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.

The itinerary for this tour must remain flexible to allow the best chance of seeing the gorillas.

Nairobi And Lake Nakuru National Park. We depart Nairobi at 10.00am to Lake Nakuru National Park. This journey goes via the Masai escarpment, which provides spectacular views of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for its large population of pink flamingos, which featured in the movie “Out of Africa”. Aside from flamingos Lake Nakuru boasts a sizeable population of rhinos, both black and white. The more sociable white rhino is a common sight seen grazing on the open plains. However its less sociable cousin, the black rhino, often remains hidden in the dense bush. Although not native to this park they were introduced here because the park offered good security from poachers and they are being used in a breeding program to maintain and improve the rhino population and gene pool. This park also has lion, leopard, buffalo, plains game (gazelle, antelope, and giraffe), and a large diverse bird population, which was the original reason the park was established. We camp in the Park, which gives us the thrill of hearing the night sounds of some of Africa’s famous wild beasts.

Kampala-Kibale And Lake Bunyoni. From Kampala we head out to the western part of the country where we see the gorillas. We set up camp at Lake Bunyoni and use this as a base for the gorilla visits. Lake Bunyoni is a great place to spend a few days swimming, walking and canoeing (in traditional dug out canoes, not as easy as it looks!) whilst looking forward to your trip to the gorillas, or reflecting on the time you have spent with them. Please note: permits to see the gorillas are restricted which means that it will take a few days for everyone to see them.

Kampala And Bujagali Falls/Jinja. Leaving Lake Bunyoni we head back to Kampala. The following day we take a short drive (approx 3 hours) to Bujagali Falls near Jinja where we have the optional excursion of white water rafting on the Nile River, quad biking or vonunteer on the Soft Power Education project.  There are also some excellent walks either by the Nile or in the local villages.

Naivasha And Masai Mara. From Lake Naivasha we head into the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s premier game parks. The Masai Mara has large herds of plains game, (gazelle, antelope, and giraffe) which in turn attract large numbers of carnivores (lion, cheetah, hyena and the ever elusive leopard) In the Masai Mara we do two game drives, one evening drive and one early the following morning. In most national parks it is forbidden to drive at night so all game viewing is done as early and as late as possible to get the best conditions. Looking for game in a National park is not always easy. This is one of the advantages of using a truck, which has superior height making it easier to see over the surrounding terrain. Game parks are places where the enthusiast tends to use a lot of film or memory so it’s advisable to have some extra on hand.

Arusha And The Ngorongoro Crater. Arusha is situated on the southern slopes of Mt Meru and was originally a coffee town. Safaris have now taken over as the town’s big earner. In Arusha we transfer into smaller 4 wheel drive vehicles to transfer to Karatu, where we spend the night.

Karatu is a small trading town on the edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation area. The following morning we head into the Ngorongoro Crater National Park. We descend onto the Crater floor for an early morning game drive in one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world. At 19Kms across and 600m deep this is the 5th largest crater in the world. It is a world heritage site and boasts a unique Eco system.

The crater itself reflects a mini rift valley. It has a soda lake with flamingos, fresh water, open plains, and a forest area. There is a high concentration of animals here, and it is also a home to a small population of black rhino. We spend around 4½ hours game driving around the crater. We use smaller vehicles to visit the park, as the walls of the extinct volcano that form the crater are too steep to be negotiated by large vehicles. After the Game drive we head back to Arusha.

Dar-Es-Salam And Zanzibar.  For most of our passengers Zanzibar is a real highlight of their tour.  There actually two islands which make up the exotic archipelago of Zanzibar, these are Uguja and Pemba.  We travel to the larger island, Uguja, by ferry from tropical Dar es Salaam.  This journey takes 3 to 4  hours. Conditions are usually smooth but beware of the occasional day with rolling seas!.  Look out for dolphins en route.

Zanzibar is known as the Spice Island, reflecting the great variety of produce  planted here by the original Omani settlers. Take a spice tour and test the claim that Zanzibar has the sweetest pineapple in the world.  Explore Stone Town with its labyrinth of walled streets and soak up the Arabic architecture and giant elephant-proof doors.  Pause a moment at the peace memorial, erected as a somber reminder of the sadder side of Zanibar's slave trading past.  Shop for a variety of locally made crafts and world famous Tinga art.  For beach lovers we recommend travelling out of town and relaxing on the isolated beaches, perhaps enjoy a beachside massage or some traditional hair braiding or henna painting. Try snorkelling with dolphins, scuba diving or visit the giant land tortoises of nearby Prison Island.  

If you enjoy food then Zanzibar is the place to be.  There is a huge choice of African, Indian and Arabic fare with lots of seafood washed down with sugar cane juice whilst watching another perfect sunset.  Also try the candlelit night markets serving traditional snacks. 

