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ANSWERS
1. Why should I book my Safari with you?
African spice safaris is owned and managed by local indigenous Kenyans who are professionally trained and have many years of experience in the travel industry. When you go on safari with the spice team, you are not only buying a safari program, but also sharing our many years of experience and the joy that can only come from a lifetime of living in this glorious land. We satisfy everything that safari dreams are made of, by offering the most luxurious and uniquely placed camps, lodges fine dinning and hideaways with dedicated personal service, and all the personal details – just the way you asked for them. Our reputation has been earned by being able to offer adventures and tours at realistic cost without compromise on quality or reliability, a commitment to excellent customer service and promotion and implementation of responsible travel practices. Be safe in the knowledge that we do not just know there, but we were born here and we regularly go there.
Our ‘Spice’ drivers – guides speak fluent English and several other foreign languages and have in depth knowledge in East Africa covering subjects ranging from first aid to vehicle maintenance, culture, wildlife and customer care.
Our safari cruisers are custom built with a pop-up roof for easy photography, more space and comfort, better sight lines and guaranteed window seat. We handcraft our itineraries and keep our groups small so that every journey is intimate and personal — because we know that how you see the world is just as important as where you go.
African Spice Safaris believes in responsible tourism where travel should be a rewarding experience for you, as well as for the local people we encounter, and that preserving the natural state and beauty of the areas we pass through is essential. At all our destinations, we ensure financial benefits reach the right people, by employing local staff, frequenting where possible locally owned hotels, shops, villages and eating establishments.
Being a privately owned local company, our goals are primarily dictated by our desire to provide unforgettable travel experiences to our clients.
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2. How do I pay you and what are the Charges for a Credit Card Payment?
Registration and booking for all programs requires a deposit of 20% on any tour arrangement at the time you book. The balance or reminder of the cost of your trip is to be paid 45 days prior to your departure date. Payment in full is required when bookings are made within 45 days of departure. There are two ways of making payments to African Spice Safaris Bank Account. Kindly find out your respective bank charges before the transfer. The mode of payments is via a bank transfer and the second one via Paypal. Check out our online booking please. We accept payment by Visa, Master Card, American Express and JCB. There is a surcharge of 5% levied on Credit card payments.
3. How do we/I contact you to book or request for a safari through your company?
Begin your exploration on our website pages, and then join us on the adventure of a life time-with African Spice Safaris in East Africa. Please contact us at info@africanspicesafaris.com or icgiraffe@aol.com or visiting our website at www.africanspicesafaris.com When you submit your Booking Request, an expert ‘Spice’ consultant will contact you within 24 business hours to confirm availability.
4. How far in advance should I book my safari?
It is better to book as far in advance as possible to ensure availability at the time you wish to travel (4-6 months) or even more, especially during the high/peak season –July/August and Christmas/ New Year season. This is especially important for those wishing to travel on Private Custom safaris and those adding extensions to scheduled trips.
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5. Do we/I need any visas?
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. Visa to all three East African Countries should be obtained in advance through the various Embassies/ High Commissions abroad, although airport visas are available. Visa requirements do vary, depending on what passport you are traveling on. There is a fee for the visa currently ranging from US$30 to US$50, upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi.
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6. Does your include all International Flights?
No. International Airfares to and from East Africa is not included.
7. What type of vehicles do you use on safari?
We use 7-seater custom safari minibuses with pop up roof ideal for game viewing and sight seeing. The safari vehicles provide a superior degree of comfort and maneuverability. The buses are fitted with HF long-range radios for easy communication and are well maintained to provide maximum level of comfort and safety. In addition to the above, all our vehicles are fully equipped with cool boxes and first aid kits. If requested, transportation can be arranged in a 4 by 4 Land cruiser or Land rover at an extra cost. All our safari drivers are trained tour guides, friendly, experienced, knowledgeable and are committed to ensuring client’s satisfaction.
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8. How many people do you take on a safari?
Our safaris have guaranteed departure with a minimum of two people and recommended maximum of seven people per every safari cruiser allowing guaranteed window seats.
