Ngorongoro, Tanzania

Kenya and Tanzania are the only countries in which we specialize and we at Wildebeest Safaris would like to share with you the wonders of this part of the world. We know how overwhelming just the thought of a trip to Africa can be. At Wildebeest Safaris we can provide outstanding service and advice about safari travel in East Africa. We will do it all so you can thoroughly enjoy your safari.

Kenya and Tanzania are known for prolific wildlife and open plains as far as the eye can see. Here are diverse modern and ancient lands, which can encompass game viewing, beautiful lakes, magnificent mountains and tropical coastlines. There are also strong ethnic groups and traditions which will offer you warm and welcoming hospitality. Kenya and Tanzania are doing their utmost to maintain the relationship between man and wildlife and tourism is one of the best ways to help these countries accomplish just that.

1) How many days/weeks do I have for this holiday?
2) What is my budget?
3) What am I interested in seeing/doing?

All visitors require a valid passport with at minimum 6-months remaining before expiration, sufficient blank pages for Visa/s and entry/departure stamps, and a return air ticket. Visas – Visas are required for many passport holders. Please check with the respective embassies, well in advance, as processing can take from a few days to a few weeks. If you need Visas from both countries, this will only add to the amount of time required. Remember that it is your responsibility to obtain necessary Visas in advance of travel. Visas are usually valid from three months to six months, depending on the country.

Kenya is a year-round destination and it is possible to see wildlife at all times of the year. Depending on your interests, certain times may be better than others. For instance, if you want to see the Great Migration, this tends to travel through Kenya between June and October. However, even this can be difficult to determine, as the movements of the wildebeest depend on rain and weather conditions.

Safety and security should be a concern regardless where one chooses to travel these days and travel to Africa is no different. Yet the media does have a morbid fascination with bad news from or warnings posted about travel to Africa. As a continent, Africa is quite large and an incident in one country doesn’t necessarily impact the entire continent, anymore then such an occurrence in your home city would. While it is true that some cities in East Africa might be more prone to crime then others, the vast majority of any incidents are targeted at people who live and work in the specific country. We at Wildebeest Safaris are in constant contact with our land outfitters in both countries, and their respective government authorities make enormous efforts to prevent tourists from being exposed to any such dangers.

Yes, it is highly recommended that you take out adequate travel insurance at the time of confirming your booking. This should cover any medical situation (such as hospitalisation), as well as cancellation or curtailment of arrangements and loss of your baggage. When you travel with Wildebeest Safaris, you are automatically covered by our emergency evacuation insurance. This provides emergency medical services/evacuation to hospital should you suffer either severe illness or an injury whilst travelling with us. As this is for emergency evacuation only, it does not cover the cost of treatment once in hospital and in no way replaces your normal travel insurance, which must be purchased prior to travel.

In both Kenya and Tanzania you will have a wide array of accommodations from which to choose – classic or luxury hotels and lodges, permanent and semi-permanent tent camps, mobile-tent and adventure camping. Some of these may be luxuriously “over-the-top,” and others are simply comfortable, yet with all the necessary amenities. Many are powered by solar and/or generators, with pools and en-suite bathrooms. The exceptions are the mobile-tent safaris or adventure camping, where while you’ll sleep on comfortable cots with full bed-linens in the former, or sleeping-bags in the latter; light is provided by hurricane-type lamps, the shower will be rustic and your bathroom facilities might not be inside the tent and/or may be shared with others.

Traveling with a group can often be more cost-effective but you are often limited by prescheduled dates and must be willing to travel with strangers. While this has advantages – for single travelers especially – experience has taught us that most travelers have specific expectations, and if not met, are left disappointed. If a guide with a group is asked to continue on from one animal sighting when others may want to stay and watch, someone is not going to be pleased. Though specific animal sightings can never be guaranteed, at least with a private safari you have control of when to stay and when to go, without input from strangers.

Each day will be different, each an adventure. Your days will begin with an early 5:30am wakeup, be served coffee or tea and cookies before heading out for the early game-drive at about 6:30am. After about 3-hours, you’ll return for a full breakfast. The rest of the morning you can use to simply relax, catch-up on sleep, go swimming (weather permitting). Lunch is served by 1pm. Between 3:30pm – 4:00pm you will depart on your afternoon game-drive; returning to camp/lodge around 6:30pm. You will have time to freshen up before “sundowners” at sunset; served dinner around 8pm.
Note: Night game-drives are not permitted within the National Parks in Kenya and/or Tanzania. If you are, however, on private lands outside the National Parks, game-walks can be done after breakfast, and night game-drives are available and often conducted.