Frequent questions

Plugs vary by country. It cannot be used without connecting the proper plug to the country outlet. Types B, B3, BF and C are the main ones in the African countries visited on our tour.

Let’s check the type of plug for each type of country. Recently, we are also selling plugs of various types in which all types of plugs are integrated into one, so it is recommended.

Be sure to check the voltage of your equipment. The voltage in Japan is 100V, but the voltage used in most African countries is higher. It is necessary to be careful not to use electrical appliances with different voltages, as they are dangerous and also damage electrical appliances.

Recently, electrical products that can be used abroad are also being sold. Use electrical appliances that can be used both in other countries and abroad, otherwise you will need a transformer that converts the voltage to 100V.

There is no need to fear that Africa is not safe. From the places you visit and the locals, you will feel the warmth of the Africans. If you are prejudiced that Africa is afraid, your kindness will dispel them. However, large cities like Johannesburg and Nairobi are far from safe. Avoid going to the city center of Johannesburg and take a taxi even a short distance after sunset.

Walking, decide on a purpose as you walk at a brisk pace, while paying attention to your surroundings. It is important to avoid unpopular places and back streets, and not to talk to strangers even if you are persistent. Of course, whenever you enter an unknown land, these are the same wherever you go. Let’s enjoy looking at the articles.

At airports like Johannesburg, suitcases can be opened and stolen, so keep valuables and electronic devices in your suitcase as luggage.

Most African countries do not have access to sanitary drinking water. It is said that you can drink tap water in South Africa.

You can easily get mineral water from plastic bottles in various places. Prices may vary by country and location. It’s about 150 yen. In addition, our tour has one water service per day.

Be sure to check in advance if you need a visa for the country you are visiting. If necessary, we recommend that you obtain it in your country of residence before traveling. In some countries, visas can be obtained at airports and local borders, but conditions may suddenly change, and some airlines may be denied boarding if you do not have a visa at the time of boarding.

In addition, the required documents vary by country, such as the yellow fever vaccination certificate (yellow card), air ticket, itinerary in English, balance certificate. Check in advance what you need from each embassy’s website.

Where to apply

Apply at the embassy or consulate in your country of residence in each country.

Acquisition days

The number of days varies by country. Some countries will issue it the same day, others will take weeks. Even in countries that air the same day, it can take several days if it’s full. Let’s apply in advance. By the way, your passport will remain at the embassy during the application.

Is it okay because it is Africa?

We often hear worried voices, but it is okay if we take restraint and take precautionary measures. However, it is true that some countries and regions have risks such as yellow fever, malaria, Ebola, and cholera, so gather information in advance. If you’re not feeling well because of fatigue on a long trip, changes in the environment, or food, you may want to have a regular medicine that you’re used to.

About yellow fever

Yellow fever is transmitted by being bitten by mosquitoes, mainly Aedes mosquitoes. It is a systemic infection. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and nausea. There is no direct human-to-human transmission. If you are traveling to a destination country, you must be vaccinated before traveling. Vaccines are only available at designated facilities. Yellow fever vaccine and yellow card.

Yellow fever vaccine and yellow card.

After vaccination, a yellow card called a yellow card (yellow fever vaccination certificate) will be issued. Some countries require you to show a yellow card when entering the country, and you may not be able to enter the country without a card. Because yellow fever is a live vaccine, it can only be vaccinated by the organization designated by the early booking system. Also, be aware that you cannot inject anything for a month after vaccination.

* This information is subject to change without prior notice due to the yellow fever epidemic and the circumstances of each country. We recommend that you check the latest vaccine information in advance.

* Even countries / regions that do not require yellow fever vaccines do not mean that they are not at risk of developing yellow fever. Vaccines are recommended if your destination is a country or region at risk of becoming infected with yellow fever.

How long is the yellow fever vaccination certificate (yellow card) valid?

Since July 11, 2016, the expiration date has changed from ’10 days after vaccination for 10 years’ to ‘valid for 10 days after vaccination’. Even if you already have a yellow card and the validity period has expired, it will be considered for life. No renewal procedures are required, so keep the yellow card you purchased for life so you don’t lose it. Take it with your passport when you travel to the destination country.

About Malaria In West and Central Africa, malaria requires attention, a disease transmitted and transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito. Malaria control As there is still no preventive vaccine, it is better to prevent Anopheles mosquito bites. Dress to minimize skin exposure, such as cutting long sleeves, and prepare insect repellent. It is up to the person to decide whether to take it or not, but you can ask your doctor to prescribe preventive medications in Japan. In Africa, over-the-counter drugs are sold in pharmacies.

In Africa, languages ​​vary by country. In East Africa, the official language is English, and in West Africa, the official language is French. Most of the countries you will visit will speak English.

