Frequently Asked Questions

All year round. The most popular time of the year to visit East Africa is July through February. These times are generally the peak of the migration of the wildebeest and zebra from Serengeti to Masai Mara. The long rains usually come to these areas in the months of April and May.

Not many, but there may be a few. Roads can be rough. There are times planes may not run as scheduled. It is not uncommon for a vehicle to break down. The most important thing is to have a good attitude and understand that Africa is a special destination but part of what makes it special is that its atmosphere is not spoiled by tourism. If you are in doubt of a comfort level of a particular trip, call a Sirinket Safari Consultant direct. We want to make sure you are selecting a trip that meets your comfort level.

Sirinket Safaris is affiliated with and has been certified by the following organizations to operate on an annual basis; Kenya Association of Travel Agents, East African Wildlife Society, Ecotourism Society of Kenya and the Kenya Tourist Board.

Kenya Tourism Board – Having fulfilled the legal criteria, every tour operator must be licensed annually by this government body.

Since accommodations comprise an important aspect of your trip, we've gone to great lengths to select hotels that meet our standards of high quality, convenient location, and excellent service. From superb hotels in major cities to unique or historic lodgings and luxury tented camps too small for conventional tour groups of 24 or more, these hotels promise to enhance your enjoyment and comfort throughout your trip.

Due to limited availability and the popularity of our trips, SAS is unable to hold space without a deposit.For more information about the deposit amount required to secureyour reservation contact us.

You will be advised at the time of booking what health precautions are required and recommended for your trip. You must check with your personal doctor before taking any medications. While overseas, SAS has a list of highly qualified doctors on call. You can rest assured that top medical care is available in the major cities. Hospitals keep up-to-date on equipment and have a high standard of testing.

The continent of Africa is larger than all of Europe, China, India, Argentina, New Zealand and the United States put together. It consists of fifty-four countries with totally unrelated political systems over 11,700,000 square miles. What happens in one country, even a bordering country does not necessarily affect the other. Think of it this way – if something happened in Canada, would that affect your travel plans to Florida or Mexico? There are certain inherent risks whenever one travels, but the chances of being involved in an incident are very small. It is just not wise for SAS to send you to an area where we know there are problems. We are in constant contact with our international offices and continually monitor any situations that might occur. Many of our vehicles are equipped with emergency telephones. We have the ability to change your itinerary at last minute and would certainly cancel a trip if you would be in harms way. If you have any questions at anytime regarding destinations, do not hesitate to call. Your safety and comfort in traveling to an area is our foremost concern.

Simply gather 10 paying travelers to join you on any SAS schedule program, and as the 11th passenger, you travel FREE. To learn more about becoming a Group Leader, please call an SAS tour expert consultant at +254 720860058 or send emails to enquiries@sirinketsafaris.com

Frequent travelers know that tipping is an expected element of worldwide travel; but at times it can become a nuisance or inconvenience. For that reason we eliminate the worry by including in your tour price all gratuities for local employees, hotel, lodges and camps porters, and dining room servers, so that the local employees are eager to serve and you are free to relax and enjoy you trip. Gratuities for your Safari Guides are not included and should be extended on a voluntary basis, in recognition of truly excellent service.

A safari is ideal for the single traveler. You never need to be alone unless you prefer. Both men and women travel as singles and find Africa a safe and friendly destination. Even when traveling as a single, SAS always arranges your Safari in East Africa. Shared rooms can be requested. A tour member occupying single room, either by choice or by circumstance, will pay the single room supplement.

On certain Sirinket Adventure trips, you have the option to enjoy breakaway travel at the end of your stay, subject to flight availability. This option enables you to travel on your own wherever you choose. Your total travel time cannot exceed 30 days from the original date of departure from the U.S. On the date of your ticketed return to the U.S., return to the airport of your departure for your flight home. There is a US$50-US$150 per-person, nonrefundable fee to request breakaway travel. Additional air charges may also apply. You will be responsible for confirming your international flight back to the U.S. and for your own transfers to the airport. All arrangements for breakaway travel must be requested in writing from the Customized Air Department no later than 71 days prior to departure. Confirmation information will be available approximately 45 days before your departure.

Consult our Adventure specialists for details.

