African Safari FAQs​

East Africa is situated in the African Content within the reach of the equator. Its one of the African regions that offer all types of weather conditions in the world. From Savannah lands to peak point, mountains, rain forests and amazing summer beach areas.

To Visit East Africa, you will need :-

1. Visa Valid as from time of arrival till time of departure. You can apply for your visa by visiting the online government site here
2. Valid passport
3. Certified yellow fever certificate while visiting Tanzania and Uganda, only recommended in Kenya
4. Carry anti malaria / mosquito repellent items to help you be off any malaria infections
5. Travel insurance from your insurance company from your home country. Most Safaris we offer do not offer travel insurance, unless you would want Cheetah Safaris to be arranged for you from a local insurance company.

E. Africa can be accessed by different types of airlines. You can use the Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, KLM among many other airlines. With the recent schedule direct flights from Kenya to USA, Kenya Airways can now accommodate more tourists from S. America, USA and Canada.

Access Airports:- Kenya has 3 International airports; the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi City Capital City of Kenya), Moi International Airport (Mombasa, Coastal Airport) and Kisumu International Airport (Kisumu Region). Most flights always Land to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and when there are flights delays or emergencies, flights are always diverted to Moi International Airport on notice.

All our safaris do not include flight charges, visa charges and any international charges incurred to arrive in Kenya. We only cover ground handling in different destinations chosen. Otherwise, we organise for your internal flights, visas are extra charges within the regions and countries visited

1. Family Safaris
2. Luxury Safaris
3. Private Safaris
4. Budget Safaris
5. Photography Safaris
6. Flying safaris
7. Honeymoon safaris

Currency: Kenya Shillings (Kshs), Tanzania Shillings (Tshs), Uganda Shillings (Ush)

For latest exchange rates see today’s Exchange Rate.

All the major credit cards are widely accepted in the city hotels, city restaurants and city shops, but this may not be the case in the rural areas.  A commission charge is normally added to any transactions using a credit card.

The smaller safari lodges and camps or rural hotels may not all accept credit cards and where they do, they may give an unfavourable exchange rate or add a surcharge, so it is recommended that you have USD cash that you can exchange if required to, into local currency which you may need during a safari.

Please note that due to the number of fake notes in circulation, no US Dollar bills printed before 2010 are accepted in Kenya and in fact, your safest bet is to carry notes printed after 2009.

Tanzania :- To view Wildebeest Calving and Migration with Zanzibar Beach

With the famous Serengeti N. Park and Ngorongoro Crater Parks, Tanzania boasts being one of the best safari destinations in Africa and the world too. You can witness and engage in different activities such as Mountaineering (Highest point in Africa Mt. Kilimanjaro), safaris, visit the Zanzibar and some cultural tours among many.

To book Tanzania Safaris please contact our experts for advice and bookings.

Uganda:- To explore the wide Gorilla Territories and zones

Uganda is one of the untouched land in East Africa. With its vast land being equatorial or rainy forest, its easier to spot the special and endangered primates.

The rainy forest also exposes you to the many rivers, streams and water falls. You can engage in different water activities such as water rafting, bungee jumping and canoeing.

To book Uganda Safaris, please contact our experts for advice and bookings.

Kenya :- Witness the wide range of wilderness, The Wildebeest Migration and visit the best beaches in Africa, Diani Beach, Watamu Beach and Mombasa Town in Kenya Coastal Region

Kenya is one of the best destinations in Africa and the world. With the best beaches and wildlife spotting, landscapes and mountain climbing, you are guaranteed to have an eye-opening experience in Kenya.

Where the 7^th wonder of the would happens, Wildebeest cross over from the Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya.

Land Cruiser Jeep:- These are open roofed jeeps that are widely used in the E.A for Safaris. With its comfortability, most of our Jeeps are fitted with inclining and reclining seats, which assures you will enjoy long haul safaris with no aches and tiresomeness. It provides a high point aerial view when doing game drives, that ensures you spot far and widely spread wildlife.

Also fitted with VHF Radio for communication and rescues.

Cheetah Safaris recommends the use of Land Cruiser Jeeps highly to Tour Vans.

You can view our Jeep Collections here.

Tour mini Vans :- we have a number of tour vans that we widely use for safaris within Kenya and Uganda. They are comfortable and convenient for short safaris within the regions covered by your itineraries. For travellers who are on budget, the options of vans are recommended for your safaris.

You can view our van collection here.

Transfer vehicles: – We also have a variety of transfer vehicles that we use for your airport to city transfers. These vehicles depend with the traveller’s choice to pick. Examples are, SUVs, 4 seater small cars, 7 Seaters and 22 seaters.

Cheetah Safaris endeavours to provide the best services in Africa. In this regard, we have invested a lot on qualified, trained professional guides who are well equipped with tour guiding knowledge.

Our Guides are bronze, silver and Gold Rated by the KPSGA, KWS, and other government relevant bodies.

They are members of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association that ensures professionalism is maintained within their members. They are also certified by the Tourism Regulatory Authority to operate as Tour Guides and Drives in East Africa.

When you confirm your reservation, you will receive a complete pre-tour document planner with information to help you plan for your adventure.

This includes specifics on the tour, meeting and departure points, the easiest way to travel to and from these points, a suggested packing list, a reading list, and region-specific information. It will also include information on the destination travel guides to visa and health information, we deliver the most current pre-departure travel information possible, allowing you the opportunity to gain the most out of your travel experience.

Our Safaris use luxury and luxury plus accommodation unless stated otherwise or a consumer inquires budget accommodation which we can provide as per their request and budget.

City Hotels:-  We use city hotels to accommodate our clients as they start, finish or in their safaris. We select the best, convenient and classic hotels for you. Most hotels offer either Bed and Breakfast or Bed only options for accommodation.

