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. This
means in places such as Dar es Salaam, Victoria Falls or Swakopmund, 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.
Not included in the trip price and local payment
The price does not include flights; ask us for a flight
and personal insurance quote, we have very competitive rates. Nor does it
include 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.
Please be aware that once you are booked, your deposit and
balance is non refundable. Insure yourself when you book for the full
duration of the trip and your whole time away.
Local Payment
Payable in £ Pounds Sterling cash but you can pay in $US
dollars or Euros cash at the current cross exchange rate on date of
departure, check with the driver for the rate. Please pay this to the driver
on departure. Travellers cheques, cards or other forms of payment are not
accepted.
Buying your Flight
Ensure when you buy your flight that you don't go just on
price. Also 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 may be worthwhile paying more to have a flexible flight
with a better airline that flies frequently to your destination. We can
obtain competitive fares for you, please ask when booking your trip.
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 days at
the end of the trip before you fly out.
Flying into Nairobi
After immigration control and customs you will find two
currency exchange points, their rates are the same as in town. The best way
to get to town is to book a transfer as this is safer and easier. You can
book a transfer through Karen Camp via the link below or with us. Transfers
cost $20 per person. By taxi from the booths in the arrival terminal at the
airport, they will tell you the price of the taxi to your hotel and you pay
the driver when you arrive at the hotel. To town or the campsite costs about
$20 to $40. Don't go with a taxi run by one of the numerous touts who
approach you at the airport.
Accommodation - Trips departing from Nairobi
We depart from Karen Camp, Marula Lane, off Karen Road,
Karen Nairobi. Tel. +254 (0) 733 703510, +254 (0) 723 314053, +254 (0) 20
883475 e mail:
booking@karencamp.com
Nairobi: If you would like to stay at the Karen Camp,
please mention it at the time of booking and we can book it for you or book
via the above link. An ensuite room costs £15, a room without a bathroom is
£12 and a dorm bed £3.
Airport pick up in Nairobi to Karen Camp
If you would like the security of an airport pickup
provide us with your flight details at the time of booking - cost $US20 per
person, payable locally. Once you have cleared customs and immigration,
collect your luggage and pass through the big glass doors. Turn right and on
the right hand side you will see Planet Safari’s at whose counter you will
meet the driver. You pay for the taxi when you arrive at the campsite. We
advise you for your safety and convenience to use this service. Make sure
you actually reach the Planet counter and ignore the taxi touts at the
airport; they will over charge you and may not even know where Karen camp
is.
Seeing the Gorillas and Gorilla permits
We see the gorillas in either; Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo.
The gorilla permits are payable on the spot and can only be paid in US
dollars cash. The cost of the permit is approx: $500 payable directly to the
park authorities. There is also a small charge to get up to the gorilla
viewing area. The price of the gorilla permits often changes without notice.
Seeing the gorillas may involve you having to get extra visas on the
borders, this changes with each trip and each different place or country we
see them.
Serengeti Park and Ngorongoro Crater
The options for seeing these parks are either (1) an
overnight trip to Ngorongoro Crater or (2) a two night trip to both
Serengeti Park and Ngorongoro Crater. The Serengeti can only be reached by
twice passing through Ngorongoro Crater. To do this trip we arrange to hire
4x4 vehicles from Arusha to the parks and back. While in the region it is
well worth seeing both parks; they are the best wildlife parks in the world.
The side trip is a bit expensive, though most of the charges goes towards
park entrance fees and therefore to park upkeep and anti poaching. The
Tanzanian Park Authority continually changes or raises their entry fees with
short notice so prices can increase.
Visas
Please see the
Visa page
Insurance
You must be insured against personal accident, medical
expenses and repatriation expenses. We only carry passengers on the
understanding that, in most African countries through which we travel no
passenger or vehicle liability is available whatsoever. You should take out
insurance when you pay your deposit for the tour or for flights so that you
are insured against cancellation (for medical reasons, for example). We can
organise insurance for you. Bring your policy with you. Be aware if you
travel without insurance and you need to get home urgently due to ill health
or family problems, you or those responsible for you could incur bills
running into many thousands. We can supply you with insurance, please ask
when booking.
