Booking Terms & Conditions

Safari hotels, lodges and tented camps are carefully selected and named in your itinerary. Each property is chosen to add character and atmosphere to your journey while maintaining a high standard of comfort.

Options range from economy and comfort to superior comfort (especially in the Masai Mara) and full luxury. Luxury lodges blend beautifully with the surrounding landscape and offer the amenities you would expect from a good hotel.

Tented camps sit on permanent foundations and feature en-suite bathrooms. Many include thoughtful extras such as hot water bottles to warm your bed and early-morning tea, coffee or hot chocolate delivered to your tent. With the exception of tree lodges, most properties in the comfort and luxury categories have swimming pools.

Please avoid drinking water straight from the tap. Complimentary bottled drinking water is provided in your private safari vehicle — a cooler box is always available.

Soft drinks, beer, wine and other bottled beverages can be purchased at the lodges and camps, all of which have bars and comfortable lounges (often with fireplaces for the cooler evenings). Tea and coffee are served after meals as standard.

It is advisable to spread packing between you and your travelling companion’s suitcases in case of luggage loss. All important documents and items should be carried in your hand luggage: passport, ETA, airline tickets, insurance, credit cards, cash and any necessary prescriptions.

Keep information about any specific health conditions, malaria tablets, life-saving medication, allergy treatments, anti-diarrhoea medication and pain relief easily accessible. Expensive electrical equipment such as cameras or laptops should be well protected.

Important: The use, import and production of plastic bags is prohibited in Kenya. Avoid packing with plastic bags. Use fabric bags or waterproof alternatives instead. Any plastic bags (including duty-free ones) will be confiscated on arrival.

On light aircraft flights within Kenya the baggage allowance is limited to a maximum of 15 kg per person, including camera equipment. Extra luggage can usually be stored at your Nairobi hotel. Additional weight is charged at approximately $5 per kilogram (subject to space availability). Luggage and personal effects travel at the owner’s risk — baggage insurance is strongly recommended.

A modern digital camera is perfectly adequate for excellent wildlife and landscape photography. Getting great safari images is more about practice, patience and composition than owning the most expensive gear.

A DSLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses is ideal. Useful focal lengths for African wildlife are typically in the 200–400 mm range. For landscapes and environmental portraits, a wider 24–100 mm zoom is very useful. A video camera (or the video function on your camera) is also a welcome addition.

Safari areas are remote, so bring plenty of spare batteries, a charger, cleaning cloths, a blower brush and more memory cards than you think you will need. Dust is a constant companion. A good pair of binoculars (8× or 10×40) is essential for spotting birds and animals at a distance.

Kenya is a year-round safari destination. Each season offers its own unique advantages.

Bring casual summer clothes that are easy to launder and quick to dry. Choose neutral colours that do not reflect heat and do not show the inevitable safari dust. Layering is recommended because mornings and evenings can be cool.

Laundry service is available at most safari lodges and tented camps, making it easy to refresh your wardrobe. Lightweight, comfortable walking shoes are ideal as much of your time is spent in the vehicle. The dress code is casual, even in the evenings.

For dinner in Nairobi or at the Mount Kenya Safari Club, smart casual is appropriate. You will be in the sun a great deal and at these altitudes it is easy to burn quickly, so pack a hat, sunscreen and a swimsuit with cover-up (most properties have swimming pools).

Kenya’s currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). You can check current exchange rates online. Foreign currency can be exchanged at forex bureaus (best rates are usually at the airport) or at lodges and hotels at rates close to the bank rate.

US Dollars, Euros and British Pounds are widely accepted. Small cash denominations are useful for tipping and minor purchases. You can also withdraw Kenyan Shillings from ATMs using Visa or Mastercard. We recommend exchanging only what you need.

Customs: Regulations are straightforward. The usual duty-free allowance is one bottle of spirits and 200 cigarettes.

Your safari driver-guide will be an integral part of your experience. You will spend many days together as they share Kenya’s geography, history, wildlife, flora and local culture.

Every Sopa Trails Africa guide is a local Kenyan — knowledgeable, professional and deeply familiar with the traditions and folklore of their country. They are also skilled in vehicle maintenance and can handle minor mechanical issues should they arise.

The voltage in Kenya is 220–240 V. Plugs are different from those used in North America and most of Europe. The most common type has three square prongs. We recommend travelling with a universal adapter and, if needed, a voltage converter.

Important: Many lodges in the parks run on generators and switch them off during the day and late at night (typically 11 pm – 6 am). Please recharge camera and device batteries during the hours when power is available, or carry extra batteries and a small power bank.

Your safari tour price includes government taxes and service charges relating to accommodation and meals, entrance fees to national parks and game reserves, and obligatory game ranger services. A full breakdown of inclusions and exclusions is provided at the time of booking confirmation.

Game Trophies: It is illegal in Kenya to sell any product made from wild animals, including hides, skins, rhinoceros horn, elephant-hair jewellery, crocodile products, etc. Ivory is not legally sold in Kenya. It is also illegal to bring any such items into many countries, including the United States.

