FAQ's

Q1: Why should I choose A-Way-To Africa Safaris?
Q2: Why should I go to Africa now?
Q3: Do I need a visa for travel to Kenya and/or Tanzania?
Q4: Is it safe to travel to Kenya and/or Tanzania?
Q5: What kind of food can we expect to be served and can special dietary needs be met?
Q6: What about drinking water and ice cubes?
Q7: Will I encounter snakes, flying insects and spiders?
Q8: What kinds of immunizations are necessary?
Q9: What kind of luggage should I bring?
Q10: What kind of clothes should I bring?
Q11: Is English spoken in Kenya or Tanzania?
Q12: What if something happens and I need immediate medical attention?
Q13: What about tipping?
Q14: Should I bring US currency, travelers cheques or credit cards?
Q15: Should we fly from location to location or drive?
Q16: What about my overall comfort?
Q17: Should I get travelers insurance?
Q18: What is the difference between a private safari and one with a group?
Q19: Aside from wildlife viewing, what other activities are available while on safari?
Q20: Do you charge a preparation fee?
Q21: Do you handle air arrangements to and from East Africa?

Q1: Why should I choose A-Way-To Africa Safaris?
A: Because we are enthusiastic to introduce people to the wonders of Kenya and Tanzania. Because we will listen to what a client says, instead of just talking to them. Because we know what it is like to try and plan a safari and suddenly realize just how daunting a task it can be. Because we know that for some, a trip to Kenya and/or Tanzania may be the realization of a dream come true, and we want to share in that joy.

Q2: Why should I go to Africa now?
A: Despite the efforts of many wildlife and community development organizations, the simple fact of the matter is that poverty in Africa threatens the wildlife and natural habitats. Humans are encroaching on the natural habitat of wildlife. Abject poverty gives rise to poaching. Despite valiant efforts for a peaceful coexistence between man and wildlife, the reality is that the current relationship is tenuous at best. Kenya and Tanzania are among the forefront of African countries working to ensure the rhythm of life remains, and not become a thing of the past. Right now, Kenya and Tanzania can deliver all that you dream of - and more!

Q3: Do I need a visa for travel to Kenya and/or Tanzania?
A visa is needed for travel to Kenya and/or Tanzania. These normally take seven working days to process, but we suggest you plan on 12 working days. Visas can be purchased at various points of entry in Kenya and Tanzania, but we would highly recommend that you take the time to make sure all papers are in order before embarking on your journey. Visa applications can be obtained by contacting the following embassies:

Embassy of United Republic of Tanzania
2139 R Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 939-6125
Fax: (202) 797-7408
Website: www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org

Embassy of the Republic of Kenya
2249 R Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 387-6101
Fax: (202) 462-3829
Website: www.kenyaembassy.com

Q4: Is it safe to travel to Kenya and/or Tanzania?
A: The continent of Africa is huge. It is three times larger than the United States and it is larger than the U.S., China and Europe combined! If something happens in one country, rarely does it affect what happens in a neighboring country. The way Americans think of travel has changed dramatically in the past couple of years. Security and safety is, and should be, a concern not only for travelers, but tour organizers as well. We are in constant contact with people who live and work in Kenya and Tanzania and carefully monitor situations that could, in any way, affect our clients.

Q5: What kind of food can we expect to be served and can special dietary needs be met?
A: Every attempt will be made to meet any special dietary need, but you must make us aware of special needs well in advance of your trip. Breakfast usually consists of fruit and cereal, eggs, bacon or sausage, toast and beverages. Lunch is usually comprised of cold meats and salads with bread and a choice of cheese, or a buffet of pasta dishes and quiches. Dinner can be a buffet offering a wide array of choices including beef, chicken and pork, or a set three- to four-course meal. Most people are surprised and impressed with the quality of food while on safari.

Q6: What about drinking water and ice cubes?
A: We recommend you do not drink water from the tap or use ice cubes. Bottled water is provided by the camps/lodges and this should be used to drink and brush your teeth with. Additional bottles of water can be purchased at a nominal cost.

Q7: Will I encounter snakes, flying insects and spiders?
A: Spiders, snakes and other insects play a vital role to the Kenyan and Tanzanian ecosystems. It is highly unlikely you will see - let alone have an encounter with - a snake. We have seen more snakes in our gardens here at home then we ever have on safari. As for insects, the fact of the matter is that most safaris are planned during the dry season when insect populations are at its lowest.

Q8: What kinds of immunizations are necessary?
A: The Centers for Disease Control has a very helpful section on travel to East Africa on its website at www.cdc.gov/travel. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is for you to speak with your doctor before getting any shots. Some health insurance companies will reimburse the costs of travel immunizations. Antimalarial medication is highly recommended, and again we urge you to discuss with your doctor which would be best for you. Plan ahead for getting your vaccinations, as some require more than one injection.

Q9: What kind of luggage should I bring?
A: It may not look glamorous, but a large duffel-type of luggage is your best bet. We cannot urge you enough to NOT use hard-sided luggage. Those who use internal flights will be limited to 30 pounds of luggage, including photographic/video camera equipment. Many areas of Kenya and Tanzania are very dusty, subsequently, we recommend that you bring plastic bags that close securely at the top, to protect your photography/video equipment.

