FAQ’s

Lion Dog African Safaris provides a Full Service Tour inclusive of tour design, park fees, permits , meals, accommodations, tour costs, guides, support staff, private 4WD vehicles, in-country flights, transportation, transfers, and taxes. Our services also include making and taking responsibility for financial transactions with the African suppliers, and holding the African suppliers constantly accountable. Lion Dog African Safaris also provides a 24/7 help hotline while on tour, a Satisfaction Guarantee, and the AFRICAN ADVENTURE GUIDEBOOK to assist in preparing for the tour .

As a rough rule of thumb, typical costs for custom private tours to Africa are as follows:

The Budget category averages between $150 to $250 per day typically involving camping in tents set up in public campgrounds, and/or staying at inexpensive hotels.

Mobile Camps, Permanent Tented Camps, and Stick and Brick Lodges and Resorts can either be in the Mid-Range or the Luxury category depending on location and amenities. The Mid-Range category averages between $300 to $400 per day whereas the Luxury category starts at $500 per day and up. We can also mix the price categories up for the tour.

A typical tour lasts between 2 to 6 weeks. The average tour cost may increase if the tour includes several inter-continental flights. The average tour costs do not include flights between continents, visas, shots, travel insurance, special beverages, gratuities, and personal items.

Let us price out an African Tour for you today !

 

regards
Mike Donovan

Refer to the webpage , When To Visit, for more information on when is the best time to visit the Jewels Of Africa.

regards
Mike Donovan

The Jewels Of Africa is the short list of the very best must see places in Africa  narrowed down from the hundreds of destinations in sub-Sahara Africa. These select locations provide a great cross section of the entire continent of Africa in each category such as Africa’s best mountain trek ( Mount Kilimanjaro ), Africa’s best game parks ( Tanzania’s Northern Park Circuit ) , Africa’s best water falls ( Victoria Falls ), Africa’s best Oasis ( Okavango Delta ) , Africa’s best primates ( Mountain Gorillas )  , Africa’s best kept secret ( Selous Game Reserve ) , and Africa’s best “one of a kind” destination ( Zanzibar) .

Contact us soon to experience the Jewels Of Africa.

 

regards
Mike Donovan

As regards to the bugs; the bugs in Africa  are generally not nearly as bad as the bugs that hover around in the northern part of North America in the summertime. In fact, you will probably hardly notice the bugs in Africa other than the odd tsetse fly which is like a horse fly.  The African mosquito  that carries the malaria parasite is actually a small mosquito by North American standards and usually only bites at night. One actually has to remind themselves to apply bug repellent because the bugs will not make you think about doing it.  The one little critter that does cause some worry are the little geckos that scurry over the walls however when one realizes that they are quite harmless, and that they are actually eating insects, one realizes that they are good to have around.

There are definitely some nasty snakes in Africa however they tend to avoid humans although it is a good idea to watch your step and always close the tent zippers up tight . If you are extremely nervous of snakes, have one of the staff check your room and bedding out before entering. The truth of the matter is that it is highly unlikely you will ever encounter a snake in Africa.

 

regards
Mike Donovan

A Custom Private Tour is a tour designed specifically for a small party of 2-6 acquaintances based on their preferences, time line and budget. These types of tours are generally marketed by “destination specialists”.

A Packaged Group Tour is where a party may join a larger group on a  tour  with a pre-set itinerary ,  schedule and price. These types of tours are  marketed by most travel agencies.

A Custom Private Tour generally provides a much richer fuller experience usually for no more money than a comparable Packaged Group Tour visiting the same spots.

Contact Lion Dog African Safaris today for more information on a custom private tour of Africa.

 

regards
Mike Donovan

The phrase Big Five game was coined by big game hunters and refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot, not just on their size. The term is still used in most tourist and wildlife guides that discuss African wildlife safaris. The Big Five collection consists of the African lion, the African elephant, the Cape Buffalo, the Leopard and the Rhinoceros. There are only 4 countries in Africa where one may witness the Big Five being South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania and Kenya.

THE AFRICAN LION : Lions are unique in that they are the only cats to live in groups (prides). They are the largest member of the cat family and the largest of all the African carnivores. They are the top predator in any African ecosystem where they live. A lions’ roar can be heard by humans more than 8 km away. On average, a lion needs to eat about 5 kg of meat daily.

THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT: African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. An elephant’s trunk is actually a long nose used for smelling, breathing, trumpeting, drinking, and also for grabbing things.Elephants eat roots, grasses, fruit, and bark. An adult elephant can consume up to 300 pounds (136 kilograms) of food in a single day.

THE AFRICAN CAPE BUFFALO: Cape buffaloes can live in herds of a few hundred, but have been known to congregate in thousands in the Serengeti during the rainy season. Grass forms the greatest part of the diet of the cape buffalo. Cape buffalo drink a lot of water and also spend a lot of time wading in water to cool themselves off in hot weather. Large crocodiles and packs of lions prey upon cape buffalo, usually catching injured or isolated buffalo. The cape buffalo will fight its predators using its large horns.

