Frequently Asked Questions

For peak season (July–October), we recommend booking at least 4–6 months in advance. Lodge availability in the Masai Mara during migration season is extremely limited and fills up fast.

For low season or green season travel, 6–8 weeks in advance is usually sufficient, though earlier is always better to secure your preferred lodge and dates.

For international packages (Seychelles, Dubai, Bali, Malaysia), book as early as possible since flights are the constraining factor.

The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the world's most spectacular natural events. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, and 350,000 Thomson's gazelle travel in a year-round clockwise circuit between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara, following seasonal rains and fresh grass.

The dramatic Mara River crossings — where huge herds plunge into crocodile-infested waters — happen primarily July to October on the Kenyan side. The timing of crossings can vary by weeks depending on rainfall and herd movement — which is why staying multiple days gives you the best chance of witnessing a crossing.

The migration is a continuous, year-round event; the timing refers to which part of the ecosystem the herds are in at any given time.

Absolutely. All our packages can be fully customised based on your preferences, travel dates, group size, budget, and interests. We can:

• Adjust the number of nights at each destination
• Upgrade or change accommodation (budget tents to luxury lodges)
• Add destinations (e.g. add Amboseli to a Mara trip)
• Add optional experiences: hot air balloon, Maasai village visits, bush walks
• Arrange private safari vehicles for exclusive use
• Combine a safari with a beach extension (Diani, Mombasa, Zanzibar)

Contact us to discuss your ideal itinerary and we'll create a personalised quote.

We accommodate individual travellers (solo), couples, families, and large groups. Our standard safari vehicles comfortably seat up to 7 passengers.

• Solo travellers: Welcome — solo pricing is available for all packages, though shared departures can be arranged to reduce cost.
• Small groups (2–6 people): Most popular. Private vehicle, flexible schedule.
• Large groups (7–20+ people): We can arrange multiple vehicles, group discounts, and custom logistics. Contact us for group pricing.
• Corporate & incentive groups: We specialise in corporate retreats and incentive travel — contact us for a bespoke proposal.

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Kenya. The good news is that Kenya now operates an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) system — you can apply online at etakenya.go.ke before your trip. No more queuing at the embassy.

• eTA cost: USD $30 for most nationalities
• East Africa Tourist Visa: USD $100 and covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda (single entry to the region)
• Visa-exempt countries: Citizens of many African nations (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Africa, and others) are visa-free
• Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates

We always advise checking the official Kenya eTA portal for the most current requirements, as visa policies change.

Required:

• Yellow Fever: A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (the yellow booklet) is required if you are travelling from or through a Yellow Fever endemic country. Even if not required, we recommend getting vaccinated.

Strongly recommended:

• Hepatitis A and B
• Typhoid
• Tetanus / Diphtheria / Polio booster
• Rabies (especially if going on walking safaris or spending time in rural areas)
• Anti-malarial medication: Kenya is a malaria-risk country. Consult your doctor about Malarone, Doxycycline, or Lariam — start at least 1–2 weeks before departure.

Consult a travel health clinic or your doctor at least 6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Yes. Tanzania requires a visa for most nationalities. For our Kenya-Tanzania packages, you will cross the border at Namanga or Isebania. You can obtain a Tanzania tourist visa at the border crossing or in advance from the Tanzanian High Commission in Nairobi.

Tanzania visa cost: USD $50 for most nationalities. Citizens of some African countries may qualify for reduced rates or visa-free entry — check with the Tanzanian Immigration Department.

We will brief you fully on the border crossing procedure before your safari — it's a straightforward process our guides facilitate daily.

Colours: Neutral, earthy tones — khaki, olive, beige, brown, and tan. Avoid bright white (reflects glare and startles animals) and camouflage patterns (illegal in many East African countries). Avoid dark blue and black — they attract tsetse flies.

Clothing essentials:

• Lightweight long-sleeve shirts and trousers (sun protection and insect deterrent)
• A warm fleece or jacket — early morning and evening game drives can be cold at altitude
• Comfortable closed-toe shoes or light hiking boots
• A sun hat with a wide brim
• A lightweight rain jacket (if travelling during the green season)
• Swimwear (most safari lodges have pools)

Read our full packing guide: What to Pack for a Kenya Safari

Safari photography rewards patience and the right gear. Our recommendations:

• Telephoto lens: A 100–400mm or 200–600mm zoom is ideal. Primes like 400mm or 500mm produce stunning results.
• Body: Any modern DSLR or mirrorless camera. Fast autofocus (tracking) is valuable for action shots.
• Smartphone: Modern smartphones with portrait/telephoto modes produce remarkable safari shots — perfectly acceptable if you don't own a DSLR.
• Extra batteries & memory cards: You'll shoot thousands of photos. Bring at least 2 spare batteries and 128GB+ of storage.
• Dust protection: Savannah roads are dusty. Keep camera in a bag when not shooting, and bring lens cleaning cloths.
• Bean bag: A window bean bag provides a stable rest for heavy telephoto lenses in the safari vehicle.

Kenya's national parks and safari destinations are very safe for tourists. Millions of tourists visit every year without incident. Our professional guides are highly trained, licensed, and deeply familiar with all the areas we operate in.