9. What are the terms and conditions when booking a safari with your company?
The terms and conditions when booking with the Spice team are the general terms indicated on the website pages.
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10. Is there a guarantee to see the 'Big Five' as well as other wildlife whilst on safari with your company?
It is most definite that you will see wild common game which include antelopes like gazelles, impala and common plains game like zebras, buffaloes, giraffes e.t.c The big five (Elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffalo) are not a guarantee to see. Depending on which area or national park you visit, our skilled driver guides do their level best to spot all the animals available within that area / park.
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11. What is a single supplement?
A single supplement is a fee imposed by hotels, lodges and camps on single travelers. Tour prices are quoted based on two people sharing accommodation. If someone takes a room by themselves, they have to pay the per-person plus the single supplement fee.
12. Is it possible for people with special needs to travel on any of your Safaris?
Most of the locations that we feature; have facilities such as wheel chairs and easy access to your room. Our wish is to have your request placed on time so that we can easily plan an itinerary that suits your needs.
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13. Can you cater for people with special Dietary requirements?
Yes we certainly do. We specifically deal with hotels and lodges that provide a variety of delicacies to meet the taste of our clientele. Our wish is to have prior notice before your departure so that we can make the necessary arrangements to meet your needs.
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14 Is Africa a good family destination?
A safari is the one of the best gift you can reward a child 6 years and above enjoy and appreciate the experience. Our Family safaris are designed especially for multi-generational travelers-Family is the foundation of everything as they say. Our safaris definitely brings the family spirit of out door adventure by featuring educational centers such as the Giraffe Centre, tree planting sessions, child friendly meals, camelback rides, Masai school and village visits, swimming pools, visiting the
Chimpanzee Sanctuary and learning about the characteristics of Africa’s Animal Kingdom on our itineraries.
Our safaris will introduce your children to Africa’s fantastic creatures, fragile eco-systems, conservation and let the family discover some of the oldest and bravest cultures left on earth. The savage natural beauty of Africa can awaken a child’s appreciation of nature through an unparalleled contact with animals in the wild. Our family safari gives the family from grandparents to children the opportunity to interact with each other in a superbly unique environment whilst enjoying the traditional fun and adventure of a safari.
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15. When is the best time to go on a safari?
We recommend the drier months for safaris, particularly camping and walking safaris for obvious reasons! The most popular time of year to visit is July through September in Kenya and December through March in Tanzania. Mountain climbing is better between December and March when it is dry and the views are clear. These times are generally the peak of the migration of the wildebeest and zebra. These are also the times of year when these destinations will be most crowded by tourists. The long rains usually come to these areas in the months of April and May.
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Our month-by-month guide
January - hot and sunny and high season for tourism, so there are plenty of visitors.
February - hot, sunny, and high season for tourism. The herds of wildebeest calve in the Ndutu area of southern Serengeti, all within two weeks of each other.
March - hot and sunny, but with the likelihood of a few showers the atmosphere is clear and views can be spectacular; still high tourist season
April - the beginning of our long rains which can be quite prolonged and heavy but rarely last all day; warm when the sun comes out; low season for tourism (excluding Easter) and prices after Easter are substantially lower than in high season.
May - the rains may continue into the month, but it can be lovely weather wise and the country is lush and green with many wild flowers in bloom.
June - usually dry; overcast in some areas but often sunny; low prices and usually a delightful month to visit as everywhere is lush and green.
July - cooler but dry, sometimes overcast in the Nairobi area and the coastal belt; high tourist season due to this being a traditional holiday month; migration of wildebeest from the Serengeti usually starts to arrive in the Masai Mara early this month.
August - generally warmer, dry; migration in the Masai Mara usually in full swing with opportunities to see crossings of the Mara river in the later part of the month; Mara lodges and camps heavily booked.
September - a lovely month, warmer and sunnier; the wildebeest usually returning to the Serengeti so chances of seeing these massive herds on the move are still good during this month; less tourists than in July and August.
October - many indigenous trees in flower; clear atmosphere again when the short rains begin towards the end of the month.
