Welcome to our Safari Tour FAQ page!

A typical day on safari includes early morning game drives, mid-day breaks, and afternoon or evening game drives. Our expert guides will accompany you to enhance the experience with their knowledge of the wildlife, birds, and natural history of the area.

East Africa is home to the “Big Five" - lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffalo, and rhinos. This term was coined in the late 1800s during Africa's colonial period to refer to what trophy hunters considered to be the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot.

Giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, warthogs, and over 20 species of antelope are also commonly sighted. There are many smaller, lesser-known mammals such as bush babies, hyraxes, civets, caracals, and mongooses. Baboons, vervet monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys are also common. Reptiles include monitor lizards, crocodiles, chameleons, and more.

Each safari is unique, and the thrill of not knowing what lies around the corner is part of the adventure. However, you are guaranteed to witness animals in the wild like never before.

East Africa is a sought-after birding destination for birdwatchers around the world who come there specifically for birding tours. The region is home to more than 1400 species. A 14-day birding tour may yield more than 500 species.

Some of the many bird families that are endemic to Africa include ostrich, guineafowl, secretary birds, hamerkops, mousebirds, turacos, wood-hoopoes, African barbets, indigobirds, and wattle-eyes.

Palearctic migrants from Europe and Asia spend their winters in equatorial Africa from September through April. The beautiful colors, showy head crests, and long tails of countless species are a sight to behold in this tropical wonderland. Our guides are expert ornithologists who know which areas and habitats to find each species. No bird lover will ever go away disappointed.

There are different levels of accommodations, depending on your budget, preference, and your individual itinerary. The available accommodations range from a private mobile tented camp to lodges and luxury tented camps.

The private mobile tented camp is set up in the wilderness parks just for your group, when there are enough guests and a more private, budget-friendly sleeping arrangement is preferred. These mobile camps feature real beds, hot showers, flushing toilets, and a cook on site to prepare the group's meals. The camp is set up ahead of the group's arrival and taken down after their departure.

Most lodges and luxury tented camps are situated within the boundaries of the wilderness parks and offer very comfortable rooms and friendly, welcoming staff. They range from 3 stars to 5-star luxury accommodations. Some of them have swimming pools for midday relaxation and occasionally they offer a view of a watering hole where you can watch the wildlife come to drink.

We use four-wheel drive Safari Land Cruisers and Land Rovers that are made to withstand the road conditions on a safari. Vehicles typically have open center aisles and pop-top roofs which allow our guests the opportunity to stand and enjoy a 360-degree view for better wildlife viewing.

Adjustments can be made to the vehicles in the event we have a tour geared towards wildlife photographers. These adjustments allow for more unobstructed picture-taking. However, our typical tour guests usually prefer the ability to close windows in the event of changing weather, which can include occasional rain or dusty winds, depending on the season.

While we may encounter some nicely paved roads, travel by road can be rougher when leaving the major cities to travel to and from the game viewing parks. Many roads in the wildlife parks are rougher gravel or dirt roads with only some paved roads. Travel to get to the wildlife parks often includes roads with potholes. Drive time to and from the wildlife parks can vary from three hours to six hours, depending on the destination.

If you have back problems we recommend minimizing driving between parks by upgrading to taking internal flights instead. This option is available only for private groups, as the entire group must use the same travel mode. While driving between wildlife parks offers the opportunity to enjoy seeing the countryside, you may prefer to take the internal flights to maximize your comfort level and time spent inside the wildlife parks.

We design our tours to cater to the group's overall fitness level and preferred comfort level.

Flight upgrades are available on select routes for private or custom groups, where the entire group opts for the same travel mode. Unfortunately, individual upgrades are not available on shared group departures. This is perfect for guests who wish to minimize time on the road and maximize time in the bush.

Hotels, lodges, and tented camps in East Africa offer a good selection of international cuisine, as they are used to catering to tourists. Meals range from buffet-style to plates served at your table. Coffee and tea are available with every breakfast. At times we may carry a boxed picnic lunch with us when we are in the field or en route to our next destination. This depends on the itinerary and whether there are days that guests would prefer to spend longer in the field.

Vegetarian meals are available.

If you have special diet requirements or particular food allergies, please discuss these with us ahead of time so we can see how these can be accommodated.

