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Frequently asked questions
This page is dedicated to answering your most common questions about travelling in Africa and embarking on a safari adventure. We understand that planning a trip to this beautiful continent can come with various queries and uncertainties. That’s why we’ve curated this comprehensive list of frequently asked questions to provide you with valuable insights, tips, and guidance for your upcoming journey. If you have any specific concerns, our expert team is always here to assist you in making your African safari experience memorable and worry-free.
About Biggestleaf Travel
Meet the real people behind the emails, phones and Zooms! Our passion for Africa is surpassed only by our passion for giving our clients phenomenal service, which shows in our reviews.
Is Biggestleaf Travel a good safari company?
All you need to know before choosing Biggestleaf as your travel agents to plan your Africa trip.
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Meet the Team: Vera Castro
Meet inbound consultant and qualified safari guide Vera Castro, who has loved Africa since a trip to Tanzania in 2008 and lived in both South Africa and Zimbabwe.
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Meet the Team: Sarah Ihlenfeldt
From excelling in financial management at college to planning complex horseback safaris across 12 African countries, Sarah is now an expert agent at Biggestleaf.
Find out moreBudgeting & Costs
While not everyone has the budget to chopper into Mombo, one of Botswana’s most prestigious camps (even us!), we have years of experience in reining in costs and putting your money where it matters most.
How To Budget For Your Safari: A First-Timer’s Guide
Safaris range from back-to-basics to super luxe: your budget (and how to allocate it) is the foundational starting point for your African vacation.
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Why are Levies Charged on Safari?
We break down why conservation, community and park fees are so important and where your contributions go.
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High season vs low season safaris
What to consider when choosing between peak and green season.
Find out moreChildren & Family
As parents ourselves, we know all about taking kids on safari: use our tips to have a fun, stress-free family vacation in the bush, especially if you are first-timers. Private game drives with a tracker give you a great experience at Thornybush in Greater Kruger.
Are Safaris Family-friendly
Is it safe for kids to go on safari? The best places and top tips from our own families.
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Best places for family safaris with kids
Our five top tried-and-tested countries for a family-friendly safari.
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Are Safaris Safe?
How you are protected and kept secure while enjoying wild animals, remote locations and nature’s elements.
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Where to go for a Cape Town Safari
Several private reserves around the Cape Town area offer the Big 5, game drives and exciting landscapes and activities that can be combined with a Winelands or city holiday.
Find out moreDestinations
What different countries and regions offer you and where to go to see specific animals based on our own personal safari experiences.
What are the differences between East Africa and Southern Africa
How to choose between Kenya and Tanzania or South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.
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How the Victoria Falls Work
Why the Falls ebb and flow through the year and what to do in low-water season.
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Is Kruger Worth It?
Public vs private, do you really see rhino and what about malaria?
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How to Combine Different Countries on Safari
Realistic advice on seeing several safari destinations on a single trip to Africa plus the top items that make cross-border travel much easier.
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Kruger or Botswana: How to Choose
Read how neighbouring countries have unique approaches to safaris, from types of vehicle and lodges to distances and species..
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Why these are the top 3 places to see Leopard
The most mysterious of the Big 5, everyone loves seeing a leopard. We’ve analyzed our countless game drives to reveal the three places with the best chances of seeing one.
Find out moreWhere to go for a Cape Town Safari
Several private reserves around the Cape Town area offer the Big 5, game drives and exciting landscapes and activities that can be combined with a Winelands or city holiday.
Find out moreHealth & Safety
Safety and health concerns are always our top priority, for our clients and ourselves. Take a look at medical necessities and wellness factors to ensure a safe safari.
Are Safaris Safe?
How you are protected and kept secure while enjoying wild animals, remote locations and nature’s elements.
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What is the Risk of Getting Malaria on Safari?
How do you decide whether to take anti-malaria pills or not before coming to Africa?
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What Vaccinations Do I Need for Safari?
Are some vaccinations compulsory and do you need all the recommended ones?
Find out morePacking
What to pack for different seasons and types of safaris based on our real-life knowledge.
What to pack for your green season safari
Special considerations for hotter, rainier weather.
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What to pack for gorilla trekking
How to be comfortable and protected on treks through Africa’s rainforests.
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What to pack for your high-season safari
How to dress for a mid-year safari during Africa’s winter season.
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What to pack for a walking safari
With a free checklist to ensure you have all you need for walking from camp to camp.
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Safari Countdown: How to Make Sure You’re Ready to Come to Africa
You’ve booked your safari: here is what you need to do next, with a timeline breakdown of the most important steps before you depart for Africa.