Rwanda and Madagascar speak French, but there are staff who speak English. If you do not understand English, it is safe to have a Spanish speaking staff to accompany you. Ask anything!

The meals that come out during the tour are basically western and international menus, buffet style or plate dishes. There are many hotels and cabins where you can enjoy meals while contemplating the view of nature and travel time.

In most cases, drinks are charged separately, but for example South Africa is famous for wine, so if you are a wine lover I would recommend it with a meal.

In urban areas, both the telephone and the internet can be used normally. When going on safari, the phone and internet environment is not normal.

If you are staying in a hostel, you may be able to use the Internet in public places, but it is better to consider that communication is limited.

The word etymology means ‘to travel’ in Arabic, and in East Africa it is Swahili. However, for them, it is ‘Safari’ to go a little to the neighboring town and ‘Safari’ to go hunting.

Since the 19th century, the word ‘Safari’ has also been introduced to English by whites, primarily to hunt down the Big Five (lions, African elephants, buffalo, leopards, rhinos).

Today, it is common to visit animals in Africa when talking about safari.

Big Five are lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos, the five most popular safari animals. It was named because it was considered the most dangerous animal in the days when whites enjoyed hunting, and it is still named that way.

You can use any camera to commemorate or remember your trip, but if you want to take a bigger picture of an animal, make sure you have a camera with enough zoom. 20 times or more is desirable. If you really want to take pictures of animals, we recommend a single-lens reflex camera capable of continuous shooting at high speed and a telephoto lens with a zoom of 400mm or more. You can take photos of more powerful animals.

For landscape photos, use a standard zoom lens. However, there is dust during the safari and it is difficult to change the lenses if the car is in motion. If possible, use two cameras that don’t require lens replacement, so you can enjoy smooth shooting without worrying about lens replacement.

The opportunity to see the animals is in the morning and in the afternoon when there is little light. If you want to shoot beautifully even in low light, we recommend a camera with high sensitivity and a bright lens that is easy to shoot even in dark places.

Dust is something to consider. It is convenient if there is a scarf etc. For protection against dust. Also, if dust gets inside the camera or lens, it may cause malfunction, so please protect the camera from dust as much as possible.

Simply wrapping it in a plastic or cloth bag will help. There are also products called camera wraps that can protect your camera, so it’s good to use them. Safari car trembles a lot. If you leave the camera on the seat, be careful not to drop it on the floor!

The camera cannot be charged during Safari. I couldn’t take photos due to dead battery! We recommend that you bring a spare battery so you don’t have to.

January to August is the time when the amount of water is great. The peak is from April to June. You will feel the power of the waterfall with your whole body while you bathe in the water. If there is too much water, the entire view of the waterfall may not be visible due to splashing.

If you want to take a picture of the entire waterfall, we recommend from January to March or from June to August. If you visit Victoria Falls, prepare to be completely wet and have enough waterproofing, like a raincoat. Prepare your camera with a plastic bag to protect it from splashes.

There are many cases where it is not possible to exchange money from your country to the local currency. Bring US dollars and euros.

When converting to local currency, the $ 50 and $ 100 bills are better than the smaller bills. For US dollars, please bring new notes after 2006. Old notes cannot be used.

ATMs are running out of bills, or malfunctions can cause cards to be sucked up and not come out. You may want to avoid using ATMs as much as possible. It is best considered as a last resort if you have no other choice.

In the case of participation in the tour, the money required for the local payment is personal food and drinks, tips, souvenirs and personal shopping expenses. Depending on the circumstances, $ 300-500 per person for 10 days should be enough for normal spending.

Credit cards can be used in large souvenir shops, jewelry stores, supermarkets and luxury cabins in urban areas, but sometimes the credit card reader does not work.

In addition, it is better to think that it can hardly be used, except in large cities and tourist destinations. The cards are mainly VISA and MasterCard, and Amex often doesn’t work. JCB can hardly be used.

In a rainy and dry season safari, animals move around each season to drink and eat. The best season for safari is said to be the transition between the rainy season and the dry season, but the area where you can see the animals you want in the rainy season or the dry season will change.

Dry season

In the dry season, the grass dies and the entire area turns yellow, and some trees fall. Fewer places to hide make it easier to watch birds and small animals. Additionally, fewer areas of water allow animals to gather in specific locations, making them easier to find. It is also the wildebeest migration season (Kenya: July-September / Tanzania: December-February). The highlight of the dry season.

Rainy season

During the rainy season, the bud sprouts and grows green. Increases the rate of encounters with herbivores that come to eat grass and carnivores that attack them. Depending on the time of year, it is the animal’s birth season, so you can see inspiring scenes. You can see a newborn baby only in the rainy season.