Most safari camps and lodges follow a rhythm built around when wildlife is most active. That usually means an early morning activity, time back at camp in the middle of the day, and a second activity in the late afternoon into early evening.

The exact schedule varies by property and destination, but in general you should expect an early start, a break during the warmest part of the day, and dinner after your afternoon activity. Some camps also offer walks, boat trips, or other activities depending on the location or the camp.

This pattern is part of the experience rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. The pace is intentional, and downtime at camp is normal.

Unless specifically noted otherwise, you should expect to share activities with other guests in camp. Most camps limit the number of guests per safari vehicle to six, ensuring that everyone gets a “window seat.” Game drive vehicles are normally open and have amphitheater-style seating.

Safari camps try to be intentional about how they pair guests, do their best to match up travelers of a similar demographic and with similar interests so that everyone’s experience is as comfortable as possible.

Private vehicles can be arranged depending on availability, but they come at additional cost which in many cases is quite significant. For those who may be willing to bear the cost of a private vehicle, we encourage you to consider the experiential and environmental impact of increased vehicles numbers.

There are some lodges that do not allow for private vehicles, and there are some activities that cannot be done on a private basis.

A safari can involve several different types of flights. Long-haul international flights are those that take you from home to Africa, and regional commercial flights connect countries or major cities within Africa. These “commercial” flights are not included in our quoted trip cost, and we are happy to introduce you to a Africa-specialist air desk that can assist with booking your commercial flights.

In contrast with commercial flights, “light aircraft flights” refer to the small bush planes that are used to reach remote safari areas, often landing on dirt airstrips near camps. Light aircraft flights are always included in our quoted services for your itinerary. These flights are presumed to be shared with other guests (i.e., you have booked a seat in the aircraft), unless specifically noted as private. Aircraft types can vary, though the most common aircraft across Africa is the Cessna 208 Caravan. Light aircraft flights normally have strict luggage rules and weight limits, and these are summarized within your itinerary.

For budgeting purposes, there are five main additional costs to keep in mind.

The first is commercial flights. As discussed in the prior question above, commercial flights—including the long-haul flights from home to Africa and any regional commercial flights between African countries—are generally not included in our quoted costs. This is clearly noted within your itinerary.

The second additional cost is tipping/gratuities. This will be discussed in detail as you get closer to travel, but for budgeting purposes a good working estimate is about $40 per person per day.

The remaining additional costs are less significant but still worth planning for.

Government visas and entry fees are not included in our costs. Some countries allow entry at no charge, while other countries charge $30-$100 per person.

We require travelers to carry at least medical and evacuation insurance (though we also recommend that travelers consider purchasing full cancellation/interruption coverage). Medical/evacuation insurance costs around $60 per person, while cancellation coverage normally costs 8-12% of your trip cost.

Finally, while most safari camps are fully inclusive (including all meals, daily activities, park fees, most drinks, and even laundry), city hotels often only include breakfast. So for any time spent in cities, you should consider what other costs you might incur.

Yes. As briefly discussed in the prior question above, there are two types of travel insurance to consider: medical and evacuation coverage, and cancellation and interruption coverage.

A standalone medical and evacuation policy is designed to reimburse you for the cost of medical treatment and even transportation out of a remote area to a medical facility should these be required during your trip. We require all travelers to procure at least medical and evacuation coverage (with recommended minimums of $50,000 medical and $500,000 evacuation).

We strongly recommend purchasing insurance that has coverage for cancellation and interruption. This type of insurance would reimburse you for the cost of your trip (or for prorated services) should you have to cancel or adjust services for a covered reason.

(Note that cancellation and interruption coverage always includes the medical and evacuation component.)

Once your trip with us is formally booked, our “confirmation of travel” email will include a dedicated insurance section with additional information. We generally recommend Arch RoamRight to our travelers, but you are welcome to shop around and to ultimately use any insurance provider with which you are comfortable. Most insurers recommend purchasing coverage within fourteen days of making your initial deposit so that coverage for pre-existing conditions is preserved where applicable.

When you decide the itinerary is just right, the first step is for every traveler in your party to sign our online terms and conditions document, which we call the “travel agreement.” (If you have minors in your group, their legal guardians will sign on their behalf.)

Once we receive the signed travel agreements, we will put the wheels in motion to formally confirm all your services in Africa, and we will get back to you with a “confirmation of travel” email which provides a short checklist of key priorities for the coming months.

The confirmation email will also include your financial statement and options for paying your deposit. Normally, the required initial deposit is 25% of the trip cost, though there are some exceptions to this (notably, gorilla permits!). The remaining balance of cost is due 90 days prior to your departure. You can generally make payment via credit card, check, or wire transfer.

When you are traveling, you have access to the Piper and Heath team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We maintain a dedicated emergency line monitored by our team in the US and in Africa, so if anything comes up you will always be able to reach us.

You will also be assisted throughout your itinerary by our on-the-ground partners in Africa, such that you will never be left on your own and have to figure things out for yourself! As you have questions along the way, the best source of immediate help is normally the folks who your are currently with, whether a transfer driver, a camp manager, a hotel concierge, or a safari guide. You should never hesitate to ask the person in front of you!

Between our African partners and our own support line, you will never be left on your own. Whatever the nature of your question, there will always be plenty of folks to assist you along the way.