What to Expect
- Physical requirements:
This trip is only for physically fit and healthy travelers and is not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. You can expect 2-4 hours of daily physical activities of moderate intensity and 1-2 miles of unassisted walking over the course of each day. We reserve the right for our Trip Leaders to modify participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home if their limitations are impacting the group's experience.
- Climate & terrain:
The hottest months are October-February; mid-day temperatures can reach between 80-100 degrees with cooler temperatures at night. May brings heavy rains. The roads can be in poor condition and can cause problems for travelers with leg or back issues. We’ll travel over bumpy, dusty terrain during overland transfers and game-viewing drives, and camp in tents built on uneven terrain.
- Pacing:
5 locations in 13 days. Early morning and late afternoon game-viewing drives on safari days, rising at 6am.
- Transportation:
We’ll travel in closed-sided five- or seven-seater Land Cruisers with a roof hatch and hard seats. Window seating provides all passengers with unobstructed views. Please note that these vehicles do not have air-conditioning.
- Accommodations:
We spend 11 nights in lodges and tented camps that are comfortable, but basic. Our lodges use generators and lanterns at night, offer private toilet and shower facilities and do not have air-conditioning.
- Group size & leadership:
16 maximum and 1 Trip Leader.
Visa Information
U.S. citizens will need a visa (or visas) for this trip. In addition, there may be other entry requirements that also need to be met. For your convenience, we’ve included a quick reference list, organized by country:
- Tanzania: Visa required. Tanzania may require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before entering the country.
- Rwanda (optional extension): No visa required. Rwanda requires proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before entering the country.
Travelers who are booked on this adventure will be sent a complete Visa Packet— with instructions, applications, and a list of visa fees—approximately 100 days prior to their departure. (Because many countries limit the validity of their visa from the date it is issued, or have a specific time window for when you can apply, we do not recommend applying too early.)
If you are not a U.S. citizen, do not travel with a U.S. passport, or will be traveling independently before/after this trip, then your entry requirements may be different. Please check with the appropriate embassy or a visa servicing company. To contact our recommended visa servicing company, PVS International, call toll-free at 1-800-556-9990.
Vaccinations Information
Proof of a yellow fever vaccination is recommended for Tanzania for this adventure. (It is legally required only for persons from, or persons who have visited, yellow fever endemic countries.) Proof of a yellow fever vaccination is a legal requirement for entry to Rwanda (visited on the optional post-trip extension).
For a detailed and up-to-date list of vaccinations that are recommended for this trip, please visit the CDC’s “Traveler’s Health” website.