A pre-departure meeting will be held the night prior to your trip departure, the details of where to meet are listed on your tour voucher and trip dossier.

The Pre-Departure meeting is held at 6pm THE DAY BEFORE the scheduled departure date at the meeting point. The pre-departure meeting is held to discuss the tour itinerary in more detail, meet your crew and fellow passengers.

In addition the crew will check that all passengers have the following necessary travel documents:-
1. Tour voucher
2. Travel insurance documentation
3. Your passport
4. Vaccination certificate – if applicable

It is IMPORTANT that you attend this meeting. Please advise KUMUKA or your AGENT if you CANNOT attend this meeting.

Please note: We are not able to match people up in twin share rooms.

If you haven't pre booked your arrival transfer the best way to get to the Hotel Boulevard is via a local taxi firm at the Nairobi airport called Venture Africa. There is a circular wooden desk in the arrivals hall with the VENTURE AFRICA sign. You can’t miss it, as Nairobi airport is quite small. The transfer will cost you approx USD$20. Ignore all the other taxi drivers who are shouting ‘Taxi! Taxi!’ and make your way to the desk. Kumuka passengers have been using Venture Africa for many years and it is a reliable, friendly firm.

Jinja, Source Of The Nile And Kampala. Leaving Lake Nakuru we head for Uganda and Kampala, via the Malaba border with its hundreds of transport trucks awaiting customs clearance. Scenery along the way consists of local villages, sugar and tea plantations, and as much of this drive is at altitudes around 2000 metres above sea level you will also see fields of pyrethrum, distinguishable by its white and yellow flowers. The juice from the pyrethrum plant is a natural insect repellent and is harvested commercially and used to treat materials such as mosquito netting and clothes.

After entering Uganda we cross the Nile River at its source near Jinja, on the shores of Lake Victoria before arriving in Kampala, Uganda’s capital. Kampala is a large modern city that was rebuilt after its decimation by Idi Amin and the chaos of his rule.

Lake Bunyoni And Gorilla Visit. From our base at Lake Bunyoni, passengers wishing to trek the Mountain Gorillas will transfer by small vehicle/minibus to the relevant national park. Please note that the transfers are not included in your gorilla permit or tour cost (cost U$50-100).  Depending on the location of the trek, additional visas may also be required.

Gorilla permits allow visitors to spend up to one hour with a family of gorillas each day.  In order to safeguard the gorillas, only 6-8 people may visit each day.  In the interests of the gorillas, people with colds, flu or other contagious diseases will not be permitted to trek. 

Gorilla trekking may be very strenuous and walking boots are recommended.  The area is often shrouded in mist and frequent downpours are common at all times of year.  A waterproof jacket can be very useful. 

Accompanied by your guides and trackers you will follow simple pathways into the cloud forest.  The terrain is hilly and can be muddy and slippery, however the views of the Virunga mountain range are spectacular and more than make up for the tough inclines.  As you walk, you may see signs and tracks of other animals as well as enjoying bird, monkey and insect sounds of the jungle.  

Following their spore and night nests, your guides will lead you to the gorilla group. Some gorilla groups may be a 5 hour walk away from base camp, whilst other groups can be located within an hour.  It is difficult to predict where the gorilla group might be and this adds to the excitement and unpredictability of the trek. 

After encountering a gorilla family your guides will settle you down and enable you to watch the group interactions.  Visitors are not allowed to get closer than 5 metres to the gorillas, but sometimes the gorillas themselves forget this and come very close indeed! Family groups are generally made up of several females, their playful young and one or two mature silverbacks.  Young gorillas are extremely entertaining and enjoy showing off their climbing, tumbling and play-fighting antics.  Mothers watch on and silverbacks generally maintain a respectful distance whilst keeping a protective eye on their family.  Depending on their daily pattern, gorillas may be encountered resting in a sunny or shady spot or on the move as they travel from one feeding patch to another.   Whatever else they are doing, gorillas are usually also eating and it is fascinating to watch them in the giant salad bowls which make up their habitat.

Photographing gorillas is allowed, but flash photography is prohibited.  Anyone wishing to use a video camera must pay for a special permit.

After your time with the gorilla group you will return to base camp and then rejoin the truck at Lake Bunyoni. 

