Visas are required by almost all nationalities visiting Tanzania, and generally cost between US$50 to US$100. There is an e-visa system in place for which we recommend clients use for their visas prior to travel. For more information about Tanzania visas, also see: https://visa.immigration.go.tz

As of January 2024, the Kenyan government announced that Kenya would be visa-free. However, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ET A) is required for all travellers. For more information about the Kenyan ET A, please see https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en/pages/FAOS This cost is around US$35 (fluctuates depending on payment processing fee).

Absolutely – put simply, if it wasn’t, we wouldn’t exist as a company! Ubuntu Safaris has operated camps in East Africa for two decades and has maintained an exemplary safety record over this time. Our safety practices and procedures are not only effective in managing any emergency but also in preventing any unsafe situations from occurring both in camp and outside in the bush. Our camps maintain strict operational safety protocols and all guests are fully briefed on arrival.

In the unlikely event that a medical situation does occur, we have 24-hour medical back up available with offices in all our operating countries to ensure that our guests are well looked after.

Additionally, our guests are protected by 24-hour Askari (meaning ‘soldier’ or’ police’ in Swahili) security who keep a lookout for animals and escort guests to and from their tents at night time and whenever necessary.

It is a common misconception that taking a vacation in an economically developing country will always be less expensive. A safari holiday can make for a trip of a lifetime, but they often don’t come cheap – there are several reasons for this.

One of the main factors is a lack of infrastructure in remote areas. Building a safari lodge has different challenges to building a hotel in a city. Roads need to be built, materials need to be transported in from far and wide, boreholes need to be dug to find water, water then needs to be treated to ensure it is clean, solar panels and battery banks need to be installed for electricity – the list goes on. Even once the lodge is built, exposure to the African elements means that it is a constant battle to keep the property in good condition.

To maintain excellent standards of service, food and supplies often must be flown in. There is usually at least three staff to every guest with expert guides, chefs, waiters, housekeepers, mechanics etc.. And all these staff need to be paid and trained of course.

All safari activities tend to be included, and buying, adapting and maintaining specialist safari vehicles is expensive. Park and other government fees need to be paid every day. These fees are essential to protect, manage and maintain these key wildlife areas. On top of this, most responsible operators will also charge a small amount to support local community and conservation projects. Ubuntu charges US$10 per person, per day which supports our Positive Impact partners and projects.

To give a comparison – the Four Seasons in Singapore costs approximately US$500 per night, compared to the Four Seasons in the Serengeti in Tanzania which costs approximately US$1,800 per night – nearly 4 times as much.

However, you can mitigate the cost of safaris for your clients, by travelling outside of peak season – when costs are much lower, and the experience can be equally good – and by booking early to make the most of special offers and low rates.

Safaris are expensive, but it’s important that your clients understand that whilst the upfront cost can be quite high, there is very little to pay for on the ground. The accommodation costs are all inclusive, which means that all meals, local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and safari activities are already included. Meaning that the only ‘hidden’ costs will be tips and buying souvenirs.

When you receive a quote from Ubuntu, all the includes and excludes for both Ubuntu properties and 3rd party camps are clearly stated, so you can rest assured there will be no surprises later.

Without question! Aside from spending quality time with your nearest and dearest under a wide blue African sky, a safari in Africa offers invaluable experiences including unique cultural experiences, memorable wildlife sightings, and the opportunity to learn more about nature.

All Ubuntu safari camps are suitable for children aged five and above. In the camps that are particularly family-friendly, we offer special activities and programs for children, so they gain an enormous amount from their safari.

They will have the opportunity to learn bush skills and identify animal tracks, go on guided bush walks, visit a nearby community or school to learn about the customs of East Africa, make penpals, buy local handicrafts and more! Children will leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures and wildlife that simply can’t be taught in the classroom.

Yes – all of our camps have Wi-Fi. Although it is important to note that it will not operate at the same speeds your clients may be used to at home and it might only be accessible in a designated area of the camp. Nonetheless, it is sufficient to check emails and keep in touch with loved ones back home.

Electricity is available at 220/240 volts AC, 50 Hz in Tanzania and Kenya. The socket type is British BS 1363 (British Standard), which have three rectangular pins. Adaptor plugs are available in some lodges, but we advise that your clients bring at least one Type G adaptor with them.

