Frequently Asked Questions

Seeing the wildlife on game drives and walking safaris is one of the most popular activities when visiting Africa. Other great options include mountain trekking, primate tracking, canoeing, white water rafting, cultural visits, historical tours, photography, mountain biking and sightseeing. At VEA we work closely with you to give you a truly tailor made experience, so please do see our packages as blueprint for your trip.

Residents of East Africa are generally friendly, warm and welcoming people. Most visitors find that they have very positive experiences and feel very safe on their travels. That said, as with all international travel, caution is recommended.

Valuables: Keep your money and passport with you at all times. Use caution at ATM’s. Leave your expensive jewelry at home; don’t check valuables in checked baggage.

Cities and Towns:  Do not walk unescorted into remote or dangerous looking areas. Women, especially, should be careful to dress conservatively, carry little money or equipment, and to use caution. Be wary of people who try to help you too aggressively.

In the Bush: Never walk unescorted, especially in tented camps and lodges, especially at night. Wildlife could be anywhere. If you are camping in a tent with no toilet facilities, consider keeping an empty bottle or container and toilet paper in your tent for those late night emergencies.

For travelers on a VEA expedition, trip insurance is optional and comes at an additional cost. We strongly recommend that you purchase this insurance to protect your travel investment. Travel insurance can offer financial protection for trip cancellation and interruption, as well as assistance should you encounter travel delays, baggage loss, or require medical treatment while traveling.

East Africa is widely regarded as a fantastic year-round safari destination. Its temperate climate, seasonal migration, and abundant resident wildlife mean there is no single best time for a safari in East Africa. The most important thing to keep in mind when planning your East African safari is how the rainy and dry seasons influence the game viewing experience and how the rains drive the Great Wildebeest Migration.

In East Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania) the dry season is from late June to September.  The region typically experiences two wet seasons.  The main wet season lasts from April to early June, and there is a more sporadic wet season from October to December.

Generally speaking, the dry season is best for game-viewing, while the wet season is often better for birding and baby animals.

No, in fact, it costs less to book through us. Because of our buying power, we negotiate bulk discounts and, most often, our rate is slightly less than the normal rate at the lodge or hotel of your choice. We add no booking fees or credit card surcharge, and there are no hidden costs.

That means, for no extra cost whatsoever, you can make use of our local expertise and have us make all the arrangements on your behalf, ensuring a seamless trip for less effort and less money than if you book everything directly. And if something does go wrong during your stay at a lodge or hotel, you have someone in your corner to intervene on your behalf.

Most of East Africa is at GMT + 2 or 3 hours. There is no daylight savings in many countries.

Sometimes but not always. Mobile phone coverage is improving in many parts of Africa. But beware: roaming charges can be very expensive. Call your carrier prior to departure to get current rates. Many camps will not have reliable phone service.

Yes, internet and WiFi is widely available in East Africa but not always reliable or fast, especially in more remote locations. In cities, internet is usually available but some safari camps choose to remain free from connectivity and do not have internet services of any kind. These camps typically do this by design and to focus on unplugging and unwinding. If internet service is important during your stay, please inform us and we will do our best to accommodate you.