General Info

• A valid passport is required. It is advisable to seek information from our Mission in your respective country.

• Tanzania Government approves both processes (manual visa application on arrival and E-visa) to run side by side.

• Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda visas can now be applied for online.

• Kenya has scrapped off VISA requirement for all countries, except for a few who must have a referral.

Should you need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA ), please visit here, Kenya Electronic System for Travel Authorisation(ETA).

Below links take you to online VISA application sites for Kenya and Tanzania:

1. Kenya
2. Tanzania 

NB: Please take note of the documents required before you embark on the filling process;

• Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda charges US$ 50.- per passport while Uganda charges: US$ 100.- per passport (In Kenya, VISA for Persons below the age of 16 years is free of charge).

• There is an East African Community single visa available for Kenya-Uganda-Rwanda, at the port of entries/airports for a fee of US$ 100.- per passport.

• Also for guests combining Kenya and Tanzania, please note that only a single-entry visa for each country will suffice.

The governments of Kenya and Tanzania have taken an exemplary step to aid in sustainability by banning the use, manufacture, and importation of plastic bags. Please be advised that you should not bring plastic bags into Kenya or Tanzania.

The ban applies to carrier bags with handles & with or without gussets and flat bags without handles & without gussets.
There may be checks at international airports in Kenya and Tanzania.

The fines for being caught with a plastic bag are quite severe.

• A course of anti-malarial tablets is essential; please seek advice from a GP.

• A mosquito repellent is also advisable.

• Yellow Fever Vaccination is now obligatory for all visitors to Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda & Kenya.

• For visitors from Asia and India, yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for re-entry purpose to their home countries.

• Travelers out of India visiting Kenya now require vaccination against Polio. Please ensure that you have this before your arrival.

• Swimming is not recommended except in hotel pools and in the ocean.

• If on medication, it is best to take a supply of medicines to last the entire trip.

• All the bags arrive on the conveyor belt.

• Each person picks his/her bag, onto a trolley and then clear Customs – where he/she presents their passport. This is just a formality – nothing more than that.

• And immediately in front of them are the Exit doors to the Public Waiting Area/ Rendez-vous point.

Visitors may import, duty-free, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, and one litre of spirit.

• Once you clear immigration and customs – our representatives will meet you on arrival entry outside the Arrival Halls.

• The common name on the MEETING board will read the name of the Family, Individual or Group. And immediately in front of them are Exit doors to the Public Waiting Area/ Rendez-vous point.

Our National grid power supply ranges between 240v-220v. Many of our lodges/camps in the parks and reserves get this supply from the National grid. Most of them generate their own power supply from generators and the power ranges 240v –220v.

However, a variety of plugs are usable and a power adaptor is available upon request.
For stress-free travel, we recommend you carry a universal power adaptor.

Auto roaming of mobile phones is available in all East African Countries with excellent network in the cities and in and around some of the national parks and reserves. This will however depend on whether there is a reciprocated agreement with your country. Otherwise, most lodges/hotels are connected to land lines.

There is a cost for usage of the phones.
You may also buy a Pre-Paid line from the various mobile operators with easy switch over from Kenya to Tanzania to Rwanda and or to Uganda whilst on holiday here. This is the cheapest option.

Piped water in the East African region is chlorinated and safe to use for showering and washing of hands but should not drink directly from the tap.

It is highly recommended that you use the purified or mineral water provided for you at the hotel or you may buy some at the hotel bar/shops and service stations.

Private safaris provides a water bottle with a dispenser in the vehicle on safari. Therefore, we request all our visitors to bring their own refillable water bottles. We also suggest to provide refillable water bottle at a minimal extra cost. We undertake to supply 1 liter of purified water on a daily basis just as we always did.
As a sustainable travel champion, we are committed to sustainable tourism and hope you can help us save Water and the fragile Environment

Private safaris provides a water bottle with a dispenser in the vehicle on safari. Therefore, we request all our visitors to bring their own refillable water bottles.

We also suggest to provide refillable water bottle at a minimal extra cost. We undertake to supply 1 liter of purified water on a daily basis just as we always do.

As a sustainable travel champion, we are committed to sustainable tourism and hope you can help us save Water and the fragile Environment

The temporary membership cost is US$ 15 per person and is valid for a 3 months visit in East Africa. It entitles the subscriber to one free Air Ambulance flight from a radius of 1000 kilometers within East Africa. The areas we travel fall within this range of mileage.

The Air Ambulance consists of, depending on the emergency, a nurse, a doctor, flight attendant and of course the crew. The aircraft is equipped with Blood, Oxygen, etc.

Therefore, if we had an accident or somebody fell ill, we could call upon the Flying Doctors and within a turn-around time of a maximum of 40 minutes to one hour, they would be at the nearest airstrip to our location.

• Baggage: the ‘mantra’ is TRAVEL LIGHT!

