The options for seeing these parks are either (1) an overnight trip to Ngorongoro Crater or (2) a two night trip to both Serengeti Park and Ngorongoro Crater. The Serengeti can only be reached by twice passing through Ngorongoro Crater. To do this trip we arrange to hire 4x4 vehicles from Arusha to the parks and back. While in the region it is well worth seeing both parks; they are the best wildlife parks in the world. The side trip is a bit expensive, though most of the charges goes towards park entrance fees and therefore to park upkeep and anti poaching. The Tanzanian Park Authority continually changes or raises their entry fees with short notice so prices can increase.

Seeing the Gorillas and Gorilla permits

We see the gorillas in either; Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo. The gorilla permits are payable on the spot and can only be paid in US dollars cash. The cost of the permit is approx: $500 payable directly to the park authorities. There is also a small charge to get up to the gorilla viewing area. The price of the gorilla permits often changes without notice. Seeing the gorillas may involve you having to get extra visas on the borders, this changes with each trip and each different place or country we see them.

Visas

Please see the Visa page

Insurance

You must be insured against personal accident, medical expenses and repatriation expenses. We only carry passengers on the understanding that, in most African countries through which we travel no passenger or vehicle liability is available whatsoever. You should take out insurance when you pay your deposit for the tour or for flights so that you are insured against cancellation (for medical reasons, for example). We can organise insurance for you. Bring your policy with you. Be aware if you travel without insurance and you need to get home urgently due to ill health or family problems, you or those responsible for you could incur bills running into many thousands. We can supply you with insurance, please ask when booking.

Inoculations & Malaria

Inoculations - You have to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever and will need an International Vaccination Certificate to prove this when we cross some borders. It is also advisable to be vaccinated against Typhoid; Rabies; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Tetanus; Polio and Meningitis.

If possible start your vaccinations two months, but as late as two weeks before departure. Your GP can also inoculate but may take a while to get to get the vaccine in.

Malaria - The risk of contracting malaria in the areas we visit is high. You should be aware that malaria tablets offer only partial protection against malaria and that you should couple taking the tablets with mosquito bite avoidance. The malarial mosquitoes come out at night that is from the beginning of sunset onwards, so from this time you should cover up in long sleeves, jeans or track suit pants plus socks, as mosquitoes tend to bite around the feet and ankles. You must also use insect repellent containing Deet, bring some you will need it. The use of repellents and covering up can be as effective as the use of tablets, so by coupling both methods of protection together you should be malaria free. Whatever type of prophylactic you choose to use you should try a sample of it well before you go as adverse reactions can occur. This often happens with the Larium or Mephloquine type of drug. A can of fly spray is handy for clearing your tent of mosquitoes and bugs before you go to bed.

Medical Kits

We carry First Aid kits on board for emergency use only. However, the crew is not entitled to recommend or prescribe any medicine. We advise a health check with your GP and Dentist before you start your journey, and that you carry your own medical kit with you.

Video Cameras

In most campsites you can charge from the mains so bring a travel adaptor plug, as you'll come across virtually every type of socket ever invented plus a few others. Most countries run on 220 or 240 volt current. You should also bring at least one spare battery with you as you will not be able to purchase spares en-route.

Mobile Phones

Your own mobile phone will work abroad if you have roam facility enabled on a dual band phone. Coverage is generally good. Although convenient for outgoing calls at rates of around $2 per minute, incoming calls can cost up to $10 per minute to receive. In most campsites you can charge from the mains using a travel adaptor plug. You can charge off the truck if you have a 24 volt in-car charger though charging from the vehicle will reduce the life of your batteries.

Time Zones

Most countries are on the same time up to 3 hours ahead of GMT or UK time. East Africa is 2 hours ahead of GMT.

Life on the road

There are times when we will have some long drives in order to cover big distances, but on most days that we travel, we only move for half the day. The African landscape and people you pass are never boring and most find it hard to put their head down and read whilst on the road, for fear of missing something. Most evenings we pull into camp and you and your tent partner will put up your tent, then either relax with a cool drink, or get involved in a local activity. Breakfast is usually cereal, toast, tea, and coffee, with the occasional cooked breakfast. Lunch, if we eat on the truck is cold.

