Frequently Asked Questions

 Is it safe to travel in Africa?
There are certain inherent risks whenever one travels, but chances of being involved in an incident are very small. AWS is in constant contact with our international offices and continually monitor any situations that might occur in the area that you are traveling. The continent of Africa is larger than all of Europe, China, India, Argentina, New Zealand and the United States put together. It consists of fifty-four countries with totally unrelated political systems over 11,700,000 square miles.

  How far in advance should I book my Flight?
Kenya and Tanzania flights are limited and we find that there can be problems getting seats on British Airways or KLM if you try to schedule less than two months ahead of time. Peak seasons also book up as far as nine months ahead of time. In Kenya the wildebeest migration into Maasai Mara makes it difficult to get lodging and airplane flights during July and August, if they are not purchased far ahead of time. Mid to late December is also a busy time in both Kenya and Tanzania. Outside of peak seasons, you should have no trouble booking if you schedule your safari at least four months in advance.

 What is included in the safari?
• Hotel, lodge and camp accommodations as indicated in the itinerary
• Meals as detailed in the itinerary
• Transportation, transfers, sightseeing and game viewing as detailed in the itinerary
• All park fees, service charges and hotel taxes
• Informative and helpful drivers and guides
• Domestic flights as detailed in the itinerary

 What is NOT included in the safari?
• International flight from the United States to East Africa
• Any international or domestic departure tax
• All tips and gratuities including tips to drivers, guides , hotel porters and waiters
• Any expenses incurred in conjunction with this trip while in United States or Africa
• Passport and visas
• Items of a personal nature such as snacks, gifts, beverages (i.e. Alcohol and bottled water), laundry phone calls, etc.
• Renting equipment at hotels ( i.e. racket ball equipment, horse back riding, snorkeling equipment, balloon rides, golf, guided bird watching)

 Will there be any inconveniences?
Everything takes longer in East Africa than it does in the United States, it is part of the charm of the culture. The bank and post office takes a couple minutes in the US while in East Africa it can take up to an hour to do a transaction. People take time out to be social and say hello to everyone and people are rarely in rush and on time constraint. Things often do not run as smoothly in East Africa and flat tires are common. “Hakuna matata” “No problems” or “Hakuna haraka” “ no rush” is a common saying in east Africa. So as we begin our travels to East Africa we must also be patient and open minded. Bring a good book and travel games to help pass the time in those situations that we might have to wait a longer.

 How are the roads?
Roads in East Africa are bumpy and dusty. The distance it would take to travel an hour in the US will take about 3 hours in East Africa. Get your seat ready for a bumpy ride!

 What type of clothing do I need to bring?
There are no special items that you need to purchase for your safari. Casual wash and wear clothing is the most appropriate. During the day, the best clothing is shorts or safari pants. Lightweight cotton or nylon tops and cotton or nylon shirts are the norm. While on safari, it is helpful to wear neutral colors such as khaki, Grey, tan, or olive because of the dust on the game drives. Women might feel more comfortable in town wearing a skirt or dress and men wearing pants. When you book your trip with us we will provide you a packing list that many of our guests find helpful.

 What is the weather like in Kenya and Tanzania?
The rainy season in East Africa is November, April and May and it can be difficult to get around in the remote places that our trips explore. A good time to travel to Kenya is during the mass migration of wildebeest into Kenya in July, August, and early to mid-September. The same migration moves into the Serengeti in Tanzania in December, January, February, and March. That can be a spectacular time to travel in Tanzania.

This doesn't mean that there isn't great game viewing at other times. Off-peak season can be a very relaxing time. The lodges are less crowded and the game reserves not involved in the migratory pathways have as much game as normal. It's all a matter of what you want so let us know when you want to travel and we can help you plan for the best possible game viewing experiences.

Most of East Africa is Savannah, comparable to the high plateau, semi-desert areas of Colorado or New Mexico. Altitude ranges from 3,000 to 7,000 feet (915-2130 meters). Obviously Kilimanjaro climbers will experience much higher altitudes. Temperatures during the day range from 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Nights are cool with temperatures dipping as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas like in Ngorongoro Crater. Even though you will be traveling near the equator, please take our packing recommendations seriously and take along a light jacket or sweatshirt, sweater, and a fleece pullover. Additionally, bring something warm to sleep in at night. Humidity is low. If you don't travel near the rainy season, it usually doesn't rain. The coastal part of East Africa is beach weather so bring your bathing suits and sun hats because it can be tremendously hot and humid.

 Can I contact someone who has been on trip with AWS?
Because of the specialized nature of our business and the personal nature of our safaris many of our guests have volunteered to speak with potential travelers. Please just let us know if you would like the telephone number of a past guest.


 What type of medical condition do I need to be before going on safari?
Before you leave for an international destination you should consult your physician. The materials you will receive from AWS include detailed information about vaccinations and other health related matters that should also be discussed with your physician. You will also need to decide on a malaria prevention medication.

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