We recommend booking as early as possible. Generally, two years ahead is ideal timing.
Sometimes we will have space available on short notice especially for Adventure and Touring safaris. Please reach out to us so we can check with lodges before confirming availability on short notice.
The dry season is the best time for game viewing. In East Africa, safari is great year-round, except for the peak rainfall months of April, May, and November. Temperatures in East Africa hover around 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
Safari in Southern Africa is great year-round. April through November is winter, with temperatures ranging from 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Temperatures are warmer in the summer (December-March) with some rainfall.
Generally, casual clothes in neutral colors are recommended along with a light jacket as it can be cold during the morning and evening game drives. See our packing list for more specifics as to what to pack.
Please ask your doctor if you have specific concerns, as Camili Safaris is not qualified to give medical advice. Your doctor will be most familiar with your medical history and thus best qualified to determine your safari readiness.
Amref air evacuation insurance (covering evacuation from remote places to an appropriate hospital) is included in all our safaris. Serious medical emergencies will result in a helicopter lift to the most appropriate facility. Minor cases may be treated locally. Guests are strongly encouraged purchase medical insurance that covers their evacuation to their home country.
Please refer to the Center for Disease Control for each country’s required immunization. Also, talk to your personal doctor for advice on required immunizations.
Risk of getting sick from the food and water is very low. All accommodations we book have professional and reliable kitchens with safe drinking water.
Emergency air medical evacuation to an appropriate hospital is included with the cost of your safari. However, you should purchase your own medical insurance to cover any hospital bills you may incur.
Yes. South Africa has several malaria-free game reserves. You will experience the same game viewing experience as in the other parks.
All guides are trained on first aid interventions. Most camps we use will have a staff member who can assist during medical emergencies. For more serious cases, Camili Safaris has a medical doctor on staff who will respond and assist during an emergency.
After you have made your deposit, we will ask detailed questions about dietary needs, any mobility needs, age of travelers, activity desires, etc. to ensure that the trip is an enjoyable experience for everyone.
The minimum age to participate in a Camili safari is 10 years old.
South Africa is the most ideal location for safari with children as the country offers some malaria-free game reserves and the lodges are best equipped for entertaining children. Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania can be customized to meet the needs of children as well. Babysitting services are complementary and available upon request.
Children 10 to 12 years old who are sharing accommodations with fully paying adults receive a reduced rate. (The difference depends on the camp.) Children older than 12 years pay the normal adult rates.
Many safari camps have family tents that sleep up to four family members. Alternatively, guests can stay in adjoining tents that are used for families.
You will only need money for souvenirs and other shopping. U.S. dollars are generally accepted. Alternatively, you can exchange U.S. dollars into local currency at various locations.
Visa and MasterCard are accepted in most safari destinations. Generally, there is a small fee added for using credit cards. Please inform your credit card company that you will be using your card outside your home country, as credit card companies usually block transactions in foreign countries.
It will depend on your safari destination. Visas are required in advance for travel to Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Visas can be purchased on arrival for Zambia and Zimbabwe. U.S. and Canadian passport holders do not need a visa to travel to Botswana and South Africa. Camili Safaris will communicate specific visa requirements once you have booked your safari.
Yes, you need a passport to go on safari. Make sure you have a valid passport and that it does not expire within six months of your scheduled return date.
We strongly recommend our guests purchase travel insurance.
Yes, we recommend that guests purchase and bring their own binoculars and cameras.
Absolutely not. You will have access to clean drinking water throughout your safari.
We carefully choose camps and lodges with proven track records to minimize risk.
We accommodate all types of dietary needs. Please let us know of your requirements in advance of your safari so we can make arrangements with the lodges.
The great migration is dependent upon weather patterns, primarily rains that are becoming increasingly unpredictable. Generally, wildebeest herds can be found in Serengeti between November and May. In May, herds begin migrating northwards and congregate in the lush plains of Masai Mara where they will remain until October.
Yes, and without fail, no matter your arrival time. We are happy to welcome and host you. After clearing immigration, you will be greeted by a Camili Safaris airport representative who will guide you through luggage collection and to your safari director/guide who will transfer you to your hotel.
Our group safaris will host a maximum of 18 guests.
Our safari vehicles are customized for maximum comfort. Each safari vehicle will have no more than six guests, and each guest will have a window seat.
Absolutely! All scheduled group safaris will be escorted and will include an expert Safari director and a driver guide.
Electrical current in Africa is 220 volts. You will need a current converter to run small, U.S.-style 110-volt appliances unless they have a dual-voltage switch. We recommend bringing a universal plug adaptor.
WiFi is common in camps, but the signal is not reliable.
Once you book with Camili Safaris, we will have you join a WhatsApp group that will allow you to connect with us at any time. Having trouble with your visa? Call us. Want help celebrating a special occasion? Call us. We also schedule regular video calls before your trip so you can get to know your guides before meeting them in person. We are here to answer your questions as often as you have them, so you are comfortable, confident, and ready to embark on your adventure from the moment you arrive.
