Safari faq

This is your safari trip, your adventures! You decide how you want to spend your time on this vacation. If you would like to spend a full day on safari, you are definitely welcomed to do so. Nyamera Treks and Safaris doesn’t restrict your mileage, fuel or how much time you want to be on safari. While some days you may decide set out by sunrise, other days you can have a slower paced breakfast before start your daily exploration. Simply sit down with your guide to plan your day and meals the night before. Your guide will have plenty of suggestions, but of course the decision is yours.

It’s important to never assume that any of the animals encountered on your game drive are tame. Though attacks by wild animals are unusual, nothing in the African wilderness is predictable. While you are staying in your safari lodges and camps, it is important to be especially cautions and aware of your surroundings as many of these areas are not fenced and contain wildlife roaming freely. If you have children with you, keep them in sight and do not let them wander alone. At smaller tented lodges, you will always be escorted to and from your tent for dinner or during the night. Should you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to raise them to the staff or your guide.

Snakes are common throughout Africa, but they are seldom encountered on safaris. In bushy or wooded areas, wear boots closed – toe shoes or boot and long trousers to avoid insect bites and minimize risk. If you are staying in a mobile or canvas camp, please make sure that the canvas flap is zipped all the way down in order to prevent insects from entering your tent. The staff at each accommodation will spray your room while you are out for dinner and it should be as” bug – free” as possible upon your return.

Your private safari will allow the flexibility of how you choose to spend your time. A daily decision to be made is whether to have breakfast and lunch at the tented camp or lodge or a picnic box in the bush. While early morning game drives with the sunrise can be breathtaking (and highly encouraged), there will be likely occasions where you desire to stay in the bush and continue your adventure without returning to the lodging. Picnic boxes for the breakfast and lunch are prepared on a daily basis at each respective accommodation according to your itinerary. The typical breakfast box may consist of combination of bread, pastries, juice, a banana, apple, hard-boiled egg, bacon, or sausages. You’re driving will also provide” French – press” coffee to get your morning started. The typical lunch boxes consist of various items such as a piece of chicken, bread, sandwiches, banana, apple, juice, muffin, and chocolate. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know and we will plan accordingly.

If you have any allergies or special dietary requirements, please let us know beforehand at the time of booking, so we can advise the lodgings accordingly. Most places will be able to accommodate to your preferred meal options, though sometimes vegetarian/ vegan options may be a bit limited and repetitive. If you require any special health supplement, please kindly bring it with you.

Most flights within East Africa have a luggage of 15 kg per person in soft or Duffel bags. The 15 kg per person which includes all hand luggage and bags. Excess luggage may be subjected to $ 3 per kg if it can be accommodated. It is important to note that during high peak season the Pilot may refuse to carry extra weight. Please carry – on all valuables and do not check – in any luggage containing expensive items such as camera equipment, laptops, and iPods, to avoid theft.

Our safari packages include Emergency Evacuation services with Amrefs flying doctors.                                                                     (http://www.flydoc.org). This will cover the clients in case they require immediate evacuation from where they are to the nearest hospital (usually Nairobi). If you are feeling ill, but not having any seriously symptoms or injuries, there are nearby hospitals and clinics (in Karatu and Serengeti) available. We strongly recommend all our clients to have purchase extensive travel insurance.

Tanzania resides just south of the equator, where the sun will hang near its zenith for most of the day. The intensity of the equatorial sun can quickly lead to sunburn and sun poisoning the solution is simple, use high – factor sun block, lip balm, wear a hat and stay hydrated don’t forget your eyes also need protection, and be sure to wear sunglasses.

It is recommended to stay inside your vehicles at all times, when you are in the national park, unless your driver guide find a safe area to stop for lunch, or to stretch your legs and washing rooms only. If you are keen on hiking, there are guided walks that are available in Tarangire, lake Manyara and Ngorongoro. Within Serengeti national parks, long walks are not permitted during to conservation reasons. However, some lodgings will offer short walk near the lodge or camp.

All park fees and conservation fees have a 24 hours limit. We plan your itinerary according to the park permits paid. Your safaris driver guide will brief you the night before and provide suggestions regarding your schedule. Please note that any penalty fee resulting from the clients wish to extend their stay will be at the guest’s expense.

Though out your safari, there are various areas with public bathroom facilities such as ranger post stations, museums, visitor centers, camps, lodges and picnic sites. Since you will be on a private safari, there will be plenty of opportunities where no other vehicles are in sights. At any time, your – driver can find a safe and private area where you may simply exist to the rear of the vehicle. Two large spare tires at the back of the vehicle, blocking the view from anyone else within the vehicle. Most clients are a bit reluctant at first, but gradually adapt and become with comfortable to the convenient bush bathrooms. Others prefer proper bathroom facilities. Don’t worry, our driver – guides are extremely professional and sympathetic to bathroom dilemmas and will ensure you are comfortable and accommodated to your needs.

When you are on safari, you may encounter the tsetse fly in woodlands of Tarangire and some regions of the Serengeti, some more concentrated than others. Tsetse fly resembles larger flies with a stinger, and while most have no adverse reaction to the bites, some may experience swelling and itchiness. A recommended medication for this would be banally itchy relief stick. Tsetse fly is attracted to dark blue and black colors light natural colors such as Khaki, brown, barge, olive, green, are recommended and should be worn during the day. Tsetse flies are most active during the diurnal, and become inactive during the night.

Safaris are casual vacations! Dress comfortably and pack lightly. As you will be spending most of your safari viewing in the vehicle, loose – fitting and light-colored clothing are recommended. Avoid dark colors (e.g., Black, dark blue) as they tend to attract unwanted attention from insects such as the tsetse fly.

SAFARI CHECKLIST CLOTHING:

• One pair of comfortable walking shoes. (Example sneakers, hiking shoes).
• One pair of sandals or flip – flops.
• Casual, loose – fitting clothing.
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• One warm fleece or Sweater.
• Extra cotton socks and underwear.
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• Light weight jacket or windbreaker.

Other Items:          

• Passport, Plane tickets.
• USD currency (Both large and small dollar denominations) and credit cards.
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• Contact lens solution, extra contact lenses and spare glasses.
• If you wear contact lenses, be sure to bring a pair of glasses in case of eye imitation from the dust.
• Sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher)
• Lip balm (SPF 45)
• Insect repellent (DEET 30%)
• Anti – bacterial hand sanitizer.
• Camera and Extra batteries.
• UK plug adapter.
• Journal for recording daily observations and encounters.
• Yellow fever Vaccination Certificate, if applicable.
• Small personal medical Kit including aspirin, anti – malaria pills, cold and allergy medicine, cream of itches (Banally itch relief), stomachache medicine, (Pep to – Bismall), antibiotic ointment (Neosporin), prescription antibiotic effective against a broad range of bacteria including traveler’s diarrhea. (Ciprofloxacin or also known as Cipro).

Our tipping guide is 20 to 25 USD per client per day to the drive guide, except children from 18 year to 5 years. Though it is ultimately up to the client’s discretion to decide what amount is appropriate. For instance, for a 7 days safari with two clients, the average tip that is given to our company Nyamera Treks and Safaris driver guides are between 150 USD to 300 USD, or higher, depending on the client’s overall satisfaction with their driver guide and their safari experience. When you have a personal cook for mobile camping, the tipping guideline is between 15 t0 30 USD per person per day, which is also up to the client’s discretion. The recommended currency for tipping is in USD cash, and it’s customary for the clients to tip at the end of their safari.