Pre-Departure Information

FLIGHTS AND HOTELS

When booking flights, [if starting and ending in different cities] ask for an open jaw returns to where your start and returning from where your trip ends.  It may be cheaper to book your airline tickets through a travel agent than direct with the airlines.  It is easy to find prices for flights online, through various search engines (Expedia Skyscanner etc) and direct with airline websites. Fly into your city of departure at least the day before your tour leaves, as if you fly in on the morning on the day of departure if there is any delay you will likely miss your trip start.

When you book your trip start hotel, book a hotel transfer from the airport.

Accommodation general – Accommodation and transfers should be paid locally, not to us. The rates advertised below are subject to change, so use as a guide only 

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 – cost $US30 per taxi, payable locally. As you exit customs your driver will be holding a sign with your name.

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 evening before departure.

TOURS STARTS 8 AM FROM THE HOTEL/CAMPSITE

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. Sometimes 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

Payable $US dollars cash. Please pay this to the crew on departure. Travellers cheques, cards, or other forms of payment are not accepted. Bring US$ cash in new notes from the year 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 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.

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 and roll mattresses are provided and the tents have sewn-in floors and mosquito netting. You will need to bring a sleeping bag & sleep sheet. Get a cheap mosquito net in Africa if you want to sleep outside of your tent. If you start your trip in Nairobi or South Africa you can buy camping gear at the local department stores. All campsites have good ablution facilities & bars, and some have restaurants, shops and internet facilities. About half the campsites have upgrades to huts or cabins, for an extra charge. 

Accommodation at the end of the trip

There are many cheap backpacker hostels at the end of the trip, 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. West Africa is normally on GMT. North East Africa is one or two hours ahead of GMT.

Language

English is the predominant second language on route and Swahili is also spoken extensively in East Africa.

Insurance

Deposit and balance & Insurance – Once you are booked, your deposit and balance (within 90 days of trip departure) are non-refundable. Insure yourself when you book for the full time your away. You must have travel insurance. We only carry passengers on the understanding that, in most African countries through which we travel no passenger or vehicle liability is available. Take out insurance when you pay your deposit for the tour or for flights, so then you’ll be covered for cancellation. Make sure you bring your policy. 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, loss of belongings less so. For UK, Australian and NZ residents, we can suggest companies past passengers have recommended. For other nationalities, search online.

Medical

Yellow Fever

You should be vaccinated against Yellow Fever to travel in East and sometimes Southern Africa and will need an International Vaccination Certificate to prove this when you cross borders. The Yellow Fever vaccination is now valid for life. So have this vaccination on your health card, which enables 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 many of the tropical areas we visit. As anti malarial tablets offer only partial protection against malaria, to avoid malaria avoid mosquito bites. Mosquitoes come out in the evening, so to reduce and avoid bites wear long trousers and sleeves, plus socks as mosquitoes tend to bite low; around the feet and ankles. Also use insect repellent containing Deet. The use of repellents and covering up is more effective when combined with the use of tablets to stay malaria free. In Africa buy a can of fly spray to clear your tent of insects.

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 from the 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.

On most borders, you can normally change leftover currency for the next country’s money.

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 most 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 or etc, it is not always possible for the expedition to wait for you. We take no responsibility for such or for any belongings

Money Gram and Western Union

If you’re concerned about carrying cash get someone to MoneyGram or Western Union funds to you as you travel. 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. 

Other Things

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 in.

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 your own 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. It will be hot, cool and cold at night, bring a variety of clothes and expect them to be well worn by the end of the trip.

PASSPORT & photocopy
VACCINATION CERTIFICATE & photocopy
TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY & photocopy
MONEY, CREDIT CARDS & AIRLINE TICKETS

A backpack or soft bag, but not a suitcase.
Sleeping bag and roll mat or thermarest to sleep
Simple medical kit – Re-hydration sachets
Insect repellent containing Deet, Sun cream, Headache tablets, Plasters, Malaria tablets,
Toiletries and showering gear – You can buy toiletries in Africa
Money belt or pouch to hold your passport and Vaccination book
Torch & batteries

The easiest and best way to travel is lightly. Most people bring too much luggage.