Safari Information

Badass Guide!

“Lots of wildlife sightings - elephants, zebras, leopard and a cheetah (has not been seen
for a year according to our guide). On our last am game drive, we spotted two male lions eating a dead elephant followed by separate sighting of three females. Our guide Moss was a badass. He knew where to go for optimal viewing to make the experience so memorable.”
- Niharika M. Botswana and Zimbabwe Safari

One of the musts for a memorable Safari is a great guide, or as our guest Niharika stated …badass guide. We love this!

Here are 5 ways the right guide will turn your trip into a truly unforgettable adventure:

1. Storytellers that bring the wilderness to life.
Great guides entertain you around the campfire with fascinating tales of the bush. Their passion and knowledge make the landscape and animals come alive with unique stories you’ll never forget. They have endless information to share that transforms your Safari into an immersive adventure.

2. Experts who lead you right to the action.
Guides have a sixth sense for spotting elusive wildlife and navigating right to the best sightings. Their skill and intuition will take you up close to lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and more. You’ll get to witness exhilarating hunts, cute cubs playing, and the rarest creatures hidden in the bush.

3. Your host, protector and Safari companion.
Your guide sticks by your side for hours a day as your personal host, protector, and companion. You'll treasure quiet conversations around the fire under starry night skies. And they’ll lead you on exciting off-road adventures tailored to your interests. Their passion is contagious.

4. Perfect matches for solo travelers.
Opting for a private guide all to yourself is an amazing way to Safari if you’re traveling solo. You’ll form a special bond with your own personal expert. And you can fully customize your days around your interests, with no compromises. And even if you are part of a group, and the rest of the party wants to stay back in the lodge and relax, go out on a solo drive with your guide.

5. Tailored for different types of groups
Great guides adapt their approach for different types of travelers. Honeymooners are focused on romance, so guides pick romantic sundowner spots. Families with small kids get guides who love engaging little ones with stories and games. Teen groups find guides who make Safaris exciting with off-the-beaten-track adventures. We match guides to you!

The right guide crafts unforgettable moments and connections on your Safari.
Let’s get you on Safari so you can meet your badass guides!

,

What to Pack on Safari - by Journey To Africa guest Julie.

,

What to pack on Safari and how to make it all work with the 35 lbs weight limit is one of our most asked questions when getting ready. A little tricky but doable with a little planning and preparation.

This piece is written by our guest Julie Stevens, A Model Traveler, who went on Safari with us in Oct 2021 with her husband, uncle, aunt, and my friend and amazing photographer Randy Hanna. Enjoy!
- Mefi

"Out of Africa" Safari Style for the Modern-Day Female:

What to pack for your upcoming safari.

"If there were one more thing I could do, it would be to go on safari once again." - Karen Blixen

For those of us who have seen the movie, Out of Africa, there's a certain safari elegance and attitude that it exudes, and I've always wanted to emulate that if given the chance. When I started planning and packing for my upcoming safari adventure to Kenya, I couldn't get the images from this 1985 Oscar-winning film out of my mind. Now, I'm not saying that high-collared white blouses, neck ties and midi skirts are somehow practical in the bush, but I am suggesting that you can happily merge style and comfort, without the need to sacrifice your independent flair. There was only one Karen Blixen, so let's do our best to find our own unique fashion sense while on safari. 

Our safari tribe consisted of myself, my husband Clyde, and our Uncle Ken & Aunt Nan. We were also joined by professional photographer, safari guide & friend, Randy Hanna. Traveling with these familiar faces made the journey that much more special and intimate, and it also allowed us to converse on a regular basis before our departure about what to pack, what to leave at home, and stir up the excitement and anticipation of going on safari together. 

What Clothing To Pack

One important thing to do before you pack anything, is to lay all of your clothing and accessory items out on your bed and see what pieces you can mix-and-match so that you can create several outfits using a few of the same clothing items. Less is more, and I can assure you that you will never be upset about packing too little, only too much. There’s no need to purchase a new wardrobe for safari. I only bought one or two new items, and I knew that I would wear these again once I returned home.