All hotel, lodge and porterage gratuities (service charges) are already included in your safari price. Individual waiters, porters or other staff who provide exceptional service may be tipped at your discretion.

It is customary to tip your driver-guide at the end of the safari. The amount depends on your evaluation of the service received. A common guideline is approximately $10 per guest per day, though this is entirely at your discretion. A small bar gratuity of around $1 is also appreciated.

Travel Insurance: All travellers should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance, as you will be responsible for any medical expenses incurred. As part of our service we can arrange temporary Flying Doctors evacuation cover.

Languages: English is the official language of Kenya and the language of instruction in schools. Kiswahili is the national language. Learning a few simple Swahili phrases will enhance your interactions with local people.

Laundry: Laundry services are available at most safari lodges and camps where you spend more than one night. Dry cleaning is only available in Nairobi and Mombasa.

Meals: All meals are included on safari — from lunch on Day 1 until lunch on the final day. Meals are provided by your lodge or camp, or as picnic lunches during full-day game drives. The quality of cuisine in East African lodges and camps is excellent, with fresh produce delivered daily. Special dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.

Nairobi has excellent international-standard medical facilities. Most camps and lodges have a doctor on call who is experienced with common travel-related ailments. Please ensure your health insurance provides adequate coverage, as any further treatment required after returning to Nairobi will be at your own expense.

Safety: Visitors should exercise the same common sense as they would anywhere in the world. Do not leave cash, jewellery or valuables unattended in hotel rooms — every lodge and hotel provides safe-deposit facilities. Avoid wearing flashy jewellery and never leave handbags or camera equipment unattended in public places.

Nairobi offers a wide range of attractive and affordable souvenirs: baskets, copper jewellery, batik cloth, beads, wood carvings, Kenya coffee and tea. Boutiques sell fine art, handicrafts, gemstones and jewellery, including the locally mined semi-precious stone tanzanite.

Popular items include wooden carvings (from small trinkets to ebony sculpture), soapstone pieces, sisal and baobab bags, and authentic tribal artefacts such as drums, stools, shields and beaded jewellery.

We recommend taking all purchases with you. Shipping and duty costs can easily exceed the value of the item. If large pieces must be shipped, freight charges can run into several hundred dollars.

We provide complimentary airport–hotel transfers on arrival and departure. Please share your flight details with us in advance so we can arrange seamless meet-and-greet service.

Your experienced Sopa Trails Africa driver-guide will collect you from Nairobi Airport, your hotel or residence and accompany you throughout the safari. Our comfortable 4×4 safari vehicles carry a maximum of 6–7 guests, guaranteeing a window seat and access to the pop-up roof hatch for game viewing.

Approximate driving times (subject to weather, traffic and road conditions):

• Nairobi – Amboseli: 240 km / ±. 4 hrs
• Amboseli – Lake Naivasha: 350 km / 6–7 hrs
• Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara: 250 km / 4–5 hrs
• Masai Mara – Nairobi: 265 km / ≈ 6 hrs
• Nairobi – Samburu: 320 km / 6–7 hrs
• Nairobi – Lake Nakuru: 160 km / ≈ 3 hrs
• Nairobi – Lake Naivasha: 100 km / ≈ 2 hrs
• Nairobi – Ol Pejeta: 220 km / ≈ 4 hrs

Masai Village Visit: If you wish to visit a Masai village, please discuss this with your guide. A donation of approximately USD 20 per person, payable directly to the village chief, is customary.

Lunch & Drinks: All meals including picnic lunches are included in the tour price. Bottled drinks (beers, soft drinks, wines and spirits) are settled directly by you at the lodges and camps.

Time Difference: Kenya is GMT+3 (East Africa Time).

Mosquito Nets: Mosquitoes are most active after sunset. Wear long clothing in the evenings and use insect repellent on exposed skin. All safari lodges and camps provide mosquito nets over the beds.

Charging Devices: Most lodges switch generators off after 11 pm. Bring a small flashlight and charge batteries during the day when power is available. Sockets are 240 V with three flat pins.

Check-in / Check-out: Check-in is usually after 11:00 and check-out before 10:00. You will complete a registration card at the front desk. Any extra bills (drinks, laundry, etc.) are settled on departure. An orientation talk is given on arrival at each property.

Pack light, practical clothing. Laundry is inexpensive at the lodges, so you do not need to bring large quantities. Include:

• Neutral-coloured summer clothes and a light jacket for cool mornings/evenings
• Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts for evenings (mosquito protection)
• Comfortable closed shoes and cotton socks
• Hat, sunscreen, lip balm and insect repellent
• Universal power adapter (preferably with multiple sockets)
• Small flashlight with extra batteries
• Swimwear and a light cover-up

Always keep in your hand luggage: Passport, ETA, tickets, insurance documents, money, medication, sunglasses, binoculars, camera + memory cards + charger, photocopies of important documents, and a list of emergency contact numbers.