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.
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.
Pricing
Year Round (peak time July-October)
Inclusives
Exclusives
Inclusives
- Local/regional flights * All safaris include at least one local flight
- Accommodations and meals
- Gratuities for porterage, restaurant services, and housekeeping
- All applicable game park entrance fees and village concessions
- Excursions and game drives (see itinerary)
- Services of David Kalama (Safari Director) – minimum gratuity
- Minimum gratuities for drivers and driver guides
- Guaranteed window seating with open top
- Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and snacks on game drives
- Membership in Flying Doctors Society – (Emergency air rescue)
Exclusives
- International airfare
- Excess baggage fee
- eVisa/eta fees for Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda
- Personal expenses such travel insurance, communication charges that include emails, faxes and phone calls
- Alcoholic beverages, including during meals
- Laundry in locations with 3-day stays
- Optional activities provided by hotels/lodges/camps
- Optional Hot Air Ballooning (cost per adult about $550 USD & children Ages 5-11 $435 USD)
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.).
Our Guests
Reviews and Testimonials
David Kalama is THE BEST East Africa Safari Safari Director and Guide. You will see more animals and birds than you can imagine. David seems to know where and how to find them, as well as how to get the best photo image of them. He gives above and beyond, will exceed your expectations, and you will have the Trip of a Lifetime. Take your family, take your kids, take your grandkids - they will thank you forever. "Nobody does it better than David - nobody does it even half as good." You will be very happy if you go on Safari with David Kalama.
FANTASTIC! I have been on safari with Kalama Wildlife & Photographic Safaris twice. The guides are professional & knowledgeable about Africa, it's people, and the wildlife. David's knowledge of photography is unsurpassed.
Seeing animals in their habitat is an unforgettable experience! Every day is a feast of wildlife sightings. The accommodations are superior lodging, food & locations, staff.
Enjoy the best of Africa with the Best, Kalama Wildlife & Photographic Safaris. I did!
Traveled the world and never have we ever had a better director or guide. Because of David Kalama we have been going (to East Africa) for seven years. The first trip we were hooked not only do we love Kenya and Tanzania and the parks but without David as our leader we would not continue to, he is what makes the whole trip successful. His personality, knowledge and knowing where the wildlife are cannot be beat. We stay at the nicest and safest camps and the staff becomes family. I highly recommend anyone traveling to Africa to see the wildlife to travel with David Kalama Wildlife & Photography Safaris.
