Our commitment to ensuring the enjoyment, comfort and safety of our clients means that, once you have booked with us, we will provide you with everything you need to know before you travel. In the mean time, if you want to know anything in advance of booking, please either have a look below or get in touch.
Why should I book with The Wild Insight Safari Company?
Our model and our ethos together make for amazing adventures, plus we run safaris hosted by a legend of the industry. Our guide is the best around, and will provide a level of insight and understanding that goes way beyond a traditional safari. This will help you really connect with the environment, plus he’s your host and your guide, so he’s available 24 hours a day, not just on game activities.
In addition, we design trips which are environmentally friendly and sustainable, so you can enjoy yourself safe in the knowledge that your trip is supporting local communities and protecting the bush and wildlife for future generations to come.
Can I select my departure date?
We run fixed date departures – so not on our main trips. We run each trip a number of times each year, but these have fixed start dates and durations. We plan to increase the frequency of each trip every year and we hope that some of these dates work for you. For 100% exclusivity, please do get in touch about our tailored trips.
How many people will be on my trip?
We book out our camps and lodges exclusively (except for Botswana), meaning that you are only accompanied by those on your trip. We try to keep things personal and exclusive to ensure you get to do the things you want, and so that you get maximum exposure with your private guide. 4 to 6 people per trip would be the maximum.
Can children go on the trips?
Yes, we welcome children, however please see the specific recommendations of your preferred trip as the appropriate age differs for each trip. If you are unsure please get in touch, as some trips may be able to accommodate children of different ages, though some activities may be restricted.
What’s the best time to go on safari?
Our trips are designed to go to the best locations at the best times, so all of our trips can be said to take place at the ‘best time’. There are seasonal differences in the regions, though, which can appeal to different preferences. See our guide to seasonality here.
Which is the best trip?
We think all our trips are great as we designed them to be that way! Our guests so far agree, but it’s worth thinking about what’s really important to you when choosing. Is it leopards, comfort, birdlife, adventure etc etc? Have a read through our trips or feel free to get in touch
Is a safari safe?
Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities, and so we ensure through the quality of our hosts and trackers that you are in the most capable hands. In all likelihood you will be getting up close and personal with wild animals, so it is important that you listen to and follow instructions from your guide at all times. They know best!
Is malaria a risk?
Malaria is prevalent in the areas we visit, though it is a relatively low risk. Nonetheless, malaria is a serious disease, and therefore we recommend you consult with and take prophylactics administered by your GP before departing on our trips.
Additionally, there are other precautions that you can take, such as using repellant and covering exposed areas at certain times of the day and night.
Do I need any vaccinations or medical supplies?
We are confident that the risk to you of any disease is low, however we always recommend that you visit your GP and discuss your needs at least 3 months before you travel and take their advice. Vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, plus vaccinations for typhoid and diphtheria, are usually recommended, but please consult your GP first.
If you regularly take prescription medicines, it is important that you bring adequate supplies along with you, as you are unlikely to be able to get hold of additional medicines easily whilst on safari.
Despite the remote nature of our trips, we are able to quickly secure medical support in the unlikely event of an emergency.
In terms of additional medical supplies, it’s down to personal preference. However, we suggest it sensible to bring a few over-the-counter supplies like painkillers, antiseptic cream, antihistamines and plasters.
What accommodation can I expect?
Each of our trips utilises a different form of accommodation, from camping in rooftop tents to luxury chalets with plunge pools. It is worth reading the trip description to ensure you are fully aware, however we do select all our venues carefully and so you can expect a very high quality throughout. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
What is the standard of food?
The cuisine is an important part of the experience. Different trips will have different menus according to the time available and facilities for preparation, however all the food will be plentiful and of a high quality.
Can I drink the water?
Whilst in some areas people do drink the local water, we would always advise our guests to drink bottled water – which is included on the trip and readily available – throughout their stay. If you have any queries about this on your trip, just ask your hosts.
Am I guaranteed to see lions and leopards?
We host our trips in some of Africa’s most prolific and famous parks, all of which have high numbers of lions, leopards and other game. Whilst it is probable that you will encounter a number of these animals, it can never be guaranteed as the animals are wild and therefore don’t follow any rules!
We encourage you to enjoy everything you see around you on the trip and experience the full beauty of the wild. We are confident the rest will follow, but you will enjoy it more if you don’t put pressure on yourself about seeing a specific animal.
Will I get phone reception?
In some places yes, in others no! We have all the communication required in the event of an emergency, so we recommend that you instead try and switch off and connect with nature. We promise it’ll make for a more rewarding experience.
Is there Wi-Fi?
In a few places yes, in most places no! We have all the communication required in the event of an emergency, so we recommend that you instead try and switch off and connect with nature. We promise it’ll make for a more rewarding experience.
Will I be able to charge my devices?
We recommend that you charge your batteries before arrival and bring spares with you. Some of our camps have electricity, where with an adapter you should be able to charge your devices, however in a few places the supply is solar dependent and very limited, so we recommend that you bring spares just in case.
