Before You Travel · Uganda · Rwanda · Kenya · Tanzania
East Africa Safari Booking Information
Everything you need to prepare with confidence — documents, payments, packing, insurance, visas, park rules and permits — for a smooth safari across East Africa.
A good safari still depends on the essentials — clear documents, confirmed payments, sensible luggage, proper insurance, the right visas and respect for park rules. This guide brings together the practical details you need before confirming a trip across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
EAT · GMT+3Local time zone
6+ months validPassport rule
USD 50 / EATV 100Uganda visa
220–240V · 3-pinPower supply
1 hour · max 8Gorilla permit
~USD 20/day guideTipping guide
Before You Book
Getting ready to travel
Safari destinations covered
This information applies to Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda is best for gorillas, chimpanzees, wildlife, birding and the Nile; Rwanda for Volcanoes gorillas, golden monkeys and Akagera; Kenya for the Masai Mara and migration; Tanzania for the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar. Each country has its own entry rules, park systems, seasons and currency.
Best time to book an East Africa safari
East Africa is a year-round destination, but the drier months — June to September and December to February — are busiest for gorilla trekking and wildlife, so permits, popular lodges and guides sell out early. The green seasons are quieter and often better value. Book gorilla and migration trips as far ahead as possible.
Passport & visa requirements
Carry a passport valid at least 6 months from arrival with blank pages. Uganda usually needs an online visa (USD 50 single-entry; the East African Tourist Visa is USD 100 and covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya). Kenya uses an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Rules change — we confirm the latest for your route before you book.
Travel insurance & emergency information
You are responsible for your own medical costs, so arrange travel insurance covering medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip interruption, baggage and your safari activities. Evacuation cover matters most for gorilla trekking, remote parks, hiking and fly-in safaris. Share your policy number and an emergency contact with us before travel.
East Africa local time
Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania all use East Africa Time (EAT), GMT+3. Confirm all safari times — airport pickups, domestic flights, trek departures and cross-border transfers — using the local destination time.
Money & Essentials
Practical things to pack & plan
Money, currency & card payments
Each country has its own shilling or franc, but US dollars are widely used for park fees, tips and lodge extras. Carry clean USD notes from the 2015 series or newer — older or torn notes are often refused. Cards work in cities and larger lodges but rarely in remote areas, so carry enough cash.
Luggage allowance & soft bags
Use soft-sided bags — they fit safari vehicles and light aircraft. Allow 15–20 kg per person on road safaris; fly-in routes often cap luggage near 15 kg including hand luggage. Extra bags can sometimes be stored when your route returns to the same base, and many lodges offer paid laundry.
Power, charging & travel adaptors
Electricity is generally 220–240V. UK and Commonwealth travellers usually find the square 3-pin plug familiar; carry the correct adaptor. Vehicles often have 12V or USB charging; remote camps may run on solar or generators with power at set hours only — bring a power bank and spare batteries.
Phone network & internet
Coverage varies by country, park and lodge. Many lodges have Wi-Fi, but forests, parks and wilderness camps can be weak or offline. Use roaming, a local SIM or lodge Wi-Fi, and share urgent updates (flight changes, delays) with our office before heading into remote areas.
Drinking water on safari
Drink bottled, filtered or lodge-provided water. Most vehicles carry water and many lodges provide it in rooms. Avoid untreated tap water unless clearly confirmed safe, and carry a refillable bottle for long drives, treks and hot game drives.
On Safari
What to expect day to day
Safari vehicles used on our trips
We use custom 4WD Land Cruisers, safari vans or suitable vehicles for the route, most with pop-up roofs for game viewing and photography. Private safaris have a dedicated vehicle and driver-guide; budget or group trips may share. Confirm vehicle type, seating and luggage space before travel.
What happens during a safari day
Days follow wildlife movement, park rules and driving distances. Early morning and late afternoon are best for game drives when it is cool and animals are active. A typical day: tea or coffee, an early drive, breakfast, midday rest or transfer, then an afternoon drive before dinner at the lodge.
What to wear on safari
Light, comfortable clothing in neutral colours — khaki, olive, brown, beige. Bring T-shirts, long sleeves and trousers, a sun hat, sunglasses and a fleece for cool mornings. Walking shoes suit most road safaris; proper boots are better for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking and forest walks. Pack a rain jacket.
Park rules & wildlife safety
Treat wildlife with distance and respect. Don't leave the vehicle in a park unless your guide or a ranger allows it, and never sit on the roof, play loud music, litter, feed or provoke animals. In camps, stay within permitted areas at night; if wildlife enters, call staff rather than approaching.
Personal safety & valuables
Carry only the day's cash and keep passports, money and valuables in a hotel or lodge safe. Stay alert in towns, markets and airports, avoid walking alone at night, and leave expensive jewellery at home. In remote camps without safes, keep valuables with you and ask your guide for the safest option.
Photography · Costs · Permits
Rules, costs & gorilla permits
Photography, cameras & local permission
Always ask before photographing local people, especially in villages, markets and cultural visits — your guide will advise when it's appropriate. Carry spare memory cards, batteries, a power bank and a protective bag. Binoculars are handy for wildlife and birding. Drones are restricted and usually need official permission.
Where photography is not allowed
Do not photograph airports, military sites, police, soldiers, border posts, government buildings or sensitive security areas — these rules are taken seriously. For people, ceremonies and markets, ask first; some may decline or request a small fee.
Safari inclusions, exclusions & extra costs
Quotes vary by itinerary, comfort level and destination. City hotels are often bed & breakfast; safari lodges usually full board. Drinks, premium beverages, laundry, tips, optional activities and personal purchases are commonly excluded. Always read each itinerary's inclusions and exclusions before confirming.
Safari tipping guidelines
Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory. A common guide is USD 3–5 per guest per day for lodge staff (shared via the tip box) and about USD 20 per vehicle per day for a private driver-guide. Adjust for service, group size and trip length.
Gorilla permit rules & trekking time
A permit lets one visitor join a guided trek to one habituated gorilla family on a set date. You spend one hour with the group under ranger guidance. Groups are limited to 8 people per family per day and permits are date-specific. Trek length varies with the family's location, terrain and weather — from short walks to several hours.
Ready When You Are
Questions about booking your safari?
Tell us your travel dates and destinations and a safari specialist will guide you through visas, permits, timing and everything in between — then build a private itinerary around you.
