TRAVEL LIKE AN EXPERT
Travel Advice From the Specialists
With over 25 years of firsthand experience, we are somewhat familiar with the tips of the trade and expert travel advice.
We have traveled the world, visited countless destinations, enjoyed a myriad of experiences, and journeyed in planes, trains, and automobiles to reach all corners of the globe. This has garnished us with a veritable library of travel advice, gleaned from other experts in the field, the staff we meet, our own adventures, and, most poignantly, through trial and error.
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”
Albert Einstein
It has been said that the best lessons are learned through mistakes, but those mistakes needn’t be your own. In every aspect of our handcrafted itineraries, we want only the very best for our clients, and that applies as much to the journey as it does to the destination.
We share this knowledge with our clients through travel guides and conversations, ensuring that they are abundantly informed prior to departure. We have also written numerous blogs on the subject, from tips on surviving a long-haul flight to advice on packing efficiently. With so much information shared, it can be a little overwhelming, not least in the challenge of locating all these valuable travel tips.
Revisiting several of our past blogs, we collect the best travel advice for those embarking on a global adventure:
Planning Your Adventure
Fail to plan, plan to fail, or so the saying goes.
Even in the earliest stages, there is plenty of travel advice to consider. Choosing the right operator and destination, being familiar with what to expect, and sharing any thoughts, concerns or requirements early in the planning stages will mitigate any issues while traveling.
In discussing your journey with us, honesty is always the best policy. Be as truthful and clear as you can about what you would like from your journey. Let us know of your concerns, tell us your dietary requirements, and inform us of any physical shortcomings that might affect your trip.
No request is unreasonable, even if it can’t be fulfilled. We may be able to find a way to reinterpret it in a viable yet highly rewarding way. Similarly, no question is, for want of a better phrase, out of the question, and nothing is deemed inane. By assuming you don’t know anything, we can ensure that you are well-informed and well-prepared for any adventure.
Travel Advice for Planning
Before You Leave
While much of your itinerary planning will be in our capable hands, there is an abundance of travel advice to be offered on planning for your trip. There may be items you need to purchase, equipment to become familiar with, and, of course, the quandary of what to pack.
Some examples include:
Gorilla Trekking: You may need to invest in extra apparel for such a distinctive expedition. This includes waterproof layers, walking poles, and hiking boots. Hiking boots should be bought from a reputable store with expert staff to offer the best advice. They should also be purchased well in advance to give you time to select the best pair for you and to break them in, hiking at home to soften fabrics for a more comfortable fit and less likelihood of discomfort and blisters.
Photographic Safaris: The seasoned pro will be well versed in the technical aspects of their photographic equipment, but a safari may be a once-in-a-lifetime for some, and investing in a new camera will immortalize the experience. Even a more simple camera will have a number of features that can take some getting used to, so buying early and taking your new camera for a few test drives will familiarize you with all of its capabilities.
Hiking Journeys: Sometimes, the thing that needs preparation is you. If you plan to undertake a hiking journey, whether along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, a training plan is highly recommended. It may take several months for you to gain the fitness to complete such an adventure.
Travel Advice Before You Leave
Time to Pack
We often suggest to clients not to buy an entire wardrobe for their African safari and to utilize their existing clothing. However, our packing tips will highlight any items that may be missing from your existing couture. You may wish to invest in some versatile garments, such as a scarf or shawl, a multi-function jacket, or some shirts in neutral colors that are better suited to life in the bush.
What to take – and what not to take – is an issue that strikes every traveler, even the most experienced. Taking travel tips from those who have already walked the path you are about to take is the very best way to ensure efficient, practical, and effective travel.
When visiting a resort or single destination, overpacking creates little drama, but when undertaking a multi-stop itinerary with transfers between several camps and lodges, you will be thankful that you packed light.
Leora Rothschild created this highly informative video on the subject:
At times, even your baggage needs to be considered. For light aircraft transfers, soft-sided bags are required. A backpack or light bag can also be incredibly useful when on game drives or walking tours.
So, what should you pack? These blogs will help you decide:
Travel Advice on Packing
Getting There
For most, visiting Africa is a journey of endurance. Taking at least 15 hours from the Eastern seaboard, an additional five from the West Coast, a long-haul flight is as much a part of an African safari as game drives, zebras, and magical moments. But there are ways to reduce the challenges of international flight, and we have shared plenty of travel advice on how to make the arduous journey far less taxing.
Your comfort is imperative, so choosing the right clothing and investing in a few accessories such as a travel pillow will help you rest and relax onboard. Staying hydrated, carefully selecting your seat in advance, stocking up on entertainment, and overcoming jetlag are all essential considerations to lessen the stress of spending almost an entire day on an aircraft.
With the right travel advice and a little bit of planning, it is possible to create a far more restful, and possibly even enjoyable flight.
Travel Advice for Getting There
On Safari
You’ve packed proficiently, planned ahead, flown in comfort, and avoided jetlag; but what happens on safari?
Unless you have already experienced an African safari, nothing can prepare you for what to expect. Again, however, expert travel advice can assist you. Our team has been on countless safaris, experiencing almost every conceivable eventuality, and in so doing can pass this valuable knowledge on to clients.
How does a typical day on safari transpire? What is involved in a walking safari? What are the highlights of a Botswana safari; and are the less able-bodied still able to venture forth into the African wilderness?
All of these questions have been eloquently and abundantly answered by our team.
Safari Travel Advice
With each itinerary being handcrafted for our individual clients, there will inevitably be questions left unanswered, but that is why we are here, and why, time and time again, we fulfill our clients’ wildest dreams.
During your planning, your travel designer will be at your disposal to resolve any concerns you may have. On arrival, ground staff will greet you, and a Rothschild team member will always be a phone call away should problems arise.
Over our 25 years of luxury safari planning, we have also developed close relationships with the staff and managers of camps and lodges, and operators around the world, ensuring that, wherever you may travel, you will always be in good hands. This also enables us to convey any wishes or requirements you may have, prior to your arrival. You will not need to introduce yourself or remind staff that you are gluten intolerant, and guides will often already be familiar with your specific interests and desires, thanks to our superb team of experts.
Expert travel advice is worth its weight in gold, and with our decades of experience, we have all the gold you could wish for.