Travelers arriving in Africa are required to have permanent passports that will be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and contain at least three pages for affixing visas and arrival stamps. Visas are required for entry into Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda. For most travelers’ visas may be purchased on arrival in the respective counties.  Visas may also be purchased in advance which will save time on arrival. 

Travelers staying less than 2 days in a country may qualify for a transit visa.  Generally, travelers arriving in one country, proceeding to another country and returning to the first country may re-enter on the original single entry visa unless they have returned to their home country.

Many counties in Africa now require proof of yellow fever vaccination for travelers arriving from or having visited countries listed as endemic for yellow fever.  Though this should not pose a problem for travelers arriving from North America or Europe, as Tanzania is considered endemic, you are required to provide the proof of vaccination when travelling between these countries both by air and road. 

Travelers transiting in airports and are in a country for less than 6 hours and do not leave the airport are not required to provide the vaccination certificate.  However, as travel plans may change (such as flight cancellations) it is a good idea to have this vaccination and carry the certificate when you travel.  If you have been advised by your doctor that you should not have the vaccination, a letter from your doctor confirming this is generally accepted in lieu of the certificate.

Simply put: Superb and to your delight. Our hotels, lodges and Safari camps offer continental cuisine, in addition to local specialties to appeal to a wide range of palates. Nairobi boasts a variety of mouth-watering regional specialties, in addition to exceptional French cuisine, Indian curries, Chinese, Japanese and the ever-abundant fresh sea food. In the bush, the quality of the cuisine in lodges and camps is superb. The hotels, safari lodges and camps also cater for special dietary needs including Vegan, Vegetarian and Kosher among others.

East and Southern Africa enjoy glorious climates and both can accurately be called year-round destinations.  In Kenya and Tanzania, a blissful 70 degrees Fahrenheit greets the day and rarely does the temperature vary throughout the year. The elevated altitudes keep temperatures comfortable, even calling for sweaters and jackets every evening and morning.

Temperature variance is determined more by region than by season: upcountry areas such as Mount Kenya, the Aberdares and Ngorongoro at 7,000 feet can be cool, while the drier bush country is warmer and the sea level regions of Mombasa and Zanzibar quite tropical.

It can rain any time during the year. Rain is more common in April, May and November. The April/May rains are generally heavier at night with some showers during the day. Around the month of November, showers are frequent but often short.

Every season, whether slightly warmer or cooler, offers thoroughly agreeable weather for all safari activities.

Our safaris are child friendly, though we recommend children aged 5 and above.  We ensure to provide ideal family accommodation like interconnecting/adjusted rooms and extra bed in the parents’ room for children. Afio Mai African Safari experts will ensure to include children requirements like early dining, special meals, child activities where required at the time of booking accommodation.

The Family Holiday Safari program is tailored to accommodate children of any age and includes activities, visits to attractions that appeal to the child traveler.  

Safari clothing should be comfortable and casual. Khaki, olive, brown and tan clothing increases your chances of seeing wildlife and offers the added benefit of concealing dirt/dust. Laundry service is available in many of the places we visit, you should avoid the temptation to over-pack.  Remember to carry one soft sided bag and one-day pack for cameras, binoculars suntan lotion and a scarf and safari hat while on safari.  Should internal flights be part of the itinerary, bag weights are strictly enforced at 15kgs. 

Travelers arriving in Nairobi, Mombasa, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kigali and Kampala, we can make arrangements to store extra bags if arriving and departing from the same location.

We enthusiastically recommend that our guests have a policy that covers their trip, as travel insurance offers major advantages.  We encourage our overseas guests to investigate travel insurance providers to confirm their reliability.

Evenings are not formal, unless you desire them to be. Casual, comfortable clothing is encouraged.

Absolutely. As our valued guests, it is our pleasure to welcome you to our homeland. After passing through customs and the baggage hall at your arrival airport, you will be greeted by a Afio Mai Africa Safaris hospitality staff member who will take you as swiftly as possible to the comfort of your hotel.

The timing of the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania can vary because it is heavily dependent upon the weather specifically rain that brings the new grasses upon which wildebeest graze. If you want to witness this natural marvel, it’s best to talk to our safari specialists regarding the best time to plan your trip.

In general, the following wildebeest movement is accurate:

The herds can be found amidst the short grasses of Serengeti National Park from November to May. From January onward, wildebeest, zebra and Thompson’s gazelle alternate between the woodlands and plains depending on the weather.

In May, as the grasses become dry, the herds begin the roughly 500-mile Migration. They move north, and by June they are in the lusher plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara. This is where they generally stay until October.  Anticipating the short rains and the promise of mineral rich grasslands that this entails, the herds begin their trek down to the Serengeti along an eastern route.

In November and December, they arrive to intensely green savannahs and woodlands where they stay until the cycle begins again…

Most smart phones can be used internationally, but guests should be aware of the expensive data roaming fees that can accumulate while travelling.  Remarkably, there is cell service in many remote areas of the bush of East Africa. Coverage in the more remote parts can be spotty.