validity: 01/01/2011 to 31/12/2011
Welcome to real life experiences... we hope that you enjoy exploring the world as much as we do.
Africa is truly the cradle of life. Roam the famous SerengetiNational Park, nearly 15,000 sq km of rolling savannah that shelters an astounding array of animals from miniature dik-dik antelopes to the noble African elephant and spot wildlife among the ethereal vistas from atop the Ngorongoro Crater. This is also a human journey that puts you among Kenya and Tanzania's bustling markets and plantations and in the valleys once inhabited by humankind's earliest ancestors. If you want to experience some of the most superb game viewing in Africa, then this will truly be a week to remember.
Itinerary
Day 1 Nairobi
Jambo! Welcome to Kenya.
You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the welcome meeting tonight at 6pm. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. Your leader will collect your kitty and check your passport and insurance details at this meeting.
After the group meeting there is the option of joining the group for dinner
Nairobi - a Masai word for 'Place of Cool Waters' - has a cosmopolitan atmosphere. There are plenty of good bars and restaurants. Markets and shops have most things you could need or want, as well as various arts and crafts from the region.
If you arrive early why not head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum (author of Out of Africa), or Bomas (displays of traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes in an outdoor village).
Day 2 Kisii
This morning we board our safari truck and travel west. Crossing the incredibly scenic Great Rift Valley on the way to the tea-growing highlands is a fantastic introduction to the beautiful landscapes of Kenya. We also pass through the ancient homeland of the Masai. Keep a look out for these tall, graceful tribesmen dressed in distinctive scarlet robes, tending to their prized herds of cattle.
We stop for a picnic lunch in the town of Narok where we will pick up our fellow passengers who have previously completed an eight day trip around Kenya.
We make our final stop near the hilltop town of Kisii, our last chance to stock up on supplies before heading into the African wilderness. Today's drive will take approximately 8 - 9 hours (310 km) and the roads are pretty rough!
Tonight we camp with hot/cold showers and flush toilets. If we arrive late you may be accommodated in very simple share style rooms with en suite (bedding provided).
Day 3 Lake Victoria
We begin a day with a visit to a one of this area's famous soapstone carving co-operatives. You can watch the master craftsmen at work and perhaps pick up a few hand-carved souvenirs while you're here.
We then travel towards the border between Kenya and Tanzania, with our final destination being the shores of Lake Victoria (250 km, approx 7-8 hours).
Lake Victoria is Africa biggest lake, the world's biggest tropical lake and the second biggest fresh water lake on earth. The lake's shores are shared by Kenya,, Tanzania and Uganda.
We will spend the night camping on the shores of the lake, at one of its least visited campgrounds on the outskirts of a small town called Musoma.
After setting camp, there are plenty of activities to choose from. You may wish to hire bicycles for a fascinating local experience from handlebar height, hire a boat and visit a local island, visit an African market place for a chance to interact with the people of Musoma or you may prefer to just chill out with a cold drink lakeside.
Tonight's camp has showers and flush toilets.
Days 4-5 SerengetiNational Park
Today we cover 100 km from Lake Victoria to the gate of the SerengetiNational Park on a smooth road before enjoying our picnic lunch at the entrance to the Serengeti.
The next 120 km is completed driving through the Serengeti and the driving will be slow as we game drive our way to our campsite. We reach our bush camp in the heart of the park at around 6pm.
The Serengeti National Park is world-famous for the quality of its game viewing. We spend two days exploring the vast grass plains, rock outcrops (kopjes) and sparsely wooded river valleys of this wonderful park - a haven for lions, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeest, zebras, giraffes and gazelles. For the ultimate safari experience we search for animals in the early morning and late afternoon, when most creatures come out to feed.
On our second day here we awaken at dawn to begin our game drive. We will head out while the animals are at their most active and head back to camp for brunch around 11am. After spending the day relaxing (just like the animals do) we head out again as the day begins to cool for our dusk game drive, returning in time for another delicious camp dinner.