Good communication with your safari company or travel agent should give you a heads-up regarding weather conditions and insect frequency for the time of year you'll be traveling to Africa and what nations you will be visiting. This will help in deciding which fabrics to choose and how much layering will be necessary for each stopover. Our safari company, Journey To Africa, made packing a breeze with their own detailed packing list. 

Earth tones like tans, muted browns, light greens and blues will serve you well, not only for reflecting most of the visible wavelengths on a hot day, but it can get dusty during those adventurous jeep rides, so it's nice to keep the wash load down. I've also found it easier to find softer, breezier fabrics in these lighter colors. 

Warmer clothing options like fleeces, light-weight jackets and pullovers will be essential for those early mornings, evenings and higher altitudes. Do leave your bulky sweaters and jeans at home. They take up too much space in your pack, and you won’t need those heavier fabrics on safari. Be sure to pack a rain jacket just in case, as you never know what the elements might surprise you with each day. Do your best to be prepared, comfortable and protected at all times.

The proper shoes can make or break a good vacation, so a little effort goes a long way in selecting footwear. I prefer a high-top boot, but this is just personal preference. Depending upon your itinerary, unless you are scheduled to take on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, or other challenging treks in Africa, most of your time will be spent in a 4x4 or relaxing around camp. So, most trail or day-hike shoes will suffice. 

Socks are also a small, yet very important item to choose wisely. I prefer a wool or cotton blend, and a sock that covers your ankles. If bugs are present, this seems to be the one spot where I get nibbled on the most. A nice compression sock will keep circulation flowing if you're sitting for long hours. They are especially important for those long international flights. Wool socks that are lined with a cotton blend make for a lovely alternative if you have a sensitively to wool.

Hats can be found in an array of styles, colors and fabrics, and I switched between a breathable UV-protected hat with an adjustable chin strap, which is great for those windy days, and a fedora-style packer hat. Beanies make for a great option as well, they're easy to pack and will keep you warm during those chilly morning rides.

Scarves or bandanas also come in handy as hair ties or face-coverings when needed, and sunglasses should be worn not only for daily sun protection, but as a shield from the wind. 

Ladies, one last suggestion, a quality sports bra. Yes, a sports bra. Those safari jeeps don't do us any favors with all of that bouncing and bobbing about, so good support is a must!

Extras

A few final suggestions when thinking about your safari wardrobe. Bring a bathing suit, as some of your camps or hotels may have swimming pools. I also like having large airtight baggies on hand in case some of my clothing is still damp and we are en route to another camp. 

Having a pair of sandals or flip-flops will give your tootsies a nice breather after a long day in socks and boots. 

Clothing items and accessories with built-in insect repellent are quite popular, so it's worth checking a few of these items out, especially if bugs seem to take an extra special liking to you.

Leave your fancy bling at home. Packing a sport's watch, simple earrings and possibly a necklace are all the jewels you will need on safari. Use this as an excuse to buy some of the locally made jewelry and wear that while you're in Africa. 

Our camps provided shampoo, conditioner, body wash and laundry soap, so there was no need to add this extra weight to our pack. The camps also offer daily laundry service, so do keep this in mind when packing. We brought laundry wash leaves that dissolve in water for our undergarments, as these items are not part of the camp laundry service.

Most camps do not provide hairdryers, but I found that my hair dried very quickly on its own in the African heat. If you want to add a little style to your hair, I suggest a travel-size, cordless curling iron. They’re rechargeable, compact, and add some polish to your do.

Sunscreen, bug repellent, wet wipes, lip balm, moisturizing eye drops, and a GoGirl or SHEWEE. You may need to tinkle outdoors, and while these last items are certainly not necessary, they could come in handy. I do recommend taking a few practice runs at home before using these in Africa. It’s always a good idea to make sure your aim is on point.

How To Pack

Rolling your clothing instead of folding saves you space in your pack, plus most fabrics will obtain less creases during transit. If you do acquire a few wrinkles, most man-made fabrics will naturally release these once they are hung up. 

Bring camera gear, including extra batteries, memory cards, a hard drive, and all other valuable equipment in your carry-on luggage. Most camera batteries are lithium these days, and international laws will prevent these from being sent through to the hold of an airplane. It’s also a good idea to have a change of clothing on hand. If any luggage goes missing, you'll have these items with you.

I suggest soft-sided backpacks over hard luggage. Bush planes will require this for easier transit and packs are convenient for throwing on your back when walking over rough terrain or camp trails. My husband and I travel with mountaineering backpacks as our check-in luggage. They’re portable, durable, and allow us to display our travel patches from our globetrotting adventures.

Pack light. Weight restrictions on internal flights are quite strict, 35 pounds to be exact, so bring only that which is absolutely necessary. We bought a hanging scale to make sure that our carry-on, as well as our check-in luggage, was 35 pounds in total. 

Packing creams and liquids such as sunscreen, skincare, bug spray and hand sanitizer in sealed bags will save you from the unfortunate product explosion. I'm speaking from experience on this one.

Have The Time Of Your Life

We were so blessed to travel with family and friends on this safari. We shared many inside jokes, we gave names to the animals and became narrators as they went about their daily routines. It became a game, one that we will chuckle over for years to come. One night while traveling back to camp from our evening safari, we played Toto's, "Africa", at full volume, and we all sang along to this classic tune. This song now holds a special memory and a meaning that will always take us back to Africa and our life-changing safari.

Heading out on safari is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable adventures of your lifetime. You will see and experience the most amazing wildlife in its natural habitat. You may feel a shift in your perspective and a newfound sense of freedom. Your mind will open to the landscapes and horizons and your heart will expand for the people and their continent.

Like they say, "once you get the dirt of Africa on your boots, you will always find a way to return." Just make sure those boots are comfortable, and stylish.

You can visit Julie’s YouTube channel for a short Safari video. Julie has captured some stunning wildlife photographs from Masai Mara and Amboseli National Park, Kenya.

The Holiday Gift Guide that keeps on Giving!

It's that time of year! Whether you want to extend a hand to the organizations you have visited on your Journey To Africa Safari or find a new one that touches you.

We have hand-selected organizations that we know will be worth a Support, Shop, or Donate … there is something for everyone. We know your hard earned money will go a long way at these worthy organizations.

At the heart of Shanga's message is “Be kind and recycle" - an ethos that is adopted by the Journey To Africa team throughout the company that continues to support conservation, community, and social consciousness - helping to empower people and places.

Shanga is a successful social enterprise that employs the people of Tanzania with disabilities helping to support families, whilst creating a broad range of products. Perhaps the perfect Christmas gift waits from Shanga. Oh, and if you have been on Safari with us, you will recognize their glassware - the places we recommend use their products.

If you want to support community-based conservation initiatives then look no further. Honeyguide Foundation helps to support sustainable practices in local conservation by empowering the people on the ground. They want the local communities to take ownership across three dimensions: financial, environmental, and social. Do read up more on how they work with the local communities.

Damian Bell and Ole Kirimbai, the founders of Honeyguide started a community-based tourism venture, a model that we seek out when we pick our Safari partners.

Home to around 100 children ranging in all ages, Tanzania Children’s Village is an amazing home that offers tools to help bring the children of Tanzania out of generational poverty. There are several ways in which this organization can make a life changing difference - giving it a truly unique gift for a family/friend this holiday.

If you have visited the home, you know what a lovely home they create for the kids. From the mama, to the teachers, and the staff and everyone in-between. Asante Mama India and Baba Peter for making a safe home for the kids.

If you have been on Zoom with us, you will have most likely seen us wearing a Sidai design. Sidai Designs is based in Arusha, Tanzania and the team collaborates with the Maasai women to create handmade contemporary jewelry and homewares.

Sidai Designs aims to provide economic opportunity for Maasai women and girls by training them to produce unique, high quality beaded designs using the traditional techniques of their tribe. Their goal is to preserve Maasai beading techniques while elevating the traditional methods, giving them a contemporary aesthetic appeal.