Inoculations & Malaria
Inoculations - You
have to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever and will need an International
Vaccination Certificate to prove this when we cross some borders. It is also
advisable to be vaccinated against Typhoid; Rabies; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis
B; Tetanus; Polio and Meningitis.
If possible start your vaccinations two months, but as
late as two weeks before departure. Your GP can also inoculate but may take
a while to get to get the vaccine in. The following centres are amongst the
many which can supply up-to-date medical advice and also administer
vaccinations. Most of these centres need you to book in before you go In
London we recommend:
Nomad Travellers Store and Medical Centre.
They can be contacted on 0208 889 7014 and are across the road from Turnpike
Lane tube. They give African Trails clients a 10% discount on jabs, medical
kits and camping equipment.
British Airways Travel Clinic.
213 Piccadilly London, W1J 9HQ Tel: 0845 600 2236 Walk-in service opening
hours: Monday to Friday 09.30 to 18.00 Saturday 10.00 to 17.00 Travel Clinic
for Hospital of Tropical Diseases. Mortimer Market Centre, Capper St London
WC1. Tel. 020 7388 9600.
In Scotland - Ailsa
Travel Clinic. 42 Admiral St, Kinning Park, Glasgow, Tel 0141 429 0913.
Clinics and doctors don't give detailed advice over the phone. It is best to
check opening hours and go and see them.
Malaria - The risk
of contracting malaria in the areas we visit is high. You should be aware
that malaria tablets offer only partial protection against malaria and that
you should couple taking the tablets with mosquito bite avoidance. The
malarial mosquitoes come out at night that is from the beginning of sunset
onwards, so from this time you should cover up in long sleeves, jeans or
track suit pants plus socks, as mosquitoes tend to bite around the feet and
ankles. You must also use insect repellent containing Deet, bring some you
will need it. The use of repellents and covering up can be as effective as
the use of tablets, so by coupling both methods of protection together you
should be malaria free. Whatever type of prophylactic you choose to use you
should try a sample of it well before you go as adverse reactions can occur.
This often happens with the Larium or Mephloquine type of drug. A can of fly
spray is handy for clearing your tent of mosquitoes and bugs before you go
to bed.
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 GP and Dentist before you start your
journey, and that you carry your own medical kit with you.
Video Cameras
In most campsites you can charge from the mains so bring a
travel adaptor plug, as you'll come across virtually every type of socket
ever invented plus a few others. Most countries run on 220 or 240 volt
current. You should also bring at least one spare battery with you as you
will not be able to purchase spares en-route.
Mobile Phones
Your own mobile phone will work abroad if you have roam
facility enabled on a dual band phone. Coverage is generally good. Although
convenient for outgoing calls at rates of around $2 per minute, incoming
calls can cost up to $10 per minute to receive. In most campsites you can
charge from the mains using a travel adaptor plug. You can charge off the
truck if you have a 24 volt in-car charger though charging from the vehicle
will reduce the life of your batteries.
Time Zones
Most countries are on the same time up to 3 hours ahead of
GMT or UK time. East Africa is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
Life on the road
There are times when we will have some long drives in
order to cover big distances, but on most days that we travel, we only move
for half the day. The African landscape and people you pass are never boring
and most find it hard to put their head down and read whilst on the road,
for fear of missing something. Most evenings we pull into camp and you and
your tent partner will put up your tent, then either relax with a cool
drink, or get involved in a local activity. Breakfast is usually cereal,
toast, tea, and coffee, with the occasional cooked breakfast. Lunch, if we
eat on the truck is cold.
Language
English is the predominant second language on route but
Swahili is also spoken extensively in East Africa.
Security in General
There is a lockable safe bolted onto the floor of the
truck for your money belts, however, the Company takes no responsibility for
such or for any passengers' belongings. It is very important to remember
that if a loss of a passport or travellers cheques occurs it is not always
possible for the expedition to wait for those involved. Therefore, when you
are looking after your valuables off the truck e.g. changing money in the
bank, it is essential to wear 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 known to us a passenger roster will be drawn
up to guard the vehicle during the day. We advise you not to take any items
of value that are not essential for your journey, e.g. jewellery.