For up to date information regarding securing a permit and the current prices please contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Those who opt not to partake in the Gorilla trek will be based at Lake Bunyoni where, as noted on days 5-6 there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. As well as swimming, walking and canoeing there are village and craft centre tours available, visits to the nearby Pygmy Island, and bird watching, time to soak up the sites and sounds of Uganda.

Naivasha. From Bujagali Falls we head back to Kenya, towards Lake Naivasha, which was briefly Kenya’s airport as flying boats from southern Africa stopped to refuel on their way north. At Lake Naivasha there are lots of optional excursions you can enjoy. You may wish to visit Elsamere, named after the lioness in “Born Free”. This was the home of Joy Adamson who, along with her husband, was the inspiration for the movie “Born Free”. You also have the option of going trekking or cycling in Hells Gate National Park, one of the few parks in Africa where it is possible to do walking safaris. For the less energetic, Crescent Island (actually the rim of an old crater still attached to the mainland) is a much more leisurely walk and you are almost certain to come within metres of giraffe, wildebeest and several species of gazelle.

Nairobi And Arusha. From the Masai Mara we pass back through Nairobi.

Members of the group only doing the gorilla section of the tour will be leaving the trip in Nairobi. There will, however, be new faces joining the truck to Victoria Falls.

We depart Nairobi and enter Tanzania and the town of Arusha. Our route to Arusha takes us through more Masai tribal lands and along the western slope of Mt Meru. On this route it is also possible to see Mt Kilimanjaro. Be warned, Kilimanjaro is regularly covered by cloud.

Arusha And Dar-Es-Salam. From Arusha our journey takes us to Dar es Salaam (Swahili for ‘haven of peace’) on the Indian Ocean. The trip will either be one big day on the truck or broken down into 2 shorter drives. Whichever way it is done we get another chance to Kilimanjaro and will also see a changing landscape en-route to the coast.

Southern Tanzania & Mikumi N.P. From Zanzibar we cross southern Tanzania into Malawi. The route takes us through the Mikumi National Park. This is not an excursion but the road actually passes right through the centre of the park, which is a bonus, and it is possible to see numbers of giraffe, antelope and elephants. It is interesting to note that these elephants are very small in stature, which is attributed to the decimation of their gene pool due to poaching.

Lilongwe And Lusaka. This period is spent travelling from Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, to Livingstone, stopping off in Lusaka, Zambia, en-route. Livingstone is a small town on the Zambian side and not surprisingly was named after David Livingstone, the man who discovered Victoria Falls.

Chobe National Park. Leaving the falls we go into Botswana and visit the Chobe National Park on the Chobe River. Here we do a morning game drive (3hrs) and an afternoon boat cruise on the river. This river cruise is very good for seeing all the aquatic animals that are not normally seen during a game drive. Both the boat cruise and the game drive give us great game viewing opportunities in one of the largest parks in southern Africa. From Chobe we head to the Okavango Delta.

Namibia And Etosha National Park. Leaving the delta we head for Namibia and Etosha National Park. This Park is one of Africa’s largest (roughly the size of Wales). It has some very good facilities, very good roads and waterholes which enable good game viewing. One of the more famous features of Etosha is that the campsites also have waterholes. This means that once the days game driving is over and parks laws restrict us to the camping areas, it is still possible to view animals. The holes are floodlit and people can sit and watch all night if they wish, the only restriction being noise. We use two areas, Namutoni and Okaukeujo, the latter better established so it attracts a greater number of animals. Photography is permitted and, if using fast film, good results can be achieved. Okaukeujo is famous for attracting black rhino and, although nothing is guaranteed with animals, they are frequent visitors to this waterhole. The park itself has a wide variety of game and they are different to the animals seen in East Africa; there are different types of zebra (it’s all in the stripes), impala (black faced) and wildebeest (blue). Aside from these different types of animals, there are elephant, giraffe (the park has been referred to at times as “Giraffic Park”), lion, bird life and gazelle.

