Safari Tips
Tips for Your African Safari
Photography
We strongly advise investing in the best camera and lens you can reasonably afford and learning to use your equipment well prior to coming on your African safari. Wildlife in the bush is indeed WILD and many species, especially antelope and most birds, often take flight when they see humans. Although visitors generally enjoy excellent game viewing, the animals are often too far away and move too quickly for a close-up shot without a strong lens. Generally speaking, however, even with inexpensive cameras, elephants and lions photograph well. Don’t forget an extra camera battery! Unless otherwise notified, all Good Guides safari camps are equipped with outlets for the charging of camera batteries.
Clothing:
Although we work with you to determine the most appropriate attire to bring for your particular safari, it’s never a bad idea to have one or two items normally considered “out of season.” Mother Nature loves surprises! On a rare occasion, jacket weather can occur in November (our summer) and “shorts” days in June (our winter).
Although expensive “safari clothes” are certainly not necessary for your trip, natural colored clothing (browns, greens, khaki, gray) are highly recommended for bush walking.
Getting Here
From the USA:
Between South Africa and the United States the only direct flights are with South African Airways and Delta Air Lines. SAA has direct flights from Johannesburg South Africa to Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. Delta Airlines flies direct from Johannesburg to Atlanta.
From most other larger U.S. destinations you can fly to South Africa via Europe on British Airways, KLM, Air France or United Airlines.
From Europe and Other Destinations:
As well as British Airways, KLM, Air France or United, other airlines flying into South Africa from Europe include Swiss Air and Lufthansa.
Additionally, from other parts of the world: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar and Arik all fly into and out of South Africa.
Post Arrival:
Once arriving in Johannesburg you will need to travel to the Greater Kruger National Park area, most likely to Hoedspruit. While some visitors enjoy driving themselves (about 5 hours) or hiring a driver, most prefer to fly from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit via SA Express or chartering a flight directly into the bush. A commerical flight from Johanneburg to Hoedspruit is approximately one hour long. Wilderness Encounters can arrange your 30-minute ground transfer between the airport or bush airstrip and the camp. There are only two commercial flights into Hoedspruti from Johannesburg each day. Therefore, it is highly recommended that the availability of this flight be confirmed before making an overseas flight commitment. Be advised, coordinating overseas flights with connecting flights into Hoedspruit may necessitate an overnight stay in Johannesburg.
