A safari is an unforgettable trip — but a little planning turns a good adventure into a seamless one. This guide walks you through everything to sort out before you fly, from vaccinations and visas to what actually belongs in your bag.
Because you travel with us privately, our team handles the heavy lifting: permits, park fees, transfers, and expert guides. Your job is simply to arrive prepared. Here is how.
The best lodges, camps, and gorilla or chimpanzee permits sell out months ahead — especially in peak season (June to September and December to February). We recommend booking 6 to 12 months in advance for the widest choice, and even earlier for gorilla trekking, where daily permits are strictly limited.
When you travel shapes what you see. The dry seasons make wildlife easier to spot as animals gather around water and trails stay passable, while the green seasons bring lush scenery, newborn animals, and fewer crowds. Our team will match your dates to your priorities.
Visit a travel clinic or your doctor at least 6–8 weeks before departure to allow time for any vaccines to take effect. Common recommendations for East Africa include:
Bring any personal medication in your carry-on, in its original packaging, with enough for the whole trip plus a few spare days.
Comprehensive travel insurance is essential — and for some activities, mandatory. Make sure your policy covers medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and your planned activities (including trekking at altitude if you are climbing Kilimanjaro or trekking gorillas). Keep the policy number and emergency line saved on your phone and printed in your bag.
Most travellers need a visa. The East Africa Tourist Visa is often the smartest option if your trip spans Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda. Check the full requirements and official application links on our Visas & E-Resources page.
Pack light, in neutral colours, and in a soft duffel rather than a hard suitcase (light aircraft on some circuits have strict weight limits, often around 15 kg). Our full checklist lives here: What to Pack for a Safari: The Complete Packing List. The essentials:
The US dollar is widely accepted for tourism — but bring clean notes printed in 2013 or later, as older or worn bills are often refused. Carry a mix of small and large denominations, and some local currency for markets and tips. Cards work in cities and larger lodges, but do not rely on ATMs in remote areas.
Tipping is customary and genuinely appreciated. As a rough guide, budget for your safari guide, lodge staff, and trekking porters or rangers. We will share specific, up-to-date suggestions with your final itinerary.
Most game drives require no special fitness — but active experiences do. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking can involve several hours of hiking through steep, muddy forest, and climbing Kilimanjaro is a serious multi-day trek at altitude. If your trip includes these, build up your walking and cardio in the weeks beforehand. A reasonable baseline of fitness makes every moment more enjoyable.
Bring more storage than you think you need and a zoom lens if wildlife photography matters to you. Most lodges have Wi-Fi and charging, though it can be limited in remote camps — treat the disconnection as part of the escape. A local SIM or eSIM is inexpensive if you want reliable data.
Africa's wild places survive because visitors help protect them. Please follow your guide's instructions, keep a respectful distance from wildlife, never feed animals, stay on designated tracks and trails, and take nothing but photographs. Supporting local communities and conservation is at the heart of every trip we run.
Still have questions?
Our team is happy to help you prepare for every detail of your trip. Get in touch or read our Frequently Asked Questions.