Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us.
What are the Big Five and will I see them?
Skip to the AnswerWhich part of the Kruger National Park should I visit?
Skip to the AnswerWhich area is the best for game viewing?
Skip to the AnswerWhat animals can we expect to see in the Kruger Park?
Skip to the AnswerWhat is the difference between the Kruger Park and the Sabi Sand Game Reserve?
Skip to the AnswerIs Sabi Sand part of the Kruger National Park?
Skip to the AnswerShould I be worried about crime?
Skip to the AnswerIs it safe to visit Victoria Falls?
Skip to the AnswerIs it safe to visit South Africa?
Skip to the AnswerIs it safe to go on safari?
Skip to the AnswerWhat activities can we do on safari?
Skip to the AnswerI have limited time available. What can we all see or do in this time?
Skip to the AnswerWhich game lodges are family friendly?
Skip to the AnswerWhich camp or game lodge is the best?
Skip to the AnswerWhat do you recommend for a honeymoon destination?
Skip to the AnswerHow should I decide which lodge to visit?
Skip to the AnswerHow many people will be in the group?
Skip to the AnswerWhat are the distances like in South Africa?
Skip to the AnswerHow far is the Kruger Park from Cape Town / Johannesburg?
Skip to the AnswerWill there be mosquito nets?
Skip to the AnswerShould I be worried about malaria?
Skip to the AnswerHow can I prevent malaria?
Skip to the AnswerDo you have insurance?
Skip to the AnswerDo you have guides that speak my language?
Skip to the AnswerDo you use open vehicles for game drives?
Skip to the AnswerDo you drive off-road during game drives?
Skip to the AnswerWhy should we book through Wild Wings?
Skip to the AnswerIs it not cheaper to book directly?
Skip to the AnswerDo you charge a booking fee?
Skip to the AnswerWhen and how should I book flights?
Skip to the AnswerCan we fly directly between Cape Town and Kruger Park?
Skip to the AnswerCan we fly directly from the Kruger Park to Victoria Falls?
Skip to the AnswerDo you book flights?
Skip to the AnswerDo the vehicles have seat belts?
Skip to the AnswerDo the vehicles have airconditioning?
Skip to the AnswerDo you offer camping safaris?
Skip to the AnswerDo the rooms have airconditioning?
Skip to the AnswerWhat accommodation do you use?
Skip to the AnswerWhat is your electricity / voltage in South Africa?
Skip to the AnswerDo I need to bring a travel adapter?
Skip to the AnswerDo you offer discounts for children?
Skip to the AnswerCan I take my children on safari?
Skip to the AnswerWhat currency should I bring?
Skip to the AnswerHow does payment work?
Skip to the AnswerCan I pay in USD / EURO / Pounds?
Skip to the Answer
-
What are the Big Five and will I see them?
The Big Five were traditionally considered to be the five most dangerous animals to hunt in Africa. Today they are among the five most popular animals tourists wish to see in Africa - the lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard. In Botswana, thanks to a successful rhino reintroduction programme, certain areas in the Okavango Delta (like Chiefs Island) are now once again Big Five areas, although most of the other game reserves in Botswana do not have rhinos. In South Africa, there are various Big Five game reserves of which the Kruger Park is the most famous one. Even if you visit a Big Five game reserve, remember that no sightings are guaranteed. The animals roam around freely and part of the excitement of a safari is not knowing what you will find on each game drive. Our records show that we have found the Big Five on 76% of all our Kruger Park safaris. So although seeing all of them is not a certainty, we can assure you that you will see at least some of them on your safari! Our advice is to not only focus on the Big Five during your safari. There are so many other animals and exciting things to see, that a drive on which you see none of the Big Five can still be one of the most interesting game drives! Have a go at finding some of the Little Big Five - elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion, buffalo weaver and rhino beetle!