Naukluft N.P. And Fish River Canyon. From Swakopmund we go to the Naukluft National Park. This park has one main feature, which is sand, large mountains of sand. These dunes are the highest in the world, reputed to be as high as 300 metres. The ones we will see have been measured by altimeter on our previous trips and are about 200 metres high, which is still very large. The day here begins before sunrise, as the best times to photograph the dunes is when the sun is low on the horizon and the shadows define the contours clearly. The other reason for the early start is that it is too hot to walk up the dunes once the sun fully rises and the hot sand burns people’s feet. There is also the chance to go on a desert tour for about 3 hours. The guide is a local wildlife specialist.

Our next stop is Fish River Canyon, which is the world’s second largest canyon. There is a spectacular viewpoint over the canyon and short walks are available in the region.

SPRING TIDE INN

8 Oliver Road

Sea Point

Cape Town       Ph: 00 27 21 433 2012      Fax: 00 27 21 433 2031

Post tour accommodation can be booked through Kumuka

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible but please note that Africa does not run like clockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents. Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when you will need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Conditions in Africa can vary dramatically; for example, whilst we always try to use the best campsites, there is a big difference between those found in Eastern Africa to those found in Southern Africa, which are generally better.

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

Many nationalities are able to obtain visas at the local borders or point of entry. It is important that you obtain the appropriate information about your visas before you embark on your Africa trip.

Country entry regulations change frequently, www.kumuka.com provides you with visa information. Most visas are obtained as our trucks cross the borders. Please ensure you have US Dollars CASH to pay for your visas on the borders.  Please also consult your relevant embassy for all details on whether to obtain visas in advance or locally.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS FOR THEIR TOUR.

Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

The following information is a guideline only.  Kumuka Worldwide are not medical professionals and we strongly advise you make an appointment with your GP or Traveller’s Medical Centre at least TWO months prior to your departure date.

Vaccinations:
You must have an International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination if crossing borders within Africa. Southern African countries i.e. South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe DO NOT need the International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination if you are only travelling between these countries.

Compulsory Inoculations:
Yellow Fever if you are arriving from an infected area. Please refer to your GP or Immunization Clinic.

Strongly Recommended:
Diphtheria, Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Meningitis, Hepatitis A & B, Yellow Fever.
These may vary from country to country, please consult your GP or local Travel Clinic.
- A dental check-up prior to travelling.
- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Medical Supplies:
Each Kumuka vehicle has a well-equipped medical kit that by law must remain sealed and can only be used in an emergency. We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

As a general rule when travelling, it is worthwhile being prepared for all types of weather.  Keep a lightweight waterproof jacket/poncho – this should prepare you for all seasons!

For detailed climate information about the areas you are travelling to, please visit our website www.kumuka.com

Currency and how much to take is something that we’re always asked about.   We hope that the following information will assist with your budgeting. 

Please keep in mind that only YOU will know how much you’ll spend on souvenirs, drinks, meals off the truck, internet fees etc. It is always best to allow for more than you think you’ll need rather than go without.

Our recommendation is to allow for at least US$25 to US$30 per day for incidentals over and above the cost of optional excursions and visa fees which should be budgeted for separately.  There will be days when you will not spend anything and other days when you may blow your budget entirely on that souvenir that you have to have, or a round of drinks for your fellow travellers.

US Dollars CASH is the most widely accepted currency in most parts of Africa, except for South Africa and Namibia where you should travel with Rand. Please ensure that all notes are clean and printed AFTER 2001. Small denominations are best for changing into local currencies and tipping i.e. US$5, US$10 & US$20. Where visas are required (refer to our visa guide) you can pay with US$50 notes however keep in mind that it is ALWAYS best to have the correct denomination as you will find immigration officials rarely have change available.

When changing money from USD to local currency be aware that you will NOT be able to change back to USD or into another currency, what money you don’t spend will be useless after you’ve left that country.   It is also often a good idea to join forces with other travellers to do one large money change transaction, thus avoiding excess conversion fees. 

If you are travelling to South Africa or Namibia you can easily withdraw Rand from an ATM in South Africa or Namibia, just be mindful of security when doing this.  Please note that it is not necessary to travel with USD in South Africa or Namibia.

Other currencies accepted but not as popular are Pounds and Euros, however you will find the exchange rate is not as favourable as USD.

Do not rely on credit cards for payment nor the use of working ATM’s to withdraw money as it is very common for the card facility to NOT be working when you most need it.  There have also been instances of credit card fraud and many ATM’s have been tampered with in the major cities.  

