South Africa Travel

My buddy Peter, he’s a wildlife photographer, and so he’s a real big travel enthusiast. He’s been all over the world for his job and he loves visiting new places. Sometimes, he drags me along for short, local trips to help with the equipment and logistics, so I wasn’t surprised last week when he asked me if I was up for some work. When I told him I was, he warned me that it was something a little further afield than I’d done for him before - he wanted me to go with him on a shoot to South Africa with him later this year! I balked at first, because I was worried about how complicated travel will be, or how dangerous it might be. He assured me traveling to South Africa is neither, mostly because he’s using a reputable travel agency, a company called Nyati Safari.

I’m always a little skeptical when someone tells me how easy it is to make international travel plans. There are so many things you have to worry about - travel visas, passports, vaccination updates, arranging the travel between regions. He told me not to worry about it, because Nyati made the process so easy. He sent me to their page, and man, was I impressed. They have thought of everything you might need for planning safe travel through South Africa, no matter your destination within the region.

First, he pointed me at the website’s “Travel Resources” tab. So much information in one place, and all of it useful. I was able to determine which visas I would need and which vaccinations I would have to get updated. Nyati’s website even includes information on currency exchange rates, if I would need cash in certain situations, and the proper etiquette concerning tipping. But the information goes beyond cultural advice and the technical elements of arranging travel. Nyati’s website also gives travelers fact sheets for the countries in the region, and if you’re arranging travel for any one of their packages, the company includes information on border crossing and fees that might be involved.

When I found out from Peter that it wasn’t going to all be work, that’d we would have some downtime to see the area, I immediately called one of Nyati’s travel specialists to see what fit into the budget I’ve laid out for personal sightseeing in South Africa. I was pleasantly surprised at just how affordable some of their packages and additional trips turned out to be. Since I started helping Peter with his assignments, I’ve held a secret desire to see elusive and exotic big game, especially South Africa’s “Big Five” - lions, buffalo, elephants, leopards, and rhinos, and with the 4- or 7-day packages offered by Nyati, it seems I’ll get my wish! They even include excursions as part of these packages to travel destinations across South Africa such as Victoria Falls, Cape Town, South African wine country, even the beautiful Victoria Falls. Stay tuned to this space for more information on traveling to South Africa using Nyati as my guide and see what Peter and I come up with!

South Africa Safari

So the planning for my trip to South Africa for safari is going great, thanks to my trip advisor from Nyati Safari! My friend is a wildlife photographer and he will be going to South Africa, to Kruger National Park, to film some footage for a client, and he asked me to come along to help with the equipment. Now that I’ve gotten all of the logistics of visas and travel arrangements out of the way, I realized I have a little extra time that I can spend while I’m there to see the sights. So when I told my trip advisor from Nyati that we would be in the country for at least a week, maybe two, they had so many suggestions to enhance our safari experience.

It’s just going to be my buddy Peter and I, so we didn’t need to take advantage of Nyati’s larger family style lodges. We stuck to a river bungalow each, which was super affordable - very important since our client was asking us to float some of the costs of the trip and be reimbursed after the job was complete. Peter was only going to be there for 4 days, but I chose the 7-day Safari Package, which includes so many amazing things.

Most importantly, as anyone who knows me knows that I love to eat, the price for the week includes full room and board. There’s an onsite chef and meals in the field...and it’s all part of the package! And the cabin is right along the Olifants River, so every morning when I wake up, I get to watch crocodiles, hippos, and all the wildlife get their day started. Enough about the accommodations though. What will I be DOING you ask?

Bushwalks and a “Big Five” game drive, for starters. Not only will I have time in Kruger Park with Peter, but also I’ll have my own morning bushwalks with certified rangers and guides, and a ride in Nyati’s exclusive open-top 4x4’s as we go out looking for lions, buffalo, leopards, rhinos, and elephants. In addition to full-day trips into the field, and evening bush-drives, I’ll get a trip out to the Drakensberg Mountains and an evening boat ride along the Olifants. And these are just the basics to the trip.

What I have to decide now is what I’m going to add to the trip. They have so many excursions and different ways that I can experience other aspects of South Africa in addition to the Safari Package. There are trips to Cape Town and the South African Wine Country nearby, a train ride to Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe’s own nature reserve, even an option to visit Nyati’s Beach Lodge in Mozambique or a some amazingly luxurious resorts in Mauritius. Smaller add-ons to the safari experience include a big game hunting trip, different sorts of safari “rides” including  microlight, helicopter, airballoon, or even quad bike!

I have some time before I have to let my trip advisor know what I want to add to my trip. Any suggestions? Let me know in the comments below!

Options Available For Safari Tourists

If you are planning a safari in South Africa, you have to first choose appropriate site and lodges to enjoy your tour at its best. South Africa being a popular destination for safari lovers has a wide range of lodges and hotels to stay in. A luxury South Africa Safari signifies a different meaning to different persons. It will be complete loneliness, seeing no tourist in sight, lots of amazing wildlife to view, breathtaking scenery, and a private guide and vehicle. Having a few luxuries around you makes that experience more comfortable and unforgettable!

After a bouncy day in a 4x4, you will need a hot shower and comfortable bed to lie down. Many lodges offer budget friendly accommodation, with comfortable furnishings all with natural essence of Africa. You can go for lavish rooms with great interiors to let you feel like home or choose to stay in lodges built in an open environment which will let your mind rest in peace. Some cottages offer huts with lovely finishing touches and the use of locally sourced fabrics and the creative use of natural material. These permanent structures are often built to combine with the atmosphere and some are even set on stilts so that you could have a more authentic experience. Some of the lodges may facilitate with swimming pools and air conditioning while others only fulfilling your basic requirements of the trip.

You need to consider your budget when booking a safari. You can avail great offers when booking online for best value packages. There are many accommodations that you can book online in advance. It is solely your wish whether to choose accommodations just simple as tents or luxurious as five star hotels.