East and Southern Africa - 3 months - Pre-Departure Information

FLIGHTS, CONNECTING FLIGHTS AND HOTEL ACCOMMODATION 
When booking flights, fly into your city of departure at least the day before your tour leaves, a morning on the day of departure might be too tight a connection. The best way to do your airport to hotel transfer is to book a transfer from the airport to the hotel. 

Trips Departing Nairobi, Kenya

FLYING INTO NAIROBI
If you would like the security of an airport pickup provide us with your flight details at the time of booking, for $US30.

IN NAIROBI WE DEPART FROM
Wildebeest Eco Camp – 151 Mokoyeti Road West, Langata, Nairobi
Call +254 (0)202 103505, Email: info@wildebeestecocamp.com
Website: www.wildebeestecocamp.com

Pre Departure Meeting: Held at the Departure Point at 5pm the day before your departure.

THE TOUR STARTS 8AM ON THE DAY OF DEPARTURE

Included in the trip price & Local Payment - The tour cost and local payment includes transport in a fully equipped expedition vehicle, road taxes and tolls, services of the driver-leader, use of camping and cooking equipment, campsite fees, entrance to gameparks as specified and two meals a day while on the truck. So in towns or places where the vehicle will be parked up, although the kitchen will be available for you to cook with, food during this time will not come out of the Local Payment. Generally at lunchtimes we eat at small cafes or restaurants where you can try cheap and tasty local food. If no local food is available we eat on the truck. 

Local Payment - Paid in $US dollars cash to the crew on departure. No travellers cheques, cards, etc accepted. Bring US$ cash in new notes from 2013 onwards.

Not included in the trip price and local payment - The price does not include flights, visas, side trips, lunches and meals out. There are a number of optional side trips that you can choose from and pay for on the route. 

Buying your flight - when you buy your flight don't go just on price alone, check conditions and flexibility. Take into consideration that you may be buying your flight well ahead of time and the nature of your trip you are doing. It's worthwhile paying more to have a flexible flight with a better airline that flies frequently to your destination.

Return flight - Although it is our intention to finish the trip on the finishing date, in case of delays en route you should allow a couple of days at the end of the trip before you fly out.

Visas - Please see the Visa page. All visa prices are approximate and can change without notice.

Washing - Most of the time you can wash every day and at campsites, you can do your laundry or often have it done for you quite cheaply.

Email - Can be collected frequently - many campsites have wifi.

Drinking Water – Though we have drinking water on the truck to ensure your good health we advise you drink bottled water which is cheap and readily available.

Camping - Tents with mosquito net are provided. If you want your own tent you can bring your own. Bring a sleeping bag, roll mat & sleep sheet. Get a mosquito net if you want to sleep outside of your tent. If you start your trip in Nairobi or South Africa you can buy camping gear there - though more so in South Africa than Nairobi. Campsites have washing facilities & bars, meals and internet. About half the campsites charge for upgrades to rooms. 

Accommodation at the end of the trip - There are numerous cheap backpacker hostels, so no need to book. Your crew can help with this.

Time Zones - East & Southern Africa are on the same time up to 3 hours ahead of GMT.

Language - English is the predominant second language on route and Swahili in East Africa.

Insurance - Once booked, your monies are generally non-refundable. Insure yourself when you book for the full time your away. You must have travel insurance to join our trips We only carry passengers on the understanding that, in most countries passenger or vehicle liability insurance is unavailable. Take out insurance when you pay your deposit for the tour and flights, so you’ll be covered for cancellation. Bring your policy on your trip. If you travel without insurance and you have a problem you could incur massive bills.

Medical coverage is the most important part of your insurance. For UK, Australian and NZ, past passengers have recommended Safety Wing https://safetywing.com/ and  https://www.staysure.co.uk  For other nationalities search online.

