Frequently Asked Questions

When planning your African safari, it’s natural to have many questions along the way. To help you feel informed, confident, and fully prepared, we’ve compiled a selection of the most frequently asked questions—covering everything from travel logistics to safari experiences—so you can focus on the excitement of the journey ahead

What is the best time to travel to Africa?

Africa is truly a year-round safari destination, with each season offering its own unique rewards. In East Africa, the most popular time to travel is during the dry season from July through October, when wildlife congregates around water sources and game viewing is at its peak—especially during the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti. This period is in high demand, so booking well in advance is essential.

That said, the green seasons (November to March and May to June) can be equally rewarding, offering fewer crowds, lush landscapes, excellent birdlife, and often better value. The best time to travel ultimately depends on your interests—whether migration crossings, predator sightings, photography, or quieter, more intimate safari experiences.

Visa requirements vary by country and nationality. For East African destinations such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda, most travelers are required to obtain a tourist visa in advance or on arrival (often via an online e-visa system).

Some countries, including South Africa and Botswana, allow visitors from the United States and many European countries to enter visa-free for short stays, subject to passport validity requirements.

We recommend checking the specific entry requirements based on your passport well ahead of travel, and we are happy to guide you through the visa process as part of your safari planning.

When traveling in Africa, you can expect excellent, high-quality cuisine, especially at safari lodges and camps.

Most lodges serve a refined mix of international continental dishes alongside authentic local specialties, thoughtfully prepared to suit a wide range of tastes. Meals are typically fresh, well-presented, and often enjoyed in beautiful settings overlooking the wilderness.

Dietary needs are very well catered for. Whether you have food intolerances, allergies, are gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or follow a specific dietary or religious requirement, lodges are accustomed to accommodating special requests when advised in advance.

Africa enjoys a generally warm and pleasant climate year-round, though conditions vary by region, altitude, and season.

In much of East and Southern Africa, summer temperatures average around 82°F (28°C), while winter temperatures are cooler at approximately 64°F (18°C)—especially in highland and safari regions. Coastal areas tend to be warmer and more humid, while mornings and evenings on safari can be cool, particularly during the dry season.

Overall, Africa’s climate is well suited to

Travel health requirements can vary by country and personal medical history, so it is important to consult your healthcare provider well in advance of travel. However, at a minimum, the following vaccinations are commonly recommended for travel to Africa:

  • COVID-19 (as per current international and airline requirements)

  • Typhoid

  • Hepatitis A

  • Routine vaccinations, including measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis)

Depending on your itinerary, duration of travel, and activities planned, additional vaccinations such as yellow fever, hepatitis B, rabies, or malaria prophylaxis may also be advised.

We strongly recommend reviewing the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and consulting your doctor or a travel health clinic before departure:
https://www.cdc.gov/

Your health and safety are paramount, and early preparation ensures a smooth and worry-free safari experience.

A family safari is a great way for children to unplug from their usual attachments and to let their imaginations soar by taking in all the fascinating sights of the African bush. Depending on which country you wish to visit situation may vary so please call us to tailor-make a safari that will suit you.

In East Africa, travelers enjoy the services of our professional guide as well as driver-guide. We also include a personal concierge for a phone call or in-person at the city hotels in Nairobi.

A good packing list for Africa will include plenty of cotton shirts to wear during the day, and a few sweaters and a light jacket to wear in the early morning hours and in the evenings.

You can get sick or injured during travel and might need health care in remote areas of East Africa; you are assured of the services of the Flying Doctors, a group of well-qualified physicians who fly throughout the bush to provide treatment and transportation to the nearest medical facility for treatment.

We strongly recommend our guests to have a policy that covers their trip to Africa. Emergency medical cover is the most vital element of your travel insurance. Other benefits of travel insurance usually include cover for cancellation, curtailment, and loss or theft of your belongings.

In general, every safari program you book with us has highlights of services included and excluded, however the expenses you will need to anticipate are passport and visa costs, immunizations, travel insurance, and expenses such as phone calls and souvenirs.

Most hotels and lodges offer complimentary WIFI in their lounge areas, however, keep in mind the more remote you go the slower or more intermittent your connection will likely be.

International roaming services are not automatically enabling on cell phones, however, most smartphones can be used internationally but guests should note the expensive data roaming fees that can accumulate while traveling.

In keeping with our commitment to personalized service and exclusive arrangements, our most intimate safari programs have 6 -12 and 14 – 18 travelers, and those guests who wish to make a safari program more exclusive and intimate as a family and friends private affair.

Choose from one of our crafted luxury African safaris,
or let us design a bespoke adventure created just for you.

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