For an unforgettable experience you might like to do an optional sunrise balloon ride over the Serengeti. If you have pre-booked this activity (please see Important Notes) you will be picked up, driven to the launch site, receive a safety briefing from your pilot and help inflate the balloon. You then float over the Serengeti as the sun comes up, gaining an overview of the immensity of the Serengeti, seeing the abundance of wildlife in their early morning activity, and sometimes descending to tree height providing amazing wildlife photography opportunities. Upon landing and before being returned to your accommodation you'll be treated to a five star bush breakfast.
These nights we bush camp with drop toilets and cold showers. We camp within the Serengeti itself so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.
Responsible Travel Note:
You will notice many Masai villages in the region of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater. While it is of course fascinating to visit different cultures, past experience has shown that these villages exist primarily as businesses. You will be charged an entry fee of approx. US$20 and the Masai will try very hard to sell souvenirs to you. While many clients still enjoy the experience, others have found it artificial and uncomfortable. We would very much prefer that clients choose to bypass this activity as we feel it negatively impacts the Masai culture and your perception of this culture. Unfortunately the tourist village business is such a high earner that we have been unable to find an Masai experience in Tanzania, which is disappointing for all.
Day 6 Ngorongoro Crater
This morning we game drive out of the park, leaving around lunchtime, as we continue our journey to the Ngorongoro Crater (80 km, approx 3 hours). Along the way we stop at Olduvai Gorge, better known as the Cradle of Mankind, where some of the world's oldest humanoid skeletons were discovered.
Our campsite on the rim of the crater overlooks jagged volcanic peaks and rolling grasslands thousands of feet below - you can be sure that there are few campsites in the world that have a better view than this. Our campsite has drop toilets and cold showers.
Day 7 Meserani
After an early breakfast, we descend to the crater floor 600 m below the rim travelling in smaller 4x4 vehicles accompanied by a local driver.
A huge, perfectly intact volcanic crater, Ngorongoro is home to some 30,000 animals including endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent game viewing all year round and the photographic opportunities here are unrivalled.
After lunch we make our way out of the crater and towards the small village community of Mto Wa Mbu where we will have the chance to look around the town and visit the local market. You may wish to take the chance to indulge in a spot of shopping, with wood carvings and local artwork a speciality of this area.
We then continue on to tonight's campsite in Meserani, on the outskirts of Arusha (140 km, approx 5-6 hours) .
Tonight we camp with flush toilets and showers.
Day 8 Nairobi
Today we set off early, heading for the border with Kenya and on to Nairobi (390 km, approx 9-10 hours). We expect to arrive back in Nairobi around 6pm in the afternoon. On arrival in Nairobi you can be dropped at our finishing point hotel.
No accommodation is provided for tonight, but we are able to book you additional accommodation in Nairobi. Please ask at time of booking.
Important:
Please do not book any international flights until after 9pm this evening.
Today is a transport day to Nairobi. You can finish your trip in Arusha this morning if you wish to travel further in Tanzania or catch a flight.
Itinerary Disclaimer
The itinerary attached is correct at time of printing. Please note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research. Our brochure is usually released in November each year. As such the information given in this itinerary may be slightly different to that in the brochure. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you print and review a final copy of your Trip Notes a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Culture Shock Rating
The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English is not common and the food will be quite different to what you are used to. It is important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals' standard of living may be confronting.
Physical Rating
Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.
Physical Preparation
There are many long hours spent driving on rough roads on all Africa itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate daily distance covered and how long this normally takes to drive in hours so that you can choose the safari experience which is right for you.
African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While it is certainly our aim to avoid them, it is important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the Africa adventure.
The step up into the overland truck, while not overly high can become tiring and you need to judge yourself to be physically fit enough to haul yourself up and down at least 8-10 times a day, as can the constant setting and packing up of camp.
Included Activities
This is a list of included activities on this trip. All other activities are optional and at your own expense. For a list of optional activities and sightseeing available on this trip, see the optional activities section below. If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary, the cost will not be refunded.
Soapstone carving cooperative & local lunch- en-route to Lake Victoria
Musoma market visit - en-route to Lake Victoria
Games drives - Serengeti National Park
Olduvai Gorge - en-route to Ngorongoro Crater
Game drive - Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
Visit Mto Wa Mbu village and market - en-route to Meserani
Optional Activities
We list the following optional activities for your information. This is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only.
They are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by usor included in price of this trip. If you do any of them, you do so at your own risk and it must be clearly understood that your participation is your own decision and does not form part of your contract with us
The receipt of commissions or kickbacks in exchange for recommending particular shops or services is ingrained in the culture of the African tourism industry. Rather than turn a blind eye to this unavoidable issue in some areas our partner has established a centralised fund whereby contributions from suppliers are distributed between The Foundation, your crew and for overall staff amenities. Details of these arrangements will be provided by your leader on request.
While our partner endeavours to ensure that these suppliers and services maintain reasonable levels of quality, please note recommended suppliers are chosen based on past travellers feedback and experiences and our partner cannot explicitly guarantee the quality or safety of the product or activity.
A priority in establishing this fund is that the experience of you our traveller is not compromised in any way. Please let us know via the feedback form completed after your trip if we are successfully meeting this objective.
Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi - US$14
Giraffe Centre, Nairobi - US$12
NNP Animal orphanage & Safari walk, Nairobi - US$20
Carnivore Restaurant, Nairobi - US$35-40
Bomas, Nairobi - US$10
National Museum, Nairobi - US$14
Bike excursion around Musoma with local guide (approx 3 hours), Lake Victoria - US$20
Boat ride (to charter the whole boat), Lake Victoria - US$200
Balloon ride, Serengeti - US$500 (must be pre-booked see Important Notes)
Please note - some of the above optional activities require you to hire your own means of transport (4x4). The prices vary but start from about US$80 per day.
Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Tipping
If you are happy with the services provided a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations. We recommend that any tips are given to the intended recipient by a member of your group, rather than collected and passed on by the group leader.
The following amounts are based on local considerations and feedback from our past travellers:
Restaurants: Please check the bill and if there?s an addition of 10% service charge, there?s no requirement for tipping. Otherwise, 10% of the total bill amount is appropriate.
Local markets and basic restaurants - leave the loose change.
Local guides/Porters: Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your leader. We suggest US$ 1 per person, per day for local guides/porters.
Your Crew (including the leader, cook and driver): You may also consider tipping your crew for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline US$ 2-3 per person, per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Kitty
A trip kitty of USD $380 CASH per person will be required
On some overland trips you contribute to a kitty. The Kitty is an on-ground payment put into a central fund and overseen by travellers and the crew. On some trips it is compulsory while on others it is an optional contribution. It helps fund accommodation, camp meals and some included activities. Kitty amounts are subject to change to reflect local price increases.
Your kitty will be collected when you arrive for your trip either one the 1st day or in stages throughout your trip. Refer to your trip notes for exact details.
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Important Notes
Flexible Itineraries:
We must emphasize that the routes, activities and places visited or described in these Trip Notes are intentions and are meant as a rough guide only. We intend following the route detailed but exact night stops cannot be guaranteed. It sometimes happens that we decide to make a change to our basic planned itinerary. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, road or bureaucratic conditions may demand it. Or it may be because we find a better, more interesting route. While actually en route, unexpected hospitality, a local festival or a great place to chill out can determine our exact route and itinerary on any given trip.
Overnight stops and driving distances each day may vary to best suit the needs of the group.
Group composition:
The minimum age for this trip is 18 years old and bookings for minors, even if accompanied by a parent, cannot be accepted.
An optional sunrise balloon ride in the SerengetiNational Park is possible on this itinerary. Please see days 4-5 for full details of activity. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited and must be booked in advance. Please enquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity.
Group Size
Maximum of 22 travellers per group
Accommodation
Hotel (1 nt), participatory camping (6 nts)
Accommodation on this trip is mainly in two person dome tents. (Please refer to the Checklist to see if you require a mattress or sleeping bag.
The type and variety of accommodation is determined by conditions on each of our routes. Each route is different ? on some we use a mixture of campsites and wild camps; on others we also use hotels.
In Africa it is not usually practical to camp when staying in towns and cities so we use hotel accommodation and eat out in local restaurants.
There may be the occasional night stop, when staying in the grounds of a hotel, or at a campsite which may also have cabins available. In this case there may be a choice of camping or upgrading to a room (at additional cost).
Campsites do have facilities but are usually not to the same standard as you would find in western countries. For example the bathroom facilities can be very basic (the toilets may be squat style hole in the ground). There is rarely toilet paper provided and shower facilities can be as simple as a hose pipe spurting out cold water.
Wild camps have no facilities at all.
Not all campsites are as basic as this description; it's just to make sure there are no surprises for you.
are the accommodation styles available for this trip.
Meals
While travelling with us you will experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. On our camping trips we often cook the region's specialties so you don't miss out. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Please check the 'meal inclusions' section of these notes for details of meals included.
Allow USD $20 for meals not included.
Meal Inclusions
All meals while camping
When travelling on an Overland trip you have chosen a participation camping tour. This means that you will be helping your cook prepare meals for the group. You may also get the chance to help with the shopping!
Your cook (east Africa only) will come up with meal ideas and quantities needed for large groups. Participating in the camp is usually done on a duty roster system with group of 5 or 6 people (depending on group size) having a different camp job each day. If you have any dietary requirements please tell us at the time of booking and also remind your crew at your welcome meeting.
A typical camp breakfast might be toast with spreads, cereal and something hot such as eggs or pancakes as well as tea and coffee.
Lunch is almost always a sandwich with healthy salad and assorted fillings, sometime with fruit to follow. There may be a chance on occasion to buy your lunch.
Dinner might be a BBQ, rice dish, pasta dish and there is always the chance to try some African food such as ugali/pap and stew.
One thing is sure; you definitely won't go hungry or lose weight on your safari! When you are not camping you will have the freedom to decide where, what and with whom you eat.
Please Note: On the more remote sections of your trip (for example: West Africa & North Africa), your food and diet will be dependent on what is available locally as well as tinned and dry ingredients.
Transport
Overland truck, 4x4 safari vehicle
Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles. fleet of vehicles varies depending on your group size, trip route and style.
Please Note: In South Africa some departures may use vans and luggage trailers subject to group size and vehicle availability
Group Leader
On this trip you will be accompanied by 3 crew members - Group Leader, Cook and Driver.
Our partner runs some of their basic overland trips in conjunction with their partners Dragoman Overland (please refer to Trip Notes (Important Notes) to see if your trip is run in conjunction with Dragoman) and as such the demographics of the crew may vary on each departure - if you are travelling on a departure your crew will usually be Kenyan; if you are travelling on a Dragoman-operated departure your crew will be Westerners with an African cook.
Your Group Leaders role involves organizing the overall operation and smooth-running of the trip, managing trip logistics, coordinating the kitty (where applicable) and will form work groups to take turns cooking, cleaning and shopping. (From time to time your leader may drive as well)
Your Group Leader will work towards making the trip as safe and enjoyable as possible for all travellers. These trips are built around the cooperation and participation of all the group members under the supervision of the group leader. The group leader will show the group how to set up and use the equipment.
While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting, especially when tracking and identifying game - we think it's the best of both worlds. Regardless of the country of origin, the Group Leaders are chosen for their leadership skills and are wonderful ambassadors for our company and our beautiful continent and its people.
Your Cook is responsible for the cooking and will help to coordinate the work groups for preparing the meals and washing up! Cooks are also responsible for organizing food shopping (they are always happy to have you on board) and most importantly, they make sure high hygiene standards are kept at all times while camping.
Your Drivers main responsibility is to get you to your destination safely; they are also responsible for the maintenance of the vehicles along the way.
Everyone is expected participate and carry their share of the workload/duties, making camp chores easier. The duties Rota system is adopted where all members share in general camp duties cooking, shopping, washing up etc.
If the whole group participates it will be quicker, easier, and more fun.
We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader and crew; however, situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders.
Joining Point (subject to change)
Kivi Milimani Hotel
Milimani Road
Nairobi
00100
Kenya
Phone: +254-20-2722358
Fax: +254-20-2724685
Our Joining Point Hotel
The Kivi Milimani hotel is very simple but clean, comfortable and safe. All rooms have en suite with hot water. The hotel's surroundings are lovely with a pool area perfect for relaxing and groovy retro (but original!) 70's bar and restaurant.
Joining Point Instructions
If you have pre-booked a transfer please look out for our representative holding a Guerba board with your name at the arrival terminal.
If you fail to see our representative walk to the Europcar desk which is located diagonally across on the far right hand side of the arrival terminal and request your transfer.
If you are making your own way to the hotel, there is a taxi stand outside the airport building. A taxi should cost approximately USD 20, and must be paid in Kenyan Shillings.
Arrival Complications
We don't expect any problems (and nor should you!) but if for any reason you are unable to commence your
group trip as scheduled, please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader.
If you have pre-booked an airport transfer (where available) and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing
customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions in the Trip
Notes. Should this occur, please apply to your travel agent for a refund of the transfer cost on your return.
No refund is available on missed transfers or portions of your trip owing to a different flight arrival or delayed flight arrival. Any
additional cost incurred in order to meet up with your group is at your own expense.
Finishing Point (Subject to change)
Kivi Milimani Hotel
Milimani Road
Nairobi
00100
Kenya
Phone: +254-20-2722358
Fax: +254-20-2724685
Our Finishing Point Hotel
The Kivi Milimani hotel is very simple but clean, comfortable and safe. All rooms have en suite with hot water. The hotel's surroundings are lovely with a pool area perfect for relaxing and groovy retro (but original!) 70's bar and restaurant.
Finishing Point Instructions
If you have pre booked a departure transfer please inform your leader and they will notify you of your departure transfer time.
It is possible to book taxis to the airport via our hotel- please enquire at the reception. The approximate price will be around USD 20 in Kenyan shillings.
Emergency Funds
Please also make sure you have access to an additional USD$400, to be used when unforeseen incidents or circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster, civil unrest or an outbreak of bird flu) necessitate a change to our planned route.
Visas
Please note that visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change. It is important that you check for yourself.
KENYA
Kenyan visas are required by most nationalities. Visas are available at point of entry to most nationalities. Some nationalities require visas to be purchased in advance - you MUST check before departure. If you plan to purchase your visas on arrival you will need new (post 2003), clean American dollars cash and the cost is around USD50. All nationalities should check with the Kenyan embassy in their country for more information.
TANZANIA
A visa is required by visitors of most nationalities including from the EU, USA and Australia. It is recommended you purchase your visa in advance. The cost is approximately US$50 depending on nationality (Citizens of Ireland and the USA US$100). At the present time you do not require a multi entry visa to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda due to an agreement between the three countries (ie if you exit Kenya to Tanzania you can re enter Kenya on the same visa). However if your trip visits Tanzania twice after a visit to a country other than those listed above, you may need to purchase two visas.
Border crossings on this trip
Exit Kenya - Isebania
Enter Tanzania - Isebania
Exit Tanzania - Namanga
Enter Kenya - Namanga
Laundry
Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels but can be quiet expensive. Self-service laundries are scarce in Africa. There are few laundry facilities outside of the large cities in Africa. We recommend you bring non-polluting, biodegradable laundry soap and hand wash while travelling in this region. You may wish to bring a piece of rope to tie between trees to act as a line and maybe even a few pegs. Our trucks carry tubs which can be used for cold water hand washing.
Ask your leader/guide who can point out the best places to do your laundry on the trip. They are usually at any 2 night stop to allow enough time for drying. Note that laundry is often done by hand possibly resulting in some damage to clothes. Leave your delicate evening wear at home.
What to Take
What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking you should pack as lightly as possible. On the vast majority of our trips you are expected to carry your own luggage and although you will not be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes) we recommend keeping the weight under 10kg/22lb.
Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for daytrips.
WATER
The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in bottles, the production of a 1 liter plastic bottle takes 2 liters of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion end up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments. Please avoid the purchase of bottled water by using the chemically sterilized water stored in the purpose built storage tank or in water jerry cans in your Overland vehicle. You are free to refill your bottle as many times a day as you like. You are helping the environment and your hip pocket! In some Southern African countries, tap water is treated and good to drink so you can avoid the purchase of bottled water by refilling from the tap.
LUGGAGE
The size of baggage that can be brought on this tour is limited by the locker space on the truck. Different trucks have different-sized lockers however to be safe we recommend that your bag be no larger than 66cm deep, 30cm wide, and 30cm high. The weight limit for luggage on all trucks is maximum 20kg. Backpacks should not have an external frame unless it can be easily removed and stored separately to avoid damaging other people's luggage.
CAMPING EQUIPMENT
A sleeping bag (we recommend a 3?4 season). It can get very cold at night in winter months in desert and mountainous regions. If you are travelling during the hot season you may wish to also pack a sleep sheet so you will be comfortable no matter what the weather. Pillows are not provided so please bring a travel pillow along. While we provide a mattress for each client, some travellers find they like the extra comfort of a double layer and choose to bring their own mattress.
A simple plastic bag/waterproof toiletry bag (that can hang on a nail on the back of a door) will be useful to keep your clothes dry inside basic camp shower structures.
CLOTHING
You will need to bring a mixture of lightweight clothing, some warm items for the evenings, and long shirts and pants for protection against mosquitoes in malarial areas. Clothes should be easy to wash and dry. Some people like to take jeans for evenings out but they can be tough to dry and should not be used for trekking. Avoid nylon and other synthetics, which can be very uncomfortable in hot weather. Ex-military or military style clothing and equipment is NOT recommended.
BATTERIES/POWER
Most of our trips have access to power to recharge batteries for phones and cameras every couple of days. We always recommend that you carry an extra battery for your camera just in case. Your vehicle will be equipped with a 12 volt ?cigarette lighter? socket which may be used at the crew?s discretion, however, do bear in mind that only one piece of equipment can be charged at a time and it will not be allowed if there is a risk of running the vehicle?s batteries low. Batteries may also be recharged from hotel room wall sockets. We suggest you bring a mix of normal and rechargeable batteries and the appropriate recharging unit. Hotels and most campsites have electricity and charging of batteries is advised before checking the following day.
VALUABLES
Please try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables, and use your hotel safe and the safe on the overland truck to store the bulk of your money, passport, and airline tickets. It?s also a good idea to purchase a money belt or pouch that is easily hidden.
We strongly recommend that you photocopy all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.
Local Dress
When packing, be aware that dress standards can be conservative in some parts of Africa. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means covering shoulders and no short shorts in culturally sensitive areas (Mosques, small villages, etc). We recommend a mixture of loose, lightweight clothing and warm clothing for the evenings. Topless sun bathing is unacceptable through out the whole of Africa.
Checklist
The following checklist is to be used as a guide only and is not intended to be a complete packing list. Any other items that you wish to pack are at your own discretion however you should attempt to comply with the suggested luggage weight limit.
Passport
Any Visas required for this trip
Vaccination Certificates
Travel insurance including insurer details, 24 hr emergency contact telephone number and policy number
Flight Tickets
Trip confirmation voucher
Photocopies of important documents to be kept separately (we recommend you keep a copy at home as well)
Money (travellers cheques/cash/credit cards)
Your Kitty (where applicable)
Money belt or pouch (to be worn under clothes)
First aid kit
Personal Medication/prescriptions
Prescription glasses
High protection sunscreen
Lip balm
Hat / wide brim hat
Sunglasses
Insect repellent
Antihistamine / insect bite cream
Antibacterial gel / wipes
Eye mask
Ear plugs
Alarm clock
Torch/flashlight
Night clothes/sleepwear
Travel sickness tablets
Swimming costume
Swimming towel
Walking shoes with good grip
Refillable water bottle
Camera
Film, memory cards
Binoculars
Daypack to carry your personal needs during the day
Luggage lock (and keys)
Smarter clothes for nights out
Warm clothes for the cooler nights
Comfortable travelling clothes (light, easily washable, quick dry)
Waterproof jacket or small umbrella
Toiletries
Bath towel
Travel plug / international adapter
Mobile phone - check you have international roaming access
Rubber flip flops for showers
Camping Equipment
4 season sleeping bag (one that zips down all one side is useful for warm nights).
Inner sleep sheet
Travel pillow
Thermarest/Personal mattress (optional)
Please refer to Trip Notes (What to Take) for more details
Money Exchange
Currency exchange rates often fluctuate. For the most up to date rates please refer to the following website: www.oanda.com.
The best way to manage your money in Africa is a mixture of cash, an ATM card (best to have both Visa and MasterCard) and some traveller?s cheques.
Cash
Cash is easily changed at exchange bureaus and they generally offer the best rates. US$ large bills, in good condition, 2003 series onwards only, are more widely accepted; any old or damaged notes may not be accepted.
EUR or GBP are also widely accepted. The South African Rand can also be used widely in countries of Southern Africa.
When changing money, only use reputable authorized money exchange vendors and never anyone on the street. There are many instances of travellers being given counterfeit notes or being tricked when money is being counted out.
Travellers Cheques
You should also carry some traveller?s cheques for back up emergency cash.
While traveller?s cheques are undoubtedly the safest way to carry money, they are becoming harder to cash around the world and can often result in unfavourable exchange rates and commission charges. It can also be tricky to reach banks during banking business hours which are often short in many African countries. Note: Receipts for traveller?s cheques are required by banks and money changers.
Visa and MasterCard
With ATMs being increasingly available in the many major towns and cities, credit or debit cards are a convenient way to access money. A charge is made for each international transaction - please check with your bank how much this fee will be.
Check with your bank before leaving home that your card can be used as a debit card in Africa. You may also want to notify your bank that you are visiting Africa as it is not unknown for banks to freeze cards which show sudden transactions in other countries.
Kitty
We recommend that you organise cash for your kitty before arriving at your destination. If this is not possible, money exchanges can be found at the Airport upon arrival, or close to the starting point hotel.
If you are on a multi country tour, your tour leader will be able to give you an approximate idea of how much money you may need for your stay in each country.
Departure Tax
All departure taxes should be included in your international flight ticket.
Keeping in Touch - communication while on the road
If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend email. Email cafes are generally available throughout the regions we visit, although it is possible you may be without email contact for several days on some itineraries. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our emergency contact details. We don't recommend that family and friends try to contact you through hotels, as they are subject to change and the reception staff may not speak English.
Issues On Your Trip
While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or our local partner straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognise that there may be times when your group leader/local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case please ask the leader if you may speak to their direct manager.
We do ask you to be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is complete.
Health
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully in the group travel experience. If in the opinion of the group leader or company representative any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, our partner reserves the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. We therefore ask that you read the itinerary in these trip notes thoroughly and then realistically self-assess your physical ability to complete the trip as described. Please consult with your doctor if you have any doubts.
There are no specific health requirements for this trip. However, you should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations and anti-malarial requirements before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements (including a spare pair of glasses) as they may not easily be obtained at the locations on this trip. For legal reasons the leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drugs including headache tablets and antibiotics. Please ensure that you are adequately prepared.
When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please note that the Tour Operator, our partner reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.
Yellow Fever
A valid international certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever is required in many countries in Africa. You may be needed to present this on arrival at the airport or border crossing. Some countries will refuse entry if you are unable to present your certificate.
It is also quite common for your home country to request a Yellow Fever certificate on your arrival back home.
Please check with your doctor before leaving home about the Yellow Fever requirements for the countries you will be visiting.
Drinking water:
As a rule we recommend you do not drink tap water, even in hotels, as it contains much higher levels of different minerals than the water you may have at home. For local people this is not a problem as their bodies are used to this and can cope, but for travellers from other continents, drinking the tap water can result in illness. Generally this is not serious, an upset stomach being the only symptom, but it is enough to spoil a day or two of your holiday. Bottled water is widely available but we recommend that you fill up from your vehicle (we treat our water) if you are on a camping trip. Water consumption should be about 3 liters a day (this should be easy for most!)
First Aid:
The leader will be carrying a basic First Aid kit, but can not administer any drugs.
Re-hydration salts, motion sickness tablets, and diarrhoea blockers are available from many pharmacies.
Please inform the leader of any specific medical requirements on day 1 at your group meting.
Safety
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. Please refer to our website's Safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
Your leader will accompany you on all included activities however during your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and our partner makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns.
Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in Africa differ from those in the western world and not all hotels have a fire exit or smoke detectors. You may stay at hotels with unfenced pools and no life guard on duty. Some hotel balconies do not meet UK standards in terms of the width of the balcony fence being narrower than 10cm.
Pick-pocketing is very common, especially in larger cities. We strongly recommend that you do not carry large amounts of cash and use a secure neck wallet or a money belt.
Travellers must exercise common sense and caution at all times. You should stick to set travel arrangements and avoid unknown areas. Always keep a photocopy of your passport, airline tickets and a record of your travellers' cheques and credit card numbers separate from where you keep the originals. You should avoid carrying large amounts of cash, or walking by yourself at night.
We have become aware of passengers being approached outside of our starting point hotels by 'helpful' locals who want to show you where to go or claiming to be employees selling our partner’s trips.
Please note these people are not employees of our partner nor registered guides and will try and get as much money from you as they can. A friendly no thank you should suffice.
If this does happen to you, please advise your leader or the reception of your hotel immediately so that the person can be reported to the appropriate authorities.
While staying in National Parks it is important that you listen to any advice given by your tour leader and the park rangers regarding responsible and safe behavior.
On some trip you will at times stay in unfenced campsites within National Parks. While this is a fantastic experience, there are a few safety rules to follow
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader.
If you have credit card insurance your tour leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact telephone number rather than the Bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
Your Fellow Travellers
As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.
Please note that due to privacy reasons we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure.
Age restrictions apply to this trip: minimum age 18
Single Travellers
Our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a compulsory single supplement. Single travellers share with people of the same gender for the duration of the trip, in accommodation ranging from twin to multi-share. Please note some of our itineraries have accommodation booked on a mixed gender share basis - where applicable this will be specified in our Trip Notes. On a selection of our Comfort and Original style trips you have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure that you will have your own room (where available). Please refer to the important notes if this trip has a single supplement and any accommodation on the trip that the single supplement will not apply to. Please note that this only applies to accommodation during the tour, pre- and post-trip accommodation will be booked on a single room basis.
Responsible Travel
We believe strongly in low impact or rather positive impact tourism. Broadly speaking this means that we try to minimise the negative aspects of tourism on the local cultures and environments that we visit and highlight the positive aspects.
A Couple of Rules
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on our trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make our destinations such special places. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. The group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.