Safari Information

planning and preparation

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Safari Information

Planning & Preparation

In order to prepare accordingly for your safari with Kalama Safaris, we have created the safari guide below that will help your preparation. 

Be informed before visiting East Africa.  

safety & Health

  • Hotels and lodges are gated with security guards at entrances.
  • In the evening, guards escort guests to and from rooms/tents and patrol areas within the lodge complex inside parks.
  • Kalama Wildlife & Photographic Safaris remains connected with US Embassy about your safe travel in East Africa.
  • David Kalama, your safari director, makes sure dangerous situations are avoided; he revises itineraries as needed to assure personal safety.
  • Safari vehicles are sanitized before game drives and travel between destinations.

food and meals

  • Most hotels and lodges have buffets, pasta and omelet stations, and menu orders.
  • Guests may choose from Western (American) and International cuisine, as well as local fare. 
  • Chefs accommodate special dietary needs (Gluten free, vegan, etc.).
  • All meals are included in tour pricing.

Weather and climate

Rain rarely interferes with our safaris and game drives.
Jan to March 

A good time to visit Kenya and Tanzania for safaris. The temperatures are friendly. 

March to Early May

This is known as the Low Season. The rains start from March all the way to June, with a hot and dry short period in May. 

July to September

This is referred to as the High Season. The climate and weather are friendly, it is cool and dry after the rainy season from March to June. It’s easy to spot wildlife during this time. 

October to December

Warm with rains on and off for short periods of time.

Temperature

Kenya Yearly Range

F° 86 – 50  

C° 30 – 10

Tanzania Yearly Range

F° 82 – 46

C° 29 – 8

rainfall

Kenya

Jan-March, June-October, December
Inches 0.8 – 4.1
Millimeters 30 – 105

April-May, November
Inches 5.1 – 8.7
Millimeters 130 – 220

Tanzania

Jan-March, June-October, December
Inches 0.8 – 3.5
Millimeters 30 – 105

March-May, November
Inches 4.9 – 13.4
Millimeters 15 – 90

Transportation

  • Drive times to destinations average about 2 hours with stops for breaks, meals, shopping, attractions, etc.
  • Safari Vehicles (4 x 4 Open Top Land Cruisers or Land Rovers)
  • Most safari tours include at least one local flight instead of long drives between destinations.
  • International flights are not included in tour prices. A daily international non-stop flight from JFK to Nairobi, Kenya on Kenya Airways is about 14 hours. (A non-stop flight from LAX to Sydney, Australia is about 15 hours). Flights with multiple stops could be over 20 hours. 

Game Drives

  • Driver guides are well-experienced in spotting wildlife and positioning the vehicle at the best angle for lighting to view and photograph wildlife, landscapes, sunrises, and sunsets with phones and other camera equipment.
  • Game drives last 2 to 6 hours (may include breakfast or lunch in the park).
  • Most of the lodges we select are inside the parks allowing for quicker access to wildlife and game drives.
  • Everyone is guaranteed a window seat in safari vehicle.
  • Bottled water, soft drinks, and juices are provided during game drives.

Animal Migration

  • The Great Migration is made up of 260,000 zebra that precede 1.7 million wildebeest and then followed by hundreds of thousands of other plains game, including around 470,000 gazelles.

  • KALAMA Wildlife and Photographic SAFARIS select destinations based on the months for visitors to experience the Great Migration and wildlife concentrations.

Bird Watching

  • Year Round

Pricing

  • Year Round (peak time July-October)

cancelation policies

  • ▪ Cancellation 90 or more days before start date (100% refund of price less a $300 administrative fee per person)

    ▪ Cancellation 89-60 days before start date (75% refund of price less a $300 administrative fee per person)

    ▪ Cancellation 59-30 days before start date (35% refund of price less a $300 administrative fee per person)

    ▪ Cancellation 29-0 days before start date (0% refund of price per person)

    Please purchase travel insurance!

    Review the terms and conditions before deciding whether to purchase travel insurance. At a minimum, consider trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical evacuation, and medical protection.

     

Insurance

Travel worry-free with travel insurance from trusted insurers. Compare and buy online with safe and secure checkout and instant confirmation of coverage at www.travelinsurance.com .

Consider the following:

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Medical Evacuation
  • Medical Protection
  • Baggage Loss
  • Flight Accident
  • Accidental Death

Review the terms and conditions before deciding whether to purchase travel insurance. At a minimum, consider trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical evacuation, and medical protection.

ALL inclusive on arrival in Nairobi, Kenya.

Meals and accommodations

Transfers and local flights (see itineraries)

Gratuities for portage/restaurant servers/housekeeping

MINIMUM gratuities for driver guides and drivers

The number of tour days do not include travel days to and from Nairobi, Kenya.

READ MORE about inclusions and exclusions above.

Double Occupancy Per Adult 18+ Person

Singles travel at the same price as double occupancy - no supplements

Student 75% of Double Occupancy Age 13-18 Per Person

Child 50% of Double Occupancy Age 4-12 Per Person

Infant/Toddler No Cost

Groups of 4 or more travelers (adults, students, children) receive a discount of $150 per traveler.

Repeat Kalama Wildlife & Photographic Safari travelers receive a discount of $200 per traveler.

International airfare discount of $1500 per traveler.

Preparations

KALAMA Wildlife and Photographic SAFARIS provide safari eBooks, information about visas and vaccinations, and checklists for what to pack (gear, clothing, money, etc.).

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