We would like to invite you to participate in a two-week road trip through East Africa along the Kenya-Uganda-Rwanda-Burundi-Tanzania-Kenya route in the fall of 2019.
The estimated duration of the trip: October 20 to November 6. The timeframe can be shifted or expanded depending on the participants’ wishes.
The itinerary will take you around Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, and the second largest freshwater lake in the world.
The route begins and ends in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and runs through five countries in East Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania. The total mileage is about 3,500 kilometers. Time spent “behind the wheel” is about half of the total time: either we drive for one day and visit a park the next day, or we drive half a day and spend half a day in a park, or otherwise.
The program includes:
- Visiting up to 5 African countries
- Crossing the equator to visit both hemispheres
- Safari in the national parks of Maasai Mara and the Serengeti in your own car, which is much more interesting than a safari in a local car
- An opportunity to see the “big five” of Africa: an elephant, a rhinoceros, a buffalo, a lion, and a leopard, as well as other savannah inhabitants: giraffes, hippos, hyenas, etc.
- An opportunity to visit Lake Tanganyika, the Lake Baikal of Africa
- Visiting the source of the Great Nile and the opportunity to go rafting on the White Nile,
- A unique opportunity to get acquainted with African culture not “from the bus window” but face-to-face
- An opportunity to visit mountain gorillas in Uganda
- An opportunity to complete the journey by climbing the Kilimanjaro mountain
- An opportunity to complete the trip on the ocean beaches of Mombasa.
East Africa is one of the safest regions in Africa; in our opinion, it does not pose an increased risk compared to life in Russia :).
Yellow fever vaccination and a corresponding certificate are mandatory. Despite the fact that the fever itself has long been gone, a certificate may be required to enter certain countries. Vaccination is done in any major city at least a month before the trip. No other vaccinations are required. No pills are required during the trip. The organizers provide detailed consultations on these issues.
Medical insurance for travel valid in the respective countries is mandatory. The organizers provide recommendations of choice of insurance companies.
The cars are rented in Nairobi, Kenya. The participants may rent any car with any car rental company independently, or choose to be assisted or advised by the organizers.
Requirements for cars: four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and high reliability, for confident continued movement on unpaved roads. You should choose the newest car of the brand common in the region. The tour organizers recommend cars like Toyota Rav4, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Land Cruiser 70, depending on financial standing of the participants. Also available for rent and suitable for travel: Suzuki Grand Vitara, Nissan X-Trail, Landrover Defender, Mitsubishi L200, etc.
If possible, the organizers provide technical assistance to the participants. Rental cars are usually serviced before being rented for a long period. Car service and tire fitting service are available in cities.
To participate in the trip, you will need:
- To have a passport with a validity period of at least 6 mohth after come back. All visas are issued at the borders of the respective states, while a multivisa is valid for Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda and issued upon arrival in Nairobi.
To be able to drive a car confidently with a manual gearbox, be prepared to drive a car with a right-hand drive in the conditions of left-hand and right-hand traffic.
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have left-hand traffic; Rwanda and Burundi have right-hand traffic. Overall, the traffic is quite calm.
Experience in driving an off-road vehicle and the experience of overcoming impassability are not required.
- You ought to be in control of yourself, not abuse alcoholic drinks not violate traffic rules and public order.
Participants are accepted for the trip by cars, forming crews independently. The number of people in the car must not exceed the number of equipped seats. Organizers recommend 2–3 people per one car.
The estimated number of participants is 6 cars.
Accommodation in most cases occurs on the spot, depending on the situation and opportunities. Organizers do not pre-book hotels throughout the route, but in some places, it may be possible to arrange a reservation, upon prior agreement with the participants.
All participants must have equipment for spending the night camping, namely: a spot in a tent, a rug, and a light summer sleeping bag. The complete list of recommended equipment is provided by the organizers.
Be ready not to be picky about your accommodation. The approximate distribution of sleeping places is as follows:
- 15% - hostel type hotels - amenities on the floor. You should be ready for this when there is no other way out. $ 30 per room.
- 20% – regular African hotels of level 1 * :) $50
- 25% – camping without staying at the hotel. $30
- 20% – participant's choice: camping ($30) or expensive lodge ($100 – $200). If there is such a choice, the organizers prefer camping, but you can stay at the lodge.
- 20% - hotels of the European level (available only in the capitals - Nairobi, Kampala, Kigali). $ 80-100 (or, at the choice of participants, a more budget option - $ 50).
Decisions about accommodation are made by the organizers taking into account the wishes of the participants.
With the exception of national parks, meals are provided in local cafes and “restaurants” along the route. Meals in national parks when staying at campsites, as well as, possibly, when stopping on the way, are prepared by participants and organizers in accordance with the kitchen duty schedule. Organizers pre-purchase the necessary products and equipment: gas stove, dishes, etc.
Actual registration fee: $800 per car.
The organizational fee includes:
- organization of the trip
- accompanying car and support, technical assistance if necessary
- radio communication between cars
The organizational fee for new participants can be increased at any time.
Participants pay the organizers only the registration fee , all other expenses are paid by the participants on the spot. Indicative cost list:
Rent a car: approx. $1,200 to $2,400 + fuel $400 = $1,600–2,800.
For each participant, approximately:
- Accommodation and meals: $1200
- Visas: $200
- Permits in national parks: $500
- Flight to Nairobi and back: $800
Total approximate cost for one person with a crew of three people with a flight including all costs: $3,600 and more
Required in addition:
- A refundable deposit for the car: $1,200 to $2,000
- Margin for contingencies: $1,000 per person.
It is cheaper and much more interesting than a standard safari with a local travel company. Saving on common expenses makes it cheaper and much safer than traveling by one car.
Nickolay Zagrebelnyy
Natalia Klementeva
- Organizers of 8 trips in 13 African countries, as well as numerous trips to Asia, the Middle East, South America and, of course, Russia.
- Multiple winners and organizers of off-road trophy competitions.
- Organizers of large Russian and international corporate projects, including in Africa.
Contact us and we will give you detailed information about the trip: