1. It’s Dangerous. You are in the wild. So please listen to your guides and don’t feed the animals. That being said, you are in very capable hands. Your safety is the top priority. As long as you follow the guidelines that are given to you, you will be very safe. Thousands and thousands of people enjoy the splendors of Africa without incident.
  2. Tented Camps? That sounds uncomfortable. Fear not! Safari tents are like being in a regular room, except the walls are canvas. There are multiple levels of luxury, but you will certainly have your own bed and a comfortably luxurious stay. The tents in a safari camp are completely unlike a backpacking tent (and no sleeping bags allowed!)
  3. Bush walks are strenuous. These are not full-on hikes, and do not even require hiking boots. The guide will take you where you are likely to see game, and it is an intimate and more active way to see wildlife without breaking much of a sweat.
  4. I’ll be stuck in a car all day. While game drives are a central experience to your safari, there are a plethora of other activities to choose from, including bush walks, mokoro excursions, village visits, biking and more. Ask a safari specialist for more details.
  5. It’s hot. It might be, depending on where and when you go, but Southern Africa can be downright chilly in the mornings. Many of our safari destinations are pleasantly temperate year round.
  6. There will be bugs! Yuck! There will be some insects, but not the giant creepy crawlies that you might find in a rain forest. For the most part, people are not bothered very much by the insects, particularly if you take a repellent and keep the doors closed. If you are really worried about mosquitoes, you can also ask us about malaria-free reserves in South Africa.
  7. The whole world is online… Some people see this as a benefit and some as a burden, but not every safari camp is connected to the Internet. When you are in the bush, you may not be able to check email for a few days.
  8. The Winelands is all about wine. If you head to Cape Winelands in South Africa, you may be concerned that you just traveled a really long way to see something you could see in Napa Valley, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Aside from being breathtakingly beautiful, Cape Winelands has historical appeal, amazing restaurants, and many other charms (and yes, wine!)