What currencies do I need?
Our trips are all inclusive, meaning you don’t need to bring a huge amount of money with you if you don’t want to. However, for your curios and tips etc we recommend that a bit of local currency (rand) is best in South Africa, whereas in Botswana US$ are widely accepted alongside Pula.
Do I need a visa?
No – British passport holders do not need a visa to visit South Africa or Botswana for less than 90 days.
Travelling with children
BOTSWANA AND SOUTH AFRICA ENTRY/TRANSIT RULES IF TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN:
If you are travelling into or transiting via Botswana and/or South Africa with children under 18 years, you will be asked to show the child’s ORIGINAL unabridged (full) birth certificate in English, as well as the child’s passport. Please ensure you travel with these documents as you may be denied without them. Any documents not in English must have a sworn translation (certified/authenticated). It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation to comply with the rules when travelling with children.
Where only one parent is accompanying or no parents are present, parental or legal consent for the child to travel is also required (e.g. an affidavit that is no more than 3 months old on the date of travel from the other parent, a court order or, if applicable, a death certificate), plus a certified photocopy of the passport of the parent not travelling.
Please see Government of Botswana’s website for the most up-to-date information for Botswana: http://www.gov.bw and/or the South Africa Home Affairs Department website for the most up-to-date information for South Africa: http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/
What should I tip?
Tips are discretionary, and we believe that sincerely. They have become a norm of the industry and many local staff depend on them to top up salaries, however if you don’t believe one is deserved then don’t feel pressured. If you choose to provide a tip – ensure you do it at the end of your stay, not during – this covers all the people behind the scenes. A guide for a tip is £10/7 for a guide/tracker per day plus £10 per day for the communal tip box.
Are there luggage restrictions?
The international leg is not usually a problem, with 23kg or more available as standard, however please bear in mind that for Botswana & South Africa internal scheduled and charter aircraft flights typically have a baggage limit of 20kg per person plus 5kg pp hand luggage. Please take your luggage in your Wild Insight Safari Company soft bags and be sure to check your baggage allowances through the booking process.
Travel insurance
Is a must – make sure you have good travel cover in place from the time you book. Check that any annual policies you have cover worldwide/Africa.
We cannot recommend or check any policies and we do not sell insurance, but we have a few tips to consider:
Take out insurance when you book so you are covered in case of cancellation
Medical treatment and repatriation should be covered
Where appropriate for our trips, walking safaris, boat trips and 4×4 driving should be covered
Loss of valuables, personal liability, legal expenses should be included
Pre-existing illnesses where required
What should I bring?
We will give you lots of guidance on what to bring with you, depending on the time of year of your visit, but for a broad idea please see the guide below:
Clothes
Informal and casual dress is appropriate for throughout. On safari, neutral colours like khaki are ideal for tops, shorts and trousers. A fleece is useful for the early morning, when there can be quite a chill in the open vehicles, especially in winter. The evenings can also be cool in winter, so we suggest you take along a light cardigan or sweater. Some even like to have a hat/snood!
We always suggest wearing neutral colours like earth tones or khaki for your safari, especially if you are doing a walking safari. Try to avoid any bright colours, which are more visible and distracting to others, and which also may attract insects. White clothing is also more visible and will show a lot of dirt very quickly!
Lightweight safari trousers that unzip to become shorts are useful too. In terms of footwear, trainers are a good bet for drives, sandals/flip flops are good to wear around camp and walking boots are key for bush walks and longer walking safaris.
Other essentials
Soft bag with no wheels for all main luggage
Passport (valid for at least 6 months from when you depart Africa)
Proof of your travel insurance (policy number and 24 hour emergency contact)
Anti-malarial medication
Cash – US Dollars and Pula for Botswana or South African rand for South Africa
Fleece or jumper for early morning/evening game drives (esp in winter)
Comfortable walking shoes (e.g. running/gym shoes)
Sun protection – hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Lip balm or Vaseline
Mosquito repellent
Camera, lenses, spare batteries
Torch and batteries
Binoculars
A good book/Kindle
Toiletries
Insect repellent
Recommended reading
We can’t choose your favourite genre for you, but we do recommend a few pocket guides:
- Photographic Guide to Tracks & Tracking in Southern Africa
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Southern African Snakes and Other Reptiles
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A Photographic Guide to Mammals of Southern, Central and East Africa
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Sasol Birds of Southern Africa
Before you arrive, we of course also recommend you read My Life with Leopards: Graham Cooke’s Story by Fransje van Riel, to give you an insight into the past of your legendary host.
*PLEASE NOTE*
Please note that The Wild Insight Safari Company cannot be held responsible for the visa, entry and vaccination requirements of any of the destinations where we operate trips; these requirements are ultimately the responsibility of our clients. The information we give you here is merely a guide for UK citizens only. All clients must contact the relevant authorities to confirm the most up-to-date information.