• Clients should be encouraged to carry soft bags as opposed to hard or roller cases such as Samsonite, etc. This saves time during the loading and offloading of the safari vehicles.

• Don’t forget the camera, camcorder and a plentiful supply of storage memory and spare batteries.

• A pair of binoculars will greatly enhance game viewing while a torch to find your way around camp after dark is a good idea.

• Books, pencils, crayons, and crackers are very welcome as gifts to the children of local villages that you would pass (or visit) whilst on safari.

• Summer clothing is worn throughout the year, although at times a jacket and a light raincoat may be necessary.

• Early morning and evening temperatures at altitude (most national parks are located 1000m plus asl) are cool. Therefore, we recommend a sweater to keep you warm especially during your dawn and dusk safaris.

• On safari; Sensible walking shoes are also recommended and since laundry is only possible where you are staying for 2 nights, try to carry the quick-dry type of clothing.

• Casual wear is the norm during the day, a short-sleeved shirt for men, light cotton dresses, or a skirt and top for women. In the evening, all hotels and restaurants require long trousers for men in particular.

• Sunglasses and a hat for protection against the sun are recommended and swimsuits should be packed for the swimming pool or beach.

• Topless sunbathing is not permitted.

• We have below appended a packing list for Gorilla Treks. For any other specific activity, we can provide you with the details on request.

Tipping is customary and in many occasions, actually ‘paves the way’. It is indeed a way of life in our part of the world. Please note that there are variations between all the EA countries on tipping and gratuities.

Whilst the actual amount of money to tip is left at your discretion, we would like to offer some guidelines here below:

• There is a big variety of souvenirs to take home. Most hotels have licensed souvenir shops and there are a large number of such outlets in the main towns.

• Popular items are wood carvings, African art, African clothing, soapstone carvings, wax batiks, tie and dyes, African jewelry, gemstones.

• As you move along from point to point, you will come across many souvenir shops “kiosks”, if you like something, BARGAIN and BUY.

• At several places, barter is also possible. You may want to bring your used T-shirts, caps, sneakers, etc.. and in exchange pick up Masai bead bracelets, small animal carvings, etc..

• As your time can be limited, don’t put off your shopping till the ‘last day’.

• Often some of these ‘kiosks’ may stock items that are not available in the city.

• The traders accept all major currencies in cash and some of the bigger outlets also take International Credit Cards.

• If you like, you may also visit the goldsmiths where there is a wide range of beautiful jewelry made from gold, silver, and diamond.

• The latest in African Fashion is available at select outlets.

• Nearly everything has a Value Added Tax component.

• There is no facility for tax refund except in Tanzania which has introduced this for passengers exiting at their International Airports.

• Duty-free items can be purchased from the duty-free shops located at our international airports.

• The average cost of eating out is equivalent to that in the most developed countries. Lunch costs around US$25 per head and an “a la carte” dinner is between US$ 30 and US$50 per person.

• Diners can choose between Local, Indian, European-Continental and Asian cuisine. There are also fast food outlets and fish-and-chip shops!

• Kenyan & Tanzanian beer is actually very good and costs around USD $3 for 300ml bottle.

Kenya:

• January 1, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1, June 1, October 20, December 12, and December 25 & 26.

• Religious Holidays: Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Easter and Christmas Day.

Tanzania:

• January 1, January 12, April 7(Zanzibar), April 26, May, July 7, September 10, December 9 , December 25 & 26.

• Religious Holidays : Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha , Easter and Christmas Day.

Rwanda:

• 1 January ,1 February (National Heroes Day), 7 April (Genocide Memorial Day),1 May (Labour Day),1 July (Independence Day),4 July (National Liberation Day),15 August (Assumption Day),1 October (Patriotism Day), 26 December(Boxing Day).

• Religious Holidays: Easter & Christmas Day

Uganda:

• 1st January, 26th January (Liberation Day), 8th March(International Women’s Day), 1st May(Labour Day), 3rd June (Martyrs’ Day), 9th June(Heroe’s Day), 9th October(Independence Day), 26th December(Boxing Day ).

• Religious Holidays: Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Easter & Christmas Day

• Waterproof Jacket.

• Soft Jacket, fleece or soft-shell.

• Long Sleeve Shirt, light-weight.

• Short Sleeve Shirt, light-weight.

• Hiking Pants (convertible to shorts recommended).

• Shorts (optional).

• Hiking Boots or Trail Shoes.

• Sandals.

• Sunglasses.

• Brimmed Hat, for sun protection.

• Gloves, gardening or similar Poncho, during the rainy season (optional).

• Stuff Sacks or Plastic Bags, to keep items dry.

• Day-pack for you to carry your personal gear.

• Flashlight.

• Toiletries.

• Prescriptions.

• Sunscreen.

• Lip Balm.

• Insect Repellent, containing DEET.

• Binoculars.

• First Aid Kit.

• Hand Sanitizer.

• Pencil and Notebook, miniature, for trip log (optional).

• Camera, with an extra battery