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For your convenience, we have compiled information and answers to some of the most common questions concerning Safari travel. We hope to be a great resource for you as you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
If you have any additional questions or concerns please send us an e-mail via our contact page. Many travelers ask, "When is the best time to travel?" But this is not easily answered because different reserves have different peak seasons for game viewing, even within the same country, and because climate and game viewing conditions vary from year to year. With that in mind, generally speaking, the dry months of July through October and mid-December through February are the best game viewing times in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda), when shorter grasses make animals easier to find. An exception to this would be the Serengeti where the migration of wildebeest and zebra occurs from November through June, centred around different sections of the reserve as the animals make their way north to Kenya’s Maasai Mara, where the migration generally peaks from July through August. Heavy annual rains fall from late-March through May in East Africa and are good for observing calving, and for fresh green appearance and dust-free conditions. Just after the rains, June and early December are beautifully green and dust free. In Southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa), July through October is generally prime season, when animals flock to rivers and water holes in great concentrations. During the rainy season of November through March, animals are more dispersed among taller grass. Back to Top Although Kenya straddles the equator, the climate is mild and pleasant with sunny days and temperatures averaging 80ºF (27 C) during the day and 55ºF (13 C) at night. The coastal areas are humid and you have the annual long rains from March to June and the short rains in October and November. Southern Africa experiences all four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Back to Top Members of the Commonwealth countries & some other countries can get a visa on arrival. Please check before arrival with appropriate consulate in your country. All travelers must carry a valid passport! For any further please information contact bigfive@bigfiveafrica.com. Back to Top Inoculation against Yellow Fever and Cholera are advisable but not mandatory, except for arrivals from Far East, Central America, South, Central and West Africa. It is imperative that anti–malarial prophylactics be taken before, during and after your visit. Changes of diet and water often cause mild stomach upsets, so a supply of anti-diarrhea pills is advisable. Do not drink tap water, but it is safe to use the water supplied in flasks in your hotel room and bottled mineral water is readily available. You can enroll in the Flying Doctors Society through Big Five. In the unlikely event that a medical emergency occurs whilst on safari, you will be flown to the nearest medical center. Some countries require Yellow Fever inoculation certificates for entry. Malaria protection is very important for travel to Africa, but because medical requirements and recommendations are itinerary–based and are subject to change. We urge every traveler to consult a physician specializing in travel medicine or the Centers for Disease Control in your country to obtain the most current information on requirements and recommendations about six weeks prior to traveling. All our travelers in East Africa are recommended to enroll for the Flying Doctor Services, which provides transport to the closest modern medical facility in the improbable event of a serious medical emergency in the bush. Check with your doctor to get the current recommendations and advice. Back to Top Clothes for safari should be light, comfortable and not too brightly colored. There is little or no requirement for anything formal. A light jacket or sweater may be needed in the evenings at higher altitudes. Comfortable walking shoes are an essential, as is a hat to keep off the sun, and sunglasses. Don’t forget a swimming costume for use at the lodge pools. Most people bring binoculars and/or cameras and video equipment with plenty of tape or film. Zoom or telephoto lenses are likely to be useful. Film is available at the lodges. Most of the better hotels and lodges will spray rooms and provide mosquito nets, but do bring your own insect repellent sprays. A flashlight is always useful. There will be no television or radio in most places, so you might want to bring a little shortwave radio or walkman if you want to keep up with world events or listen to some music. Remember that safari vehicles and light aircraft have tight limits on the size and weight of luggage carried. Depending on your itinerary, it may be possible to leave some luggage in your hotel in Nairobi for the duration of your safari. Back to Top At Big Tours and Safaris we equip our vehicles to best suit your needs and make your journey comfortable and enjoyable. In addition the vehicles are driven by highly trained and experienced drivers/guides. Vehicles are equipped with:
Big Five Tours and Safaris equips all of its safari vehicles with two way radios so that drivers can communicate with their base, each other and the lodges. Most lodges and hotels also have a telephone, however the service (particularly for overseas calls) is both erratic and expensive; a $50 minimum is not uncommon. More remote lodges and camps are likely to rely on radio for communications. Most game parks are now within cell phone range. Back to Top It is generally recommended to drink only bottled mineral water which is readily available everywhere. There are no restrictions on the sale or consumption of alcoholic drinks in Kenya. A good selection of local beers and soft drinks are available everywhere and you will find a range of imported wines, beers and spirits in many places, although these can be expensive. The quality and value of food in Kenya is generally very good. We can cater for special meals on request. Back to Top The official language of Kenya is Kiswahili. This is spoken and understood by the great majority of the population, many of whom also speak a tribal language. There is a wide usage and understanding of English, and virtually everyone the average tourist is likely to meet in the course of the safari will be fluent. General:
Jambo "Hello" Animals:
Ndege "Bird" Numbers:
Moja "One" Food & Drink
Chakula "Food" Although hotels and lodges include a service charge, it is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers and safari drivers/guides. Back to Top One normal sized suitcase and an overnight bag is the usual baggage allowance on most safaris. On internal charter flights only 15 Kgs of baggage is allowed. Remember that safari vehicles and light aircraft have tight limits on the size and weight of luggage carried. Depending on your itinerary it may be possible to leave some luggage in your hotel in Nairobi for the duration of your safari. Back to Top The local unit of currency is the Kenya Shilling, which these days is freely convertible within Kenya for the U.S. dollar and other currencies. There are numerous banks and bureaux de change in towns, and most lodges and hotels will exchange currency or travelers cheques at reasonable rates. It is not possible to obtain Kenya Shillings outside of the country, and it is illegal to export more than a small amount. Many items or services are priced and paid for in US dollars, so do not convert more funds into the local currency than you need for incidental expenses. Credit cards are accepted at an increasing number of establishments in Kenya, but not everywhere. It is not generally possible to obtain cash on a credit card in Kenya, so it is recommended that visitors carry sufficient funds in the form of travelers cheques. You should take most of your money in travelers cheques from a well known company such as American Express or Thomas Cook. US Dollars or Pounds Sterling are recommended. It is advisable to carry some US cash dollars in small denominations. Well known credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted at many hotels and tourist shops. Back to Top Wood Carvings are plentiful throughout the continent and range in price from a few dollars to several hundred dollars, especially the now famous Makonde carvings, originating from Tanzania. Spears and shields are thrust at every tourist. Local handicrafts, bead work and screen printed fabrics are common. Back to Top Big Five Tours and Safaris requires that all clients arrange personal travel insurance to cover their medical, property and other personal risks for the duration of their safari. Advice on policies or actual cover can be arranged if required. Back to Top Do:
Don't:
AMBOSELI TO ARUSHA 190 Km - 03:00 Hrs All above are approximate kilometers and times and are based according to different types of road and weather conditions. Back to Top Big Fives Tours & Safaris, Ltd. and associated companies make arrangements for hotel/lodge accommodations, for transport and conveyance by whatever means, as agents for passengers on the conditions that they will not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any vehicle, or through the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tours, or otherwise in connection therewith, or of any hotel/lodge proprietary or servant. Big Fives Tours & Safaris, Ltd. and associated companies accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delays or changes, in train, steamer, motor, air or other services, sickness, weather, strikes, civil disturbances, war, quarantine or other cause. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger. Such conveyance, etc., is subject to the laws of the country in which the tour takes place, and all claims are subject only to the jurisdiction of the courts of the country in which the cause of action arises. Big Fives Tours & Safaris, Ltd. reserves the right to employ subcontractors to carry out all or part of the services provided. Baggage and personal effects are carried at owner's risk, and clients are cautioned against the risk of leaving them unattended.
Rates:
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Alterations to Tours:
Cancellation/No Show Fees
Refunds:
Cancellation Charges: Due to the local traveling conditions (such as the unavailability of accommodation and weather) the order of the itinerary may be altered. Big Five Tours & Safaris, Ltd. Reserves the right to withdraw a safari or any part thereof and to make alterations in the itinerary of any safari. Back to Top
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