Frequently Asked Questions

Safari costs vary widely based on destination, accommodation level, and duration. Budget safaris in East Africa start around $150–250 per person per day, mid-range options run $350–600, and luxury experiences can exceed $1,000 per day. We tailor every itinerary to your budget and preferences.

Simply get in touch via our contact page or send us an enquiry for any safari that interests you. We'll discuss your preferences, dates, and budget, then craft a personalised itinerary. Once you're happy with the plan, we secure your bookings with a deposit. Our team handles all logistics so you can focus on the adventure.

We recommend booking at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for peak season (July–October) and popular destinations like the Masai Mara and Serengeti. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible, but availability for top lodges and camps fills up fast. The earlier you book, the wider your options.

Written notice sets the fee. More than 60 days before departure the fee is 10% of the package, 31–60 days is 25%, 15–30 days is 50%, and 14 days or less is 100%. Cancel 40 or more days out and you may take a nine-month travel credit instead of a refund. Kenya and Tanzania's mandatory inbound policies do not pay these fees. The full schedule is on our cancellation policy page.

Yes! We design bespoke group safaris for families, friends, corporate retreats, incentive trips, and special celebrations. Group sizes range from 4 to 40+ guests. We handle all logistics including group transfers, conference facilities, team-building activities, and custom dining arrangements.

The main online checkout is WeTravel: cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and local bank methods such as SEPA, ACH and BACS, depending on your country. WeTravel’s platform fee is about 1% (published minimum US$1.50). Local bank methods are often 0% on top of that. Published card rates run from about 1.5% to 3.9%, and the checkout shows the exact fee before you pay. PesaPal is still available, including M-Pesa and cards. You can also transfer to Imara’s bank accounts in Kenya — you pay your own bank’s charges, and WeTravel’s fee does not apply. Your curator confirms the schedule in writing, typically a deposit of around 30% with the balance before departure, and every payment is acknowledged with a receipt.

Yes. Online payments are taken by WeTravel (processed by Stripe and Airwallex) or by PesaPal. Your card details never touch our servers, and we never ask for them by email or chat. Bank transfers go only to the Imara account named on your invoice, and those accounts are in Kenya. Every booking is confirmed in writing with a full inclusions list and supplier references.

A deposit of typically around 30% confirms your dates, lodges and any park or gorilla permits — the exact figure varies by safari type and is agreed with your safari curator. The balance is due before departure, and your safari designer issues a written confirmation with the full inclusions list the same day your deposit lands.

Your deposit is refundable for 30 days after booking, less any non-refundable supplier costs such as gorilla permits, charter flights or single-supplement lodge nights. After 30 days the fee is 10% with more than 60 days' notice, 25% at 31–60 days, 50% at 15–30 days, and 100% within 14 days. A nine-month travel credit is available if you cancel 40 or more days out. Government inbound insurance for Kenya and Tanzania does not pay these fees. See the cancellation policy for the full terms.

The dry seasons (June–October and January–February) are generally best for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources. The Great Migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara peaks between July and October. However, the green season (November–May) offers lush landscapes, fewer crowds, and lower rates.

We recommend at least 4–5 days for a meaningful safari experience, though 7–10 days allows you to visit multiple parks and destinations. Short 2–3 day safaris are possible from Nairobi but can feel rushed. The ideal duration depends on your destinations and what you want to see.

For Kenya safaris, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi is the main gateway. For Tanzania, Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near Arusha are key hubs. Uganda uses Entebbe International Airport (EBB), and Rwanda uses Kigali International Airport (KGL). Domestic flights connect these hubs to safari airstrips.

Yes, in two parts. From 5 October 2026 most visitors to Kenya must buy inbound travel health insurance through the Kenya eTA or eCitizen portal. From 1 October 2026 most visitors to mainland Tanzania must buy inbound cover from the National Insurance Corporation, or from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation if Zanzibar is the first stop. A policy from home does not replace those certificates, and they do not pay safari cancellation fees. Also buy your own policy for cancellation, medical costs above the government limits, and evacuation. Ask the insurer to include any climb, balloon flight or walking safari on your itinerary. Official links are on our Before you travel page.