On safari, most of the lodges are powered by generators or solar panels and these are often turned off during parts of the day and night to reduce noise and fuel consumption. However, guests will always have access to power either in their room or in the main area

Eco-friendly shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand wash, and body lotions are all provided in all of our camps, so there is no need to bring them with you. Please note that hairdryers are only available at The Highlands, Namiri and Sayari Camp. This is because electricity is a precious resource in the bush, supplied largely from solar power, which struggles with the power demands of a hairdryer.

 

Surprisingly good. Our Reserve Camps serves sophisticated cuisine, while our Comfort and Classic Camps produce wholesome homemade dishes with a hint of local flavour. We take great pride in growing our own fresh, organic produce wherever possible and supporting local communities.

There are options of both a hot and cold breakfast. Lunch is usually a buffet featuring fresh salads and meaty mains, while dinner is a 3-course meal served beneath the stars. Dishes feature beef, chicken or fish, and wholesome organic produce with a hint of local spices and flavors.

At our Comfort and Classic camps guests can expect family-style dining. At our Reserve camps guests can expect fine dining.

Our camp chefs are able to cater to any dietary requirements with advance notice, including preparing gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and halaal meals. Your clients will be amazed at what they are able to whip up in the most remote locations – they certainly won’t go hungry!

The Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest animal migration in the world. Every year, more than 2 million animals (wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle) migrate in a clockwise direction across the ecosystems of the Serengeti (Tanzania) and the Masai Mara (Kenya). On the way, they have to cross crocodile-infested rivers, are hunted by predators, and face natural disasters such as droughts and flooding in a daily struggle for survival.

A bucket shower is essentially a bucket with a tap at the bottom ( or more likely a waterproof canvas bag), which is filled with warm water and then suspended in the air. All this makes having a lovely shower possible in remote areas where plumbing and running water is not available. These are particularly important in our mobile tented camps that move every few months according to the wildebeest migration movements and therefore cannot have fully plumbed in tents.

While these eco-friendly showers might sound basic, bucket showers are extremely popular with our travellers. They really add to the experience of being out in the wilds and are a throwback to a bygone era, and with 20 litres of water in each ‘bucket’ there is plenty of water for a nice long shower.

A safari can be suitable for a wide range of ages and physical conditions. With advance notice, our camps are capable of catering to certain special requirements. It’s best to inform your Ubuntu consultant early on in the booking process if your clients have special medical needs so that they can advise you accordingly.

Some of our camps are accessible by wheelchair. It’s best to chat to your consultant as they will be able to advise which of our camps are the most suitable, based on specific mobility.

At all our camps there are bathrooms by the main area and every room is also en-suite. The bathrooms all have proper flush toilets so there is nothing to worry about. However, when your clients are on game activities there are no facilities in the bush, so we always recommend going to the bathroom before departing on a drive. Of course, everyone has ‘to go’ at some point and the guides will explain how this works to your clients. They will stop the vehicle at a suitable location so your clients can walk behind a tree or rock for total privacy. Hand sanitiser, biodegradable toilet paper and brown paper bags are provided on every Ubuntu vehicle but please note that no products can be left in the bush.

Animals can be very active at night and so it is not safe to walk around camp after dark. Each camp has a dedicated Askari (security) team who are on watch throughout the night and will escort guests between their tents and the main area before and after dinner. Guests are not advised to leave their tent during the night. All of this information will be explained to them by the camp managers during their arrival briefing.

All of our water is collected from boreholes we have built. The water is then boiled, filtered and treated and is perfectly safe to drink. Our guests are all provided with water bottles, which can be refilled at the main area and in their rooms, to avoid the need for single use plastic. Our ice is made from the same water and is therefore also safe to drink.

The fruit and vegetables your clients will enjoy in Africa are locally produced and often fresher and more flavourful than clients are used to back home. As with any high-end hotel, our chefs adhere to the highest standards of hygiene. We are immensely proud of the level of cuisine we serve in our camps and it is something we work hard on. Our guests are often extremely impressed by the quality of the food that our chefs produce in extremely remote locations.

Please inform your clients that the use of drones is not permitted in any of the national parks in East Africa. We have had incidents where drones have been confiscated at the airport on arrival into Kenya or Tanzania, so we strongly advise that this equipment is not packed in luggage and is rather left safely at home.