While Sirinket Adventure Group does not offer a senior citizen discount, the value included in all of our programs is comparable to the senior rates you'd receive with other companies. Our buying power allows us to secure the best rates available for airfares, Safari Camps& Lodges, hotels, and sightseeing. And because we sell directly to you, there's no middleman to increase the cost. We pass our savings on to you.

SAS is a company with a conscience. Since 2003, the Sirinket Adventure Safaris has actively supported environmental conservation initiatives. We strongly believe that it is our responsibility to protect the environment and local cultures of the places we visit, and to ensure that our travel programs have a positive impact in every way possible.

In Africa, SAS only handles photographic safaris. Our company is centered on the principle of protecting the world's environment and its wildlife.

SAS offers a tour designed specifically around the Great Annual Wildebeest Migration.

• Kenya - July to October
• Tanzania - January to March

You can guarantee the price of your trip by paying early - and save money, too. For greatest savings, simply pay in full by check within14 days of booking. All of our trips come with our competitive cost guarantee—which means that if we reduce costs on your trip more than 90 days before you depart, we’ll pass that reduction on to you. For more detailed information contact our central reservation office.

Both Tanzania and Kenya have great game viewing. Kenya however, tends to have a greater number of animals. We would suggest considering Kenya for your first trip if you have not been to Africa before.

East Africa's reputation as the quintessential safari destination is well deserved. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda offer an extraordinary opportunity to view wildlife in its natural habitat. While this popularity has led to some crowded national parks and reserves, busy areas can be avoided by focusing on private reserves, sanctuaries and less-visited national parks such as those chosen by SAS. Here the region's extraordinary wildlife is on display in uncrowded landscapes of great beauty and variety.

There's nowhere better to spot the "Big Five" on safari than Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, It’s an extension of Tanzania’s Greater Serengeti National Park. Lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino can all be found, and highly skilled Safari guides know just where to look. Bird life is prolific and for sheer variety of flora, only the Amazon rivals the species density found here.

For more details about African safaris, please call an SAS tour expert consultant at +254 720 860058 or send emails to enquiries@sirinketsafaris.com.

In East Africa, they offer the best wildlife experience in the world. South Africa has its own special qualities but East Africa is unique and the only one of its kind.

Roads in wildlife area are bumpy and dusty. Many of our trips feature comfortable flights. This does add to the cost of the safari but it converts wasted time on the road to quality time viewing the wildlife. We can organize both scheduled and charter flights to almost all of destinations we operate.

Yes. When you refer new travelers, you become a Sirinket AdventureSafaris Ambassador and earn US$150 per person travel credit for each traveler that travels with us. Plus, your new travelers receive a US$50 per person savings on their first reservation!

For more information contact us.

SAS works closely with the finest travel agents in the United States, Canada & Europe. We recognize travel agents as our partner and feel they offer an invaluable service to the traveler. A qualified agent can assist you in making sure that your trip runs smoothly. Conference calls are encouraged between agents, the traveler and SAS consultants.

The Internet has a wealth of information on Africa, but buying directly from the internet can be a blind purchase, as it does not council you on reliability and dependability. Use the internet to gather ideas and your preferences, then take this to your agent or a Sirinket Safaris consultant.

The advantage of the group safaris is the chance to socialize and meet others with similar interests. A private safari has great advantages for those who are serious photographers, are taking children, or have their own ideas in creating a safari. Private or customized trips are successful because the participant plays an active role in planning the trip, as their ideas are incorporated with our professional knowledge of the areas.

You will see all the big game in either country. Accommodations are great in both countries. Consider going to Tanzania anytime from January-March and Kenya July-October. The migration of the wildebeest and Zebra occurs in Tanzania January-March and Kenya late July-October, but you will still be plenty of animals all year. If you need more information about Africa, please contact an SAS expert consultant at +254 720 860058 or send emails to enquiries@sirinketsafaris.com

Sirinket Safaris have been accredited tour operators since 2003 and have gained reputation for providing a first class and uniquely personalized safari. All our professional guides are fully qualified and have years of experience guiding within wildlife rich areas of Eastern Africa. Our safari itineraries include some of the finest onward destinations in the region and we work closely with these other operators to ensure an outstanding quality of experience throughout. Alex Ole Nchoko has over 10 years experience working in the safari business.

For the most part 200 speed films are best to use when in doubt. The bright sun shots may look best with 100 speed film. For photographing the fast movement of animals, 400 speed films should be used. With all of this in mind, bringing some of each might be best if using film.