We generally spend 3 to 4 days on the island.  Accommodation is not included and this is to give you a degree of choice.  Some passengers like to stay together as a group in budget accommodation, (10-15 USD per person per night), other people like to use the opportunity to spoil themselves in an up market beach retreat.  Therefore we recommend that you budget around 100 - 150 USD for you stay on Zanzibar to cover accommodation, food, transport around the island, drinks and souvenirs.  Please note that this is a recommendation only as different passengers have widely differing spending patterns.

Malawi And Lake Malawi Beaches. Malawi is a small country in central southern Africa and is dominated by water and mountainous regions. More than 30% of the country’s landmass comprises of Lake Malawi. On our trip through Malawi we visit a number of the small bays along the lakeshore. Snorkelling and diving are available or people can just swim and laze about on the beaches. There is also ample time to visit local villages and the local markets which abound with woodcarvings, the most famous of these being large carved chairs. These chairs have proved very popular with our clients over the years, only to become a problematic purchase when the time comes to send such a large object home.

Livingstone And Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls, known locally as “Mosi oa Tunya”, “the smoke that thunders”, is one of the world’s natural wonders, though they are neither the highest nor the widest of the world’s waterfalls. They do, however, create a visual spectacle as they cut a massive gorge in the earth and crash 111 metres to the river below. This gorge actually forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, and the initial part of our stay we spend on the Zambian side. Here we have the option to do an evening river cruise on the Upper Zambezi River, which takes about 3 hrs with drinks included.

On the Zimbabwe side there are a wide variety of optional activities, the most famous being white water rafting on the Lower Zambezi. This excursion takes a full day and has 14 plus rapids none below grade 4 (rapids are graded from 1 to 6). Please note that at certain times of the year the rafting may be restricted or even closed due to high water levels (March – May). Bungy jumping is also an option for all those who wish to throw themselves 111 metres head first off a perfectly good bridge. Another optional activity is Jet Boating, imported and improved on from New Zealand. Various flights are on offer including light fixed wing aircraft, helicopter, microlight and ultralight, all offering wonderful views of the falls. Horse riding, elephant riding and canoeing are other optional activities available, and not forgetting a walk to the falls themselves. Videos and still photographs are available for purchase of most activities, and are a great reminder of your adrenaline filled visit to the mighty Victoria Falls and Zambezi River.

NB Please note that entrance (approximately 20 USD) to Mosi oa Tunya (Victoria Falls) National Park is not included in your tour price.

Antelope Park, Gweru. We then head to the Antelope Park where you will have the rare opportunity to take a walk with some lion cubs, go horse riding, take a boat cruise, or even ride and swim with an African elephant.

Bazaruto Archipelago – Dhow safari. The next two days are spent on the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago – classed as a World Heritage Site for its outstanding natural beauty.

Maputo Kruger National Park And Johannesburg. Our last stop in Mozambique is in the lively capital city of Maputo with its wide tree lined streets and colonial architecture. We overnight in Maputo. Leaving Mozambique we drive into South Africa and the world-renowned Kruger National Park, home to a staggering amount of wildlife and birds. We camp for the night within the park and on our final morning take an early game drive when the animals are at their most active.

We end this trip on the last day in the cosmopolitan city of Johannesburg; we will arrive into Johannesburg between 5-6 p.m. NO accommodation included on Day 56

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.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Africa trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com  provides up-to-date visa information. Please consult your Travel Agent or relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR. Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith. 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 note the following are approximate prices and can vary, however this should help you with your budgeting.

Kenya - All passport holders are required to obtain a visa. This can be done at the airport on arrival - $50 USD or £35 GBP cash.Also, if your flight departs Kenya, you may need to pay $40USD Departure tax. Check with your travel agent.

Tanzania - Australian passport holders $50 USD, British passport holders $50 USD, Canadian passport holders $50 USD, New Zealand passport holder $50 USD

Uganda - For all passport holders $30 USD

Zambia - British $65 USD, New Zealand, Australia and US passport holders $25 USD

Zimbabwe - Australian, New Zealand and US passport holders $30 USD single entry, $45 USD double entry. ALL British passport holders require a Zimbabwean visa, please check visa price with the embassy.

South Africa - All nationalities must have a minimum of two blank pages in their passport in order to gain entry to South Africa. This is in addition to any visa that may be needed.

Mozambique - Australian, New Zealand and US passport holders $30 USD single entry, British passport holders $55. You are advised to obtain your Mozambique visa prior to travel, as it is not always possible to get a visa at the border when crossing into Mozambique.Please note there is a departure tax to be paid on leaving the country, your tour leader will confirm the price.

Anti-malaria tablets are essential. Get professional advice from your GP or Travel Clinic about types of tablets, as resistant strains exist. These tablets may need to be taken at least 1 week before travelling to Africa, during your travels and sometimes for 4 weeks after leaving a malaria area. DO NOT forget to follow your prescribed routine. DO NOT CHANGE THE ROUTINE, once prescribed by your Doctor. As there is considerable resistance in parts of Africa, the only effective prevention is to NOT get bitten. Dusk till dawn is the time when mosquito's bite therefore, always protect your self with repellents and long clothing during this time. Malaria is the most common serious ailment that affects our clients; do not expose yourself to unnecessary risk.

