ACCOMMODATION :

Accommodation is of the highest standard with friendly service and excellent cuisine.

LODGES:

Small by normal hotel standards (50-150 beds), with facilities found in good quality establishments such as lounge, bar, dining room, small shop and in most cases, a swimming pool. Bedrooms have twin-beds (doubles are limited and must be specifically requested). All rooms have en-suite bathroom facilities except in some Tree Houses.

TENTED LODGES:

The main areas are similar to lodges but with tented room accommodation, which is erected on wooden or concrete bases. All tents are fully furnished with insect proofing and fully equipped bathrooms are attached at the rear with hot and cold running water, shower, basin and toilet.

SINGLE ROOMS:

There is always a strong demand for single room accommodation on safari and occasionally the lodges or camps cannot provide single rooms for operational reasons. In the case of a single room supplement having been paid, a refund will be made to the client where a single room has not been available.

AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX AND SERVICE CHARGE:

Airport departure taxes are included in the price of your international flight ticket. Local airport taxes are included in most domestic fares which are part of the all inclusive price quoted except Zanzibar where you have to pay departure tax.
Harbor tax $5 per person flight tax $30 per person for International and Domestic flight T.shs 5000 pp Note: the tax can only be paid in cash.

BAGGAGE:

Clients on our scheduled safaris are asked to restrict baggage to one medium size suitcase per person or preferably, one or two soft bags. If the itinerary includes flights to the game parks, there is a 15 kilo baggage weight restriction per person. One small bag and camera bag is acceptable as hand luggage. Only one overnight bag may be taken to Treetops and the Ark ( Kenya) (rest of the luggage will be stored at base hotel).
Excess baggage charges are usually nominal, but if the aircraft is full, the excess baggage may be refused.
When safari departure is from Nairobi or Arusha, Magical Travel will be happy to make arrangements to store excess baggage with a hotel until your return.

CLIMATE:

The climate in  Africa is strongly influenced by altitude and proximity to the sea. The coast has a hot and humid tropical climate. You will be generally warmer in any part of Africa than in the U.K. Check here:  www.weather.com

CLOTHING and KIT:

Clothing should be practical, comfortable and informal. Lightweight cotton shirts, shorts, trousers or skirts are ideal on safari, while a warm sweater or jacket (and socks!) are required for early morning and late afternoon game drives and the cool highland evenings. Generally, a jacket and tie is not a requirement except for visitors on business. Bring swim wear, sun hat, good sun protection cream, sunglasses, a small flash light (torch), alarm clock and comfortable, rustproof shoes. Lip balm, insect repellent, and reading material, is also advisable. Leave valuable jewelery at home.

ELECTRICITY:

The electrical supply in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa is 220-240v 50 Hz. Sockets are usually 3 pin square (British type). In most tented camps and lodges it is possible to re-charge video camera batteries on request.

HEALTH:

Yellow Fever and Cholera vaccination certificates are required for visitors arriving from infected areas. There are a number of other inoculations recommended to visitors. Clients are advised to contact their own doctor or local medical advisory center for up to date information. Malaria is endemic in Africa and visitors should follow a course of Malaria prophylactics according to doctor's advice.
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Travel
UK Department of Health - Travel

HOTEL CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT:

Normal check out time is 1000 hrs in the morning. If the hotel is full, rooms may not be available for early check-in unless booked from the previous night. At extra cost, day room occupation may be reserved up to 1800 hrs (6.pm).

LAUNDRY:

All hotels and lodges offer laundry services if time permits.

MEALS:

For East Africa safaris,dining is an integral part of the safari experience. High standards of cuisine and a welcoming choice of mouthwatering dishes will usually greet the hungry guest just in from a safari. Full board is normally provided and includes early morning tea, full breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea and a four-course dinner. Tea and coffee is served with all meals. For South Africa see meal plan.

MONEY:

Travelers cheques in US Dollars, Euros, or British Pounds are accepted and be exchanged into local currency as required. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Well known credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted in major hotels and shops in Kenya and South Africa but on a limited basis in Tanzania and Uganda. When purchasing curios in markets places, bargaining is expected, but for cash only.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Bring plenty of film with you. A wide choice of films are available locally but are rather expensive and in establishments outside main towns and cities can be out of date. Telephoto lens (minimum 200 mm recommended) is a must for wildlife photography. Other useful items include filters, dust-proof bags and, of course, spare batteries. Home video cameras may be brought in but professional filming is subject to government permits and levies. Individual binoculars are an invaluable aid to spotting distant animals or birds.

TELEPHONES:

All City and most coastal hotels have international dialing facilitates from your bedroom. On safari this is not the case, but in some lodges and camps calls may be booked through reception. Check tariffs before placing calls from hotels. Mobile or cell phone calls may be made in most parts of the countries but not everywhere.

TRANSPORT
ROAD SAFARIS:

Transport on road safari is by 9-seat minibus, carrying a maximum of 7 passengers in Kenya and Tanzania, each with a seat by a window and opening roof hatch for photography. Some of our safaris include a proportion of game viewing in 4 wheel drive vehicles, which are normally operated by the camps or lodges. In South Africa and Namibia we have 14-22 luxurious bus with air conditioning.

FLYING SAFARIS:

Transportation by aircraft on flying safaris are operated on scheduled flights by aircraft with between 4 and 50 seats.
There is a 15 KG luggage restriction on domestic sectors.

VISAS, INOCULATIONS AND INSURANCE:

All U.K passport holders to Kenya,Tanzania,Zambia,Lesotho require a visa. You can obtain one from the High Commission Offices in London at a fee of £38 for Tanzania and £30 for Kenya,you can get a Kenyan visa on arrival. If you are entering Tanzania via Kenya remember to get a multiple entry visa. Visas are required for Zambia at a fee of £75
Our safari prices do not include the cost of visas, health inoculations or personal insurance which is highly recommended.
RELEVANT WEB SITES FOR ENTRY REQUIREMENTS ARE:
UK Government - Tanzania Visa Info
Kenya High Commission - Visa Info
UK - Zambia High Commission Info
Bostwana Tourism
Namibia Travel Info
South Africa Info