Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read our general FAQs, where you can find essential information that applies to all of our programs.

Resources to Learn & Teach about Kenya

Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.

Terms and Conditions

It is very important for you to visit our Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.

GEEO Program Confirmation Process

We require a minimum of 6 participants for most GEEO programs. We officially confirm that a program will run once at least 8 people have signed up, which provides a margin for individual cancellations. Nearly all GEEO programs ultimately meet this enrollment quota, and in the rare event that a program does not meet the minimum requirement and GEEO cancels the program, we will work with you to find a suitable alternative or provide a refund of your deposit if you prefer. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we will notify the entire group once 6 people are booked and again once 8 people are booked. We always emphasize the importance of exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements, especially given the unpredictable nature of travel. For example, we typically recommend booking flights with flexible change/cancellation policies.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.

• If you cancel 60 days or more prior to the start of your program, all payments will be refunded excluding your $350 deposit, which is kept on file for future use and never expires. (Exception for participants who receive grants from our university partners: To address disruption caused by cancellation from grant recipients, deposits paid by grant recipients are forfeited upon cancellation.)
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.
• If you cancel within 30 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive no refund, but your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.

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Trip Notes & Expectations

Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program contained on this page. Our programs are quite adventurous, and we find that clients who read the trip details in full are happier with their experiences.

1. FLYING THROUGH LONDON-HEATHROW TO EAST AFRICA?: Regardless of the rules in other centers, travelers flying from, or connecting in, London-Heathrow are currently only permitted one carry-on piece of luggage and one small personal bag (purse, laptop-size bag, briefcase) on board on flights to Nairobi. If you arrive to the security gate with 2 pieces, you will be forced to check one of them, which may result in complications. This policy is in place as of the time of writing, though local rules and regulations may change. Contact your airline directly for the most up-to-date information.
2. LUGGAGE COMPLICATIONS: Ensure your luggage meets the dimensions listed in our packing guide to avoid issues. Luggage sometimes doesn’t arrive on international flights to Nairobi, particularly from major hubs like Heathrow or Schiphol. This is more likely with tight connections, flight changes, or connections through other African airports. Keep important documents and valuables with you, and pack a change of clothes in your carry-on. If your luggage is delayed, you should receive limited compensation from the airline. Lost luggage typically arrives within 48-72 hours and is forwarded to your hotel or another location. If your tour starts before your luggage arrives, we recommend purchasing essentials locally. Your CEO or a local representative can assist with the process. Note that any retrieval costs are your responsibility, but G Adventures will help where possible. Keep all receipts and contact your airline or insurer for reimbursement.
3. ACCOMMODATION & CAMPING SERVICE: Camping in Kenya is truly an adventure. You will be able to get off the beaten track to get an up-close experience of the beautiful wilderness and nature. While camping, we stay at designated campsites inside of or nearby the national reserves and parks. These campsites are generally very basic, and we carry tents to pitch at the public campsites. The campsite in Samburu is a basic public camp run by the local council. There will be no electricity, with only gas lanterns in the evening and access to shared bathrooms with long drop toilets and cold showers. These first four nights will be spent in dome tents. At the Masai Mara, we will stay in a simple permanent tented camp. These are walk-in safari tents with single beds and mattresses. There is no electricity for lights or charging batteries. The facilities are basic, though there are flushing toilets and hot water (when the boiler is working). The thought of camping in Africa can be a daunting. If you are not accustomed to "roughing it" for a few days, know that we offer a full camping service. All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied. All tents are pitched for you, meals are prepared and served, and the washing up is done by G Adventures staff. Mattresses are also available and are approximately 4cm thick, warm, and comfortable. Please note that drinking water, ice, and fire wood are not provided but can be bought locally with the assistance of the tour leader. Our services leave you with more time to enjoy your surroundings and is ideal for first-time campers who may be worried about the challenges that a trip like this one can entail. Note: Sleeping bags cannot be rented on any of our Africa safari trips.
4. TRANSPORTATION: We travel in a private 7-seat 4x4 safari van with sliding windows and a pop-up roof, perfect for wildlife viewing. Larger groups will be split into two vehicles. All vehicles are regularly serviced, but long travel days on rough African roads can occasionally lead to breakdowns. All drivers are trained mechanics and will resolve any issues promptly. Seat belts must be worn at all times for safety, and speed governors are set at 80 kph. While this journey isn’t physically demanding, it involves long drives, often on bumpy roads. Travel times between parks are lengthy, as a safari involves covering significant distances to view wildlife. Despite the challenging roads, the variety of landscapes, wildlife, and local culture make it a rewarding experience.
5. ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE: This trip includes light walking and other activities that require an average/moderate level of fitness to enjoy. You can opt out of the longer walks if you aren’t feeling up for them. We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
6. MIGRATION: The Seronera Plains in the southeast of Serengeti National Park and western Ngorongoro Conservation Area are the main calving grounds for wildebeest. They arrive with the short rains in November or December, calve in January, and stay until the long rains end in May. In late April, they gather for their 800 km migration northward, facing the Grumeti River crossing from June to July. Between July and October, some cross the Mara River into Kenya, while others remain in the northern and western Serengeti. By late October, they return to the Seronera Plains, completing the cycle in November.
7. ELECTRICITY: The power supply in Kenya is nominally 240VAC, 50hz. Variable voltage, spikes and sporadic, unexpected, unscheduled power cuts of varying duration can be expected.
8. MEALS: When an evening meal isn’t included, your hotel will have a restaurant, or you’ll be directed to a local option. All camp meals are made from fresh local produce. Food shopping is done before departure, with fresh items bought along the route from supermarkets, shops, and markets. Breakfasts are usually cereal, though warm options may be offered if time allows. Many lunches are light, like sandwiches or salads, provided en route. Evening meals are hot, featuring both continental and local dishes, prepared by the crew, with optional assistance from you. Please specify dietary needs prior to arrival, and not that all bottled drinking water will be at your own expense.
9. GROUP LEADER: Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip. All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure's group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Going to Tanzania Too?

