Africa Expedition Support
Essential Trip
Information

Flights

Flights to and from Africa are not included in the cost of the Expedition (check out our airline links for deals). Every expedition member is responsible for their own flights.

Visas

Visas are not included in the cost of the Expedition. Every expedition member is responsible for their own visas. Most nationalities can obtain a visa at the airport and at borders there-after. As a guide most nationalities pay USD$50 Kenya, USD$50 Uganda, and USD $50 Tanzania. Visas must be paid in USD cash only, not older than dated 2003.

Trans Africa clients refer to Trans Africa Expedition page for visa information.

Passport

Your passport must be valid at least 6 months after the finish date of the trip. You must have at least 3 empty pages at the start of the trip (except Trans Africa Expedition refer to Trans Africa details)

Travel Insurance

You must have valid comprehensive travel insurance for the entire duration of the trip. This insurance must cover all activities you want to do i.e. white water rafting Grade 5 etc.

Vaccinations

You must have a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. For all other vaccinations refer to your Travelers Medical Clinic for advice.

Malaria

There is various prophylaxes available. They all have pros and cons. You have to keep in mind none of them provide 100% protection; they only buy you time to treat the infection. Treatments are available throughout malarial zones for relatively little money. Your best protection is not to get bitten. Malaria is a serious illness!

Your best protection is to cover up from dusk to dawn (light colored long sleeve shirt and trousers), use a strong insect repellent (DEET based) and take anti-malaria prophylaxes (tablets).

It is essential you obtain advice from your Travelers Medical Clinic on precautions and prophylaxis which suits you best.

Trip Payment

The Trip costs are split into 2 sections:

Land Price: Is payable in full 8 weeks prior to departure, failure to do so could result in forfeiting your seat. This is payable in GBP.

Local Payment: Is payable on day 1 of your expedition directly to the crew. This is payable in post dated 2003 USD Cash only.

Personal spending money - You can never have too much!!

Everyone has different needs and life styles. It is hard to predict what every individual would spend. As a rough guide we recommend at least $10 a day to pay for your lunch a couple of beers in the evening and the odd souvenir as well as e-mails and post cards. For Gorillas and Beaches; and Adrenalin, Wildlife and Beaches we recommend an extra $20 per day while in Diani beach to cover meals.

Bring ALL your spending and optional extra money in new USD CASH ONLY. Large USD notes (tip: $50 and $100 notes obtain a higher exchange rate than small notes).

USD notes must be dated 2003 and above; clean new notes without rips or pen markings otherwise they will not be accepted in East Africa.

Do not assume the banks or money changers in UK/Europe/AUS/NZ/USA know you need NEW post dated 2003 USD CASH. You must check the dates and condition of each note before accepting them.

Traveler's cheques and credit cards are OK emergency backup money only. DO NOT rely on them as a source of cash (they also attract very high commission rates regardless what you are told back home).

Optional Extras

All optional extras are payable in USD cash (post dated 2003 only) i.e. gorilla trek permits, rafting, Serengeti etc. See individual trip information for details.

Gorilla Trek Permits

Gorilla Permits are difficult to obtain hence depending on availability Africa Expedition Support purchases Gorilla Permits in either Uganda, Rwanda or DRC. The price of the Gorilla Permit Only ranges between USD$375 and $550. In addition to this costs you also pay visas for Rwanda and DRC as well as re-entry to Uganda. Visa costs depend on nationality. All countries have an additional cost for transport and administration fees regardless which park the trek takes place.

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

Can be arranged at the relevant campsites in Nairobi and Entebbe but is not included in the tour price. Dorm and room accommodation range from USD$7-USD$10 and USD$15-USD$20 per night respectively.

Accommodation Upgrades

Although camping is great fun sometimes it is nice to treat yourself to a bed without it costing too much extra. We carefully select campsites providing those little extras like dorm or room upgrades from as little as USD$3-15 pp extra. Most campsites we stay have accommodation upgrade options.

What do you HAVE to bring?
  • Lots of common sense and humor
  • sleeping bag
  • Torch (head torch), spare batteries and bulbs, African batteries last for about 5 minutes!
  • Mosquito repellent (jungle formula or equivalent, natural based repellents are ineffective)
  • T-shirts, shorts, long trousers, long shirt, flip-flops, closed shoes, underwear, fleece, light rain jacket, swimming outfit, cap, towel (DO NOT over pack, you can buy things cheaper as we go along!)
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Toiletries
  • Anti-malarial tablets * see notes on Malaria
  • Cameras - digital cameras are great but not if charging facilities are unpredictable, bring spare batteries, adaptors for power points/car chargers (East Africa uses English plugs), extra memory cards and cables to plug camera into computer to download photos (and software)
  • Mobile phone - if you cannot live without it
  • Travel alarm clock - essential
  • Music, books and games, bring any format you like CDs, I pods, Tapes.
  • International Student Card (if you have one)
  • PADI Diving certificates and log book (if you have one)

Mattresses and tents are supplied.

Do not bring too much we are not going to the moon!

NOTE: All prices for optional extras/activities, visa costs etc are subject to change. Although unlikely, the itinerary is subject to change without prior notice due to road conditions, natural disaster, political unrest, illness, mechanical break down etc.

Want to find out more? Email Debs
info@AfricaExpeditionSupport.com
(To avoid being blocked, don't forget
to add us to your address book)
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It always rains on tents. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent.
Dave Barry