I’ve booked my trip and paid my deposit. Now what? Now’s the time to nail down the little details. Here’s our recommended to-do list:
- Purchase travel insurance (just in case!)
- Book your flights. You’ll need flights from your hometown to the port city in Africa and any international flights that may entail.
- Look at the packing list we send our guests. Set aside what you want to pack and purchase any additional pieces.
- Dig into our recommended reading list. We’ll send a customized list of books to help familiarize yourself with your destination and build excitement!
- Prior to your departure date, contact your credit card companies. Let them know you will be traveling and using your card in a foreign country to avoid blocked charges or a frozen card.
- Make a list of souvenirs you want to buy and get addresses for postcards. Everyone loves a little traveling gift!
- Relax! We’ll provide a detailed list of “Things to Remember” to guide you along the way before and during your safari.
Do I need a passport and visa? Yes, we will need both for most countries. Most people like to obtain their visas at the embassy before their trip. Depending upon the country, you can sometimes acquire a visa at the border (often at the airport). Once your safari is booked, we will help you obtain all the visas required for your trip. The U.S. Government prefers that your passport has at least three blank pages before you leave. We recommend having at least six blank pages as an extra precaution. The expiration date also needs to be at least six months after your return date.
Should I buy travel insurance? Do you feel lucky? Kidding aside, we highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Life is too unpredictable and most insurance covers lost luggage, trip cancelations, pre-existing conditions, emergency evacuations, and other events that cause you to lose the money invested in your trip. We recommend contacting staff member Alison Hawthorne for assistance with insurance.
What if I have to cancel my safari? If you need to cancel your reservation, refunds of the total package price will be subject to a cancellation charge according to the following schedule:
Days before departure:
- Over 120 days to departure · Any special permits, airline tickets that have been purchased and 50% of deposit, are non-refundable.
- 119-90 days to departure · 25% of total cost is forfeited.
- 89-60 days to departure · 50% of total cost is forfeited.
- 59 days to departure- 100% of total cost is forfeited.
Unplanned cancelations are another great reason to invest in travel insurance. Some insurance policies can cover cancelations, depending upon the circumstances.
What immunizations do I need? The countries on our safaris either require or recommend immunizations. Before your trip, we recommend you visit your physician or go to to Center for Disease Control and Prevention. If you have questions, we are happy to discussion options with you.
What should I pack?When you book your safari with us, we provide a complete packing list and a recommended reading list. A unique feature of traveling with us is a pre-trip meeting (depending upon your geographic location) with owner Jody Cole. At your pre-trip meeting, you get to meeting your fellow travelers, meet your guide, and ask any questions about the upcoming trip.