Travel information

Travel information

Passport, Visa and Immigration Requirements
As you plan your travel, please ensure that you have all your travel documents in order. Please check that you have the necessary visas for the countries you will be visiting. In case you are not sure what travel documents you require for your travel, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for clarification via email mailto:info@sindiotours.com

In Kenya, you MUST apply for an electronic Travel Authorisation eTA  before you depart your country of origin. You can apply for the eTA on the government link here: http://etakenya.go.ke

You can apply and get all information about visa to Uganda at the government website immigration.go.ug

International and Domestic Air Bookings
Ensure that you double check your flight bookings, taking keen note of flight times, dates, arrival, and departure times. Any flights missed booked from the client side will be the sole responsibility of the client, and the Company will not be held liable.

Any tour arrangements booked to connect with international and domestic air flights, remains your responsibility to keep us updated with your flight times and numbers.

Transportation
Transportation varies with each itinerary but is usually done by a safari cruiser or Tour van with large windows, pop-up roofs, and the services of an English-speaking driver/guide. We can also provide drivers/guides speaking other languages like German, French among others.

Medical and Health 

Nairobi and Kampala have excellent international medical facilities. Most camps and lodges have a doctor on call who is experienced with common travel related ailments. We suggest that you make sure your health insurance has adequate coverage as once you are returned to Nairobi or Kampala, any further medical expenses will need to be covered by you.

If you are suffering from any illness or disability, or undergoing any medical treatment, you must declare this openly and honestly to us at the time of booking your trip.

Share with us any dietary restrictions or allergies you might have and would need us to help make additional arrangements to accommodate you.
In a similar manner, if you are affected by any condition that may affect you or others during your trip in any way, you must comprehensively advise us at the time of your booking.
Ensure that you make all necessary arrangements for the provision of any medication or treatment while on tour. Please share the same information with your guide in case of any medical emergencies that might occur during your trip.

Insurance
Customers are required to provide all necessary insurances against personal injury, loss, medical evacuation, medical assistance, hospitalization, damage, theft, cancellation, delay etc.
All customers are responsible for ensuring that they have full insurance cover that includes rescue and hyperbaric recompression (if diving) from the moment that they first place their order and covering the whole period before, during and after travel.

Plastic bags

Kenya has joined 40 countries in banning plastic bags to reduce the impact on the environment. Please ensure you do not carry any luggage in plastic bags upon arrival.

Tour Gratitudes and Tipping

All hotel, lodges, and porterage gratuities are included on your tour price. These are referred to as service charges. Individual waiters, porters and other service providers may provide exemplary service and it is up to you if you would like to give a tip.

It is however customary to tip the driver/guide at the end of the safari tour. The amount is dependent on your evaluation of the quality of the service rendered. An average of $10 per guest per day is suggested. The amount is however at your discretion, you are welcome to provide additional compensation to any staff who have provided special services.  A bar gratuity of $1 is acceptable. In lodges, they usually have a tip box if you want to gratitude the staff in general.

Weather & Safari in Kenya
You can go on safari in Kenya throughout the year.

January, February, and March (High Season)
These three months are just after the short rain season and is good for safari tours. You may catch some bird species that are visiting from Europe during winter. The grass has not yet grown high enough to hinder your view of the animals.

April and May (low season)
This period constitutes the long rainy season, albeit you can still enjoy safari tours during these months. Tropical rain comes in bursts and lasts a few hours, mostly in the mornings and afternoons. The rains freshen up the nature and often enhances the safari experience.

June
The month of June is a good time to experience safari after the long rainy season. The large zebra herds cross from Tanzania to the Masai Mara game reserve ahead of the migration which happens from mid-July.

July to October (peak season)
Huge herds of wildebeest enter the Masai Mara from the Serengeti in Tanzania. Due to evolving climatic situations, it is usually a bit difficult to give a specific time for the start of the migration. It is however safe to state that the great wildebeest migration is active at the Masai mara by the middle of July. Wildebeest start their return journey to Tanzania around September/October

November and December (shoulder season)
This is the short rainy season in Kenya. The short rain freshens the pastures, and the national parks and game reserves regain their vegetation.

Weather & Safari in Uganda
In general, Uganda is a year-round safari destination with a tropical climate that ranges from 16-28°C for most of the year. Visitors should consider the dry and wet seasons when planning their Ugandan safari vacation, but it is possible to enjoy a holiday in Uganda throughout the year.

The rainy season in Uganda
Heavy rain, crackling with thunder, can come at any time but only lasts short durations. It can swiftly be followed by a sunny sky.

March to May
There is more rainfall throughout the country during these months with a clear peak in April in the south.

September to November
Rain is usually at night and early morning. There is a bit less rain than in the other season (March to May).