As we prepare for a new travel landscape after COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted, our first priority is the safety and well-being of our guests. We will continue to update this page to address common concerns and we welcome you to reach out to us directly with any questions pertaining to your trip.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO GO ON SAFARI NOW?
Recently, our first two guests stepped foot on African soil since March, and on their return, they shared insights about their travel experience, from international flights to what it’s like on the ground. Read on to see what they had to say!
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS PER COUNTRY
We will continue to update this section as countries reopen their borders to U.S. citizens and developments occur.
TREND’S WE’VE NOTICED
Our key partners in Africa have been proactive in their approach to COVID-19 with improved health and safety guidelines designed to keep you safe when you do make it back out on safari. We’ll be able to share a specific list of safety precautions for the airlines you’ll be flying and the properties you’ll be visiting once we begin working on an itinerary for you. In the meantime, here are a few trends we’ve noticed:
- Safety protocols are created with careful consideration and consolidation of the recommendations from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, Would Tourism Organization, the International Air Transport Association, and health professionals with safari knowledge.
- In some countries, in order for a property to legally open, they must pass a rigorous process and site inspection by the Ministry of Health. Properties are reevaluated by the Ministry of Health every three months.
- Staff are required to have their temperatures taken and recorded every morning in line with government guidelines. Guests’ temperatures are also checked upon arrival and again daily.
- All vehicles are sanitized before and after each use and drivers are required to wear appropriate protective gear.
- Where possible, properties are providing a private vehicle. In many cases, if a private vehicle is unavailable, the vehicle capacity is limited to provide sufficient distance between groups/couples. If a group traveling together is more than four passengers, guests can share the vehicle up to a standard six.
- All community-based activities are canceled for the foreseeable future to reduce unnecessary risk to guests, staff, and the local community.
- Staff are using gloves to handle luggage and wipe down handles with alcohol wipes before carefully placing luggage in guests’ rooms.
- Bottles of hand sanitizes are available in all public areas for guest use, all guest rooms, on each member of staff, and on all game activities and safari vehicles.
- At this time, communal dining is discontinued. All dining is now offered within your travel group and set apart from one another, staggered at different times and locations to limit exposure to other travelers. Meals will be served individually plated or as a table sharing platter with bottles of water and wine left on your table for self-serving.
SAFER ON SAFARI
OPEN-AIR BENEFIT
The allure of safari is being in a far-away place in an exclusive setting, which makes it the perfect location for a socially distanced getaway. In addition, most safari properties have open-air walkways with rooms that are spaced well apart and allow for natural airflow.
EXCLUSIVE-USE PROPERTIES
If you’d like to completely avoid crossing paths with anyone outside your own travel party, we recommend focusing on exclusive-use accommodations. This will eliminate any common areas that could be shared with other guests. You can view a complete directory of Africa’s Private Safari Lodges & Villas here.
PRIVATE EXPERIENCES
There are a number of ways to enhance the exclusivity of your experience on safari, such as upgrading to a private game drive, organizing a private charter, or booking a private tour.
WHAT IF PLANS CHANGE?
If you find yourself a few months out from your intended departure date and you are still not comfortable with the thought of traveling due to COVID-19, we will go above and beyond to help you postpone your trip. This is where the power of relationships comes into play. We will negotiate with our partners on your behalf to score the best possible outcome for you.
Should you choose to cancel your trip, our normal payment terms will apply:
Cancellation Penalties Per Person | |
---|---|
90+ days prior to travel | Deposit Paid (25% of land costs + 100% of internal airfare + 100% of insurance) |
61-89 days prior to travel | 50% |
0-60 days prior to travel | 100% |
YOUR IMPACT
In Africa, an average of seven people are dependent on one salaried family member to sustain them. Imagine the ripple effect of the loss of employment due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions. The lack of activity within camps and their surrounding wildlife reserves also makes it easier for poachers to move through normally protected areas without being noticed. This has resulted in a spike in poaching incidents within Africa in recent months. While this is certainly sobering news, it is not irreversible.
One of the greatest ways you can have an impact on Africa’s wildlife and its people is simply by traveling and being aware of where your money goes and what it supports. If you are interested in contributing directly to staff members or to anti-poaching initiatives, we invite you to make a donation to our nonprofit, Alluring Impact.
We are forever grateful for the generosity of our guests and we look forward to welcoming you back to Africa soon.