• Languages
• Luggage
• Insurance and Air Medivac
• Transport by Road and Air
• Accommodations
• Meals and Beverages
• Clothing
• Immigration
• Photography
• Seasons
• Malaria

Languages

English is spoken widely. Swahili is the 'lingua franca' throughout the East Africa region. Many hotel and lodge staff speak some German, French and Italian.

Luggage

Keep to a minimum. One normal sized suitcase plus hand luggage. Non rigid soft type cases are best for loading into vehicles and aircraft. On shuttle and charter flights luggage is restricted to 15 kilos per person.

Insurance and Air Medivac

Ensure adequate travel insurance. Luggage is sometimes mislaid by airlines so place personal medication in hand luggage. We recommend joining the local Flying Doctor Service, which we can arrange to cover Kenya and Tanzania.

Transport by Road and Air

Comfortable 7/8 seater safari radio equipped minibuses and 4x4 vehicles both fitted with photographic hatch roofs. Experienced English speaking African driver/guides conduct safaris. The vehicles are in radio contact with base and each other.

We recommend an element of scheduled air shuttle and/or charter flying since this saves time and avoids long driving distances over often indifferent roads. Aircraft can be twin engined (except for some strips) flown by very experienced pilots. Most areas have several landing strips and lodges/camps offer 4 x 4 transport for use of fly-in guests.

Accommodations

Excellent "hotels-in-the-bush" safari lodges very well appointed. Comfortable permanent tented safari camps, international class hotels in capital cities. Mostly en suite and often with private verandas, pools, dining and bar areas. Accommodation on Safari

Meals and Beverages

East Africa is agricultural and grows a wide variety of foodstuffs. Numerous fine restaurants offer international menus in the main centres, whilst safari lodges and camps surprise guests with excellent meals. Local purified bottled water, award wining beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks are all readily available.

Clothing

Should be casual and comfortable. There is no "dressing up" on safari. A sweater or light jacket recommended for cool mornings and evenings. Sun hat and sun protection recommended. Shoes light and comfortable.

Immigration

Valid passports required plus visas. Obtain through visa service or from Embassy/High Commission. Visas are obtainable at arrival but this can be time consuming.

Photography

A telephoto lens is essential for wildlife pictures, 135 mm up to 300mm produce best results. Large lens create problems of steadiness. A dust proof bag and cleaning equipment are important since dusty conditions are common. Various makes and speeds of film are available locally but best to bring your own choice. (Photography of the President or government installations prohibited).

Seasons

• July - September busy high season - light rain possible.
• October, November are shoulder months with possibility of rain.
• December - March busy high season - mostly dry.
• April - June low season with often considerable rain.

However, with the advent of global warming weather patterns are changing.

Malaria

Endemic in certain areas. All visitors strongly recommended to take a prophylactic. Consult a doctor or disease control centre for advise.

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