TRAVEL TIPS

Safari DO’s and DONTs

Packing

Pack light, Laundry facilities are available throughout your safari.  We have extremely limited space available in the safari vehicles, hence we urge you to pack light for your comfort. Remember your 20 kg limit (30 kg for first and club class travelers) on your return from East Africa.

Luggage Allowances
Remember, if you are staying at one of the 'tree hotels', the cabins are small and you are only allowed to take one small overnight bag with you.  We urge you to only take one soft duffel bag with you as we are unable to accommodate large bags/ cases in our safari vehicles. Safe storage facilities are available for the bulk of your luggage which is stored at the base hotel and retrieved following your return from safari.  If your itinerary includes any flying in light aircraft around East Africa, you are restricted to a maximum of 33 pounds, including hand luggage.  Coastal scheduled light aircraft flights have a limit of 10 kgs per person.

Clothing
Safari attire is casual and comfortable. Dress mainly for outdoor comfort with a change of informal clothes for the evening.  Evenings and early morning can be chilly especially on the mountain areas.  Warm jerseys, socks and walking shoes or sneakers are recommended.  Footwear should be low-heeled and comfortable.  There is not much walking and you stay in your vehicle during game runs.  Bring a light-weight raincoat and a hat for sun protection.  Roof hatches on safari vehicles are left open whilst game viewing.

Spectacles & Contacts
On safari be prepared for bumpy and dusty roads.  These can be an irritant to contact lens wearers.  Eye drops and a spare pair of glasses are a sensible precaution.

Money Exchange
Do not exchange money on the street.  You may be approached by someone willing to give you a 50% to 70% premium for your dollars.  This is what is known as the black market.  It is illegal.  Do NOT therefore, get involved.  Hotels, Camps and Lodges can change money but sometimes their exchange rate is lower.  There are several Foreign Money Shops and banks in town offering competitive rates.

1996 US Dollar bills and those older are no longer acceptable in East Africa. Please carry small denominations especially when traveling outside the main cities

Banking hours
Foreign Money Shops and Banking hours for Banks at International Airports are from 0900 - 1500 Monday through Friday and 0900 - 1200 on Saturdays and few remains open on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Credit Cards
Credit cards such as American Express, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in East Africa Shops, Hotels and in most camps and lodges. Generally a 4% - 5% surcharge might apply for payment by credit card.

Safekeeping of passport and Valuables
Please keep your passport and money ON YOU at ALL times.  Never leave money or valuables in e.g money, passport, flight tickets in your room or in your vehicle.  You can check valuables in security boxes at the hotels and lodges.  Be especially careful whilst in camps and lodges and on special excursions such as boat-rides, walkings etc.  Avoid wearing expensive jewellery (necklaces etc.).

Security
Do not walk around cities at night and apply extra caution on weekends when cities are relatively deserted.  Please take a taxi instead.  Always let a tour member know where you are going when you go off to do your own thing.  Please take the same care - and common sense precautions - that you would do in any other part of the world.

Hustlers
Be careful of the "hustlers" in cities.  You may hear a hard luck story which is designed to get you to donate money to some cause.  We strongly suggest you do not get involved

Communications
You may make international telephone calls home.  Do not however, expect all hotels in East Africa to be able to get through.  Cities are the best place to make these calls.  City  hotels have telex, facsimile machines and internet services.

Punctuality
Please be on time when you meet at your vehicles for game drives so that you can get maximum value for your time spent on safari.

Sun
Our equatorial sun is strong.  Too much can cause dehydration, nausea, dizziness and headaches.  We recommend that you wear sun screen and a hat, as well as a strong pair of dark glasses.  Most of the lodges, with the exception of the 'tree hotels' and some of the permanent camps, have swimming pools.  When sunbathing use common sense.

Drinking water
In cities and on safari, we recommend that you do not drink the water from the taps and even out of the thermos or flasks provided.  We recommend instead, that you purchase bottled water at the lodges.  Use mouthwash to brush and wash your teeth.  Ice is generally frozen from purified water and is ok for consumption.

Food
Food in Africa is delicious, varied and plentiful, succulent crayfish from the Indian Ocean, smoked sailfish (equivalent to smoked salmon), roast beef, lamb, and much more.  East Africa famed fruits abound - pineapples, pawpaw, mangoes, avocados, passion fruits, banana, pears, and strawberries to name a few.   Fresh vegetables are equally abundant.

