Travel Information

Visas & Entry Requirements

Most travellers require a visa to enter East African countries. We strongly recommend arranging visas online in advance rather than on arrival to avoid delays. All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of return with at least two blank pages.

Health & Vaccinations

Consult a travel medicine specialist at least 6 weeks before departure. Recommendations vary by itinerary, previous history, and personal health.

Required

• Yellow Fever — mandatory certificate if arriving from a country with risk of transmission. Also mandatory for entry into Uganda and Rwanda regardless of origin.

Strongly Recommended

• Malaria prophylaxis — most of East Africa is malaria zone. Common options: Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil), doxycycline, or mefloquine.
• Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria — standard traveller vaccinations.
• COVID-19 — up-to-date vaccination is no longer required for entry but strongly recommended.

Optional (destination-dependent)

• Rabies (if trekking in remote areas or working with animals)
• Meningitis (dry season December–June, rural travel)
• Cholera (rare — only if travelling to specific outbreak zones)

Climate & When to Go

East Africa sits on the equator — temperatures are pleasant year-round (20–28°C at safari altitudes; 25–32°C at the coast). The key variable is rainfall, which shapes both wildlife viewing and pricing.

Currency & Money

The US Dollar is widely accepted at lodges, park gates, and tour operators across East Africa. Local currency is only really needed for tips, small purchases, and taxis. Bring USD in crisp bills dated 2013 or newer — older or torn notes are often rejected.

• Kenya: Kenyan Shilling (KES) — ATMs widely available, credit cards accepted at most hotels.
• Tanzania: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) — USD is standard at safari lodges.
• Uganda: Ugandan Shilling (UGX) — USD accepted at parks and safari lodges.
• Rwanda: Rwandan Franc (RWF) — most gorilla & hospitality fees quoted in USD.
• Zanzibar: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS); USD widely accepted; resorts often quote in EUR.

Connectivity & SIM Cards

4G/LTE coverage is excellent in cities and most towns. In remote wilderness areas (deep Serengeti, Bwindi, Selous, some Mara conservancies) expect limited or no coverage. All lodges and camps offer Wi-Fi in common areas — though speeds vary.

• Kenya: Safaricom (best coverage), Airtel — SIM ~USD 3 + data bundles.
• Tanzania: Vodacom or Airtel; SIM available on arrival at KIA/JNIA.
• Uganda: MTN Uganda or Airtel — passport required for SIM registration.
• Rwanda: MTN Rwanda — excellent nationwide 4G.

eSIM options (Airalo, Holafly, Nomad) work seamlessly across East Africa and save you passport paperwork on arrival.

Luggage & Packing

Small bush aircraft impose strict luggage limits — typically 15kg per person including hand luggage, in soft-sided bags only (no roller-cases or hard shells). If you're doing an internal flight into the Serengeti, Mara, or remote camps, plan around this.

Safari Packing Essentials

• Neutral-coloured layers (avoid bright white, dark blue, black — attracts tsetse flies)
• Fleece or lightweight down jacket (cool dawn game drives)
• Wide-brim sun hat & polarised sunglasses
• Sunblock SPF 30+, insect repellent (30% DEET), lip balm
• Binoculars (8×42 or 10×42 is the sweet spot)
• Camera + extra memory cards + spare batteries + charger
• Universal travel adapter (Type G — UK 3-pin standard)
• Small daypack, reusable water bottle
• Personal first-aid kit + all regular medications in original packaging

Coast & Zanzibar

• Reef-safe sunscreen, quick-dry swimwear
• Modest clothing for Stone Town (shoulders & knees covered)
• Underwater camera or GoPro

Gorilla Trekking

• Waterproof hiking boots, worn in before travel
• Gardening gloves (protect against nettles)
• Rain jacket + rain-cover for backpack
• Long trousers & long-sleeved top (in muted colours)

Safety & Security

East Africa is generally very safe for travellers, particularly on organised tours. Standard urban common sense applies:

• Use hotel safes for passports, spare cash, and jewellery.
• Take reputable taxis (Uber, Bolt in cities); avoid unmarked cabs at night.
• Avoid displaying valuables on the street. Keep phones out of sight in downtown areas.
• In the bush, always follow your guide's instructions — never leave your vehicle in game-viewing zones unless invited to.
• Register with your country's travel advisory (US STEP, UK LOCATE, etc.) before travel.

All Vines Signature Journeys clients receive 24/7 on-the-ground emergency contact for the duration of their trip, plus WhatsApp check-ins with your designer.

Responsible Travel

We believe travel can be a force for good — supporting conservation, empowering local communities, and preserving wild places for the next generation.

• Wildlife-first: Never approach or feed wild animals. Follow your guide's distance and time limits without exception.
• Community-owned lodges: Where possible, we route bookings through community conservancies where lease payments directly fund villages and rangers.
• Single-use plastic: We provide refillable water bottles and encourage all clients to avoid single-use plastic during their trip.
• Photography ethics: Always ask permission before photographing people — especially at cultural visits or in markets.
• Carbon offset: On request, we can factor a verified carbon offset into your itinerary total.

Frequently Asked Questions