Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are a lot of questions that come with planning an African Safari. Here are a few that are presented the most to Flyga Twiga. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions which are not answered below. Happy Day! Safe Safari!

How much money does a Safari cost?

This is by far the first and most often asked question. That said, it only produces more questions! The answer is simple - it depends on what you want to see, what time of year you wish to travel, how long you wish to travel, how many are traveling with you, and in what types of Safari Camps or Lodges you wish to stay.

This is actually a fun and exciting part of the Safari. Ask yourself, what is your dream Safari? Have you longed for seeing the “Great Migration” since you were a child and saw it for the first time on TV or in an adventure magazine? Did you See Gorillas in the Mist, and determine to see the few and elusive Mountain Gorillas? Has the mighty Victoria Falls been your dream?

For ideas, you can click here for current Safari offerings. As a bespoke, Personal Safari Service, Flyga Twiga™ designs the Safari of your dreams. 

If Gorilla Trekking has been in your heart forever, here you will find sample itineraries for Uganda and Rwanda. 

What preparations are necessary for a Safari and what should I pack?

There are many preparations which need to be made in advance of a Safari. I have a detailed section of my website dedicated to this, you can click here for a suggested list. Please note, your individual travel needs may vary from this list.

Country specific Pre-Trip Checklists, Gear/Safari Kit Lists,
Safari Clothes Guides, & Safari Clothing Lists
may be found here.

How safe is a Safari?

One of the reasons our motto is “Happy Day! Safe Safari!” is that all of the Flyga Twiga partners have been selected for their dedication to safety and security of clients on Safari. Click here for a more detailed overview of Flyga Twiga’s security and safety standards. 

What about Airport Security?

I have been asked by some of my wonderful Clients to add to the FAQs the different Airport Security measures. They are quite different in East & Southern Africa, varying by Country.

Currently:
Kenya
When departing Kenya at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), when you arrive at the airport, you will get out of the Vehicle to walk through Security. I suggest you leave your phone with your trusted Driver. He will, along with your luggage, meet you on the other side. A bit of a Rugby Scrum, so be prepared and don’t be alarmed.

Uganda:
Similar to Kenya, at Entebbe International Airport (EBB) you get out of the Vehicle, but your luggage has to be scanned. Your Driver will help you.

Rwanda:
Same as Uganda, but when you arrive at the Main Terminal before entering, you must scan a QR Code. The code takes you to Rwanda Health Authority Site. Here you must answer health questions and put in personal information.

South Africa:
Both Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and Johannesburg’s O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) are modern. But, there are some tips & tricks. If your flight takes you from Domestic to International Terminals, arrive early. For example, if you are flying from Cape Town or Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, you must first enter the Domestic Terminal. Then, you will have to walk through the Airport to the International Terminal. Don’t miss your flight!

Want to get into a Business Class Lounge and are flying Economy? Regardless of who you are flying, South African Airways will allow you to purchase your way in. This really comes in handy in places such as Port Elizabeth’s (Gqeberha) Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) where even Airlink does not have B Class on its Regional Flights.

Bonus Pro Tip: Don’t panic if you forgot something and you are going through JNB. On the Domestic Terminal side, there is a wonderful Woolworth’s. It is stocked with seasonal items you might need on Safari! In Cape Town there is an exceptional Woolworth’s at the V&A Waterfront.

Zimbabwe:
Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) is extremely modern and clean. Here you need to be sure you are in the correct Visa Line. There are different Single Entry and Double Entry. For example, if your Safari includes Zimbabwe, then Botswana, with return to VFA for departure, be sure you are in the Double Entry Visa Line.

Bonus Bonus Pro Tip: You may need to turn on your VPN to get to some sites. In recent years, Internet Security has greatly increased in Africa.

What are the high and low seasons?

Each country has its own “High and Low Seasons” which are dependent on weather, the movement of animals, and tourist vacation time preferences. Why this is important information is that, as might be expected, the seasons offer different rates for Safari.

As with all aspects of a great journey:

Planning + Knowledge =
An Awesome Safari!

The Seasons

Kenya:
Peak Season
01 July - 31 October
20 December - 03 January

Shoulder Season
04 January - 31 March
01 - 30 June
01 November - 19 December

Green Season
01 April - 31 May

Kenya’s seasons are based primarily on “The Great Migration” - as well as vacation season preferences of Europeans, Asians, and the Kenyan Citizens themselves, as well as the December Festive Season.

Please note: Due to the drastic increase in Tourism in the last few years, Kenya has created three Seasons for rates. The Green Season, named as it is usually (but not always!) the wetter Season, has the lowest rates of the year. The dates above are general guidelines and may vary, depending on the Lodge or Hotel and its location.

What does this mean for planning your Kenyan Safari? The Green Season offers exceptional bargains in Kenya. Without an intense “Monsoon” or rainy season, which is along the Kenyan Coast, inland Kenyan Safaris, as well as other outdoor activities, such as Golfing and Fishing, can be enjoyed year round.

Uganda & Rwanda:
High Season
December through February, and all the months of June, July, August, September and October.

Low Season
The entire months of March, April, May, and November for both Uganda and Rwanda.

South Africa & Zimbabwe: 
South Africa and Zimbabwe are the Southern Hemisphere. As such, the seasons are the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere.

When planning a Safari in Southern Africa, everyone has a favorite season. For example, some find Safaris during the Southern African Winter provide better opportunities for close-up, black and white photography. Quite simply, the Elephant Grass is less dense. Others prefer Summer when animals are more on the move. 

South African "Seasons" also revolve around School & Public Holidays, with November & December filling-up quickly.

South African Public & School Holidays:
2025
1 January: New Year’s Day
21 March: Human Rights Day
18 April: Good Friday
21 April: Family Day
27 April: Freedom Day
28 April: Freedom Day observed
29 April: Special school holiday
30 April: Special school holiday
1 May: Workers’ Day
2 May: Special school holiday
16 June: Youth Day
9 August: National Women’s Day
24 September: Heritage Day
16 December: Day of Reconciliation
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Day of Goodwill

2026
1 January: New Year’s Day
21 March: Human Rights Day
3 April: Good Friday
6 April: Family Day
27 April: Freedom Day
1 May: Workers’ Day
15 June: Special school holiday
16 June: Youth Day
9 August: National Women’s Day
10 August: National Women’s Day observed
24 September: Heritage Day
25 September: Special school holiday
16 December: Day of Reconciliation
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Day of Goodwill

*Please note for all of East and Southern Africa, the Lodges and Parks fill well in advance for Christmas Holidays and the following New Year’s Celebrations.

**A special note about timing your dream Safari just right. If you are wanting to see the stars, be sure to schedule your travel when there is NOT a full moon. This will make the animals on Night Game Drives a bit less visible. But if the Astronomer in your family has their heart set on seeing the Southern Cross and other constellations only visible in the Southern Hemisphere, it is best to plan around the full Moon!

Let’s Start planning your bespoke safari!