Whilst all Kumuka Worldwide vehicles have secure doors and are fully lockable, it always pays to be cautious.

Do not bring any unnecessary valuables such as jewellery or electronic equipment with you.   Be aware of your surroundings and keep your personal belongings close to you at all times as pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in built-up tourist areas.

A money belt or something similar worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports and other important documents.    DO NOT be overt about how much money you are carrying or walk around with your camera dangling around your neck, no matter where you are travelling on the globe, you will be a walking target for opportunistic thieves.

If staying in hotels, do not leave your valuables in the room, make use of the safety deposit boxes available.  Likewise, do not leave ANYTHING of value in your tent unattended, leave these onboard the truck in the safe.

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’s 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$20 to US$25 per day for incidentals over and above the cost of the relevant local payment, optional excursions and visa fees which should be budgeted for separately.  There will be days when you’ll 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.  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.

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.

For many, tipping is a means of supplementing their wage and is a normal part of payment for goods and services. Be sure to keep small denomination notes or coins on you to avoid embarrassment. Sales and service taxes are imposed in some restaurants and bars.

Bargaining is also expected and in all markets prices are inflated to accommodate such a practice. Rule of thumb is to cut the offer in half and work upwards. This can sometimes be hard work but do not let yourself be intimidated by stallholders, you can always say no and walk away.

The tips below are purely given as a guideline. Poor service should result in lower tips; in serious circumstances a report should be lodged with local ground staff or on the feedback form. We recommend the following amounts are not exceeded except in special circumstances.

ALL prices are PER day PER GROUP (so split between the number of passengers each day) – generally paid as a total sum in USD at the end of each trip.

Suggested tipping for all routes on Kilimanjaro
Guide                  USD$ 15
Cook                  USD$ 10
Assistant Guide   USD$ 10
Porters               USD$ 7 – NOTE there will be at least 2 porters per trekker

Suggested tipping for all Gorilla treks
Guide                  USD$ 15
Assistants            USD$ 10

Suggested tipping for all driver/guides on lodge based tours
Guide                  USD$ 15-20

Kumuka endeavours to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Whereas, Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka can not be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by third party.Below is a list of optional excursions available at your expense on your African tour. Please note that these are intended as a guide only and prices and availability cannot be guaranteed.Your tour leader will be able to organise any optional excursions on your behalf. The list below is by no means comprehensive. There will be many other optional activities available. All activities are undertaken at passenger’s own risk.

Kenya - Masai Village $8 - Masai Mara Morning Hot Air Ballooning $380 - Lake Naivasha Crescent Island Boat $24 (min 4) - Horse Riding $15 - Hells Gate National Park $15 – Crater Lake Safari Walk $20 - Uganda - Gorilla Trek $400 - Transfer to Gorillas from $20-$50 – *Extra Visas for Rwanda $75 - Whitewater Rafting (Nile River) $100 - Quad Biking $45 - Soft Power Education Project $20 - Chimpanzee Island $35 (if time allows) - Tanzania - Zanzibar Accommodation/food cost on Island approximately $100-$150- Spice Island Tour $24 - Prison Island Tour and Snorkel $22 - Swimming With The Dolphins $22 - North and East Coast Beaches $40 – Malawi - Lake Malawi Water Sports $15 - Scuba Diving Single Dive $27 - Village Walk $2 - Horse Riding $35 – Zimbabwe - Antelope National Park - Walk With Lions $23 - Horse Riding $25 - Elephant Ride $25 - Gliding $20 - Victoria Falls National Park $20- Rafting Full Day $110 - River Boarding Half Day $75 - Flight of Angels Helicopter $65 - Flight of Angels - Fixed Wing Aircraft $60 - Horse Riding $45 - Bungy Jump $100 - Jet Boating $85 - Rhino Walk $35 - Botswana - Okavango Flight - Fixed Wing Aircraft $90 (min 5) Okavango Helicopter $200 (min 4) – Namibia - Desert Quad Biking $60 - Sand Boarding $32 - Deep Sea Fishing $55 - Skydiving $20 - Orange River Canoeing $20 - South Africa - Stellenbosch Wine Tour $15

Please note: the following options must be paid in US$ CASH: with us$ notes dated post 2000.

Uganda - Gorilla trek and transfer.

Zanzibar - All listed options, including port departure tax.

It is also a good idea to have extra US$ cash to absorb any price increase.

*Kumuka endeavour to secure arrangements to visit the gorillas in Uganda. However, due to the high demand for permits some groups will go to Rwanda for the gorilla trek. Confirmation of this will be given by the tour leader at the pre-departure meeting. Extra visa cost will be incurred if the trek is in Rwanda