Yes, safaris with reputable operators are very safe. Our experienced guides are trained in wildlife behaviour and first aid. You'll travel in specially designed safari vehicles, and all camps and lodges follow strict safety protocols. We also provide comprehensive pre-trip briefings.

Yellow fever vaccination is required when you arrive in Kenya or Tanzania from a country with a risk of transmission, so a trip from Kenya or Uganda into Tanzania needs the certificate. Uganda's immigration directorate said on 2 October 2026 that a certificate is no longer mandatory to enter Uganda. Rwanda sets its own rule. Discuss hepatitis A and B, typhoid and your routine vaccines with a travel clinic at least six weeks before departure. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly advised for most safari areas.

Malaria is present in most safari destinations. We recommend taking antimalarial medication prescribed by your doctor, using insect repellent with DEET, wearing long sleeves and trousers at dawn and dusk, and sleeping under mosquito nets. Most safari camps provide nets and repellent. The risk is manageable with proper precautions.

Kenya uses an electronic travel authorisation applied for online before travel. Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda issue their own visas. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, not Tanzania. From October 2026 most visitors must also buy government inbound travel insurance for Kenya and for mainland Tanzania. We send route-specific guidance with your booking.

Pack neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige), layers for cool mornings and warm afternoons, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes, binoculars, and a good camera. Most camps offer laundry service, so you can pack light.

Yes, light aircraft flights between safari destinations typically have a 15 kg (33 lb) luggage limit per person in a soft-sided bag — no hard suitcases. This includes camera equipment. Most lodges provide laundry service so you can pack light. If you have excess luggage, it can usually be stored at your Nairobi hotel.

The Great Migration is one of nature's most spectacular events — over 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, travel in a continuous loop between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. The dramatic river crossings typically happen between July and October.

While no safari can guarantee sightings, East Africa's top parks like the Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Queen Elizabeth National Park offer excellent chances of seeing lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos. Our expert guides know the best locations and times to maximise your chances.

Yes! Mountain gorilla trekking is available in Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga) and Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park). Permits are required and limited — Uganda permits cost $800 and Rwanda permits cost $1,500 per person. We recommend booking gorilla permits at least 3–6 months in advance as they sell out quickly.

A game drive is conducted in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional guide/driver, offering safe close encounters with wildlife. Walking safaris are guided walks through the bush on foot with armed rangers, providing an intimate ground-level perspective of the ecosystem — tracks, plants, insects, and smaller wildlife you'd miss from a vehicle.

Absolutely! Many lodges and camps welcome families and offer child-friendly activities, family rooms, and reduced rates. Some walking safaris and certain camps have minimum age requirements (typically 6–12 years). We specialise in creating family-friendly itineraries that keep both kids and adults engaged.

Options range from basic camping to ultra-luxury lodges. Tented camps offer an authentic bush experience with modern comforts — think four-poster beds, en-suite bathrooms, and gourmet dining under the stars. Lodges provide hotel-like amenities with swimming pools and spas. We match accommodation to your style and budget.

Tented camps are permanent or semi-permanent safari accommodations using large canvas tents on raised platforms. They typically feature proper beds, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers, and electricity. Luxury tented camps rival five-star hotels with plunge pools, gourmet dining, and butler service — all while immersing you in the sounds and sights of the African bush.

US dollars are widely accepted across East Africa and are the preferred currency for safari payments. Bring small denominations ($1, $5, $10, $20) for tips and small purchases. Notes must be dated 2006 or later. Credit cards are accepted at most lodges but not in remote areas. ATMs are available in major cities.

Tipping is customary and appreciated. General guidelines: safari guide/driver $10–20 per person per day, camp/lodge staff $10–15 per person per day (shared tip box), porters and transfer drivers $2–5. These are guidelines — tip based on the quality of service and your satisfaction. We provide detailed tipping advice before your trip.

Most mid-range and luxury lodges offer Wi-Fi, though speeds and reliability vary — you're in the African bush, after all! Some camps intentionally limit connectivity to encourage a digital detox. If staying connected is important, consider a local SIM card with data. We can advise on connectivity at your specific accommodations.

English is widely spoken across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. Swahili is the most common local language in East Africa. Our guides are fluent in English and Swahili, and many speak additional local languages. If you need a guide speaking French, German, Spanish, or other languages, we can arrange this with advance notice.