November - warm with short showers and sunshine-mid-season for tourists.
December - short showers in the early part of the month, becoming dry, hot and sunny; busy, with Christmas and New Year being peak season when some hotels may be booked more than a year in advance.
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16. Will I be safe?
In the main cities, we have pickpockets, street urchins, con artists wanting to ‘change’ your money, bag-snatchers and the like, and you have to be careful. Avoid transactions with bystanders unless accompanied by your Tour driver/Guide. ‘Be smart’ do not wear jewellery, keep cameras, wallets and handbags in front of you or out of sight (or better still in your hotel safe), do not carry large sums of cash, walk in groups, do not wander off the main thoroughfares, and do not walk around at night. Do not create temptation by leaving money or valuables lying around in rooms or in vehicle. On our beaches, especially in the tourist resorts, beach traders can become a nuisance but learn to leave you alone very quickly if you firmly but politely decline any trade with them from the outset. Do not walk on the beaches at dusk, dawn or after dark.
This may sound rather alarming, but please do remember that these problems are far from unique to our country and can usually be avoided with a bit of care and attention.
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17. What Money Should I bring?
Travelers’ cheques and major credit cards are generally accepted in Kenya where traveler’s cheques would prove a safer bet. A small quantity of cash, preferably, is useful.
We recommend that visitors carry only a little cash. Only authorized dealers and banks are allowed to change currency. There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency which can be imported but visitors are generally not permitted to depart with much local currency in their pockets so spend your local money prior to departure or convert it at a bank or bureau.
Please note that it is an offence to destroy or deface local currencies in any way.
It is worth changing money at the banks on arrival at international airports, or at banks in the major towns, where the rate of exchange is more favorable than those offered at lodges are and hotels change.
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18. Is tipping required in Tanzania and Kenya?
Most major hotels and restaurants include a service charge. Tipping is not obligatory and is entirely at your discretion. Porters at airports, hotels or lodges may be tipped a $1.00 per piece of baggage. A gratuity of 10% is customary at restaurants and bars where a service charge is not included.
Tips can be paid in . The suggested amount for a safari escort is US$5.00 per traveler per day and the driver-guide is US$4.00-7.00 per traveler per day. Cash is more readily acceptable than travelers' checks, which may be difficult to exchange in remote areas; and it is suggested that you carry more cash than travelers' checks.
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19. What are the meals like?
The meals are primarily European style buffets, Vegetarian, Indian dishes, Chinese, Italian with African influences.
20. Will I be able to use my electrical equipment while on Safari?
The local electricity supply is 220/240 volts AC, 50HZ. Plugs are 3 point square. If you are planning to bring a video camera charger or any other electrical device, please bring voltage and plug adaptors where appropriate. Major hotels usually provide hair dryers, irons and other electrical amenities upon request.
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21. Do I have to pay a departure tax at the airport?
Like most international destinations, Tanzania and Kenya charge an airport departure tax for all international flights. The tax of $30 may be included in the airline ticket . If it is not included, visitors must pay the tax in cash at the airport upon arrival. Departure taxes can be paid in local currency or U.S. Dollars. Zanzibar tax is to be paid directly at the airport as you depart the Island.
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22. Can I have my own custom safari itinerary?
If you prefer to travel on your own, or with family and friends in a small private group we are happy to design a special journey that will give you the best sightseeing in the best destinations in East Africa, accommodations of your choice, and an itinerary that emphasizes on the most interesting and unique features that you – won't want to miss.
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23. How will you help me prepare for my trip?
We will send you a private customized detailed Pre safari booklet prior to your departure safari with the most current pre-departure travel information possible, allowing you the opportunity to gain the most out of your travel experience. Included in this booklet is recommended reading lists and destination travel guides to visa and health information.
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24. What kind of accommodations can I expect?
We believe in a philosophy of” adventure by day, comfort by night". We typically use only first class or deluxe hotels (or deluxe-tented camps) with a local flavor. Our deluxe-tented camps and jungle eco-lodges all have private bathrooms with hot water and flush toilets.
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