Our Kenya program lines up perfectly with our Tanzania program if you want to go on both. There are direct flights from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro International with Precision Air that take about one hour. A seat on a public shuttle bus (leaves daily at 8 am) can be pre-booked through GEEO/G Adventures and takes about 6 hours.

Single Travelers

Half of GEEO’s participants travel by themselves, so please don’t worry if you do not have a travel companion for your trip. Our program fee is for one traveler in double-occupancy accommodation, and GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender if you do not have a travel companion. Most of our programs have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that you can pay to have a room to yourself. You will only incur an additional charge if you specifically request a single room. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please find your program on our extra services page. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org to request a single room.

Emergency Contacts

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS: G Adventures Local Office (Nairobi, Kenya) From outside Kenya: +254 727 208 832 From within Kenya: 0727 208 832 G Adventures Local Representative (Tanzania) During office hours, 9 am-5 pm local time: From outside Tanzania: +255 754 400 141 From within Tanzania: 0754 400 141 If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with our 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000 Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000 Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618 Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307 Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999 AIRPORT TRANSFER: If you have purchased an arrival through G Adventures or if an arrival transfer is included in the cost of your tour, please note that your arrival transfer has been arranged based on flight information provided to us. If you are advised of a flight schedule change within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival time, we will do our best to rearrange your arrival transfer however we cannot guarantee this. If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area please call the local emergency contact numbers listed below for more information. For any issues relating to pre-booked transfers for Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, including delays or missed transfers, please contact our airport transfer operator: Phelix: +254 729 692 653 (from outside of Kenya) Phelix: 0729 692 653(from within Kenya)

Packing List

Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person. Suggested Checklist

• Sleeping bag (it tends to be in the 50s F at night.)
• Warm layers for the evening, early mornings (it gets cold at night!)
• Light windproof/waterproof rain jacket
• Sun hat
• Personal clothing for weather in the 50’s to the 80’s – we recommend packing 8-9 days of outfits so you don't have to do laundry
• At least one pair of long pants
• Daypack (you will need one large enough to carry your possessions when camping—a collapsable duffel bag can be used instead)
• Sturdy walking shoes (closed-toe suggested)
• Sport sandals or flip-flops
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Watch or alarm clock (or use your phone)
• Camp towel (important!)
• Small flashlight or headlamp (important!)
• Toiletries – your hotels will have soap and shampoo
• Camera (or use your phone)
• First-aid kit, including: lip salve, aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking

Optional Checklist

• Lightweight silk sleeping bag liner
• Travel pillow
• Money belt
• Water bottle
• Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics as well converters/adapters, if needed
• AirTags or Tile trackers
• Packing cubes
• Earplugs
• Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don’t go crazy here
• Ziplock bags for wet clothing
• Reading/writing material
• Hand sanitizer/baby wipes

Document Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• Travel insurance ID card
• Flight itinerary/boarding pass(es)
• USD/EUR cash
• Credit/debit card
• G Adventures vouchers
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent a few days before departure

Laundry

Hand washing of clothes can be done at campsites, as most have simple facilities for this purpose. We recommend you bring a non-polluting/biodegradable soap, as well as a roll of string to use as a drying line for your clothes. If you arrive at your overnight stop in the late afternoon, or if there is poor weather, it may not be possible for your clothes to dry completely. Your start/end hotel also has laundry service for a fee.

