The dry season (June-October) offers the best wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources. However, the green season (November-May) has fewer crowds, lower prices, and beautiful landscapes. The Great Migration in Kenya's Masai Mara is best viewed from July to October, while the calving season in Tanzania's Serengeti occurs from January to February.

We recommend booking 6-12 months in advance, especially for peak season (July-October) and popular destinations. For gorilla trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda, booking 6+ months ahead is essential due to limited daily permits. However, we can sometimes accommodate last-minute bookings depending on availability.

Essential items include neutral-colored clothing (khaki, olive, brown), comfortable walking shoes, a warm fleece for morning game drives, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, and a camera with zoom lens. Most lodges offer laundry service, so you don't need to overpack. We'll send you a detailed packing list upon booking.

Yes, safaris are very safe when conducted with reputable operators like SunSpear Safaris. Our experienced guides are trained in wildlife behavior and safety protocols. You'll always remain in the vehicle during game drives (except at designated safe areas). We use well-maintained vehicles and carefully selected accommodations.

Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory for entry to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. We also recommend Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, and ensuring routine vaccinations are up to date. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended. Please consult your doctor or travel clinic at least 6-8 weeks before departure.

Absolutely! Safaris can be magical experiences for children. We recommend children be at least 6 years old for standard safaris due to early morning wake-ups and long game drives. Some lodges have age restrictions, and gorilla trekking requires participants to be 15+. We can design family-friendly itineraries with appropriate accommodations and activities.

Our packages typically include: accommodation, all meals as specified, transportation in 4x4 safari vehicles, professional English-speaking guide, park entrance fees, and airport transfers. Not included: international flights, visas, travel insurance, tips, personal expenses, and alcoholic beverages. Each itinerary clearly specifies what's included.

We accept credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), bank transfers, and mobile money (M-Pesa). A 30% deposit is required to secure your booking, with the balance due 60 days before departure. For bookings within 60 days, full payment is required at booking.

Cancellations more than 60 days before departure forfeit the deposit. 45-60 days: 50% of total cost. 30-44 days: 75% of total cost. Less than 30 days: 100% of total cost. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation.

Most nationalities require a visa. We recommend applying for an e-visa before travel. The East Africa Tourist Visa ($100) allows entry to all three countries and is valid for 90 days. We can provide guidance on the visa application process.

We use custom-built 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs for optimal wildlife viewing and photography. Vehicles are equipped with charging points, cooler boxes for drinks, and reference books. We guarantee a window seat for every guest (maximum 6 passengers per vehicle).

Yes, we can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and most other dietary requirements. Please inform us at the time of booking so we can make appropriate arrangements with lodges and camps.