park: Legendary for walking safaris and some of the most intense leopard sightings in Africa
- Lower Zambezi: Canoe safaris on the Zambezi River with elephants swimming between islands
- Victoria Falls (Livingstone side): Less crowded than Zimbabwe, with helicopter flights and the thrilling Devil's Pool experience
Section 06
Cross-Country Safari Trips
Multi-country itineraries are one of our specialities. Here's everything you need to know about combining destinations into one seamless, epic journey.
This is one of our core specialities. We are experts in seamless, logistically smooth multi-country journeys. The most popular combinations include:
- Kenya & Tanzania: The ultimate Great Migration circuit — Maasai Mara and the Serengeti
- Rwanda & Uganda: Primate enthusiasts' dream — Rwanda's gorillas combined with Uganda's chimps and savannah
- Tanzania & Zanzibar: The perfect bush-and-beach adventure
- Uganda & Kenya: Gorilla trekking blended with the classic Masai Mara or Amboseli savannah
- Southern Africa Circuit: South Africa → Botswana → Zimbabwe/Zambia (Victoria Falls)
- Primate & Plains: Rwanda (gorillas) → Uganda (chimps) → Kenya (Maasai Mara)
Not when planned correctly — and we have it down to a precise art. We handle all complexities:
We recommend a minimum of 12–14 days for a meaningful two-country itinerary. For example:
- 10-Day Gorilla & Great Lakes: 4 days Rwanda (gorillas & Kigali) + 6 days Uganda (chimps & Queen Elizabeth NP)
- 14-Day Migration Circuit: 6 days Kenya's Mara + 6 days Tanzania's Serengeti/Ngorongoro + 2 travel/buffer days
- Southern Africa Fly-in: 12–16 days — Cape Town + Kruger + Okavango Delta + Victoria Falls
The advantage of a cross-country trip: you experience the unique highlight of each country without needing to return to Africa multiple times. You maximise your time and create a genuinely epic, comprehensive journey.
Section 07
Payment & Booking Security
Your financial security is as important to us as your physical security in the field. Here is exactly how payments work — transparently and clearly.
Secure Online Portal
You receive a unique, encrypted payment link via email. Pay instantly by credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) in USD, EUR, or GBP.
PCI-DSS compliant — the highest security standard. Guarantees immediate booking confirmation. Our recommended method for deposits.
Bank Transfer (SWIFT)
Full company bank details (USD/EUR accounts) are provided on your invoice.
Important: Use your invoice number as the payment reference and select "OUR" for bank charges so we receive the full amount. Email your SWIFT confirmation for tracking.
Absolutely. We are a fully licensed and bonded tour operator with strict financial practices:
- Client Trust Account: Your deposits and payments are held in a dedicated trust account until services are rendered — your money is protected and used solely for your confirmed arrangements
- Long-standing Partnerships: We have credit agreements with lodges across East Africa built on years of trust
- Full Transparency: Every cost is explained in your invoice. There are no hidden fees — ever
| Timing | Policy |
|---|---|
| At any time | Deposits are generally non-refundable due to upfront permit and lodge guarantee costs |
| 60–30 days before | 50% penalty on the total tour cost |
| Within 30 days | 100% penalty — full cost of the tour is forfeited |
| Our advice | Purchase Cancellation For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance at the time of your deposit. We can advise on suitable providers |
Section 08
Practicalities & Day-to-Day
Requirements vary by destination and nationality. As a general rule:
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned return date, with sufficient blank pages
- Many countries offer e-visas or visas on arrival — Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda offer the excellent East African Tourist Visa (USD $100 for multiple-entry access to all three)
- Obtaining your visa is the traveller's responsibility, but we provide clear, current guidance for your specific destinations
All Sankofa Afrika Safaris prices are in United States Dollars (USD) — the standard tourism currency across Africa. US Dollars are accepted at most lodges, camps, and tour operators directly. You can also pay in EUR or GBP through our portal at a live exchange rate.
For tipping: tipping is customary and an important part of the tourism economy in all African destinations. We provide clear, country-specific tipping guidelines in your pre-departure dossier for guides, drivers, and lodge staff. Amounts are typically given in USD or local currency at the end of your stay with each provider.
In most safari lodges and camps, bottled or filtered water is provided and is safe to drink. In cities, we advise using bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth as a precaution. Your guide will advise you at every location.
We provide reusable water bottles on all Sankofa Afrika Safaris trips to minimise single-use plastic waste — part of our sustainable travel commitment.
Plug types and voltages vary by country:
- East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda): Type G — UK-style three-pin square plug, 240V
- Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Zambia): Type M (South African three-pin round), 230V
- North Africa (Egypt, Morocco): Type C/F — European two-pin round, 220V
A universal travel adaptor with surge protection is a wise investment that covers all destinations. Many remote bush camps run on generator or solar power with designated charging hours — confirm with your specific lodge.
The high cost is a deliberate conservation strategy — limiting visitor numbers ensures minimal impact on the primates, while the revenue funds vital anti-poaching patrols, veterinary care, research, and community benefit programmes. Without this system, gorilla populations would not have grown as they have over the past two decades.