The unglamorous but necessary part.

Kenya uses an electronic travel authorisation which you apply for online before travelling. Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda each have their own. If your trip crosses borders we send you the exact list with your final documents.

Yellow fever is required if you are arriving from a country where it is present, and antimalarials are strongly advised for most safari areas. Speak to a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you fly — we are not doctors and will not pretend otherwise.

Light aircraft between camps allow 15kg per person in a soft bag — no wheels, no rigid frame. This surprises people every single time. Anything extra can be stored in Nairobi at no cost.

Neutral colours, long sleeves for evenings, a warm layer for dawn drives which are genuinely cold, and closed shoes. Avoid blue and black, which attract tsetse fly. Laundry is done daily at almost every camp, so pack far less than you think.

US dollars are accepted everywhere; shillings are useful for markets. Tipping is customary — roughly USD 10 to 15 per guest per day for a guide, and a communal camp box for the rest of the staff. We put exact guidance in your final documents.

Safari areas are safe and camps take it seriously. Nairobi requires the same sense you would use in any large city. Our vehicles carry passenger insurance and every guest must hold travel insurance covering medical evacuation — that is a condition of travelling with us, not a suggestion.

At most camps, in the main area, and it is usually slow. Several of the best camps have none at all. We think that is a feature, but tell us if you need to be reachable and we will place you accordingly.

Yes, and many camps are excellent with them. Some will not take under-twelves, and a few have minimum ages for walking or balloons. Tell us the ages at the start and we will only show you places that will actually take you.