Of course certain areas are known for certain animals, for example if you want to see leopards, go to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. For wild dogs, try Madikwe or Moremi Game Reserve. For cheetah, your best bet is Phinda Game Reserve in South Africa. Lions and Elephants can best be found in the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Moremi Game Reserve or Chobe Game Reserve. Rhinos are most common in the southern Kruger National Park, Phinda or Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. Let us know what your game viewing expectations are, and we will recommend the best possible destination.
-
Which area is the best for game viewing?
There is no quick answer to this question, because game viewing will depend on the time of year, rainfall patterns, and the choice of lodge you visit. Some of the best game viewing areas in Southern Africa are the Kruger National Park, Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta, including the Moremi Game Reserve. That said, the game viewing within these reserves differs tremendously from area to area, and between wet and dry season. In Botswana, the Chobe River, Savute area and Boteti river areas are great for game viewing in the dry season, from May to October. The Moremi Game Reserve, Chiefs Island in the Okavango, the Kwando and Linyanti areas are great for game viewing all year round. In South Africa's Kruger National Park, the central and southern areas offer the best game viewing. Game viewing in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is good all year round. In the Okavango, there are land-based lodges and water-based lodges. Generally, the land based lodges offer better big game viewing than strictly water-based lodges. Let us help you choose the right lodge and the best area to maximize your game viewing.
-
What animals can we expect to see in the Kruger Park?
The game viewing differs quite a bit, depending on which region of the Kruger National Park you visit. The southern part is known for its high animal density and excellent game viewing, due to an abundance of food. The landscape and vegetation is characterised by thorny thickets and some rocky granite outcrops. Game viewing along the river banks and dry river beds is usually very good.
The central area has more open grasslands and larger herds of grazers. This in turns means a high concentration of lions (reputedly the highest lion concentration in the world) and other predators. We usually focus on the southern and central areas, which offer the best game viewing.
The northern regions are characterised by mopane shrubs and game viewing is a bit more difficult here. However, the remoteness, beautiful landscape and lower visitor density are some of the reasons why many people prefer the northern regions. Birdwatching in the north is also excellent. Elephants are in abundance here.
The animals you can expect to see on an average 3-day safari include elephants, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, impala, waterbuck, warthog, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, lions, leopards (if you are lucky), wild dogs (if you are lucky), cheetah (if you are lucky) and various smaller antelopes and predators, as well as birds and reptiles. Sightings can never be guaranteed, because the animals move around freely. This is part of the excitement of game viewing - you never know what you might find. Our records show that we have found the Big Five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) on 76% of all our safaris. So while there is a good chance you will see all of the Big Five, we can say with certainty that you will see at least some of them. -
Is Sabi Sand part of the Kruger National Park?
The Kruger National Park is South Africa's largest national park. Adjacent to the park are a number of privately owned game reserves. By mutual agreement, the fences between these reserves and the Kruger Park have been dropped, to enlarge the area under conservation and encourage free movement of animals. The entire conservation area is known as the Greater Kruger National Park, and is over 2.2 million hectares in size. The most famous of these private reserves is the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, and the Timbavati Game Reserve further north. The lodges in these game reserves are privately owned and the land rovers are able to go off-road to get closer to an animal sighting. This is not permitted in the Kruger National Park itself. This is one of the main differences between the Sabi Sand and Kruger, as well as the fact that all the land rovers are in radio contact. This makes your chances of seeing the Big Five, especially leopards, much better in the Sabi Sand than in the Kruger Park. Another difference is cost. Generally the accommodation in the Sabi Sand is more expensive and more luxurious than in the Kruger Park. Other than the differences mentioned above, the vegetation and animals found in the Sabi Sand are exactly the same as in the Kruger National Park.
-
Is it safe to visit Victoria Falls?
Yes, Victoria Falls is safe to visit on the Zambian and Zimbabwe side, in our experience. Safety is a top priority for us, and we would never recommend a destination or activity we consider unsafe for tourists. The situation in Victoria Falls is calm and peaceful, and there is no reason not to visit this beautiful area. There have been no reports of cholera, violence, unrest or turmoil from Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side, and our personal experience has confirmed that the town is 100% safe to visit (last updated January 2009).