Q10: What kind of clothes should I bring?
A: Practical and comfortable clothes are the "haute couture" of Africa. One of the best investments you can make are "convertible pants," which have zip-off legging. Bring khaki or neutral colored clothing and a sweater or fleece cover-up for the cool mornings and evenings. Many camps/lodges in Kenya and Tanzania offer laundry service (except for women's "smalls") for a nominal price. We will be happy to go over a clothing "check list" with you.

Q11: Is English spoken in Kenya or Tanzania?
A: English and Swahili are spoken in both Kenya and Tanzania. Communication should not be a problem. While it may not be necessary, we recommend you learn a few phrases of Swahili. Trying phrases like "asante sana" (thank you very much), "hujambo" (how are you?) and "habari gani" (what's happening?) will do a lot to elicit a smile from your guide and camp/lodge personnel.

Q12: What if something happens and I need immediate medical attention?
A: While the chance of that happening is slim to none, again, we like to be better safe than sorry. We suggest that you get a temporary membership to The Flying Doctor's Society of Africa, which operates a 24-hour air ambulance from Nairobi's Wilson Airport. They will get you from wherever you are to the closest, best medical facility, usually Nairobi. Membership coverage fees vary and are only good for the duration of your trip. The likelihood of you having to use this service is practically nonexistent. And if you don't, your membership fee is used to provide medical and health care services to the poor in remote parts of East Africa. It is a win-win situation. The website address for The Flying Doctor's Society is http://amref.org. We also suggest that you check with your insurance company to find out what its criteria is for overseas medical attention.

Q13: What about tipping?
A: Tipping is at your discretion and should be based on the level of service you get from not only your guide, but camp/lodge staff as well. The general guideline for tipping of safari guides is $10 per day, per vehicle - not per person. For camp/lodge porters, the guideline is $1 per porter. Many camps/lodges have "staff tip boxes," where money placed in the box is shared equally by all camp/lodge personnel.

Q14: Should I bring US currency, travelers cheques or credit cards?
A: While some camps/lodges accept credit cards, some may charge a hefty transaction fee. Other camps/lodges will not charge a transaction fee. Some camps/lodges do not accept credit cards at all. For those reasons, we recommend you bring cash in $1's, $5's, $10's and $20's. US dollars are widely accepted, as are American Express and Citibank travelers cheques.

Q15: Should we fly from location to location or drive?
A: Driving from location to location is certainly less expensive than flying. Roads in rural areas, especially en-route to game parks, are unpaved, extremely dusty and bumpy. This is not being said to dissuade you from driving from park to park. Instead, it is being noted as a reality of safari travel. An advantage to driving from location to location is that you have an opportunity to stop along the way and perhaps have encounters with local people that you would otherwise not have. Flying, on the other hand, affords you more time for game viewing. Personally, we like a combination of flying and driving.

Q16: What about my overall comfort?
A: There will be some inconveniences, which is par for the course when traveling in Africa. Some airlines will not run exactly on schedule, roads can be rough and vehicles may experience problems. But what you need to remember is that you are traveling to Kenya and Tanzania, special destinations that remain largely untouched by mass tourism. Adopt a "hakuna matata" (no problem in Swahili) attitude and remember, this is, after all, Africa.

Q17: Should I get travelers insurance?
A: A trip to Africa can be perceived as an investment. As such, you should do whatever you can to protect your investment. Travelers insurance can be expensive, so we suggest you shop around for the best price. A-Way-To Africa Safaris is not in the business of selling travel insurance.

Q18: What is the difference between a private safari and one with a group?
A: Traveling with a group is sometimes more cost effective and it can be seen as a more "social" way of seeing Africa than a private safari. Traveling with other people, however, can sometimes mean having to compromise on trying to meet everyone's interests. A private safari is ideal for serious photographers, families or those simply wishing more privacy. It still allows for socializing with other travelers at meal times, but provides more flexibility on when and where you go, how long you stay and visiting the parks and reserves that are of interest to you.

Q19: Aside from wildlife viewing, what other activities are available while on safari?
A: You can do virtually anything while on safari in Kenya and/or Tanzania. Golfing, mountain hiking, chimpanzee trekking, horseback riding, hot-air balloon rides, scuba diving and snorkeling along the coasts, and fishing are some of the activities you can take part in. Both Kenya and Tanzania have miles and miles of pristine beaches with very comfortable accommodations. A trip to the beach is the perfect end to a safari.

Q20: Do you charge a preparation fee?
A: That seems to be the trend among many safari operators, but we do not charge a preparation fee.

Q21: Do you handle air arrangements to and from East Africa?
A: No we do not. Many travel agents would be happy to assist you with air from the United States to East Africa. We can provide a list of airlines which fly to and from East Africa and also with the telephone number of airline consolidators, if you decide to go that route. The most important thing to remember is to shop around for the best airline fare. We will arrange the internal flights in Kenya and/or Tanzania.

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