Find out morePlanning
We love planning safaris: the inspiration, the problem solving, the logistics! Our list of things to consider for your first safari, honeymoon, a self-drive or bringing your kids. Part of our planning is constant education for our team as there is always something new and exciting to learn about Africa and the bush.
Why You Can’t Easily Use AI to Plan Your Safari
Can you harness the power of AI to plan a safari? What are the pros and cons of using ChatGPT for an African holiday?
Find out moreHow To Budget For Your Safari: A First-Timer’s Guide
Safaris range from back-to-basics to super luxe: your budget (and how to allocate it) is the foundational starting point for your African vacation.
Find out moreHigh season vs low season safaris
What to consider when choosing between peak and green season.
Find out moreAre Safaris Family-friendly
Is it safe for kids to go on safari? The best places and top tips from our own families.
Find out moreBest places for family safaris with kids
Our five top tried-and-tested countries for a family-friendly safari.
Find out more
Self-driving in Africa: What You Need to Know
What you need to be aware of before embarking on a self-drive adventure.
Find out moreIs Kruger Worth It?
Public vs private, do you really see rhino and what about malaria?
Find out moreHow to Combine Different Countries on Safari
Realistic advice on seeing several safari destinations on a single trip to Africa plus the top items that make cross-border travel much easier.
Find out moreAre Safaris Safe?
How you are protected and kept secure while enjoying wild animals, remote locations and nature’s elements.
Find out moreKruger or Botswana: How to Choose
Read how neighbouring countries have unique approaches to safaris, from types of vehicle and lodges to distances and species..
Find out more
How to plan a honeymoon safari
Flights, transfers, activities, accommodation, tips, visas… There are a lot of components to planning a successful honeymoon in Africa.
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Can I Use Uber to Get to My Safari Lodge?
With the popularity of e-hailing taxi-cab services, we look at the feasibility of using Uber and other transport apps to get to your bush lodge.
Find out moreSafari Countdown: How to Make Sure You’re Ready to Come to Africa
You’ve booked your safari: here is what you need to do next, with a timeline breakdown of the most important steps before you depart for Africa.
Find out moreSeasons
We explain the differences between high / peak and low / green seasons, and how each has its own pros and cons. Don’t underestimate an off-peak safari!
High season vs low season safaris
What to consider when choosing between peak and green season.
Find out moreWhat to pack for your green season safari
Special considerations for hotter, rainier weather.
Find out moreWhat to pack for your high-season safari
How to dress for a mid-year safari during Africa’s winter season.
Find out moreTransport
Road transfers, light aircraft, Ubers, self-drives – we’ve done them all to get around Africa and can tell you what works and what to avoid.
Self-driving in Africa: What You Need to Know
What you need to be aware of before embarking on a self-drive adventure.
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How Can I Reduce Emissions on Safari?
We show you how to reduce your carbon footprint when travelling to some of the most untouched places in Africa.
Find out moreCan I Use Uber to Get to My Safari Lodge?
With the popularity of e-hailing taxi-cab services, we look at the feasibility of using Uber and other transport apps to get to your bush lodge.
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What a private photographic safari guide does
Private guides can take your safari to the next level and help you get the best wildlife images of your life.
Find out moreReady to start your holiday?
Enquire NowWhy book with Biggestleaf Travel
We Sell What We Love: We are genuinely passionate about African travel and safaris. Every itinerary we design is shaped by first-hand knowledge, personal experience and a deep respect for the destinations we represent. It is company policy that our consultants experience the destinations and lodges they sell, giving them practical insight into the areas, logistics and overall journey.
Your Financial Security Comes First: We mitigate financial risk by being accredited members of ASATA, SATSA and ATTA, ensuring your funds are handled responsibly and in line with industry best practice. You book with confidence, knowing your investment is protected. For more detail, please visit our Why Book With Us page.
Transparent, Independent Reviews: Our reputation is verified through open, independent reviews on Trustpilot, Google and TripAdvisor — real feedback from real travellers, with nothing hidden. Please visit our Reviews page for more information.
Tailor-Made – Not Template – Trips: No two travellers are the same. Every journey we create is fully personalised and customised, designed around your interests, pace and expectations. This may take longer to organise but it means our clients get an unforgettable experience.
Established, Stable & Experienced: Founded in 2014, we are proud that we still have our first consultants working with us today. This continuity reflects the strength of our team culture, depth of experience and the long-term relationships we build with our staff, clients and safari partners.
Responsible Travel & Carbon Offsetting: We believe in protecting Africa’s wild places for generations to come. As part of our commitment to responsible travel, we offset our travellers’ carbon footprint through bed-night calculations, and fully offset all kilometres driven by our vehicles through verified carbon credits. Every journey therefore contributes to conservation, climate responsibility and the long-term sustainability of the destinations we love. Visit our Sustainable Travel page for more information.