BEST TIME FOR WILDLIFE SAFARIS

June to October (Dry Season):

This is prime safari season. The dry weather draws wildlife to water sources, where they are easily spotted and the vegetation is less dense. This is also the time of the annual Great Migration when millions of wildebeest, zebra, and other animals journey north from the Serengeti in Tanzania to Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve. Rainfall patterns trigger the movement north, in search of fresh grazing and water. It is the largest mammal migration on the planet, drawing hundreds of tourists, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts and the subject of many National Geographic & David Attenborough specials. July to September is a great time to see wildebeest bravely crossing the crocodile infested waters of the Mara River.

January to February (Short Dry Season):

This is another excellent time for safaris and is generally less crowded than the peak safari season (July to October), making it ideal for travelers seeking a more tranquil experience. Game reserves and lodges are quieter, allowing for more intimate wildlife encounters and better photographic opportunities. The scenery is a mix of lush greenery left over from the preceding short rains (November) and gradually drying grasslands. This makes the landscape particularly photogenic, with vibrant contrasts.

November (Short Rains):

This period offers fewer crowds and lush landscapes. Rainfall is lighter and more intermittent compared to the long rains, but it can occasionally disrupt travel plans. The cost of travel may be more budget friendly during this period.

March to May (Long Rains):

This is the heaviest rainy season in East Africa, and best avoided. Some areas become inaccessible due to muddy roads. Wildlife disperses and trekking conditions can be challenging.

BEST TIME FOR BIRDWATCHING

November to April:

This is the prime season for birdwatching, as it coincides with the arrival of migratory birds from Europe and Asia. During this time, East Africa's wetlands, forests, and savannahs come alive with a mix of resident and migratory species. Many birds also display their breeding plumage, making identification easier and sightings more vibrant.

East Africa's wetlands are vital stopovers for migratory birds.

December to February & June to August (Dry Seasons):

These periods are ideal for spotting resident species and for forest birding.

BEST TIME FOR BEACH HOLIDAYS

December to March & July to October:

Coastal areas like Zanzibar (Tanzania) and Kenya's Diani Beach, Malindi, and Lamu Island offer perfect beach conditions during these periods, with warm, sunny weather and calm seas ideal for scuba diving, snorkeling, and relaxation.

Our Land Cruisers seat a maximum of six occupants plus your driver/ guide. Our preferred group size is generally twelve. However, we can accommodate smaller groups with adjusted pricing, as well as larger groups of 18 travelers.

Private, more intimate tours are available upon request but require additional pricing. Please contact us if you would like to enquire about a smaller, more private tour.

Lodges and hotels in major cities often have internet access, but it is slower than what you may be accustomed to in North America, and it can be unreliable. You may also find an internet connection outside major cities, but its speed will likely be slow and frustrating. Enjoy this time to unplug for a little while.

You can use a credit card to pay for extra hotel charges when we are in major cities. However, it's difficult to use a credit card when we stay out in the game parks away from major cities. Charges will be in local currency, so your credit card company may charge you a fee in addition to a poor exchange rate.

Our tour prices do not include international airfare to and from the African continent. Many airlines fly to East Africa, including KLM, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic. Most of these airlines are partners with U.S. carriers, so you may be able to book your complete flight itinerary through a U.S. airline and possibly use airline miles. However, if your tour includes more than one East African country, your transfer flights in between tour destinations ARE included.

If we can pair you up with another single traveler who is willing to share accommodations, then there will be no additional single supplement fee. However, if we are unable to find a suitable traveler to match you with before your trip departure, then the single supplement fee will still apply.

Your safety is a top priority. We design our tours and choose our locations and accommodations with that in mind. It is safe to travel to East Africa, as long as you follow some basic safety precautions and follow safety advice from your tour guide and the hotel reception staff.

If you would not wander around a campsite at night in bear country back home, then don't do it at a tented camp in East Africa. The grounds of many safari lodges and tented camps in East African wilderness parks are protected by an electric fence. However, this is not always the case and it depends on the exact accommodation venue. At night-time, there is often a staff member to escort you to your room. Wandering around the grounds late at night is discouraged. Follow the advice from your guide and the hotel reception.

In major cities and towns, there are parts of town that are best avoided. If you would not wander around some rough neighborhoods in New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles alone, then don't do it in East Africa. Please check with your guide and the hotel reception for safety advice before leaving the hotel.

We recommend drinking only bottled or filtered water during your safari stay. Our accommodations provide safe drinking water for our guests. Drinking tap water is not recommended. Additionally, we suggest using the provided bottled water when brushing your teeth.

Please refer to the U.S. Center for Disease Control or Passport Health USA for current recommendations and health considerations at your destination. We suggest consulting with your physician and local travel health clinic to obtain any necessary vaccinations and/or medications.

The CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of East Africa take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended but not required unless you are traveling from one African country to another and your trip includes multiple African countries.

All of our tours include an emergency medical airlift out of the wildlife parks if there is a medical emergency. However, this does NOT cover the cost of hospitalization or transport out of the country. It is the responsibility of each client to carry travel insurance coverage that covers medical emergencies. In many cases, you may need to purchase additional extended coverage if you want to be medevaced back home or to the country and hospital of your choice.

Hotels and wildlife parks in East Africa take standard precautions with regard to COVID-19. Hotel staff wear masks and get vaccinated where possible. Buffet meals have been suspended and replaced with plated food served at your table, until further notice. There are COVID-19 testing sites within the wildlife parks so that guests can take a rapid COVID test right before returning to the capital for their return flight home. Test results arrive before you board your international flight. In addition, our guides have received vaccinations against COVID-19. While care is taken during your trip to reduce your chances of catching COVID, we highly recommend being vaccinated for COVID-19 and purchasing travel insurance before traveling.

Your insurance will need to cover emergency medical and trip cancellation/ interruption. This is to protect you in case of any unforeseen circumstances either before or during your trip. We strongly recommend that you purchase extended coverage that includes CANCEL FOR ANY REASON insurance.

Travel insurance is mandatory and it is designed to protect you.

Here are a few resources that offer travel insurance to get you started. However, we highly recommend that you do your own research, as we are not experts in travel insurance. A standard travel insurance policy may only get you to the nearest hospital. If you want coverage to get you home to your hospital of choice, we suggest purchasing additional insurance coverage with a company that provides extended coverage, such as Medjet, below.

Travel Insurance Providers:

Allianz Global Assistance

Insure My Trip

World Nomads

Extended Coverage Insurance Provider:

Medjet

Your passport must be current and valid for up to 6 months after the return date of your trip to travel anywhere in East Africa.

Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda require U.S. citizens to purchase a tourist visa for entry. If your trip itinerary includes multiple East African countries, a multiple-country East African Tourist Visa is available, which covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.

We highly recommend acquiring your visa before arrival. Tourist visas are valid for either 30 days or 90 days, depending on the visa. The standard 90-day visa is valid for up to one year from the date of issue, and applications and directions may be found at the respective Embassy websites.

Please see the following links for visa information:

Kenyan Visa

Tanzanian Visa

Ugandan Visa

Rwandan Visa

East African Tourist Visa
for entry into multiple countries - Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda

For additional assistance or express service, we recommend Generations Visa Service which is a third-party visa obtaining service.

The weather in East Africa can vary greatly, depending on the region in which you are traveling. In the highlands and more mountainous regions, daytime temperatures are very pleasant, ranging from approximately 70-85° with little humidity. However, nights typically drop into the 60s, so we recommend extra layers.

Along the coast, the weather is quite hot and humid.

Overall, guests should prepare for changing temperatures and bring clothes for warmer weather and also extra layers for cooler temperatures. We suggest having a mid-weight sweater/jacket, hat, and gloves on early morning game drives before the day has warmed up.

We also recommend bringing a waterproof poncho or jacket year-round, especially during the rainy season.

Recommended items include:

• 8x40 / 8x42 binoculars

• a field guide such as Mark Nolting’s African Safari Field Guide

• a camera with a telephoto lens

• sunglasses

• sun hat - wide brim hat recommended

• sunscreen

• moisture-wicking, quick-dry shirts

• good walking shoes/hiking boots (for nature walks or hikes)

• flip flops (for around a pool or in your room)

• a bathing suit for hotel swimming pools

• a backpack for day use

• a durable soft duffle bag for packing into the safari vehicle (hard suitcases are left in hotel storage)

• flashlight or headlamp

• power adapter that fits UK-style electrical sockets

• insect repellant (30% DEET or above for anti-malaria use)

• anti-malarial medication (get prescription from your doctor)

• basic medical kit (aspirin, band-aids, Imodium, antiseptic /anti-histamine cream)

• anti-nausea tablets

• antihistamine tablets

• Pepto-Bismol and antacids

• wet wipes

• hand sanitizer

Download our complete printable packing list HERE.

Additionally, we encourage all our guests to help us support local education, health, and wildlife initiatives by bringing some small supplies to donate during your tour. For information on which supplies are most needed, please look up your destination on the Pack for a Purpose site.

Yes, we offer customizable and private safari options tailored to your specific interests and preferences. If there is a group consensus to focus on a unique interest, we will do our best to make that happen. Our guides are knowledgeable in all areas and we design our tours with you in mind. Please contact us for more details.