There are not many prices on your website?
All of our holidays are custom designed for you by one of our travel specialists. We are not a mass market package operator, but an individual specialist who takes the time to speak to our clients and assess their needs, time frames, budgets and interests to create a unique custom package. The average trip to southern Africa is between 2 and 3 weeks, so we feel it is worth your time and ours to spend a few minutes finding out as much detail as we can. We encourage you to contact us for a quotation; we are here to assist you in planning an amazing African holiday. We really are passionate about what we do and we welcome all enquires.

How long does my quote last for?
We try to keep our quotations relevant for as long as possible, but in some cases we may have to change our quotation. However, on confirmation of your booking and receipt of the deposit, your price will not change. We are dealing with ground operators in southern Africa who are exposed to different levels of inflation and exchange rates, and your quotation may be based on three or more currencies and then converted into sterling or USD. Please refer to our booking conditions for more details.

Do you organise travel to Zimbabwe?
Despite the political situation, we do organise travel to Zimbabwe. Much of the violence is politically motivated and centred around the urban areas and farming communities. Much of the National Parks in Zimbabwe have not been affected and these amazing wildlife areas offer the best bargain in all of Africa in our opinion. The wildlife is outstanding - on a par even with the wonders of Botswana. These northern parks - Mana Pools, Matusadona, and Hwange offer great camps, superb guides, and amazing game viewing all at bargain prices. Many people take all of the bad press and decide to leave well enough alone rather than take a perceived risk. Many countries governments have issued travel warnings, but please feel free to obtain your own independent advice from people on the ground, from friends or on travel forums from people who have recently travelled there.
NOTE: please look carefully at your travel insurance before travelling to Zimbabwe.

Is southern Africa safe?
This is probably the most common question that travellers to the southern African region consider. Unfortunately in much of the western world, Africa only appears to make the news when there is a war, famine or election. This distorts the true image of what is happening on the ground. There are numerous southern African and African news sources on the internet which you can source to gain a true reflection, and also use travel forums where recent, potential and addicted travellers congregate. Please call us for some independent advice on where to look for such information. When travelling, use common sense and exercise a bit more caution than normal. No matter how natural you appear, tourists and travellers are very easily spotted!! Seek advice from locals – they know what they are talking about!!

Where can I be guaranteed of seeing the big 5?
The wild animals in Africa are exactly that… wild. No-one can guarantee that you will see the big 5 – and if they do, we would seriously reconsider using them as a tour operator. On some occasions we have seen leopard, elephant and lion within the space of ten minutes whilst on our way to our first campsite. On other occasions we have gone for a weekend with seeing only a handful of zebra and two impala in the same game reserve. Whilst your guides, park rangers and books give you the best information, you are at the whim of the animals.

Are the wild animals dangerous?
The first thing to remember when you pass into a game area, is that you are in a wild and unpredictable environment. None of the animals are tame, none of them are to be approached and certainly NEVER NEVER feed or leave food for an animal. Almost all of the animals can cause serious bodily harm – the dimunitive 10kg Honey Badger is one of the most feared animals across Africa!! If you are in a vehicle, NEVER leave the vehicle without a guides permission. Even if you are in an open top vehicle, it is believed that the majority of animals fail to differentiate between vehicle and person. Whether this is true or not, most animals are habituated to vehicles, and do not see them as a threat (or food!) unless there is a history of poaching in the area.

Are walking safaris safe?
Walking safaris are one of the best ways to get a true bush experience, but at Mud Hut we only advise a walking safari if you are physically fit and able. In rare cases, your guide may ask you scramble for cover or to climb a tree if an animal’s behaviour dictates this. All of our walking safaris include knowledgeable armed guides, but these weapons are almost never used, and injuries by animals are incredibly rare. Your experienced guides will never put you into a position of danger.

Where is the best place to go on safari in southern Africa?
There is no single ‘best place’. Our travel specialists at Mud Hut can assess your interests, budgets and needs, and then advise you on the time of year to travel and the options available to you. Please read our destinations pages.

Can I travel with small children?
Yes – particularly in South Africa, travelling with children is very manageable. All cities have adequately stocked supermarkets and medical facilities. Should you require prams, car seats, baby monitors or sterilizers for your trip, Mud Hut facilitate the hiring of these for the duration of your stay. Please refer to our travel services section on our website. There is generally no minimum age limit for children on safari in the public game reserves in southern Africa. On a private safari, children over the age of eight are accepted, but there are a few exceptions, so please check with us when making an enquiry.

What weather can I expect in southern Africa?
Southern Africa has a summer from September to April and a short winter from May to August. Temperatures and rainfall vary across the region, so please consult our destination guides to see more information for your trip.

When is the best time to go?
With a mild climate, you can travel to southern Africa at any time of year, but with such a large area, varying weather and numerous activities, you will need to make some further enquiries. However, as a rule of thumb, the times around Christmas and Easter are particularly busy, as are the times around South African school holidays (June/July). Do try to avoid these times as prices are cheaper and activities less crowded. Please consult the destination sections on our website for more information.

What forms of payment do you accept?
We prefer direct deposits into our sterling bank account, but we can accept major credit and debit cards. Should you wish to pay in another currency, please speak to one of our travel specialists to make arrangements. This may carry an additional charge.

What protection am I given?
We are in the process of applying for a SATSA bond which will offer you full protection on your deposits before you travel.

Can you book my international flights?
Mud Hut Travel Ltd are affiliated to authorised ATOL flight providers, so we have outsourced this function on our travel services page. The flights that you book on this site are between yourself and the relevant contracting 3rd party and airline. We cannot solve your queries regarding flight bookings, but we will try to assist in any way possible.

SHOULD YOUR QUESTIONS NOT BE ANSWERED ABOVE PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DROP US A MAIL OR PHONE CALL. OUR TRAVEL SPECIALISTS WILL BE ONLY TOO WILLING TO HELP.