The hotels, lodges and camps in which you stay are renowned for their high standard of cuisine.  However, a change of climate and traveling can, in a few instances, cause travelers’ diarrhea, a minor complaint not comparable in severity with 'gypie tummy'.  Eating in moderation avoiding cold buffet lunch tables that have been exposed to the mid-day sun, and fasting for a day (whilst drinking plenty of bottled water) should you be stricken, are sensible precautions.

Spirits, beers, wine and cigarettes
They are all available in East Africa. The price of soft drinks and beer is reasonable, whilst imported spirits, wine and cigarette tend to be on the expensive side.

Meal plan
Generally, unless otherwise requested, bed and breakfast is the meal plan provided for in cities, and full board on Safari.  Coast hotels are booked on the meal plan of your choosing.

Anti-malaria medication
We strongly recommend that you take anti-malaria medication.  Malaria is rare in most highland areas, but traveling in the hot bush and coastal areas requires precautions.  If, on your return home, you develop influenza symptoms, please see your doctor immediately as you may well have contracted malaria. Please check with your doctor, pharmacy or clinic what precautions to take before your departure from home.

Medical services
The larger towns in East Africa have pharmacy and hospitals, but you should carry with you adequate supplies of your own medicines and toilet items as in the smaller towns these cannot be obtained.  A spare pair of prescription glasses is recommended.

Hospitals
There are several hospitals in cities and towns staffed by doctors with internationally recognized degrees.  Most city and town hotels have their own house doctors for emergencies, appointments can be made if a doctor is necessary.

Electricity
Most hotels and lodges outside cities and towns generate their own electricity.  However, take a small lightweight flashlight as some generators are usually only run for short periods in the early morning and again in the evening from 1830 to 2230 hrs.  The voltage is 220-240 AC, suitable for appliances with the exceptions of those manufactured in the USA and Canada.

Photography
DO NOT take photographs of the locals without their permission.  NEVER take photographs of military staff in uniform, military institutions, armed forces barracks, policemen, the President, Government officials or airports for security reasons. Always keep your camera loaded and ready for action.  You never know when it is going to start.  If you intend to purchase extra film, we suggest you do so in city/town, as often the safari lodges and camps have limited stock.  You may wish to carry your equipment in a dust-proof bag as the roads can be extremely dusty.

Wild animals
Do please remember that our animals are wild and should never be approached on foot.  Please be alert and cautious in the lodges and camps when walking from your room to the public areas.

Game viewing
Carry binoculars for added pleasure whilst game viewing.

Tipping
Most people, when visiting a foreign country, like to be given some guidelines regarding tipping.  Bearing in mind that tipping is an extremely personal matter, the below are mere guidelines.  Ultimately, expectations are left to the discretion of the individual safari member.  However, if in doubt, please check with either your hostess or safari guide for advice.

Restaurants
These guidelines are for those lunches and dinners you may enjoy on your own; that are not included in your itinerary.  If the menu says 10% service charge included, you do not need to tip.  Otherwise, 10% is considered usual and customary provided you are happy with the service provided.

Drinks
When ordering from the bar waiter, a 10% tip is fair.

Driver-Guides
Ever since the early days of safari-ing, driver-guide and naturalist/ tour guide in Africa have had their expert bush skills acknowledged in the form of tips.  We recommend 5 - 10 dollars per person per day, but this entirely at your own discretion.

Safari guide
The tip for your naturalist/tour guide is entirely discretionary.  A good tip for the guide is determined by the numbers in a group.  We recommend 5 - 10 US dollars per person per day. These tips are payable on the final day of your safari program.

Driver-Guides/Safari Guides
Get to know both your driver-guide and your safari tour guide.  Their knowledge of Africa is a bottomless treasure of travel.  Be friendly.  Sometimes, at the outset of a safari, the driver-guides can be shy and need encouragement to open up.  Ask a lot of questions.  Don't be afraid to make requests of both your driver-guide and your safari tour guide.

Air ticket reconfirmation
Air tickets must be reconfirmed for all domestic and international flights.  We would be delighted to assist.  In order for us to do this, we must be able to personally check your tickets.  We will do all possible to secure your specific seat requests but this cannot be guaranteed.

Flying Doctors Society
The Flying Doctor's Society of Africa has been evacuating patients by air since the 1950's.   In the event of a medical emergency, you will be flown back to the city/town where an ambulance will be waiting to move you immediately to a leading city/town hospital. Evacuations will not be carried out if the nature of the medical complaint is minor.  Please confirm if you have registered.

The safari experience
Please look at any inconveniences with a positive attitude.  Flat tyres, vehicle slipping and a few unexpected delays are all part and parcel of the safari experience.