-
Is it safe to go on safari?
Safety is a top priority for us, and we will never recommend a destination or activity we consider unsafe for tourists. Visiting South Africa or Victoria Falls as a tourist is quite safe. We consider South Africa to be as safe or more safe than many other major tourist destinations around the world. Many visitors are concerned about crime, but we have never had any problems or incidents of crime on our safaris. Crime occurs in every major city in the world, and the key is to use common sense and avoid risky situations or known problem areas. We have visited Zimbabwe recently and found that Victoria Falls is calm, safe and peaceful, and business goes on as usual, in spite of the political and economic problems in that country. We have no problem recommending a visit to Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side.
Going on safari is also quite safe. As long as you abide by the rules and stay in your vehicle or with your safari guide, there is no need to be concerned about wild animals. In the Kruger Park, each camp is safely fenced with an electric fence. At private lodges that are not fenced, you will always be in the company of a trained ranger or safari guide. Your accommodation is usually designed to be as insect-proof as possible. -
I have limited time available. What can we all see or do in this time?
Each destination has a range of available activities. We can send you a list of available activities in Cape Town, Victoria Falls, the Garden Route, the Panorama Route, and other destinations. While on safari in the Kruger Park or at a game lodge, the main activity is game viewing, either by vehicle, by boat or on foot. Other activities at certain lodges include star gazing, birding, guided interpretive bush walks, spa and beauty treatments, working out in the gym, games rooms, reading or video lounge, mountain biking, horse back riding, elephant back safaris, boat cruises, and more. Or, you may simply want to relax around the pool or on the game viewing deck. The activities you can do will depend on your choice of lodge, available time, and budget.
-
How should I decide which lodge to visit?
Throughout Southern Africa there are hundreds of different safari camps and game lodges, in different game reserves. On their websites and in the brochures, they all look great. With so much variety, how do you decide which lodge to visit? How will you know which lodges are best of honeymoon couples, or for families with children? How does the game viewing and accommodation compare from lodge to lodge? That is where our expertise comes in. We make it our aim to visit all the lodges and destinations we recommend, so we can give advice based on personal experience. We also request feedback from our clients, and we keep a close eye on reviews posted on the internet, to ensure we stay up to date about the various camps and lodges. Tell us what your requirements are, and we will recommend the right lodge for you. The lodges we recommend will depend on your interests, budget, game viewing expectations, accommodation requirements, whether you are traveling with children, and so on. Time of year and availability may also play a role. If the lodge of your choice is fully booked, we will know which other similar lodges to recommend, where you will have similar accommodation and game viewing, hopefully at a similar price. So please contact us with your requirements and give us as much detail as possible about your intended safari.
-
How many people will be in the group?
If you book a scheduled Kruger Park safari with us, the average group size is between 4 and 7 people per safari. The maximum group size is 10 per vehicle. For larger groups, we will use extra vehicles (one vehicle and guide per 10 people). For private lodge safaris, there is no minimum group size, and the maximum depends on the capacity of the lodge. Most land rovers take between 6 and 9 people at a time.
We do not use shared accommodation except for couples and families that book as a group. We will never expect you to share accommodation with people you do not know. It is possible to book an exclusive departure or exclusive vehicle just for you - please ask us if you require an exclusive vehicle. -
How far is the Kruger Park from Cape Town / Johannesburg?
The Kruger National Park is in the north eastern corner of South Africa, against the border with Mozambique. Please see our map page to orientate yourself and get to know the region. The Kruger Park is 5 hours driving from Johannesburg, or a one hour flight. From Cape Town, it is best to fly to Johannesburg or to Nelspruit, the closest city. Cape Town to Nelspruit is a three hour flight, and from Nelspruit it is another hour by road to reach the Kruger Park.
Other distances:
Cape Town to Johannesburg is a 2 hour flight, or 12 hours by road.
Johannesburg to Durban is a 1 hour flight, or 6 hours by road.
