We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
During our stay in the Serengeti there is time to take a once-in-a-lifetime balloon flight over the Serengeti Plains. Flights cost US$499, depart each day at dawn and last approx. 1hr. Transport from/to our camp/lodge is included in the price, along with sparkling wine, a full English breakfast in the bush and a flight certificate. For every passenger flown, a royalty is paid to Tanzania National Parks which goes towards conservation funds. For more information, please go to ‘www.balloonsafaris.com’.
If you are interested in booking a space for this very popular excursion please contact Serengeti Balloons direct at balloons-reservations@habari.co.tz quoting your Tour Code and Departure Date. Payment will be taken in full at the time of booking and can be made by Visa or Mastercard (credit card) or bank transfer. Please note that this payment is fully refundable up to 7 days prior to the date of the flight. Please note that if your flight is cancelled by the balloon operator due to poor weather conditions, then your money will also be refunded in full.
It is also possible to book the balloon flight locally, athough this will be subject to availability.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Accordingly you should allow approx. £40 for gratuities for local crew.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Kenya |
Tanzania |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$2.00 |
$1.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$2.00 |
$1.50 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$1.50 |
$1.00 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$4.00 |
$3.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$15.00 |
$12.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$25.00 |
$20.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$20.00 |
$20.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Tanzania : UK, AUS, NZ, USA & Can citizens will need an entry visa. Other nationalities should consult their travel agent or consular office. Explore recommends you acquire your visa before departure in order to avoid long queues at the border.
Kenya: UK, AUS, NZ, USA and CAN citizens require a single entry visa. British citizen can obtain a visa on arrival or prior to departure. Explore recommends you acquire your visa before departure in order to avoid long queues at the border.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Following the advice given by the Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, we strongly recommend the wearing of long sleeved shirts and the liberal application of insect repellent as a precautionary measure to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. These precautions should be taken at all times as the mosquitoes are also active during daylight hours.
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Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against yellow fever, malaria, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Although not compulsory, travellers may also wish to immunise themselves against Meningococcal Meningitis.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
Kenya: Although Kenya lies astride the equator; annual rainfall over most of the country is surprisingly low and varies from year to year. Temperatures over much of Kenya are subtropical or temperate.
Tanzania: The climate is tropical in Tanzania, but varies greatly with altitude. Coastal areas are hot and humid, and the central plateau dry and arid. Broadly speaking the long rains arrive April/May and the short rains November to early December. However, this pattern has been known to be completely erratic in the past. It usually gets cold at night on the Ngorongoro Crater Rim.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of baggage (a kitbag or soft holdall) plus daypack. Total allowance: 33lb/15kg maximum (due to size & weight restrictions on our truck). Please note that it is important to keep within these restrictions. The limit does not include your camera equipment.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
Clothing should be lightweight, however, a warm sweater, a fleece and a wind/water-proof jacket are also advisable for early morning game drives and a night at Ngorongoro Crater. A scarf is recommended as protection against dust and dirt on game drives. A waterproof is advisable for any time of year. Please also bring a towel.
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Footwear
Light walking boots/comfortable walking shoes, trainers and sandals.
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Equipment
3-season (temperature –5°C to 0°C) sleeping bag plus a sleeping sheet. Although mattresses are provided, you may bring your own if you wish. Also a head torch, water bottle, sunhat, high factor sunscreen and baby wipes are recommended. Binoculars are useful as is a telephoto lens. Sleeping mats and eating utensils are provided and tents have sewn-in insect screening so mosquito nets are not required. Whilst some campsites have battery charging facilities it may be advisable to take a supply of camera batteries for the trip. For your own comfort it may be advisable to bring a supply of toilet roll.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
General Information
This journey takes you to a remote and beautiful part of the world. As you'll be visiting developing countries, the infrastracture is not comparable to the infrastracture in western countries and you should come prepared for this. Some of the campsites are simple with basic facilities and places visited and routes may vary depending on local road and weather conditions. This is a participatory camping tour and you will be expected to put your tent up, take it down and help out with some camp chores. This is very much a rugged overland trip and road conditions can sometimes be rough, pot-holed and bumpy in this part of Africa, however the experience is authentic and incredibly rewarding. Although you will experience a number of long drives, the ever changing diversity of views and landscapes more than make up for this. If you are prepared to adopt a flexible and open minded approach, participate in the group experience and embrace a spirit of adventure, this will be an unforgettable experience in the heart of Africa!
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All walks are optional. Walks on this tour are graded as easy however the walks on day 2/3/11 may be considered easy to moderate.
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Country info
Area: Kenya: 583,000 sq km. Tanzania: 945,000 sq km.
Population: Kenya: 32 million. Tanzania: 33 million.
Language: Swahili, English and indigenous languages.
Religion: Kenya: 35% Protestant, 30% Roman Catholic, 30% Muslim, 5% Animist. Tanzania: Christian, Muslim and Indigenous beliefs.
Local Time: GMT +3.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 230v AC 50 Hz.
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Maps & Books
Recommended Books: Karen Blixen: Out of Africa, Michael Hood: East Africa Footprint Guide, Richard D Estes: Safari Companion, Joy Adamson: Born Free, Lonely Planet guides to Kenya and Tanzania.
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Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
Serengeti Balloon Safari
