SAFARI FAQs
When is the best time to go to Kenya?Kenya is on the equator and is known as a “year-round destination” which can be visited anytime. The hottest months are late January to March while the coolest are July and August. There are two rainy seasons, known as “the long rains”, a ten-week period between April and early June and the “short rains” a six week period during November and early December January to March: usually hot and dry and great for wildlife viewing, April-May: can be wet and muddy, June: green and lush after the rains, Jul-August: cooler but good for the migration in the Mara, September-October: good weather and good wildlife viewing, November-December: the short rains.
What is the accommodation like on safari?Safari lodges Tented lodges Eco-camps and smaller tented camps Adventure Camps.
What is a safari shower / "bucket" shower?Safari / bucket showers are common in mobile or tented camps where there is no permanent plumbing. They are an effective yet environmentally friendly way to shower where water is at a premium and provide plenty of hot water to wash comfortably.
Which are the best parks and reserves to visit?There are many varied parks and reserves from which to choose – each has its own unique reasons for visiting, be it a special topography or rare wildlife species. Where possible we recommend combining two, three or more parks in order to see a broad range of landscapes and animals. Some private reserves / conservancies are able to offer night game drives and walking safaris plus they offer the advantage of having few – if any – other tourist vehicles sharing the land.
What animals can I expect to see?In most parks / conservancies you can normally guarantee that you will see the more common grazing animals such as buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, eland, giraffe, gazelles, impala and waterbuck. In addition lions, leopards and cheetahs are present in most parks, but are most easily seen in the Mara and the Mara Conservancies. Elephants are best seen in Selenkay / Amboseli and Rhino are often sighted in Nairobi National Park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Lake Nakuru Park.
Are we better off staying inside the Mara Reserve and will we see animals if our camp is outside the Reserve?The Mara eco-system and its wildlife extends far beyond the boundaries of the official Masai Mara National Reserve. Other game-filled wildlife reserves (known as Conservancies) have been established in the Mara on tracts of wilderness adjacent to the Reserve. Guests staying in the small camps in the Conservancies find that on game drives the animal sightings and photo opportunities tend to have few other vehicles present.
In what type of vehicle will I have game drives?If you are booking a fly-in (air) safari your safari game drives will be operated by your chosen camp / lodge. Various types of vehicles are used for game drives,If you are booking a road safari in Kenya you can choose between a 6 seater safari minivan or a closed-sided 4×4 vehicle – both have pop-up roofs giving passengers great photo opportunities.
How safe are we from wild animals if we sleep in a tent or go out in open-sided vehicles?Attacks on tourist visitors by wild animals in Africa are extremely rare and almost unheard of when on safari with a reputable company and experienced guide. Most animals are wary of the sight and smell of humans and will flee rather than attack but you should never attempt to approach animals yourself unless you are being escorted by a professional guide. While on game drives you will be taken out by expert guides who are highly trained in assessing situations and avoiding danger. They will avoid causing stress to wild animals and can read the signs.
Will there be lots of bugs and creepy-crawlies? Do we need to bring mosquito nets? And what about snakes?Many visitors are surprised to find that on safari there are often not as many bugs as there are in their home countries in summer and frequently they tell us that they did not even see a mosquito on safari! However this is Africa and there are certainly many tropical insects in the country but most are quite harmless to humans and some of them are actually very interesting! During the rainy season there are often more insects in evidence especially after a shower of rain. If you notice a gecko (small lizard) in your lodge room, these are common and absolutely harmless so they can just be ignored, especially as they eat mosquitoes and bugs. As for snakes, there are many species of snakes in East Africa, most of which are harmless to humans.If you do see a snake, do not approach it – simply give it a wide berth and tell your guide or a member of staff at the camp. If left alone at a safe distance, snakes do not pose a danger.