Where credit cards ARE accepted you will find that VISA CARD is more widely known than Mastercard or Cirus

Traveller’s cheques are not widely accepted and when the facility is available often you will receive a much lower rate of exchange.   If you do wish to take traveller’s cheques, we recommend taking 10% to 20% of your overall budget to use in case of emergency.

NOTE: - For passengers joining or visiting Victoria Falls, please do not change any USD to local currency without speaking with your tour leader first.

The best rule for packing is to limit yourself to the airline limit of 15 to 20kgs. It will inconvenience you and your fellow passengers if you bring more. If your luggage does not arrive at the airport, please inform your crew at the Pre Departure Meeting.

A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. Please note that we do not recommend that passengers bring suitcases.

A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. This can also be used for carrying 2 days of clothing so it is not always necessary to unload the large backpacks every night.
Other important items:-
• Sleeping Bag - (You will need a sub zero sleeping bag, if climbing Kilimanjaro).
• Inner Sheet - for your sleeping bag. Can also be used as a sleeping bag when it's hot.
• Sleeping Mat - A self-inflating mat. "Thermarest" is best, although a compressed foam mat is adequate.
• Mosquito Net -if you wish to sleep outdoors. All tents have built in mosquito nets. Nets can be obtained cheaply in Nairobi and other parts of Africa.
• We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers cheques etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

NOTE:-  You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

Personal Effects:
Torch (we recommend a head torch), camera & film OR spare memory card, spare passport photos, water bottle, money belt, sewing kit, sunhat/sunglasses, MP3 player, books, wet ones, tissues, soap to wash clothes, writing materials, army knife, calculator, personal toiletries, including tampons, contraceptives, insect repellent, sunscreen.

NOTE:- If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

Clothing:
We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many campsites there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where this is possible.

Contrary to expectations it does get cold in Africa. Southern Africa, particularly South Africa and Namibia get quite cold at night between June and August. Mount Kilimanjaro will be cold at night all year round, due to the extreme altitude. You will need to bring your warmest clothes.

A rough guideline follows:-
• underwear & socks
• 3-4 long sleeved & short sleeved shirts or t-shirts
• 2-3 long trousers / shorts
• polar fleece / waterproof jacket
• walking shoes or trainers / sandals
• a set of smart clothes & shoes

Africa has some of the most spectacular photographic opportunities in the world. To capture these scenes you will need to bring a camera with a good zoom lens. For game photography, a 200mm lens or higher is recommended. Tripods tend to be bulky and cumbersome and a versatile beanbag is a good substitute.

If you are using print film, all supplies plus any filters and other accessories should be obtained prior to departure. We do not recommend that you develop your film whilst in East Africa, as the standards vary considerably and are often unreliable.

NOTE:- Protect your camera from the elements, particularly dust, as getting your camera repaired will be impossible in most places.  A good idea is to use an old tea towel or t-shirt to wrap your camera up inside it’s dustproof camera bag when not in use.

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission. It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installations

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. Overland tours will spend the majority of time in campsites with facilities (bathrooms & bars etc.) and occasionally hotels/hostels where campsites are not available.

The more you put into your tour the greater the experience you will get from your trip. It is all about participation and mucking in with your fellow passengers!

Participation is a key factor on a tour of this nature and everyone is expected to pull their weight and get involved with the daily duties (e.g. cooking, cleaning and food shopping). The most successful trips are those where people become involved.  Naturally, amongst any group of people you will find a multitude of personalities, just remember that this is YOUR trip of a lifetime and don’t let other people’s quirks and habits bother you too much – take home your happy memories of Africa.    On the flipside you may find your tent partner will become a lifelong friend, which is one of the joys of the internet & social networking sites!

NOTE:- The longer Kumuka journeys are combinations of shorter tours. Passengers on our longer tours will therefore change crew and vehicles at either Nairobi or Victoria Falls. These and other destinations are also pickup and dropoff points for passengers so new faces and personalities will join the tours.

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

KUMUKA WORLDWIDE

UK OFFICE

40 Earls Court Road, London W8 6EJ
Tel: 020 7937 8855 Fax: 020 7937 6664
Email: sales@kumuka.com www.kumuka.com

AUSTRALIAN OFFICE