Frequently asked questions

July to October is the classic window, with dry weather, easy wildlife viewing and the wildebeest migration in the Mara and northern Serengeti. January and February are also excellent, with green scenery and fewer visitors. See our month-by-month guide.

Five to seven days is a good first trip, enough for two parks and several game drives. Gorilla trekking can be done in four days from Kigali. Add days if you want to combine safari with a beach or a second country. See our itineraries.

Kenya is generally cheaper and better for shorter trips. Tanzania has bigger, quieter parks and adds Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. Many travellers visit both. Read Kenya vs Tanzania for the trade-offs.

It's continuous, but river crossings in the Mara and northern Serengeti usually happen between July and October, and calving takes place on the southern Serengeti plains from about January to March. Timing changes each year. See the migration calendar.

Yes, and it's one of the most popular ways to travel. In Kenya, pair the Mara with Diani or Watamu. In Tanzania, pair the Serengeti with Zanzibar. See our Kenya and Diani and Serengeti and Zanzibar itineraries.

Mid-range trips commonly cost about US$300 to US$700 per person per night on the ground, more at luxury camps and less on budget camping trips. International flights are extra. Our cost guide explains what drives the price.

Usually lodging, meals, park fees, a vehicle with driver-guide and airport transfers. Often excluded are international flights, visas, tips, insurance, some drinks and optional activities like balloon flights. Always ask for the inclusions in writing.

For July to October and Christmas, book six to twelve months ahead, and earlier for gorilla permits and the best camps. Other months are more flexible, sometimes just a few weeks out. If your dates are fixed, book sooner.

A common guideline is roughly US$10 to US$20 per person per day for your driver-guide and US$5 to US$10 per person per day for camp staff, with separate tips for trackers and porters. See the tipping guide.

Check licences, read recent independent reviews, ask what's included, and compare like-for-like quotes. Be wary of street touts and unusually cheap prices. Our operator checklist explains the questions to ask.

We strongly recommend it. Get cover that includes medical evacuation, trip cancellation and any activities you plan, such as gorilla trekking or Kilimanjaro. On safari, medical help can be hours away.

As of September 2026, Rwanda charges US$1,500 per person and Uganda charges US$800 (US$600 in April, May and November). Prices can change, so check with the Rwanda Development Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority. See the gorilla trekking guide.

Rwanda is easier and closer to the airport but costs more. Uganda is cheaper and offers more variety, but the drives are longer. Many people do both. Read Uganda vs Rwanda.

You need a moderate level of fitness. Hikes range from under an hour to six hours or more each way over steep, muddy ground at altitude. Porters help, and guides can pace the group. Tell your guide about any limitations.

Not under 15. The minimum age is 15 in both Uganda and Rwanda. Chimpanzee tracking at Kibale allows children aged 12 and over. See our chimpanzee guide.

Most visitors need one for each country: Kenya uses an Electronic Travel Authorisation, Tanzania and Uganda use e-visas, and Rwanda offers visas on arrival for many nationalities. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. See the visa guide.

Most safari areas are in malaria zones, so most doctors recommend prevention. Speak to a travel clinic four to six weeks before you leave. See our health guide.

Some countries require one if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk, and Uganda has enforced the rule widely. Carry a certificate if you're unsure, and check the official source for your route.

Drink bottled or treated water. Lodges provide it. Eat freshly cooked food and be careful with ice and salads in unfamiliar places.

Millions of visitors go each year, and most trips pass without serious problems. The main risks are road accidents, petty theft in cities and illness. Check your government's travel advice for the regions on your route. See our safety guide.

Many women travel solo in East Africa without problems, especially on organised safaris. Use ride-hailing after dark, dress modestly in conservative areas and choose accommodation with good reviews.

Yes, they're wild. Stay in the vehicle on game drives, follow your guide's instructions and never approach animals. At camps, don't walk alone after dark.

Neutral clothing, layers, a rain jacket, closed shoes, a hat, binoculars, repellent and a soft duffel bag if you're taking bush flights. Leave plastic bags and camouflage at home. See our packing list.

Yes, some, in recent, clean, small notes for tips and small purchases. Cards work in most lodges and cities, but cash is needed in villages. See the money guide.

In cities, yes. In parks, coverage is patchy, and some camps have limited or no Wi-Fi. An eSIM is convenient for arrival, and local SIM cards are cheap but need passport registration.

Yes, with the right lodges and expectations. Many lodges have age limits, and gorilla trekking starts at 15. See our family safari guide.

One or two nights each is enough for most trips, before or after a safari or gorilla trek. See our guides to Nairobi, Kampala and Kigali.

By fast ferry, about two hours, or by a short flight of 20 to 30 minutes. See our Dar es Salaam guide and Zanzibar guide.

For a night or two, yes. It's a pleasant, cool base for northern Tanzania safaris and Kilimanjaro. See our Arusha guide.

Trips arranged through this site are run by our operating partner, East Africa Trails. See our About page and affiliate disclosure for how the arrangement works.

No. Sending an enquiry is free and creates no obligation. We reply with a route and a price, and a booking exists only after you've agreed a written quote and paid the deposit it describes.