Practical safety tips:

• Always travel with a reputable operator (like us!) rather than arranging informal ground transport
• Keep valuables secure and don't display expensive jewellery or equipment unnecessarily in urban areas
• Follow your guide's instructions at all times during game drives
• Stay informed of current travel advisories from your government — Kenya's safari regions are consistently rated safe
• Purchase comprehensive travel insurance including emergency medical evacuation

Most of Kenya's premier safari lodges have first aid trained staff on-site. For more serious medical situations:

• Masai Mara: Narok town (~90 min) has basic hospital facilities. Nairobi (260km) has world-class private hospitals.
• AMREF Flying Doctors: Kenya has an excellent air ambulance service (AMREF/Flying Doctors). For extended stays, we recommend purchasing AMREF membership (~$25/year) or ensuring your travel insurance covers air evacuation.
• Nairobi: The Nairobi Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, and Karen Hospital all provide excellent private medical care.

This is why comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation cover is essential for any African safari.

We accept the following payment methods:

• Bank Transfer (USD or KES): Our preferred method for international clients. We provide our bank details on invoice.
• M-Pesa: Accepted for local Kenyan clients and local packages (Diani, Naivasha).
• Card Payments: We can arrange secure card payment links via our payment partner — please request at time of booking.
• Western Union / MoneyGram: Available for clients in countries with limited banking access.

A 30% non-refundable deposit confirms your booking. The balance is due 45 days before departure. For bookings within 45 days, full payment is required upfront.

US Dollars are the most widely accepted foreign currency in Kenya's tourist areas. Tips to guides and optional add-ons (hot air balloon, village visits) are typically paid in USD. Notes from 2009 or later are preferred — older USD notes are sometimes refused.

For day-to-day spending in Nairobi and local towns, Kenyan Shillings (KES) are used. You can exchange currency at Nairobi's JKIA Airport or at Forex bureaux in Nairobi. ATMs (Barclays/Absa, KCB, Equity) are available in Nairobi and major towns.

Many upmarket lodges, restaurants, and shops also accept credit/debit cards (Visa and Mastercard most widely accepted).

We understand that plans change. Our cancellation policy:

• 60+ days before departure: Deposit forfeited, balance refunded
• 45–60 days: 50% of total package cost charged
• 30–44 days: 75% of total package cost charged
• Under 30 days or no-show: 100% charged (no refund)

This is why we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation. Full cancellation terms are in our Terms of Service.

Tips are not included in our package prices and are given at your discretion. Tipping is an important part of the local tourism economy. Suggested guidelines:

• Safari guide/driver: USD $15–25 per person per day is standard for excellent service
• Lodge staff: Many lodges have a communal tip box — USD $5–10 per person per day is appreciated
• Special services (hot air balloon pilots, trackers, bush walk guides): USD $10–20 per person

Tips are always given in cash (USD or KES). Your guide will appreciate being tipped on the last day of your safari.

We cannot guarantee specific sightings — this is wildlife in a vast natural habitat. However, the Masai Mara has Africa's highest Big Five density, and our experienced guides significantly increase your chances. Most of our guests see all Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) within their safari.

Sighting tips:

• More days = more chances. A 3-day safari gives you 2 full game drive days; a 7-day gives you 6.
• Early morning and late afternoon drives (6–9am and 4–7pm) are when predators are most active.
• Rhino are typically the hardest to find. Lake Nakuru National Park is Kenya's best rhino sanctuary.
• Our guides communicate via radio with other guides to share sightings — you benefit from a network of eyes across the park.

A typical safari day looks like this:

• 6:00–6:30am: Early wake-up call. Tea, coffee, and light breakfast at the lodge.
• 6:30–9:00am: Morning game drive — the best time for predator activity and beautiful golden light photography.
• 9:00–10:30am: Return to lodge for full cooked breakfast.
• 10:30am–3:30pm: Free time at lodge — relax by the pool, read, optional activities.
• 4:00–6:30pm: Afternoon game drive — another excellent period as animals become active in the cooling temperatures.
• 7:30pm: Sundowner drinks, then dinner at the lodge. Many lodges offer bush dinners under the stars.

On full-day game drive days, you'll depart early with a packed picnic lunch and spend the entire day in the park — watching river crossings, following predators, and exploring remote areas.

A Masai Mara balloon safari is one of Kenya's most unforgettable experiences. Floating silently at dawn over the savannah with the sun rising over the Mara while herds of wildebeest and zebra move below is genuinely magical.

• Duration: ~1 hour flight + champagne bush breakfast
• Best season: July–October (migration below you) but excellent year-round
• Cost: USD $480 per person (can be added to any Masai Mara package)
• Fitness: Moderate — climbing in/out of the basket requires reasonable mobility

If your budget allows, we highly recommend adding a balloon to your Mara experience. Contact us to include it in your package.

Absolutely — a safari is a life-changing experience for children. Our guides are wonderful with young travellers. Practical notes:

• Minimum age: Most lodges welcome children of all ages; some exclusive camps have minimum age restrictions (typically 5–8 years). We'll advise at booking.
• Early mornings: Young children need to be comfortable with early starts. Most kids are energised by the excitement of seeing lions!
• Health: Anti-malarial medication is available for children — consult your paediatrician.
• Activity levels: Game drives in a vehicle are fine for all ages. Bush walks are typically for ages 12+ with adult supervision.