Camps and Lodges:– While on Safari, you will be accommodation in bush / wild properties, where some are permanent structures and some are tented luxury camps. Most of the tented luxury camps are not fenced, to provide the wild and bush exposure and wild thrills while on safari.

From special requests we get, we also offer flying camping from selected accommodation within your safaris.

Always indicate special needs, dietary and sleeping arrangements during your booking time for accurate arrangement of your safari.

For disabled persons, we can organise special transportation and accommodation preferences upon prior and early requests.

The National Language in E. Africa is Swahili and English. Most of the places you will visit or people you will interact with are familiar with Swahili and English and best to communicate.

This doesn’t mean there will be problems from other language speakers. When visiting Kenya, always seek for a translator and who is familiar to your language. Seek more advise from your travel company to help you with a translator.

Payment Methods

Cheetah Safaris accepts online payment by credit card, direct swift banking payment, paypal with extra charges for transactions, cheques and PDQ Credit card payments (21 days before safari).

Bank Transfers takes 2-5 Days to be reflected in our accounts and incurs charges on sending the money.

Charges on Payments

Cards via PDQ Machine and Online Credit Payments deducts you between 3% and 6% per transaction.

Is My Money Safe with Cheetah Safaris: –

We guarantee you that your money is safe with us in any instance you pay Cheetah Safaris for your safari or any other services offered to you.

We are proud Members of Tour Operators Society of Kenya (TOSK) and fully registered and operational Tour Company in Kenya by the relevant Tourism Bodies such as the Tourism Regulatory Authority.

Please visit our Terms and Condition to vie our Payments Plans for your safaris.

There is a safari priced for just about everybody, but there are major differences in accommodations, services, transportation and food. It’s important that you consider how much “roughing’ it” you’re willing to do before you plan your safari.

If you are interested in a custom tour for you and your family, this will also affect the price tag. Generally speaking, you would spend $300 US Dollars to $900 US Dollars per person, per day range. You might stay in luxury Camps and Lodges, have full service camping and some domestic flight time. If you can pay between $900 and $2500 per person per day, you can stay in small, remote, five-star lodges and luxury plus camps and travel more by plane (it’s less tiring and offers spectacular views!).

Other factors that up the price are exotic modes of travel, such as by hot air balloon and special cultural experiences such as visiting a bush home, will be more expensive. Don’t forget airfare to Africa, which isn’t necessarily included in your safari package. 

A safari will always depend with your budget and the desired days of stay.

Cheetah Safaris Recommends 3 days and above for a safari within East Africa.

Family Safaris and Cheetah Safaris recommend more than 7 days and above for great experiences and child exposure.

Honeymoon Safaris are one of the many categories Cheetah Safaris offers and its ecommended to take more than 7 days.

Photography Safaris depends with your exact type of photography you want such as big cats, birds, landscapes and others. Cheetah Safaris Recommends more than 14 Days.

Most Parks in Kenya Tanzania and Uganda are widely spread and require a lot of travel time. In some instances you may find destinations are far from each other. We offer charter services and flight safaris that will help reduce travelling time between destinations.

Most destinations require more than 7 hours of travelling on road and might be affected by various factors such as traffic, weather and road conditions.

Its not always guaranteed that time is kept, but Cheetah Safaris does its best to ensure time is kept and strictly sticking to itinerary schedules.

Single supplements are charges added to solo travellers or any person in a group that’s on safari, occupying a single room.

Most hotels provide double rooms for people sharing a room which is a common costing price by Hotels/Camps/Lodges. That’s why we have quoted all our safaris as per person sharing and a minimum of two pax per safari.

A safari is a casual affair. Safari dress is casual, preferably neutral colours (e.g. khaki, brown or green); T-shirts and shorts/skirts for the day; long-sleeved cool shirts and long pants with socks for evenings outdoors (for the mosquitoes); good walking shoes; swimsuit; warm sweater or light coat for early morning and night safari drives; polarizing sunglasses; a hat or cap; a good camera and plenty of film (you will not be able to get the film you need in remote areas); sun block cream (SPF 30 or higher)

If you are prone to sunburn; malaria medication; insect repellent (often supplied by your lodge); scarf and gloves for cool evenings especially in the winter months (June – August) – yes, it can be cold in the early mornings and evenings; and a good pair of binoculars (essential).

Following is a list to help you
1. Good quality sunglasses, preferably polarized – tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light 
2. Bush Hat
3. T-shirts and one long-sleeved cotton shirt 
4. Shorts/ skirts 
5. Long trousers/slacks 
6. Track suit 
7. Underwear and socks 
8. Good walking shoes (running/ tennis shoes are fine) 
9. Thongs/sandals 
10. Swimsuit 
11. Warm winter sweater 
12. Warm Anorak or Parka (important for the cold winter mornings i.e. June – August) 
13. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust 
14. Camera equipment and plenty of film. 
15. Binocular (Favorite pair)- 
16. Personal toiletries 
17. Malaria tablets 
18. Moisturizing cream & suntan lotion 
19. Anti-histamine cream 
20. Insect repellent e.g. Tabard, Raid, Jungle Juice, etc 
21. Basic medical kit (aspirins, Band-Aids), Imodium, antiseptic cream etc) 
22. Tissues/ “Wet Ones” 
23. Visas, tickets, passports, money etc 
24. A flashlight. Please bring spare batteries and a spare bulb as these are unobtainable in lodges and camps.
25. Light rain gear for summer months (late November to April) 
26. Scarf for the winter months (IE. May to September) 
If you are going to be staying in the major cities then bring along formal clothing for evening wear.