FAQ
So what exactly is adventure travel?
The answer to this question depends on whom you ask, but we believe that adventure travel takes place when you immerse yourself in a new place and take the time to soak in new experiences so that you will have meaningful, authentic encounters throughout your travels. Check out our article What is Adventure Travel? for more details about how we at Lark Tours define adventure travel.
Is it safe to travel in southern Africa?
In short, the answer is yes. Check out our article The Truth About Crime in South Africa for an in-depth look at crime in South Africa as it pertains to travelers. To further decrease the chances of any potential problems, it is also important that you follow some simple guidelines and use common sense at all times. For more details on how to do this, see our article entitled Safety and Precautions in Southern Africa.
What is included in my Lark Tours adventure?
We include all meals, all accommodations, all activity/entry fees, complimentary flight arrangements, ground transportation, all gratuities, comprehensive trip insurance, and more as a part of each travel package. There are no hidden costs that show up after the trip has been booked. We want to be as up-front as possible and make your vacation with Lark Tours stress-free. One of the things we like to tell prospective travelers it that when you come with Lark Tours, you can practically leave your wallet at home.
I hear that FIFA World Cup 2010 is going to be in South Africa. Is that true?
Yes, South Africa has the incredible honor of hosting one of the world’s most popular sporting events, which attracted 5.9 billion viewers worldwide during World Cup 2006. Check out our article FIFA World Cup 2010 for more information.
How many people are in each of your travel groups?
We like to keep our groups small, with no more than 12-14 people. For our Namibia trips, the maximum group size is 10 since we are traveling using a fleet of 4WD off road vehicles, which have limited space. Our goal at Lark Tours is to be able to give you as much individual attention as possible. Traveling in smaller groups allows for this. It also gives us more flexibility and makes us look less like a group of tourists.
Can Lark Tours assist in booking my flights?
Absolutely. We will be more than happy to do so. We offer complimentary flight arrangement services, at no additional charge, when you book one of our vacations. With the help of our flight specialists, we are able to find the flights you need, usually for less than you can find as an individual. See our Flight Information page for more details.
Can you accommodate my special dietary requirements?
Usually it is no problem for us to meet your special dietary requirements, although some destinations have limitations. Be sure to discuss your needs with us when you sign up for your trip.
Can I customize my own trip?
Yes. At Lark Tours we would love to help you put together your dream vacation. We encourage families, couples, or groups of friends with similar interests to talk to us about arranging such an adventure. These trips can be set up around a particular theme such as golf, surfing, hunting, or cultural and humanitarian interests, or we can make sure you get to see and experience all the things that you enjoy. Regardless of your interests, we can help arrange your dream vacation. See our Customized Trips page or contact us directly for more details.
What kind of weather can I expect?
Southern Africa, much like the U.S., has quite a variety of weather depending on the time of year you travel as well as where you visit. For example, the Cape Peninsula has a Mediterranean climate. Here is where you will find the winelands and Cape Town. In parts of South Africa and Namibia there are regions of desert. There are other areas, such as northeast South Africa and eastern Mozambique, which are semi-tropical. All this to say, the weather varies greatly so before you embark on a trip with us we will advise you on the appropriate clothing to bring. The seasons in South Africa are opposite of the seasons in the U.S. Christmas is in the middle of the summer.
For current, detailed weather information in any region of Africa visit the BBC World Weather Center.
Will I encounter language barriers?
Even though there are many languages that are spoken all across southern Africa (South Africa alone has eleven official languages), you will rarely have problems with language barriers. Most people speak some level of English and for those Africans who may only have a slight understanding of the English language, they still love practicing with visitors.
Can I not just arrange these trips on my own?
You could for the most part, though not always. Consider the incredible amount of time, stress, and know-how it takes to put a trip together in a foreign country. If you are not familiar with southern Africa, this process will be even more challenging. We at Lark Tours, using our knowledge of southern Africa and our many contacts, have put together a relaxing, fun, and competitively-priced vacation that will allow you to save all the time and headaches that traditionally go into planning such a trip. Simply call us, book your adventure, and be on your way!
Are your trips physically challenging?
Unless otherwise stated, our trips are gauged to accommodate the average, moderately healthy adult. For the most part, there will be lots of walking and some easy hiking. Do note, traveling is always more enjoyable if you are in good physical shape. We suggest that before you travel with us that you spend some time doing some simple walking, bicycling, and maybe even some jogging. We will be more than happy to make some suggestions on how to physically prepare yourself.
Keep in mind that some of our trips are easier or more difficult than others, as depicted by the difficulty rating. We will be happy to discuss the difficulty rating on a trip-by-trip basis.
Are there age limits for guests?
Our trips are targeted at travelers ages 12 years and above. We can accommodate younger guests, though there are some locations where we must make special arrangements to do so. Also, they may find some aspects of our trips to be boring. For example, some of our historical and cultural activities may not entertain the younger clientele. If you do have younger children and would like to bring them along, we will be glad to discuss this with you. For older travelers, our policy is simply that anyone whose health allows them to be active is welcome to join us.
What if I want to go on one of your trips but I do not have a travel partner?
There are two options: you can pay the single supplement, which means you will have a room to yourself for the duration of the trip. Or, if you are interested, we will work to pair you with someone else that also does not have a travel partner. This would, of course, be subject to availability.
Are there any meals you do not provide?
No. Lark Tours provides all meals for the duration of the trip, which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
What is your smoking policy?
We ask that you adhere to any guidelines or rules that might be in place at the establishments that we visit. We also ask that you be aware of the needs of non-smokers as well, especially in confined area such as vehicles. We will be sure to provide plenty of opportunity for our travelers that smoke to do so.
Will I have my own bathroom?
For the most part, yes. Though there are portions of some of our trips where there are shared facilities. For example, on some of our hiking trips and off-road explorations you may have to share some facilities. Please call us for specific details for any of our trips if this is a concern to you.
Do you provide any alcohol on your trips?
For liability reasons, we do not provide alcohol on our trips. Therefore, if you choose to purchase alcohol with a meal or otherwise, this will be something you will need to pay for on your own.