Cape Town to Port Elizabeth via the Garden Route is a 90 minute flight or 8 hours by road.
Johannesburg to George (Garden Route) is just less than a 2 hour flight.
Johannesburg to Victoria Falls is a 2 hour flight. -
Will there be mosquito nets?
Yes, most safari lodges have mosquito nets hanging over the bed. There are some that don't, but usually there are mosquito screens and the windows and doors. This is also the case in the standard bungalows in South Africa's national parks, like the Kruger Park. Electric fans are also great for keeping mosquitos away, and most lodges and camps have these.
-
How can I prevent malaria?
You do not need to be worried about malaria, just informed. The risk of malaria should not stop you from going on safari. We recommend that you take anti-malaria medication as prescribed by your doctor or travel clinic, before traveling to Africa. Preventing mosquito bites is important, so bring insect repellant. Most (but not all) game lodges and safari camps have mosquito nets hanging over the bed, and even the basic bungalows in the Kruger National Park have insect screens at the windows and doors. Electric fans and air-conditioning are also very effective to keep mosquitos away. Please visit our malaria information page for more information and a malaria map.
-
Do you have insurance?
Yes, as a SATSA member we are covered by bonding insurance, which guarantees that you can never lose any money paid in advance. We also have extensive public and passenger liability insurance, underwritten by Lloyds of London. That said, it is important that you take out comprehensive personal travel insurance for your trip.
-
Do you have guides that speak my language?
We often get requests for safari guides that speak a particular language. Sometimes we are able to meet these requests, but it depends on availability. We can usually assist you in English, Dutch, German and Flemish/Afrikaans. French, Spanish and Chinese speaking guides are harder to find. Our Kruger Park safaris and game drives at most game lodges are conducted in English.
-
Do you drive off-road during game drives?
All game drives are conducted on open safari vehicles or Land Rovers, unless you specifically request otherwise. On our own safaris, we offer courtesy binoculars, bottled water and blankets on each drive. In the National Parks and government game reserves, no off-road driving is permitted. At private game lodges and on private safari concession areas, off-road driving and night drives are permitted.
-
Why should we book through Wild Wings?
Booking through Wild Wings Safaris gives you the security of knowing that your safari is in the hands of a trusted, professional tour operator. We pride ourselves on being friendly, straight-talking safari experts with in-depth local knowledge. Local knowledge is critical when it comes to putting together an itinerary that works - this is what sets us apart from other operators in the US or UK who may not be as familiar with Southern Africa as a destination. We make it our aim to regularly visit each lodge and destination we sell, so we can monitor standards and give first-hand advice to our clients. We are a small team but collectively we have over 50 years experience in the African travel industry. We pay attention to detail and ensure that everything runs like clockwork, from start to finish. All of this means that you can relax and do not have to worry about your trip.
It also costs less to book through us. We do not add any booking fees, and you will always pay the same or less if you book with us, then booking with any other operator or directly with the lodge or hotel. Because of our established reputation with the lodges, a client of Wild Wings always receives the best possible treatment. If you need to be convinced further, we invite you to read the guest comments on our website, or request references from previous clients who have traveled with us. We are very proud of our reputation for excellence and top-notch service. -
Is it not cheaper to book directly?
No, in fact it costs less to book through us. Because of our buying power, we negotiate bulk discounts and usually our rate is slightly less than the normal rate at the lodge or hotel of your choice. We add no booking fees and there are no hidden costs. That means for no extra cost you can make use of our local expertise and have us make all the arrangements on your behalf, ensuring a seamless trip for less effort and less money than if you booked everything directly.
-
Do you charge a booking fee?
No, we do not charge a booking fee. If you book through us, it will cost you the same or less as when you book directly with each lodge or hotel, and you get the benefit of getting detailed advice, having someone to arrange all the details of your trip, and someone to turn to should anything go wrong. In many cases we offer a rate that is slightly below the normal rate at the lodge or hotel of our choice, due to bulk discounts we have negotiated.
-
Can we fly directly from the Kruger Park to Victoria Falls?