Security in General

There is a lockable safe bolted onto the floor of the truck for your money belts, however, the Company takes no responsibility for such or for any passengers' belongings. It is very important to remember that if a loss of a passport or travellers cheques occurs it is not always possible for the expedition to wait for those involved. Therefore, when you are looking after your valuables off the truck e.g. changing money in the bank, it is essential to wear a money belt that fits under your shirt. Do not wear a bum bag around your waist, or a money belt that hangs from your neck. In certain problem areas known to us a passenger roster will be drawn up to guard the vehicle during the day. We advise you not to take any items of value that are not essential for your journey, e.g. jewellery.

Spending Money

£10 - £20 a day is a good start excluding side trips. Of course this varies from person to person depending on how much you drink, eat and how many souvenirs you buy. In most parts of Africa it is difficult to change travellers cheques and to use ATMs so we suggest for ease of exchange and better rates of exchange take your money as 50% travellers cheques and 50% cash. As travelling with cash is risky please ensure that you have adequate insurance to hedge against the risk of loss. Be aware that if your cash is lost it is very unlikely you will recover it.

In Zimbabwe you need $US cash to change at the banks and they can ask for proof of purchase. A credit card is handy for emergency spending only, but useless for day-to-day spending. Do not rely on credit cards/switch type cards until you get to Southern Africa as money machines are almost non-existent.

Side trips/optional excursions

Are paid for on the spot. Please see the separate page - Side Trips & Extras

Maps

It's good to have your own map to follow the trip as you go. In Africa use the Michelin 955 of Africa, central and south.

Washing

Most of the time you can wash every day and at camp sites you can do your laundry or often have it done for you quite cheaply.

E-mail

Can be collected approx every week or two, from £1-£5 to connect.

Phoning Home

It can be very expensive to call home from Africa, sometimes as high as £20 for 3 minutes. A lot of the campsites don't have telephones.

Camping

Tents are provided and all have sewn in floors and mosquito netting. You will need to bring with you a sleeping bag, sleep sheet, foam roll mat or airbed. Bring a mosquito net only if you want to sleep outside of your tent, these can be bought in Africa.

Discman & CD's

An amplifier is provided in the rear of the truck for you to plug your Discmans / I-Pods into. Although the amp is powered off the truck, your Discman isn't, so bring along extra batteries.

Photography

African authorities require that tourists do not take pictures of airports, railway stations or military installations. We are often in areas where locals are not used to being photographed and we ask you to show them every respect and courtesy. For SLR cameras we recommend a telephoto of around 120mm or an 80-200 zoom. High-speed film is usually necessary for photographing gorillas or game in early morning or late afternoon particularly if using a long lens. It is best to purchase all film prior to arrival in Africa.

Accommodation at the end of the trip - Nairobi

In Nairobi there are numerous cheap backpacker hostels so there is no need to pre book.

Suggested list of clothing and equipment

The less you take the less you have to pack, wash, lug home and you'll always pick up extras along the way. You'll be travelling in the heat and camping in the cool, so bring clothes for all climates, rough stuff is best. The best type of carrier is a rucksack (with an internal frame) or a kit bag.

• Sleeping bag & sleeping mat
• Medical kit - Bring your own simple kit
• Re-hydration sachets available from any chemist
• Insect repellent containing Deet e.g. Jungle Juice
• Sun cream
• Headache tablets
• Plasters
• Malaria tablets
• Toiletries - You can buy most basic toiletries easily in Africa
• Toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss
• Soap in a container & razors
• Towel & shampoo
• Tampons/condoms; enough for the trip
• Clothes
• Socks
• Shirts
• Jeans/long trousers
• Underwear
• Sweatshirt/jumper
• Shorts, T-shirts, swimsuit
• Skirt
• Sandals/flip flops/jandals/thongs
• Walking shoes
• Small day-pack or bag to carry your daily items
• Hat and sunglasses
• Camera (in a protective case), spare batteries and all the film you think necessary
• Money belt or pouch to hold your passport
• Vaccination book
• Travellers cheques
• Books, personal CD player and CD's
• Torch & spare batteries
• Water bottle at least 1.5 litres, any old water bottle is fine and these are available in most shops on the way

The easiest and best way to travel is as lightly as possible, taking just what is necessary. Most people make the mistake of bringing too much luggage.