Planning your East African Safari with Wild Footsteps

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FOR YOUR SAFARI, dress in layers, pack light casual wear (lightweight, breathable fabrics) in neutral colours like khaki, green, brown, beige, or grey to blend into the savannah and that will help keep you cool. Try to avoid white, black, and blue. A warm jacket or fleece for evening game drives or any early morning drives. Avoid strong perfume or cologne, that very well may attract insects and scatter wildlife sensitive to smell.

Choose comfortable shoes.  Closed toes are preferable when you are out and about. Open toe sandals or sturdy flip-flops are sometimes a good option if you are in a vehicle-based safari. You will need tough hiking boots for walking and mountain safaris. 

Bring your camera and lenses with extra batteries and binoculars, if you would rather not share,  the one pair of binoculars provided per safari vehicle. Drones are prohibited in most National Parks and Reserves.

Many camps cannot support electricity for hair dryers, but many properties supply their own hairdryers suited to their power supply. Any fine jewellery should be left at home.

Kenya and Tanzania are great year-round holiday destinations,be, be it a family trip or a romantic honeymoon. Here is a comprehensive guide on to help you decide when to come on vacation.

• January – March: Hot, dry, and usually rainless.
• April – June: These are the long rains; the climate becomes hot and wet.
• July – October:  is the cooler, dry season, but in Central/North Kenya rain can occur.
• November – Mid-December: This is the period of short, unpredictable rains.

Why visit in the Dry Season:

Wildlife spotting is often at his best. Vegetation is sparser, making distance viewing easier.

Animals tend to gather around rivers and waterholes, making it easier to find them.

Road conditions are also better.However, keep in mind that the main tourist season ties in with the dry season, with the biggest influx from December-mid March and July-August. So, if you do not like big crowds, plan your trip accordingly.

Why visit during the Wet Season:

While the two rainy seasons are not considered the best for wildlife viewing, the rains transform the country’s scenery, and with the lush, green landscape, you will be able to capture some beautiful memories and photographs. Also, Migratory birds are present from September – April. The wetter season also coincides with lower rates and there are smaller crowds in the reserves.

While Kenya’s wildlife parks can be visited throughout the year, the best viewing is often observed during the dry season, and especially from July – October, this season coincides with the phenomenal spectacle of the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Those looking to combine a safari to both Kenya and Tanzania, and who want to witness what has been dubbed as the greatest show on earth, should visit at this time.

East Africa coastal regions, including Diani, Mombasa, Malindi, the Northern islands of Lamu, and Zanzibar tend to experience humid and hot weather all year round.

However, rainfall and temperatures are at their highest between mid-March and May, so plan your beach holiday outside of these months.

FOR A COASTAL EXTENSION: Please remember your swimwear for beach activities. A cover-up is also useful for transitioning from the beach to other locations such as cultural tours.

Remember to pack any personal medication that you need and in addition to mosquitos/insect repellent, sunscreen protection cream - as well as sunglasses, wide brimmed hats to protect  your neck from  sunburn, or  caps. 

 Vaccinations include:

• Tetanus
•  Hepatitis A
• Yellow Fever: Kenya (not mandatory if you are travelling from a country at no risk, but it is mandatory if you are travelling from countries which are at risk like Tanzania. To enter Tanzania, it is mandatory from all the countries. 
• Malaria: there is no vaccination for Malaria, but antimalarial prophylactic, medication has been tested and proven to work. Recommendations: travellers going to certain areas of Kenya can take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. You will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip.
• It is also vital that we are made aware in advance of any allergies you may have, the level of caution required and confirmation that you are travelling with your personal/necessary medication, epipen etc.

To accommodate your dietary needs we need to know if you have any strick food restrictions or any particular diet. These may include one of the following or a different spectrum. 

• Gluten-free
• Lactose intolerance
• Vegetarian
• Vegan

Do you have any phobias? Do you suffer from vertigo, fear of the dark, spiders or any insect and allergies. It is vital we know in advance. Also, please take into consideration these factors when choosing a wildlife safari in Africa.

We would also like to know your vacation 'wish list'  and any particular interests, to assist us in meeting as many of your expectations as we can out amongst nature, during your safari with us. 

Are you particularly fond of wild cats, birds or is your focus more on wildlife photography   

Many of our visitors enjoy their African safari with broader insight such as  an inside look at conservation for instance.   Please lets us know your priorities when you initially enquire with us.