Passports and Visas

All GEEO trips require that the participant have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double check the information we provide below by searching the U.S. State Department's International Travel Guidance. U.S. citizens need a visa to travel to Kenya. You must apply for an eVisa online prior to your departure for Kenya, as visas are not issued upon arrival. The single-entry eVisa costs $51 USD, and you must have a passport valid for at least 6 months. The processing time is usually only a few days, and the visa is only valid for travel within 3 months from the date of issue, so please be careful not to apply too early. Find more information here. IMPORTANT NOTE It may be required to show a Yellow Fever certificate upon entering the country. Please check in with your local consulate and health expert for advice on Yellow Fever and other inoculations required for this area.

Money Exchange

The local currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (K or Ksh). As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. We recommend that you obtain cash from ATMs while traveling; they will dispense the local currency. We do, however, recommend that you bring at least $200 USD in cash for emergency use or in case you have trouble with the ATMs. Your tour leader will inform you where you can exchange money throughout the tour and approximately how much cash you will need. Please note that due to past problems with forgery, USD notes that were issued prior to 2006 are not accepted in Africa. Large note (e.g, $50 or $100) can be difficult to change in some places but will provide the best exchange rate. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but you may be charged an international transaction fee; ask your financial institution about their international fees. Please note that if you are carrying U.S. dollars, the bills should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and dated recently. Credit cards can be used in major cities and towns, but please do not rely on them as a primary method of payment, because they are generally not widely accepted. Visa/Plus cards are the most widely accepted by businesses in East Africa; it can be more difficult to locate ATMs and businesses that accept Mastercard/Cirrus cards. If you normally use a Mastercard, we highly recommend that you also obtain a Visa card prior to departure. You should also be aware that when purchasing products or services on a credit card, a fee of 3%-10% often applies. Please note that in many areas, there may be occasional power-outages when there will be no electricity for hours at a time. In addition, ATMs outside of larger centers often run out of cash or can be out of order unexpectedly. These factors could affect your ability to access money from ATMs. As such, please do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of foreign currency and debit/credit cards for cash advances is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don’t want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.

Tipping

Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of this program and an expression of satisfaction with the people who assist you on your trip. Tipping is also one of the most direct ways that you can have a positive economic impact within the East African community. Although it may not be customary for you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, as an important source of income for those in the tourism industry. Giving a tip should be a seen as a formal “thank you,” and the action should in no way be awkward. The best method of tipping someone who has served your entire group is to plan in advance, and not rush when it comes to saying goodbye. A suggestion would be for each group member to contribute anonymously by putting their tip into an envelope, which the tour can present to the recipient(s), offering their thanks and showing their appreciation. This method brings the action out into the open, allowing for friendly and appreciative interaction between the group and the recipient(s). You may use the following as a guideline: CEO: $5 USD per day Driver: $5 USD per day Supply crew: $2-5 USD per day Local guides: $1 USD per couple of hours Restaurant/café servers: 10% of the cost of the bill

Vaccinations

GEEO cannot provide any medical advice, so it is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. We recommend contacting Passport Health, which has travel clinics located throughout the United States. You can also check the CDC's recommended vaccinations for your destination. Please take this seriously!

Flights

We find the best prices for flights are often available around 90-120 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. You should wait until this trip is confirmed before you book non-refundable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. This program begins and ends in Nairobi. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Antananarivo, which usually means departing the U.S. 1-2 days prior. You may want to arrive in East Africa one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart from Nairobi any time on the final day of the program.

Plugs and Converters

There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers. The adapter is the plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two to three-pronged power cord to match the prongs required by the local outlets. The transformer changes the local voltage to that required by your device. Kenya uses Type G plugs, and their voltage is 230 Volts. (Standard U.S. electrical outlets are 120V.) Most new devices, including phones and laptops, are made to work with the different voltage rates, but some devices, like hair dryers, may only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device's plug or manual to see what voltage range it requires. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity; for example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work with voltages between 100V to 240V. If your device can’t handle the higher voltage, you’ll need to purchase a transformer/converter. You can find world transformers/converters online or at many retail stores in the travel section.

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the routes described on our website, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The information on our website is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Weather

In early summer in Kenya, the high temperatures are around 70-80°F – pleasantly warm but not suffocating. The evenings tend to get chilly, dropping to about 55°F.