No, unless we arrange a charter flight for you. The best option is to fly via Johannesburg. Flying from Kruger Park to Johannesburg takes just over an hour, and flying from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls takes about 2 hours. Usually these flights are scheduled in the mornings only, and often flight times necessitate a one-night stopover in Johannesburg.
-
Do you book flights?
We do not sell packages with international flights included. It is best to book your own international flights, and it may work out cheaper to book your domestic or regional flights along with your international tickets. We often include local flights in our packages, and we can assist you with booking them, but you may be able to secure a better rate by booking directly on the internet. Please let us know if you would like a quote with local flights included.
It is not possible to fly between the Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls directly. You would have to fly via Johannesburg, and the flight times are such that in most cases you will have to spend one night in Johannesburg. It is possible to fly between Cape Town and the Kruger National Park directly. There is one flight per day on SAA between Cape Town and Nelspruit (about 1 hour from the Kruger Park). Alternatively you can fly via Johannesburg.
Unless your booking is short notice, it is usually best to book your flights after your itinerary is planned. This gives you more flexiblity and a better chance of securing availability at the destinations of your choice. There are various airlines that conduct flights within South Africa and in the region, for example SA Airlink (www.flyairlink.com), SAA (www.flysaa.com), SA Express (www.flysax.com), Kulula (www.kulula.com), 1time (www.1time.co.za), and Mango (www.flymango.com). -
Do the vehicles have seat belts?
All our vehicles are late model vehicles with low mileage and extensive passenger liability insurance. Day tours and transfers are usually conducted in a luxury airconditioned vehicle. All our vehicles have proper seatbelts for your safety. Whenever we use third party operators, we ensure that their vehicles are of a similar standard, and properly licensed and insured. Our vehicles are meticulously maintained and serviced regularly. Game drives are usually conducted on open Land Rovers or an open safari vehicle with canopy.
-
What accommodation do you use?
We work with a large number of different camps, lodges and hotels. We make it our aim to personally visit each lodge or hotel we recommend, to ensure it is up to standard. We will never recommend a substandard lodge or hotel.
At most lodges and hotels the rooms will have a private bathroom as well as airconditioning, but some of the safari camps (especially tented camps) do not have airconditioning, only fans. When sending your quote we will specify whether or not the accommodation is airconditioned.
Accommodation standards and rates vary greatly, and we will make recommendations based on your budget and preferences. We have options ranging from basic budget accommodation to luxury five star accommodation. Generally we do not offer camping safaris (where you have to pitch your own tent), but we do sell a number of tented safari camps, which offer permanent canvas tents as accommodation. -
Do I need to bring a travel adapter?
South Africa and surrounding countries have 220V power. It is best to bring your own travel adapter. Have a look at http://www.international-electrical-supplies.com/plugadapters3.html for details of various adapters. You will need WA7 for northern Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and WA10L for South Africa.
-
Can I take my children on safari?
Absolutely! Children are welcome on most of our safaris, but if they are under 12 years of age we normally arrange an exclusive departure just for your group, so as not to inconvenience other guests. We have some great options and destinations for family-friendly safaris.
Some lodges accept children under 12 years old, and some lodges don't. Some lodges offer discounts for children, others don't. On our own Kruger Park safaris, we normally offer discounts for children under 12 years old. Please ask us about specific conditions and discounts for children, for the lodge or safari you are interested in.
-
Can I pay in USD / EURO / Pounds?
The currency in South Africa is the South African Rand. We may quote you in USD, Euro or Pounds, but at the time of making payment this will be converted to South African Rand. For easy and accurate online currency conversion, please go to www.oanda.com/convert/classic. We accept payment by wire transfer or by credit card. Our secure online payment facility accepts most major credit cards.
When traveling in Southern Africa, the most useful currency to have with you is South African Rand or US Dollars. You do not need to carry a lot of cash around with you - most places accept credit cards as well as traveler's checks. You can exchange money easily at any bank in South Africa.