To those who have been on Safari, you may have stopped here and to those going, we will take you here if you have time in Arusha before your Safari.

Big Life Foundation is a non-profit organization that operates over 1.6million acres of wilderness in the Amboseli -Tsavo -Kilimanjaro ecosystem in East Africa. In a recent newsletter, Big Life Foundation discusses that donations are down by more than 45%. Therefore, they need our support now more than ever to ensure these great ecosystems that support both human and wildlife are protected for future generations.

The famous Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) is globally renowned for their work for animal conservation, that specializes in reintroducing orphaned Elephants, that have often been subjected to poaching, back into the wild. This inspirational organization allows you to adopt an Elephant and receive regular updates on their progress.

It is a truly unique and humbling experience to witness the Carers and Elephants playing at the orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya. Other purchases include their online store containing art, merchandise and more.

Mulberry Mongoose is based in South Luangwa, Zambia. The local craftswomen use snare wire recovered from poaching traps to create jewelry designs inspired by the African bush. The slogan states ‘beauty from brutality’ - therefore find that special someone a gift, whilst helping to protect Africa's iconic species.

Fundamentally the organization employs women from all over Zambia to help reinvest in the community, where unemployment is high. They also help reduce their impact by using locally sourced materials. In today’s world, sustainability is becoming increasingly important.
Shop Green this season.

Tongabezi is a lovely lodge situated on the banks of the Zambezi river, where Victoria Falls is located, is home to a thriving community where humans and wildlife habitats co-exist. The lodge, in partnership with guests, explores numerous avenues to help support the local communities, along with running conservation schemes which help to conserve the land for future generations.

When you stay here, you are not only going to enjoy exploring Victoria Falls area and it’s many activities, but also support a community you can visit on your Safari, and support from afar.

Have more questions for us? Send us an email and we can chat more about each organization and point you in the right direction. We appreciate all the help you can give our Safari Partners.

How does your Safari make a difference!

The ‘Why’?

I have been thinking a lot recently about my “why”. Why is Journey To Africa different? Why should you come on Safari with Journey To Africa?

The answer is in the places and the people. I will take you to places I love and you will be meeting and supporting people I cherish. As a Tanzanian, the impact of each Safari with Journey To Africa is my biggest passion. I want you to show the Africa I love, whilst making a difference.

I thought I would take you deeper into how a Safari with Journey To Africa actually benefits people and places I know and love. What sets us apart is the personal connection I have with the places and people you will see and meet on your Safari especially in Tanzania.

My friends - When I tell you I am going to send you on Safari with Safari guide Kakae, Michael, Chiedel, Baraka, Bingo, Nathan, etc., I know them. When I say you will meet Lodge manager Mo, Mosongo, Baraka, Alex, Julien, etc., I know them.

I know that by sending you to particular lodges and camps that I have stayed at many times, you will be directly and indirectly supporting the people I have touched - the waiters, cooks, cleaning staff, askaris (guards), rangers, and all their families. Having become friends with these wonderful people over the years, it makes me proud that my Safari business supports them directly.

Aside from directly supporting the people who work in the Safari industry, I use lodges and camps and Safari Partners who have a focus on both the conservation of Africa’s wild places and the development and empowerment of local communities. From providing education, changing life trajectories from being a poacher to now a farmer or mechanic, to medical assistance provided for the village, etc. I can talk in-depth about this if you lend me your ears. So important to me! The future of what we do have to be protected and I want to work with people who care.

I think that it is important to know that your Safari is an incredible experience for you, and it goes beyond what you see and do whilst you’re there. Your Safari will be impacting local communities, the wildlife, and the people I care about. And my biggest hope is that you will come back invested too.

Let’s get you on a Safari where you will come back being friends with my friends.
- Mefi

My buddies in Greystoke Mahale, one fabulous place to visit for chimp trekking on Mahale Moutains.

My buddies in Greystoke Mahale, one fabulous place to visit for chimp trekking on Mahale Moutains.

,

What type of Safari vehicles will you ride on your wildlife Safari?