Security in Nairobi
Being a city in a third world country care must be taken
with your valuables as you are prone to lose them in your first few days if
you don't take care. You're best off leaving your valuables in a hotel
safety deposit box or judiciously with the hotel management. Don't walk
around with camera, shoulder bags or bum bags showing, they only identify
you as a tourist. If you go out at night, catch a taxi. There are a few
scams operating in town, which have the gullible robbed time and time again.
The first is the willingness of a complete stranger to share cash with you
that he has found on the street. The second is the offer to change money on
the street at fantastic rates. The third is 'plain clothes police' asking to
check your money on the street. The fourth is requests for money from glib
students... just walk away from all these situations as they will only
result in you losing your money.
Spending Money
£10 - £20 a day is a good start excluding side trips. Of
course this varies from person to person depending on how much you drink,
eat and how many souvenirs you buy. In most parts of Africa it is difficult
to change travellers cheques and to use ATMs so we suggest for ease of
exchange and better rates of exchange take your money as 50% travellers
cheques and 50% cash. As travelling with cash is risky please ensure that
you have adequate insurance to hedge against the risk of loss. Be aware that
if your cash is lost it is very unlikely you will recover it.
In Zimbabwe you need $US cash to change at the banks and
they can ask for proof of purchase. A credit card is handy for emergency
spending only, but useless for day-to-day spending. Do not rely on credit
cards/switch type cards until you get to Southern Africa as money machines
are almost non-existent. For spending in Namibia it is best to start the
trip with £100 changed into South African Rand as you can't change money for
the first few days. You can spend rand all over Namibia and of course in
South Africa at the end of the trip, get it before leaving home or at the
airport as you fly out.
Side trips/optional excursions
Are paid for on the spot. Please see the separate page -
Side Trips &
Extras
Maps
It's good to have your own map to follow the trip as you
go. In Africa use the Michelin 955 of Africa, central and south.
Washing
Most of the time you can wash every day and at camp sites
you can do your laundry or often have it done for you quite cheaply.
E-mail
Can be collected approx every week or two, from £1-£5 to
connect.
Phoning Home
It can be very expensive to call home from Africa,
sometimes as high as £20 for 3 minutes. A lot of the campsites don't have
telephones.
Camping
Tents are provided and all have sewn in floors and
mosquito netting. You will need to bring with you a sleeping bag, sleep
sheet, foam roll mat or airbed. Bring a mosquito net only if you want to
sleep outside of your tent, these can be bought in Africa.
Discman & CD's
An amplifier is provided in the rear of the truck for you
to plug your Discmans / I-Pods into. Although the amp is powered off the
truck, your Discman isn't, so bring along extra batteries.
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. For SLR cameras we recommend a
telephoto of around 120mm or an 80-200 zoom. High-speed film is usually
necessary for photographing gorillas or game in early morning or late
afternoon particularly if using a long lens. It is best to purchase all film
prior to arrival in Africa.
Accommodation at the end of the trip - Johannesburg
In Johannesburg there are numerous cheap backpacker
hostels so there is no need to book.
Suggested list of clothing and equipment
The less you take the less you have to pack, wash, lug
home and you'll always pick up extras along the way. You'll be travelling in
the heat and camping in the cool, so bring clothes for all climates, rough
stuff is best. The best type of carrier is a rucksack (with an internal
frame) or a kit bag.
Sleeping bag & sleeping mat
Medical kit - Bring your own simple kit
Re-hydration sachets available from any chemist
Insect repellent containing Deet e.g. Jungle Juice
Sun cream
Headache tablets
Plasters
Malaria tablets
Toiletries - You can buy most basic toiletries easily in Africa
Toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss
Soap in a container & razors
Towel & shampoo
Tampons/condoms; enough for the trip
Clothes
Socks
Shirts
Jeans/long trousers
Underwear
Sweatshirt/jumper
Shorts, T-shirts, swimsuit
Skirt
Sandals/flip flops/jandals/thongs
Walking shoes
Small day-pack or bag to carry your daily items
Hat and sunglasses
Camera (in a protective case), spare batteries and all the film you think
necessary
Money belt or pouch to hold your passport
Vaccination book
Travellers cheques
Books, personal CD player and CD's
Torch & spare batteries
Water bottle at least 1.5 litres, any old water bottle is fine and these are
available in most shops on the way
The easiest and best way to travel is as lightly as
possible, taking just what is necessary. Most people make the mistake of
bringing too much luggage.