Medical

Yellow Fever  – You should be vaccinated against Yellow Fever to travel in East and Southern Africa and will need an International Vaccination Certificate to prove this when crossing borders. Vaccinations are now valid for life. It is best to have a vaccination on your health card to enable you to travel after having been to Yellow Fever regions. World Health Organisation [WHO] list of countries Yellow Fever risk with immunisation recommendations. 
 http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/ITH_YF_vaccination_africa.png?ua=1

Inoculations - Consider being vaccinated against; Typhoid, Rabies; Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, Polio and Meningitis. Your doctor or medical centres with travel educated doctors can give medical advice and vaccinate you.

Malaria – There is malaria in the areas we visit. Malaria tablets offer only partial protection against malaria so avoid mosquito bites. Mosquitoes come out in the evening, wear long trousers and sleeves plus socks as mosquitoes tend to bite around the feet and ankles. Use insect repellent containing Deet. The use of repellents and covering up is as effective as the use of tablets, so by coupling both methods you should be malaria free. In Africa buy a can of fly/bug spray to clear your tent.

Medical Kits - We carry First Aid kits on board for emergency use only. However, the crew is not entitled to recommend or prescribe any medicine. We advise a health check with your doctor and dentist before you start your journey and that you carry your own medical kit with you. 

Spending and Money - For side trips and visas you need $US cash. Not having enough US$ cash is normally the biggest spending money problem people face on the trip. The problem is that though cash is handy, you could lose it. Bring US$ cash in new notes, at last from year 2013 onwards. Larger notes; US$50 & $100 give a better rate of exchange. For general spending £20 ($30) a day is a good start, excluding side trips. This depends on how much you drink, eat out and the souvenirs you buy. The best way to bring money is 1/2 cash in US$ and 1/2 in money on your credit card. Travellers cheques are hard to change in Africa

Credit cards - bring at least two credit/debit cards as one might be rejected by the cash machine. Tell your bank before you travel to stop them blocking your card. In East and Southern Africa ATM machines are available about every three days. Visa credit and debit cards are better than MasterCard/American Express/ Maestro/Cirrus for acceptability.

Security in General - Take a money belt that fits under your shirt. Do not wear a bum bag around your waist, or a money belt that hangs from your neck. In certain problem areas a passenger roster will be drawn up to guard the vehicle during the day. Don’t take non-essential items of value. If you lose your passport etc, it is not always possible for the expedition to wait for you. We take no responsibility for such or for any belongings

On most borders you can change leftover currency for the next country's money. 

Money Gram and Western Union - MoneyGram or Western Union funds to you as you travel on your trips. On their websites are the locations of their offices in Africa. MoneyGram International - moneygram.com or Western Union - westernunion.com

Side trips & optional excursions - Are paid for on the spot. All side trip prices are approximate and can change without notice.

Photography - African authorities require that tourists do not take pictures of airports, railway stations or military installations. We are often in areas where locals are not used to being photographed and we ask you to show them every respect and courtesy.

Electrical Equipment – Mobiles, Cameras, Laptops - In most camps you can charge from the mains, so bring a travel adaptor plug, as outlet power points are mostly UK and Euro types. Most countries run on 220/240 volts. To extend battery time bring spare batteries.  An amplifier is provided in the rear of the truck for you to plug your device into.

Mobile Phone – your phone can work abroad if you have roam facility.  Coverage is good but incoming calls cost a lot. You can generally buy a local number in each country we visit.

Maps - To have a map to follow the trip, for Southern Africa - Michelin map 955, West Africa - Michelin 953 and for North East Africa - Michelin 954.

Suggested list of clothing and equipment - The less you take the less you have to pack, wash, lug home and you'll pick up extras along the way. There are lots of cheap second hand clothes in the markets. You'll be travelling in the heat and camping in the cool, so bring clothes for all climates, rough stuff is best. It's best to travel lightly, most people bring too much luggage.
Don't forget - sleeping bag, roll mat or thermarest to sleep on, simple medical kit, toiletries (you can buy toiletries in Africa], small day-pack, hat and sunglasses, money belt or pouch to hold your passport and Vaccination book and torch.