,

When on your Safari, you are going to enjoy game driving for at least 8-10 hours a day, sometimes more, sometimes less - you get to choose in most cases and sometimes your guide/weather. You may start early around 6:00 a.m. and end as late at 6:30 to 7:00 p.m when the areas close. You may even go out at night on your night game drives from certain lodges.

During this time, you will learn to appreciate your work-horse - your Safari vehicle.
Your 4×4 vehicle expertly maneuvered by our experienced knowledgeable Safari guide is your safe house. It will keep you cocooned from the wildlife, the rough terrain bumpety bump ride, and the range of weather elements you will encounter. The vehicle will act as your photography hide, breakfast and/or lunch table especially the bonnet/hood, your napping spot - happens to the best of us, your evening ride home.

In conclusion, where you will spend a lot of your waking hours. For this very reason, I take my vehicle selection from my Safari partners very seriously as it will be a big part of how you will enjoy your Safari!

Safari Vehicle and Sunset
Safari Vehicle

So, what type of vehicle(s) will you have on your wildlife Safari?
Depends on which area you on Safari.

For Tanzania and Kenya, when you fly in an area, like Northern Serengeti or Masai Mara from a city like Arusha or Nairobi, you will hop into an open vehicle. South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where you mostly fly into an area; open vehicles are your go-to ride.

The open vehicles here will have a roof on top and plastic canvas on the sides should you need to protect yourself from rain. The open vehicle may look different in many areas in South Africa like MalaMala Game Reserve or Sabi Sabi Lodges where they will have open vehicles with no roof giving you a completely open feel.

If you are driving from the city to the parks, especially in Tanzania, you may be in a closed vehicle because doing a drive through the main-road in an open vehicle is not advisable. Going down Ngorongoro Crater is recommened in a closed vehicle.

The closed vehicles that we like, and chose our Safari partners accordingly, have to have large unobstructed windows and a pop-up roof so you can have shade and a panoramic view to enjoy the magnificient scenery.

Regardless of what type of vehicle you will have, your vehicle will have lots of amenities.
A cooler with water, soft drinks, wine, beer, etc., plugs to charge your spare camera batteries or iPhone, bean bags for your camera - big or small, binoculars for spotting, lots of guide books, snacks – you do get hungry on Safari,  blankets to keep you warm from the wind, and raincoat/poncho for the expected or unexpected rain.

If you have any special requests such as need a step stool to get on board, pillow for your back, extra water, etc., we can cater to that as well.

All in all, your vehicle with our professional guides will be ready to show you a great time on Safari with Journey To Africa. Now let’s get you on your Safari.

Africa in the time of CoVID-19

To my guests going on Safari in 2020 - Thank you - you have been patient and kind while working with me in postponing your Safari to the many parts of Africa; your Safari deposit funds have kept our many initiatives going at this unprecedented time.

Masai Tribe traditional dance

Conservation. Community.
The Safari deposit funds you have paid are being used for wildlife conservation and community. My amazing Safari partners and my curated list of Safari lodges, who support wildlife directly or by partnering with many organizations that are responsible for keeping our wildlife safe are working hard to keep wildlife safe as we 'speak'.

Also supported are the many communities surrounding the parks/ conservations. The symbiotic relationship between the community and the Safari lodges is a win-win in so many different ways depending on the location, the Safari lodge, etc.

Besides continuing our support for Big Life Foundation, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, RCVC to name a few, we are doing our best to send money to friends in Kenya and Tanzania who are giving meals to people who can't go out to work due to lock-down to small clinics who have lost all funding with only a trickle of tourists. 

Lion Cub Growling

All in this together.
I am hopeful that once the world is safe to travel again, we will travel with consciousness.

We are grateful that our Safari partners and Safari lodges that we work with value conservation and are committed to personally being custodians of the wildlife or partner with companies in the front line taking care of our wildlife. Besides wildlife conservation, without supporting the community, wildlife is in peril. All of these components are essential to sustainability practices.

This was very important to us before the crisis and we are even more committed to making sure this is the cornerstone of all our partners.

