Simon Reeve shares his top travel tips for Africa and beyond

TV presenter turned tour guide Simon Reeve has travelled the world, and knows just where to go if you want the best value for money.

Former television presenter Simon Reeve now travels professionally, and that means taking no chances with flights.

 

I travel…

Mostly for business in my job with a fantastic boutique tour operator, Epic Private Journeys. Most trips are to our beloved Africa, guiding guests on safaris. We send people on bespoke adventures all over the world – Antarctica, Chile, Galápagos, the Coral Triangle, Nepal, northern India for snow leopards, and soon Norway for polar bears. Epic was founded by a great mate of mine, Brad Horn, in 2003 – we met living in Botswana 25 years ago. After a lifetime in TV as a journalist working across current affairs from Beyond 2000 to sports presenting, it’s special these days to share my passion for places like the Okavango Delta and the Serengeti.

Simon Reeve on safari with his family in Botswana in 2015.

My travels are planned…

Our safaris and adventures are booked by my incredible colleagues. While on the ground we only partner with like-minded people wherever we travel. We know the product we’re selling intimately, having stayed in those tents, that lodge or hotel.

The destination I think is best bang for buck is...

Zimbabwe represents good value in Africa. My daughter swears by Mexico where she and her fiance travelled recently and absolutely loved.

Simon Reeve at Mana Pools on a Zambezi River safari in Zimbabwe in 2009.

Inside my carry-on you’ll always find…

My camera, lenses, batteries, a charger, storage cards and LaCie hard drives. Even if it’s Sydney to Melbourne for a meeting, the camera always goes in first. Photography is therapy for me; it’s a reason for being.

As soon as I check in…

If I’m with an airline where I still have lounge access, I will park there and reorganise my backpack contents for the 28th time that day and still not be able to find my passport when the flight is called.

The plane seat I always choose in economy is...

An aisle and not too far back. Back surgery a few years ago means I get up as often as possible while hopefully not ticking too many people off.

My favourite type of travel companion is…

With guests I’m guiding, you just want them to comprehend the beauty and spirit of the places we go. That might be sitting around a fire in the pre-dawn before a game drive, saying nothing, sipping a coffee, listening to birds. I want people to become fierce protectors of these places, even when they get home.

I like to get to the airport…

I’d get to the airport the day before if that was an option. I spent too many days running to make flights, caught in traffic or security queues, with all the stress that goes with it. If someone says “nah, two and half hours is plenty”, I start trembling and sweating.

I am not a points person…

I could be a record contender for points lost, wasted or unclaimed. Ansett anyone?

Simon Reeve filming Beyond 2000 in 1992.

I pack my suitcase…

I generally still overpack. I pack with total disregard for sound scientific principles. You’d reckon being on Beyond 2000 might have taught me something. Nup.

The one song that’s always on my travel playlist…

I love how music weaves its way into travel memories of happy times. I will say Wave by the great Antônio Carlos Jobim. Brazilians are so cool they even named Rio’s international airport after him.

I always get travel insurance…

How could anyone not, really? Things happen. I had a briefcase stolen in Costa Rica once with everything in it. One: book a ticket. Two: get travel insurance.

Simon Reeve in Tibet in 2014.

My one tip for keeping my items safe is...

Travelling for business in New York last year, I got a money/passport/wallet belt for the first time. It was summer and sweaty on the subway for sure, but good to have that sense you knew where everything was.

The city I always use public transport in is…

New York; it’s brilliant. I felt like a grown-up, on and off at those famous stations, a snapshot of everything that makes New York the unique, dynamic city that it is.

Originally published as Simon Reeve shares his top travel tips for Africa and beyond