THE AFRICAN LEOPARD : Pound for pound, the leopard is the strongest climber of the large cats and capable of killing prey larger than itself. The most elusive of the large carnivores, the leopard is a cunning, stealthy hunter, its prey ranges from strong-scented carrion, fish, reptiles and birds to mammals such as rodents, hares, hyraxes, warthogs, antelopes, monkeys and baboons. Both lions and hyenas have been known to take away a leopard’s kill. To prevent this, leopards store their larger kills in trees where they can feed on them in relative safety.

THE AFRICAN RHINOCEROS : The rhinoceros is a large, primitive-looking mammal The rhino has been hunted to near extinction for its horn which is still in demand for traditional Chinese medicine , and less so, for dagger handles in the Middle East. The black rhinoceros has two horns, although occasionally a third small posterior horn is present, and feeds on twigs of woody plants and a variety of herbaceous plants. The black rhino can be found in mud or water wallows, where it cools itself. Sleeping usually occurs at midday, and it feeds mostly during the early morning and in the evening.

Contact us if you would like to see the Big Five.

 

regards
Mike Donovan

Land transportation on tour generally consists of private 4WD Landcruisers or Landrovers either open sided or open roof to provide excellent sight lines in all directions.

Africa in general has a road infrastructure that is lacking. In the interests of comfort and time,  various planes are often utilized  to transport  clients from various dirt and tarmac runway strips located all over Africa.

Watercraft of numerous types transport clients over many different bodies of water.  Wear your life jacket if they provide one .

 

regards
Mike Donovan

There are several types of accommodation provided on tour and oftentimes  clients will stay at at a variety of accommodation types.

Permanent Tented Camps are generally located strategically within  game parks on a year round basis. Accommodations   consist of spacious Hemingway style canvas tents set up on wooden platforms often covered with a secondary thatched roof with all the comforts of home.  There are raised beds in the bedroom,  and there would be an adjoining washroom and shower . There often is a central complex at the camp where their might be a  lounge , a pool, and a restaurant serving gourmet or buffet style foods to western standards. Permanent Tented Camps are usually either classified as a mid-range or luxury accommodation depending on the location and/or amenities.

Mobile Tented Camps are moved several times a year as the animals more into different territory. It is not uncommon to have the camps surrounded by animals in close proximity to the camp. Accommodations consist of Hemingway style canvas tents set up on the ground. There are raised beds in the bedroom ,  and there often is a rudimentary shower and washroom adjoining. There is a central mess tent where good to excellent meals and drinks are  served. Mobile Tented Camps are usually either classified as a mid-range or luxury accommodation depending on the location and/or amenities

Stick and Bricks Hotels, Lodges and Resorts are permanent structures providing accommodations in a hotel or bungalow setting close to the beach, parks, or located in towns and cities. A restaurant, lounge and pool might also adjoin the facility. Hotels, Lodges and Resorts  are usually either classified as a budget, mid-range or luxury accommodation depending on the location and/or amenities.

Camping involves sleeping in smaller tents set up temporarily oftentimes in public camp grounds sharing public latrines. A driver with a camping vehicle guides the camping party and meals are cooked in a typical camping fashion by a  camp cook. Camping is classified as budget accommodation.

Contact us for more information on food and  accommodation in Africa.

 

regards
Mike Donovan

The Lion Dog (a.k.a. Rhodesian Ridgeback ) is truly an animal of African heritage. Early European pioneers bred their European dogs with the indigenous dogs producing a dog that was very good at tracking and holding lions ” at bay “.

 

regards
Mike Donovan

Lion Dog African Safaris issues an AFRICAN ADVENTURE GUIDEBOOK to all clients. Some of the topics in the GUIDEBOOK include discussions on ; Passport and Visas  ; Travel Medicine Clinic ; Pre-Departure Check Up ; Health Issues On Tour ; Security ; Travel Insurance ; Apparel ; Internet In Africa ; Phoning Abroad ; Cell Phones In Africa ; Urgent Business Matters ; Registration With Embassies ; Embassy Contact Information; Electricity ; Cameras ; Luggage ; Spending Money ; Tipping ; Dealing In Foreign Currencies ; Exchanging Currencies ; Legitimate African Operators ; Satisfaction Guarantee ; Payment Policy ; Flights ; Documents ;Miscellaneous Things To Do Before Departing ; Culture Adjustment ; African Customs of Note ;African Laws Foreign To North Americans ; Tanzania Supplement ; Rwanda Supplement ; Zambia Supplement ; Botswana Supplement ; and Recommended Reading.

Contact us to help you prepare for your African tour.

 

regards
Mike Donovan