What is a typical day on safari?The morning may begin with a hot drink and light snack before the first drive / activity which starts at or just after sunrise. There are great opportunities to see wildlife at this time since it is still fairly cool and animals are most active. The morning activity usually ends by late morning with guests returning to the camp / lodge for breakfast / brunch.Guests generally relax at the camp / lodge for the middle of the day. This is because the animals are quite inactive during the heat of the day – seeking shelter in the shade. Guests have lunch and enjoy the camp or lodge facilities (lounge / hammocks / swimming pool etc) or some properties offer short walks or visits to a hide.The second main activity will follow afternoon tea (drink / snacks, etc) in the late afternoon and perhaps end at a scenic point to view the sunset. Some camps offer night drives after this. Guests later return to the camp / lodge for drinks and dinner.
Can we drink the water?The water in many cities and small towns is purified and safe to drink, but we recommend drinking bottled water / drinks which are readily available at hotels, camps and lodges.
What type of food will we have on safari?The food available at most camps and lodges is of good quality and with an international style. Breakfasts include cereals, fruit, cold meats, eggs, bacon, sausages etc and fresh bread. Lunches and dinners may include soups, salads, cold meats, pasta, meat & fish dishes and fresh fruits and vegetables. Larger lodges tend to offer a buffet selection. Smaller camps have a more personal service with guests dining together communally. Some properties can offer bush breakfasts, picnic lunches and dinners for an experience of dining in the wild.
Do mobile / cell phones work on safari?Mobile / cell phone coverage across Africa is generally quite good and even some of the main safari areas have a service. If you use your phone during your safari please respect other guests and do not use the phone during game drives or speak loudly on your phone while in camp.
Do the camps and lodges have Wi-Fi or internet access?A few safari camps have Wi-Fi / internet available for guests and this is being introduced by more and more camps nowadays.Most major hotels in Nairobi and on the coast have internet (fees may apply).
Is there power to charge a camera / video camera / laptop / iPad / phone?Yes, the camps and lodges have power – perhaps as solar lighting and / or a generator. The power may be switched off for part of the day. At small camps and lodges you may not be able to use a hairdryer or electric shaver but batteries can be charged either in your tent / room or in a communal area.
What happens if there is a medical emergency on safari?In the unlikely event of illness or injury our driver-guides and most camp / lodge staff are trained in first aid procedures. Medical travel insurance is a necessity and we recommend that you purchase a policy with a supplemental benefit for emergency medical evacuation.
How can my family contact me if there is an emergency at home?Most of the properties we offer have telephones and email so can be easily reached. Smaller (mobile) camps may use radio.
What about security and the threat from terrorists?Your safety is our foremost concern and we are constantly updated by the official government security departments and agencies and monitor any situations that may arise so that we avoid taking our guests anywhere considered to be at risk.
What type of baggage / luggage should we take?Luggage should be kept to a minimum, especially if you will be travelling via light aircraft. In East Africa the limit is typically 15 kg per person, and in southern Africa it is 20kg per person. This should be in soft bags as opposed to hard suit cases in order to fit in the baggage compartment on small aircraft. On road safaris the weight and size allowance is not as important but you should still try to bring as little as possible. A complimentary laundry service is offered at many camps and lodges. For game viewing it is best to wear grey, brown, khaki or green coloured clothing so the wildlife is not alerted to your presence. Camouflage clothing is not permitted in some countries.
Do I need to bring a sleeping bag / pillows for Adventure Camping?Adventure Camping trips (using the smaller dome tents) are designed to bring fantastic value by doing away with some luxuries but without compromising on the game-viewing experience. Thick ground mattresses and pillows are supplied and sleeping bags can be hired (ask your sales consultant at the time of booking). Some clients like to bring their own sleeping bag – we recommend one that is suitable for mild temperatures – “10 degrees C” (where categorised by temperature) or “Summer” (where categorised by season). e.g. in Kenya the average minimum overnight temperature is 11 to 13 degrees Celsius. Also bear in mind the weight and packed dimensions for your convenience in carrying it with your luggage.
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