Traveling with SAS is made comfortable as possible. We use customized safari 4WD Land Cruisers and micro minibuses.  All safari vehicles have game viewing roof hatches and all seats are forward-facing. They comfortably accommodate up to 6 passengers, and all passengers are assured a window seat. Our safari vehicles are fully equipped with radios, bottled water, field guides and binoculars.

Yes. You will receive your visa application upon request with instructions 120 days prior to departure. To obtain your visa in the most efficient, worry-free way, we highly recommend you check with the appropriate embassy or consulate.

You are responsible for obtaining any travel documents and/or verifying entry requirements necessary for each country of travel and/or transit on your selected itinerary. SAS cannot obtain personal travel documents for customers or assume responsibilities for notice of countries current requirements. You are responsible for any expenses incurred as a result of the delays or itinerary changes related to your lack of appropriate travel documents.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people - at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships.

When traveling to East Africa, anti-malarial medication is strongly recommended by the CDC. In addition to an anti-malarial drug regiment, personal protection measure should be taken to avoid mosquito bites, especially the hours between dusk and dawn when malarial mosquitos are most active. These measures include using an insect repellant containing 20% of the active ingredient 'deet,' keeping arms and legs covered as much as possible, and avoiding the use of perfume, hair spray, and other scented products that attract mosquito.

Yes. Once you reserve your SAS trip, your cost is guaranteed not to increase—we automatically protect you against air, park fees, fuel, and currency fluctuation increases.

All of our trips come with our competitive cost guarantee—which means that if we reduce costs on your trip more than 90 days before you depart, we’ll pass that reduction on to you.

Once SAS has accepteddeposits for a SAS trip, the departure is guaranteed, except in case of force majeure, which includes any major events that adversely affect international travel patterns, events that endanger travelers or circumstance beyond SAS’s control among others.

A warm and friendly welcome by the local people, no humidity, comfortable temperatures, a high degree of comfort, a variety of delicious food and exhausting but exhilarating days.

An average day begins at dawn with tea and a sunrise game drive. Back to the lodge for a wonderful breakfast with fresh baked breads, local coffee, and your choice of entrée. During the heat of the day when the wildlife is at rest you too may wish to relax around the pool. In the afternoon when the wildlife again comes alive go out on an afternoon game drive. In certain areas full day game drives, a bush walk, night drive or other activity may be planned.

In the evening, everyone gathers to exchange stories of the bush while enjoying beverages. Retire early, as tomorrow will bring…well we just don’t know but we can assure you it will be exciting!

The continued existence of wild areas in Africa relies heavily on their sustainable commercial value. The Maasai Mara generates revenue from tourism to maintain its very existence and tourists are essential for its survival for the generations to come. Sirinket Safaris is the embodiment of eco tourism with its emphasis on walking and the low impact nature of camping in the bush. Our interaction with animals is intimate and our respect for them is paramount throughout the safari. Never do we intend stressing an animal or negatively impacting on the environment.

Almost every member of staff employed by Sirinket Safaris and the safari industry as a whole is from the local villages. The impact of this employment on the local economy is huge and the industry indirectly sustains a great number of families. Local education programs are in place to promote environmental awareness which is so important for the co existence of wildlife and human settlement in the future.

We can take bookings up to 15 days prior to departure on most of our adventures. A rush fee of US$50 per person will be assessed. At that time, we're required to finalize our passenger information with the airlines and hotels, and we release all unused space back to the vendors. All bookings are by request and are confirmed on a case-by-case basis. Please contact our Adventure Specialists for more details.

The climate in East Africa is strongly influenced by altitude and proximity to the sea. The coast has a hot and humid tropical climate (July and August are cooler and less humid). Inland, a pleasant temperate climate prevails, with warm, sunny days and cool nights. In July and August the highland areas can be overcast during the day and cold at night. There are two rainy seasons. The long rains occur during April and May, and the short rains mid-November to mid-December. Rainfalls generally at night and the days are often sunny and warm.

From July through October.

• 30% deposit to secure a booking.
• Balance to be paid 42 days prior to safari.
• Custom Safaris require a 50% deposit.
• On request of booking an account # will be provided to make a direct deposit or wire transfer - Most banks and Trusts can perform this procedure. All trips are listed in US$. NB The US$ is the most widely accepted currency other than local currency within Africa.