Frequently asked questions
General safari FAQs
Q: What is an ethical safari?
Great question, and one worth asking. In a nutshell, ethical safaris are ones that prioritise wildlife, nature and communities ahead of profit.
Our definition of ethical safaris are ones that:
- Adhere to ethical photography practices and local drone laws (illegal in national, protected parks)
- Pay guides and trackers fair, liveable wages
- Prohibit the exploitation of communities and wildlife
- Are closely designed and run by locals to benefit local economies
- Ensure a portion of sales go back to support local communities and wildlife conservation efforts
- Do not involve hunting or harm the welfare of animals in any capacity
- Don’t pressure talented and valued partners to encroach on animals for our benefit. They are trained to understand how to position a vehicle for the most natural, uninterrupted animal experiences.
- Limit the number of guests
- Limit the number of vehicles roaming game parks
- Avoid off-roading and disturbing natural ecosystems
We believe the travel industry and guests alike have a duty of care for the people, planet and wildlife we visit.
Aperture Travel strictly does not allow hunting or wildlife interactions such as cub petting, elephant riding, cheetah walks or animal feeding on our trips.
Q: What’s the best time of year to go on safari?
The age-old question. This ultimately comes down to your personal preference and where you’re going.
Popular times of year for safaris include:
- East Africa (eg. Kenya, Tanzania): June to October. These months are drier, and guests can witness the famous Great Migration of wildebeests and zebras across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. Note: This experience is extremely popular and often books out 1+ years in advance.
- Southern Africa (eg. Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe): May to October. These months tend to be cooler and drier. September/October can offer peak game viewing when water becomes scarce.
- Central Africa (eg. Rwanda, Uganda, Congo): June to September and December to February. Again, these drier months make trekking for gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda more comfortable. Hiking conditions are easier in rainforest regions.
- India: October to June. The hot, dry months from March to May can be wonderful for tiger sightings as they gather near water sources.
That said, we’ve been on safaris in the sun, rain, summer and winter, and they all offer their own magic (and price differences). Photos taken in the rainy and winter months can be particularly striking.
Benefits of off-peak travel: lower rates, fewer crowds, and the opportunity to spot newborn animals.
Q: Does Aperture Travel allow hunting on safaris?
No. As an ethical tourism business, we strictly prohibit and condemn hunting and do not partner with lodges, guides or trackers who encourage or facilitate it.
Booking FAQs
Q: How do I register my interest for a safari and/or start the booking process?
It’s easy!
- Fill out our contact form, or email us at support@aperturetravel.co, and tell us what trip you’re interested in.
- One of our booking specialists will get in touch to discuss the trip and inquire about any add-ons or requirements you may have.
- Once we have an idea of what you want, we’ll send an itinerary to review. It will contain information on accommodation, daily movements, experiences, and, of course, pricing.
- If you’re happy with it, you can secure your booking by paying a 30% deposit by electronic transfer (see below for payment information).
Q: Why do some of your safaris specify travel dates, and others say “dates flexible”?
Safaris with set departure dates are organized for a specific timeframe with a limited number of guests. The itineraries cannot be modified, but we would be happy to discuss adding other experiences or destinations before and/or after the tour.
If you love the itinerary, but can’t do those specific dates, let us know and we’ll look into running a similar safari at another time.
Safaris listed as “dates flexible” are sample itineraries, designed to inspire you for if/when you decide to embark on your travels. You can get in touch to book them as is, or modify them to better suit your interests.
Q: Why are some of your safaris priced in US dollars (USD) and others in South African Rand (R)?
In most of the countries where we run safaris, it’s standard to charge in USD; however some countries prefer to charge in their local currency – South Africa being one of them, and we package our trips with respect for their preferred currency. At the time of paying your deposit, you can choose to pay in local currency or convert it to USD.
Q: I like the sound of a few different experiences on your website. How can I build them into my safari?
The safaris we list on our website are a great jumping-off point. You can contact us about building certain experiences into the safaris we have listed, or perhaps creating something more tailored.
Note that some experiences, like conservation experiences, are heavily dependant on location, seasonality and veterinarian schedules. We’ll be able to confirm what’s available when you contact us.
Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
Digital ones! All payments must be made by credit card, electronic funds transfer (EFT), or telegraphic transfer (SWIFT). Payments typically clear within five business days.
Cash and travelers’ checks are not accepted.
Q: What’s your cancellation policy?
- A 30% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking. We transfer funds to the lodges and guides to secure your booking.
- The remaining 70% balance must be paid no later than 60 days prior to the travel start date.
If you need to cancel, our policy is as follows:
For cancellation between 8 to 6 weeks prior to the travel start date: 50% of the remaining 70% balance will be forfeited.
Cancellation within 4 weeks or less prior to the travel start date: 100% of the remaining 70% balance will be forfeited.
Reach out to support@aperturetravel.co if you have any questions or concerns.
