Details may vary depending on departure date. Please choose
Suitability
Suitability
We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
During our stay in the Serengeti there is time to take a once-in-a-lifetime balloon flight over the Serengeti Plains. Flights cost US$499, depart each day at dawn and last approx. 1hr. Transport from/to our camp/lodge is included in the price, along with sparkling wine, a full English breakfast in the bush and a flight certificate. For every passenger flown, a royalty is paid to Tanzania National Parks which goes towards conservation funds. For more information, please go to ‘www.balloonsafaris.com’.
If you are interested in booking a space for this very popular excursion please contact Serengeti Balloons direct at balloons-reservations@habari.co.tz quoting your Tour Code and Departure Date. Payment will be taken in full at the time of booking and can be made by Visa or Mastercard (credit card) or bank transfer. Please note that this payment is fully refundable up to 7 days prior to the date of the flight. Please note that if your flight is cancelled by the balloon operator due to poor weather conditions, then your money will also be refunded in full.
It is also possible to book the balloon flight locally, athough this will be subject to availability.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Lake Naivasha - Visit to Elsamere with high tea $10, Lake Naivasha boat trip $15. Maasai Mara - Village walk $10 Lake Eyasi - Search for the Hadzabi Bushmen $40-60 depending on numbers. Karatu - Walk to Gibbs Farm $15. Serengeti- Serengeti Balloon Safari $499 Zanzibar - Guided tour of Stone Town US$15; Anglican cathedral and slave market US$5;Half day Spice Island Tour US$23; Scuba diving (PADI registered dive centre) US$80 1 tank, $125 2 tanks. (You’ll need your diving certificates), Sunset Dhow cruise $20, Mnemba Atoll snorkelling with lunch $35
Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
Local Currency: Kenyan Shilling. Recommended Currency for Exchange: You should take the majority of your spending money in US Dollars cash. Please be aware that any notes issued before 2002 will not be accepted. Where to Exchange: Banks or ‘Forex’ offices in main towns/cities. Tour Leader will advise you on arrival. ATM Availability: Cash can be drawn on credit cards from ATMs in Nairobi. Credit Card Acceptance: Accepted in larger hotels only.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: You should take a combination of US Dollars and Sterling cash for spending money, US Dollars are preferable. Please be aware that any notes issued before 2002 will not accepted.
Where to Exchange: Banks or 'Forex' offices only in main towns/cities. Your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival.
Credit Card Acceptance: Credit cards are generally not accepted.
Additional Information: It is prohibited to export Tanzanian shillings.
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant. **Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
UK, AUS, NZ. USA & CAN citizens need an entry visa. British citizens can obtain a visa upon arrival but this is subject to the fulfilment of all immigration requirements. Other nationalities should consult their travel agent or consular office.
We strongly recommend protection against malaria, hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, polio and yellow fever. Please note you may be required to produce a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival in Tanzania. This includes travellers coming from Europe via, or transiting through, an endemic country including the airports of Nairobi (Kenya) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Travellers may also wish to take immunisation against meningococcal meningitis.
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link athttp://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
The climate is tropical but varies greatly with altitude. Coastal areas are hot and humid, the central plateau dry and arid. It can be cold at night, particularly in June & July and at altitude. Generally the long rains arrive April/May and the short rains Nov/early Dec, although this pattern can be completely erratic.
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
Pack for hot conditions for June, July and August departures. Dress is informal. A warm fleece or sweater is essential for cooler nights in the desert. Include a long sleeved shirt and warm trousers. Also a lightweight waterproof jacket, swimwear and a sun hat.
You will need a good insect repellent, suncream, sunglasses, sunhat a small torch and a personal water bottle. 3-season (temperature –5°C to 0°C) sleeping bag and a sleeping-sheet.
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
This journey takes you to a remote and beautiful part of the world. As you'll be visiting developing countries, the infrastracture is not comparable to the infrastracture in western countries and you should come prepared for this. Some of the campsites are simple with basic facilities and places visited and routes may vary depending on local road and weather conditions. This is a participatory camping tour and you will be expected to put your tent up, take it down and help out with some camp chores. This is very much a rugged overland trip and road conditions can sometimes be rough, pot-holed and bumpy in this part of Africa, however the experience is authentic and incredibly rewarding. Although you will experience a number of long drives, the ever changing diversity of views and landscapes more than make up for this. If you are prepared to adopt a flexible and open minded approach, participate in the group experience and embrace a spirit of adventure, this will be an unforgettable experience in the heart of Africa!
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Serengeti Balloon Safari
