East Africa safari FAQ

Excluding international flights, a tailor made mid-range Kenya safari costs about US$350–550 per person per day, budget camping from about US$150, and luxury lodges US$700–1,500+. Park fees alone are US$70–200 per person per day depending on the park and season. Every Volcan quote lists these items separately.

June–October (dry season, Great Migration in the Mara) and January–February (short dry season, Serengeti calving) are the classic windows. November–May is the green season: lower rates, fewer vehicles, newborn animals and dramatic skies. Gorilla trekking is good year-round; June–September and December–February are driest.

A first safari works well at 6–8 days in one country, 10–14 days for Kenya and Tanzania together, and 12–16 days to add gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda. Three-day Mara or Amboseli trips are ideal add-ons to a business trip or beach holiday.

Most Volcan safaris are tailor made, with your own vehicle and guide at your own pace. A shared budget safari is also available, and each itinerary says which kind it is. Small-group departures can be arranged for trade partners and solo travellers on request.

Most nationalities need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) applied for online before departure at etakenya.go.ke; it is not a visa but it is mandatory. Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda issue e-visas through their official immigration portals, and the rules depend on your nationality. Since 1 October 2026, foreign visitors to mainland Tanzania who are not resident in an EAC or SADC country must also buy the government inbound travel insurance (US$44 per adult, US$22 for children aged 3 to 17) at inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz, whatever other cover they hold. Zanzibar has required its own insurance since October 2024, bought at inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz. Checked 27 October 2026.

Requirements depend on your nationality, where you travel from and your route. A yellow-fever certificate may be required, for example if you arrive from or transit through a yellow-fever country, and Uganda asks every traveller for one. Malaria risk varies by area and season, so see a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before departure for advice that suits you.

Most safari trips are trouble-free, but conditions change, so check your government’s current travel advice before you book and again before you travel. You travel with a licensed professional guide in an inspected vehicle, stay in licensed lodges and have a 24-hour emergency line to our Nairobi team. Temporary Flying Doctors (AMREF) evacuation cover can be added at cost, and personal travel insurance that includes medical evacuation is mandatory.

Yes – we have hosted families with children from two years old. Some lodges set minimum ages (often 6 or 8 for camps; 15 for gorilla trekking). We choose child-friendly camps, add shorter drives and request family rooms.

Confirm with a 30% deposit by bank transfer or card through Pesapal; the balance is due 60 days before arrival. We issue a written booking contract, vouchers and a pre-departure pack.

Set out in full in our Booking & Payment Terms. In short: written notice more than 90 days before travel costs 10% of the tour price, 61 to 90 days 30%, 31 to 60 days 50%, 15 to 30 days 75%, and 14 days or less 100%. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits, air tickets and some peak-season lodge bookings are non-refundable once issued.

Yes. Volcan Tours & Travel Limited holds a Tourism Regulatory Authority licence and is a registered Kenyan company. We share copies of both on request.

Yes – we act as a ground handler / DMC for agents and tour operators worldwide. See our Partners & Agents page for trade rates.