This article is to help you think clearly about what your expectations and needs are before you book a tour with us. Our consultants are willing and able to answer all your questions, but if you don’t know where to start, read this article.

This is not about how much you want to spend, vaccinations, insurance etc., but about the actual journey itself; how you want to experience Africa for the first time, or even for the 100th time.

Do you just want to experience Africa as a tourist, or do you want to experience Africa as an individual? Allow yourself to think ‘outside of the box’ everytime you go to a new place. Take a good look around you and look for things that are ‘out of the ordinary’, or ask questions about things you are interested in. The guides are well-informed and will be able to help you, of if not, they will find out for you.

You can experience a different side of Africa, if you start your journey with a good attitude and a clear understanding of what you want to get out of it. Are you looking for adrenalin activities or just chilling on the beaches and sipping on cocktails? Do you want to hike the vast mountain ranges or relax at the lodge by the pool? You need to think about these things because if you don’t know beforehand what you want, you may end up being disappointed, and we certainly don’t want that!

Of course there is the ‘nitty gritty’ of whether you want to go on an accommodated tour or a camping one, but you can go on either and still have a great time. It is all about your attitude before you head off. If you are an avid photographer, you are obviously going to want to spend a lot of time game viewing and taking photographs of breathtaking sunsets or sunrises, so find out beforehand where are the best places in Africa to do this. Of course, I am biased and will say that everywhere in Africa will give you these opportunities, but perhaps there is a particular setting you are looking for, like the desert versus the beaches. If you want a variety, then make sure that your tour includes that variety.

If you are an avid birder, then you want to visit areas such as marshes and deltas where there is plenty of bird life. But if your taste for wildlife includes reptiles, then the desert is calling your name. If you are a writer, remember to take a journal with or perhaps write a blog about your travels when you get home.

It is important for you not to worry too much about what you are going to eat, or what you are going to wear. Yes, you need to consider these things, but not obsess about them otherwise your focus is going to be taken away from the main goal, and that is to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature that surrounds you. In other words ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’!

You also need to have an open mind (or heart) towards the people you are going to meet because you won’t have any choice over this unless you are on a private charter. Remember to not judge a book by its cover and give people time to warm to you and vice versa.

You are an individual with passions, ideas and your own perspective. Take all of these qualities into consideration and remember to always look at the positive side of a situation :-)