African Wildlife
Bucket List

The minimum age for the trip is 18.

Yes! From touchdown in Nairobi to departing in Entebbe, transportation is included! No need to worry about Uber, taxis, or public transportation.

We will be in an 8-passenger 4WD safari land cruiser. This is used for all transportation during the trip, including game drives. It is modified for safaris and has a pop-up roof. There is a cooler in the back for the bottled water. While it does have air conditioning, we will primarily have the windows open for game viewing. We will have small fans to help with air circulation when staying still. There are also USB charging ports in the car. Please note: roads in Africa are often rough, which can cause issues with AC and charging.

Yes, there are three seats towards the front that can help alleviate car sickness. Non-drowsy Dramamine can also help if you take it before you leave for the day.

There are three main things to be aware of for physical activity. You are the only person who knows your physical limitations.

1. Long, bumpy car rides. Early mornings, hot, dusty, long days.
2. Chimp trekking can take 30 minutes to 4 hours, but mostly on flat terrain.
3. Gorilla trekking can take 45 minutes to 6 hours on hilly terrain. We recommend hiring a porter ($20 plus tip) to help navigate the terrain. There are porters who can carry you out if needed (a team of 16 comes out) for an additional $350.

We stay in mid-range accommodations, which are equivalent to 3-4 star hotels in the United States. They have running water, beds, toilets, and wifi. Each has breakfast and a common room. Some have pools and bars.

Yes. However, many lodges do not use machines. They hand-wash and sun-dry the items. We recommend doing laundry only when staying two nights at a lodge.

Yes. There is a single supplement fee of $1,150.

Yes. Kenya and Uganda both use Type G power plugs (the same as the ones in the UK). The standard voltage is 240 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. The safari vehicle has regular USB ports.

Each lodge has wifi. Some lodges have it throughout the property, while others have it in common rooms (like the restaurant or check-in area). It can be slow and unreliable at times.

Check your phone service provider for their international rates.

Purchasing an international SIM or eSIM is the easiest way to stay connected. Keep in mind that you’ll need separate SIM cards for Kenya and Uganda.

In Kenya, the main networks are Safaricom and Airtel. In Uganda, it’s Airtel and MTN. Each provider offers various packages based on the length of your stay & data needs. Topping off is straightforward if you need more data during the trip.

Yes. You will need an East African Tourist Visa. It’s valid for Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. It costs $100. The application must be done before travel. More information will be provided to group members.

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your trip. It should have at least 2 pages free for your stamps and visas.

A yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Uganda. Otherwise, you will need an exemption certificate from your doctor. These are provided by travel medicine doctors and last for your lifetime. You will need to bring the booklet of proof with you on the trip.

Malaria pills are also recommended for the trip. Please speak to your doctor about any medications.

All meals are included in the trip. There will be a mixture of buffets, menu ordering, and picnic lunches.

Bottled water is provided. Soda, juice, and alcoholic beverages are not included.

No. Tap water is not considered safe in Kenya or Uganda. This is one of the reasons why we (and the lodges) provide bottled water. Any water used in cooking at the lodges is filtered.

We will have a variety of food on the trip – both local and Western-style meals. Our lodges cater to tourists and offer a variety of food.

If you get hangry or like to snack during the day, please bring some with you. We usually have the opportunity to pick up snacks, but this is not a guarantee.

If you have an allergy or strong aversion to a food, please let us know beforehand so we can advise the lodge.

We can accommodate vegetarian options, but specific diets (such as keto or paleo) cannot be accommodated. If your food preferences/requirements change before the trip, it’s your responsibility to let us know.

Please note that we cannot guarantee the absence of cross-contamination or traces of allergens. If you are concerned about having a severe allergic reaction, you must travel with an epi-pen.

Please do not bring hard case luggage. Space is limited in the safari vehicles. A backpack or a soft suitcase is fine. Only bring 1 big bag, even if your airline allows 2.

You can bring smaller bags, such as a carry-on and a personal item. You may need to sit with them in the vehicle if they do not fit in the back.

Please be aware that you may need to carry/transport your own bags for short distances. Most lodges have luggage porters (for a tip), but this can’t be guaranteed. Be sure you can transport your own luggage.

We’ll send out a comprehensive packing list for the trip. For a general idea, though:

• Neutral color clothing: nothing too bright. Royal blue should also be avoided for trekking.
• Trekking: waterproof pants & jacket, leg gaiters or long socks to tuck pants in, waterproof hiking shoes/boots.

Aside from pre-trip costs, people spend about $500-$700. We try to include all the necessities in the trip cost, but tipping is not included in our price.

Tipping is very important in both Kenya and Uganda. We tip luggage porters, hotel staff, site guides (boat tours, community visits, etc), trekking porters, animal trackers and rangers. We also tip our safari guides/drivers at the end of the trip.

U.S. dollars are widely accepted in both Kenya & Uganda. For Uganda, the bills must be dated after 2009, clean and crisp, without writing or markings on them.

Most lodges do take credit cards for drinks, souvenirs, and other services.

Absolutely. If you want more time in Nairobi or Entebbe, we can easily book accommodation for you at the lodge or somewhere else. If you want to explore Tanzania or Rwanda, we can help with that as well through Africa Adventure Vacations.

I personally believe an African safari is for anyone. We try to make this tour as accessible as possible, so if you have concerns, please reach out. If you feel comfortable travelling in a group, like the itinerary, and reading through these questions, then this is the trip for you.

Simple, me (Pam). I’m here to answer all your questions now and in the lead-up to the trip. You can email me at Pamela @ DirectionallyChallengedTraveler.com. Upon booking, you’ll receive my cell phone number for easier communication.