Many of you - hello friends - have seen our Safari partners' commitment in-depth first hand. You will have visited the villages/ schools to see first hand how your funds have helped; from clean water, education, de-snaring, farming produce, and more. If you have any special stories you want to tell us more about how their commitment impacted you, please do share.

How you can help my friends?
If you want to support right now when travel is at a standstill please email me and I can point you in the right direction - either a gofundme created by our Safari partner for their initiatives, your specific Safari guide, the Safari lodge, and the crew, a charity you visited, etc. we are here to help.

If you want to know more about what your Safari will be funding, please contact me and I can send you information.

Stay safe and healthy rafikis [friends].
This. too. shall. pass. I look forward to chatting with you about your Safari somewhere in magical Africa soon.

My 5 minutes of fame.

That's me on TV! My 5 minutes of fame.  
Great Day Houston had a Father's Day segment and I was asked to share how being on Safari would be an amazing Father's Day gift. Debra Duncan, the host was really easy to chat with and asked a few spontaneous questions such as shopping for Tanzanite in Tanzania and how Africa gets a bad reputation. I wish I had more time; I was having a blast chatting with her and sharing about Safaris in Tanzania.

So if you want my autograph, I am happy to oblige. :) Or get me back on TV. I am up for talking Safaris in Tanzania.  

Slow Travel on Safari.

If lucky, one of the feelings you will experience on Safari is the slow pace. A wonderful feeling, really!

There is a sense of routine that forms on Safari.  Since the staff will take care of everything for you, it allows the luxury of this relaxed, laid back feeling to sink in so you can really take in the incredible, natural surroundings. For example, you have your day planned by your guide and Safari lodge [thanks to all the planning you and I will do before you get to the ground], you are 'driven around' in your Safari vehicle, meals taken care off, activities arranged, etc. You can allow yourself to surrender in these wonderful places. You are detoxing from the hustle bustle of your day-to-day.

Dip in Lake Tanganyika, after a trek to see the chimps. Photo taken by Julien Polet, the manager of Greystoke Mahale at the time.

Dip in Lake Tanganyika, after a trek to see the chimps. Photo taken by Julien Polet, the manager of Greystoke Mahale at the time.

Three ways to enhance that for yourself.

Take time to enjoy the park.
To really get the feel of the park or a corner of the park, make sure to settle in. Unpack your bags and spend at least 2 nights in each of our lovely lodges so you can really sink in that vastness of the terrain you have the privilege to explore. Most of the parks and conservancies in East and Southern Africa are huge. Give yourself time to dig deep into the park and you too will start feeling like you are 'at home'.

Decompressing takes time; stay at least 8-9 days.
I may not be too far from the truth when I say our lives are on the run. Whether you are a family with young or adult kids, a couple, or even retired, we travel to escape. The first few days on Safari, you are still getting in the groove of how to relax ... or at least that is what most of us feel. Then we slowly start putting the phone away longer and are not craving for wi-fi. Your body is learning to relax. The game drives start become more enjoyable; you are decompressing. One of the reasons you are taking a Safari right?  

Friendships.
The longer you spend time with your guide, the lodge crew, the other travelers you will meet on Safari, your family and friends, the deeper the connections that will start to form. So much fun if you can open up and chat with your Safari mates.

One of my favorite things on Safari is to chat with the guide and lodge crew. Tanzania has over 100 tribes and each one has an amazing story to tell. My Lost in Translation blog post came from my time chatting with these knowledgable guides. I still keep in touch with many of them. They have taught me a lot.

Evening game drive in Ruaha. You can't help but appreciate the vastness, the silence, the unknown.

Evening game drive in Ruaha. You can't help but appreciate the vastness, the silence, the unknown.

The #traveldeeper hashtag - that's what we want you to achieve. If you can afford to give yourself the time and depth of slow travel, do it! They will create amazing experiences creating lifelong friendships.

I look forward to being on Safari [or any trip] so I can slow down the pace of life.
Ready to enjoy some slow travel time on Safari? We can make it happen.