Namibia: Self Drive Safari

Thank you for choosing to travel with us

Art Safari is a unique way of travelling, a world leader in creative adventures.  We pride ourselves in being professional artists as well as being a professional tour operator.

Combining travel, art, adventure and huge amounts of inspiration and fun since 1999, Art Safari leads plein air painting holidays to destinations worldwide.  Founded by artist Mary-Anne Bartlett, Art Safari has leads tours in Africa, Asia, Europe as well as Antarctica and the Arctic.  Each year we have of wide selection of tours, often including India, Japan, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Morocco, Galapagos, France and Italy. 

Colour, shape and action in magical wildlife, wilderness and city destinations

Your travel sketchbooks will become visual diaries, full of the wonders of the world.  Art Safari is for all those inspired to paint by travel and wildlife. 

Whether you are a beginner, or you are already an experienced artist, Art Safari’s professional team of tutors and guides will encourage you to sit, look, sketch, observe, soak up the atmosphere and produce many sketches and paintings of your new environment.  Our tutors include Mary-Anne Bartlett, John Threlfall, James Willis, Jackie Garner, Karen Pearson, Shelly Perkins, Mark Boyd, Julia Cassels, Darren Rees, Roger Dellar, Maxine Relton, Vicki Norman, Tom Shepherd and Claudia Myatt. 

Your safari guide will show you the wonders of Malawi, and you will enjoy learning all about Malawian culture, and all about the natural world that will surround you on this wonderful tour.

Take in detail, observe, learn and collect memories in sketches and paintings

Art Safari’s holidays are for creative explorers: artists, writers, photographers and non-painters.  Whether travelling on your own or not, you are welcomed into a like-minded group and you can be assured of inspiration, good food, comfort and style. 

Photographers and non-painters will experience new ways of seeing from the art tutor as well as enjoying all the benefits of relaxed wildlife viewing and personal safari guiding – brilliant for photography, bird watching and learning more about nature. 

Art Safari also operates a separate tour company Close Encounters for private tailor-made holidays:  our team of specialists will introduce you to experts in nature worldwide as well as organise dreamy tours, honeymoons and specialist travel. 

The painting holiday of a lifetime

We know that you have moved mountains to make this trip possible and our team here in the UK and out in Malawi will do everything to make it as special as possible.  Please tell your tour leader if we can improve on anything. 

With all the memories, paintings, sketches and photos, your safari in Malawi will stay with you forever.  We hope that you enjoy it to the full, making the most of every moment.  When you come back, keep in mind that we’re planning new destinations all the time, so feel free to ask about what’s coming up – or even to suggest new routes!  

‘Habari Safari!’  Have a good trip!

ART SAFARI TRAVELLER’S CODE

Art Safari believes that this code of travel will not only benefit travellers’ themselves, but also the people and environments of the country they are visiting. Through preparation and understanding, all those who travel with Art Safari can expect to have a wonderful and meaningful trip, secure in the knowledge that they are showing a high regard for the people and culture of their chosen destination.

BEFORE YOU GO

• To really get the most out of your trip, do some research on the places you will be visiting. Forewarned is forearmed, and it is really useful to be aware of the different cultural practices and taboos of the country you are visiting. Local music and literature can help you to get a feel for the place before you go, as well as the ever-useful guidebook.
• Language can often be a barrier to understanding and tolerance, and even learning just a few phrases of the local lingo can be of tremendous benefit for you. Often, people find the doors are opened to an even more ‘real’ holiday experience.

MONEY & COSTS

Different places have different cultures with regards to costs, tipping and service charges, bartering, begging, guides, and tourist services. Guidebooks normally have sections explaining these things, and they are worth paying attention to, so you do not offend anyone or encourage a practice that authorities are trying to wipe out.

Local and community run guided tours are great to go on for educational value, and for the precious input they create for the benefit of local communities.

• Be aware, in particular, of giving to children begging. Very often they are not the beneficiaries of your donation, and it also means they are less likely to go to school if they earn more for their family whilst begging.
• Try to ensure that as much of your money as possible stays in the local community by buying local produce and souvenirs wherever possible, and not international brands. Sometimes, as much as 90 pence spent in every pound by tourists can end up outside the host country.
• When bargaining, remember that small amounts can mean a lot more to the vendor than to you, so try to keep it lighthearted!  Remember how wealthy you will often be in comparison with the local people.
• Try to have a good supply of notes in small denominations of US dollars and local currency.

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT & RESOURCES

• Respect the environment by taking your litter back to your lodge, by recycling as much as possible and by taking waste such as batteries back to your home country where disposal services are more available. 
• Please resist collecting animal and vegetable mementos: do not pick wildflowers and plants, do not collect items which may spread disease such as feathers and bones, seeds etc.
• If you smoke, take an old film canister for storing your butt-ends until you can find a bin. Be careful with cigarette butts and used matches. They can easily start a fire in tinder dry grasslands.
• If you go on a safari, or visit national parks, remember to stick to the routes the guides set, or the paths set out on the guide map. This will help preserve wildlife and natural habitats. Please avoid buying products that are made from endangered animals and plants.
• Most hotels and guesthouses have a policy of washing bed sheets and towels every three days to minimise the impact that washing can have. Washing has a big impact on water consumption and detergents damage the environment.
• Conserve water.  Conserve energy.  Try to use as little water and electricity as possible, not just in the hotels, but also during every part of your trip. Water is precious. A simple thing like not running the tap whilst cleaning teeth and turning the shower off whilst soaping yourself, can save a great deal of water.

CULTURE & PHOTOGRAPHY

• Photographs can be the most memorable souvenirs of a holiday, and many people want to take lots. However, please do remember it can be offensive to take someone’s picture without their permission. Sometimes a souvenir postcard has a better picture, and also supports the local economy.
• Cultural differences should be appreciated, and cultural practices adopted wherever possible, without seeming patronising.  
• It is wise to know the local laws on drinking and drugs, and to obey them at all times. Quite often, alcohol and drugs are seen to be culturally offensive, as well as being dangerous to you.

RESPECTING WILDLIFE

There are certain rules and regulations that one should be aware of while on safari. Your safari guide also adheres to the park rules and is bound by them for your safety and in order to keep his/her guiding licence.  One of the highlights of most safaris is going on game drives and bush walks, where you get the opportunity to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat. However, it is vitally important that you remember to respect the natural surroundings and wildlife. The following are some guidelines you should follow:

Wildlife can be dangerous. Remember that your guide is an expert, so always follow his/her advice and ask questions if you are unsure of anything.

Please respect your driver / guide's judgment about your proximity to certain wild animals.  Don't insist that they take the vehicle closer, so you can get a better photograph or sketch.  A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt, or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.

Observe the animals quietly and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities (even if other vehicles around you don’t!). 

Never interfere with the natural behaviour of the animals.  Never attempt to attract an animal's attention.  Don't imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects.

Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot.  This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.

Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is unsightly.

Please refrain from smoking on game drives.  The dry bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can kill many animals.

Do not remove any natural material from wildlife reserves. This disrupts the ecology of the area and promotes the spreading of diseases amongst domestic animals and crops.