We fairly regularly receive requests for private tours from clients. Often in our clients’ minds they interpret this to mean both a private guide for the duration of the tour, as well as private and exclusive use of the lodge and/or community site guides and vehicles (game drive vehicles, boats, etc.) for each activity at the destinations we visit, and even private use of the accommodation establishment itself.

However, as Sustain Safaris, we distinguish between private tours; private tours with exclusive activities; and private use of the accommodation establishment:

To avoid confusion and misunderstanding, and to clarify Sustain Safaris’ position on what differentiates between the three, we provide a useful explanation below:

• A private tour means – a tour with a private guide with no other Sustain Safaris guests accompanying, but not exclusive use of the vehicles and activities at the respective accommodation establishments or activity providers.
• A private and exclusive tour means – a tour with a private guide with no other Sustain Safaris guests accompanying, and exclusive use of the vehicles and activities/excursions at each accommodation establishment with no other guests from that accommodation establishment accompanying.
• A private and exclusive tour with exclusive accommodation means – a tour with a private guide with no other Sustain Safaris guests accompanying, and exclusive use of the vehicles and activities/excursions at each accommodation establishment with no other guests from that accommodation establishment accompanying, and exclusive use of the accommodation establishment’s facilities.

Please be very clear regarding your expectations and distinctions between each when completing your booking.

• If you’d like to shop for curios, please communicate this to your tour leader/guide who will consider the group and the timing.  
• When shopping, please make it brief to enable your tour leader/guide to stay on schedule. 

• Tipping (gratuities) are customary but not compulsory. You should never feel pressurized to tip. 
• In restaurants, waiters and waitresses are generally tipped 10% of the bill, or 12% for really good service. 
• General lodge or hotel staff, guides and rangers, and chauffeurs do receive a salary, however they are still somewhat dependent on tips. Therefore, please feel free to tip if you’ve had an enjoyable experience or they have exceeded expectations. In this instance, we recommend between US$12 and US$15 per person per day.

• Please wear neutral-coloured clothing and avoid noisy fabrics. 
• Ensure you’re dressed suitably for the terrain and weather conditions.

• Please inform us of any dietary requirements in advance. 
• On our standard safaris, we have a full-time chef on-site. 
• On our budget safaris, we ask that our guests assist with meal preparation. 
• All breakfasts and dinners are prepared in the open, allowing you to experience the African bush. Due to unforeseen circumstances, such as rainy weather or late arrivals at camp, there may be times when your tour leader will opt for a restaurant. 
• Our guests are not expected to participate in general chores, but our guides work long hours, and we know they’d appreciate help if offered. 

• In malaria areas, all accommodation in the parks has mosquito netting in front of the windows and doors. The private lodges have wrap-around mosquito nets. 
• The camps and lodges are well-lit, but a torch/flashlight may be needed when returning to your bungalow from the dining area or a night drive. 
• All camps in the national parks and game reserves, except for the bush camps, have a shop where basic toiletries, snacks, beverages and souvenirs can be bought. 
• Most camps, except for some bush camps, have swimming pools.  
• Most parks have good mobile phone coverage. 
• All lodges/camps have electrical power points to charge batteries and other equipment. 

• We generally host 4 to 6 guests, but our groups can sometimes go up to 12.  
• Kindly respect the cultural and religious differences of the group and remain flexible on safari.  
• Be prepared to compromise. 
• Your tour leader will make decisions favouring the majority vote.  

• Your tour leader/guide will use a laser pointer to locate a bird that’s difficult to see. They will shine it briefly below the bird, as in low light, birds and animals become startled by the movement of the laser. Pay careful attention to the laser and your tour leader/guide so you can see the bird. Kindly leave laser pointing to them. 
• In terms of scopes, everyone needs to have a turn for a quick look (10 seconds). Afterwards, those who would like to look again may do so. Please don’t take long at the scope when others haven’t yet had a chance.

• Please feel free to take as many photos as you like while on safari, unless advised otherwise by your tour leader/ guide for reasons pertaining to your safety. You may also ask them to stop if you’d like to take photos. 
• Your tour leader/ guide will position the vehicles for the best photographic opportunities and stop at lookout points along a route. 
• Your tour leader/ guide will also take photos or videos, and these can be emailed to you afterwards as memories of your trip and for sharing. 
• For those who want to spend extra time photographing or studying fewer species, we recommend a photography or special tour – in some cases a private one.  
• Please stock up on memory chips (film) and spare camera batteries before departure, as these may be difficult to find en route. 16GB memory cards or more are recommended, especially if you’re interested in photography!

• Please maintain silence during birding and game viewing. Whisper only when necessary. 
• Your tour leader/guide may occasionally talk louder to quickly get the group’s attention if an animal is already leaving. 
• We use playback with great care, generally only once we have failed to see a bird without this tool. In its best interests, we prefer to call it in only once. When we use playback, please gather around, keep quiet and motionless, and focus on trying to spot the bird.  
• On forest trails, usually only two or three people in the front can hear what the tour leader/guide is saying. In this case, we’d like you to whisper what’s being seen/said to those behind you so that the people at the back can be kept informed. 
• Please refrain from using cell phones while viewing wildlife.