East Africa

Almost all of the safari lodges and tented camps on your journey offer complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, available across our luxury accommodations. Connectivity is thoughtfully provided in elegant public spaces including the reception, dining areas, and lounges, ensuring you can stay connected while enjoying the immersive safari atmosphere. Please note that Wi-Fi is generally not available in private rooms or tents, preserving the serene, intimate experience of your stay.

For your convenience, we also provide complimentary Wi-Fi in our bespoke 4×4 safari vehicles, with connectivity reaching approximately 70%, depending on local Kenyan network coverage so you can share your remarkable moments even while exploring the wilderness.

Our curated selection of safari lodges and tented camps has been meticulously chosen to provide the ultimate in comfort, relaxation, and ambiance throughout your safari. Every accommodation category is thoughtfully represented to ensure your stay is both elegant and unforgettable.

We understand that your comfort extends to protection from mosquitoes and other insects. All rooms and tents are fitted with fine mosquito nets or fully insect-proofed, ensuring a peaceful and safe environment throughout your stay.

For additional protection during evening outdoor activities, we recommend carrying and using high-quality insect repellent, allowing you to fully enjoy the enchanting African evenings in complete comfort.

Each room or tent is designed to accommodate a maximum of three guests, either in a double bed with a single bed or in three single beds, ensuring comfort and space for everyone.

For groups of four or more wishing to stay together, we can arrange two rooms with interconnecting doors, providing both privacy and proximity. Families or friends who prefer to remain close can also be accommodated in adjacent rooms or tents, allowing for seamless togetherness while maintaining individual comfort.

Some lodges and camps offer exclusive family units for up to four guests, available at a supplementary cost, for those seeking a more spacious and private experience.

All safari accommodations are fully private, each featuring a luxurious en-suite bathroom and toilet, ensuring your stay is both intimate and indulgent.

Your private safari tour vehicle features a spacious rear luggage compartment, designed to comfortably accommodate up to six suitcases of 25–30 kg each, ensuring ample space for all your travel essentials.

For convenience, you may also keep your personal hand luggage containing vital items within easy reach inside the vehicle.

We recommend using soft-sided luggage, allowing for elegant storage in the safari jeep while minimizing friction and potential wear during the occasional bumpy safari roads, ensuring your belongings arrive safely and in pristine condition.

For guests booked on a Kenya fly-in safari, or those considering domestic flights between national parks and game reserves, please note that baggage allowances apply.

The standard allowance for local flights is 15 kg per passenger, excluding your personal hand luggage.

For your convenience, any extra luggage not required on safari can be securely stored at our Nairobi offices at no cost , allowing you to travel light and comfortably.

Should you wish to take additional luggage with you, an option is available at $5 per kilogram, subject to aircraft and carrier capacity, ensuring flexibility while maintaining a seamless and effortless travel experience.

As part of our commitment to seamless and indulgent safari experiences, Sights Travel is delighted offers complimentary return airport-to-hotel transfers for all our guests.

These transfers are thoughtfully arranged to accommodate your schedule, even if you arrive or depart several days before or after your safari, ensuring a stress-free and comfortable journey from the moment you arrive in Kenya.

To guarantee a flawless experience, we kindly request that you share your arrival and departure flight details, including airline codes and timings. In return, we will provide you with the name and contact details of your private transfer driver well in advance, ensuring your journey is smooth, punctual, and effortlessly luxurious.

Safari Lodges

Our carefully selected safari lodges are nestled in remote wildlife areas, offering an exquisite blend of luxury, comfort, and immersion in nature. Typically, lodges comprise a main building housing elegant public spaces such as a restaurant, bar, boutique gift shop, reception, and administrative facilities, with many lodges also featuring a swimming pool for relaxation after a day of safari adventures.

The en-suite guestrooms are elegantly spread across charming, separate cottages or chalets surrounding the main lodge, ensuring both privacy and serenity. The architecture and décor often embrace a rustic, natural aesthetic, harmoniously complementing the surrounding wilderness while exuding understated luxury.

Safari lodges vary in size, style, and level of refinement, offering carefully curated options across economy, comfort, and luxury categories, all designed to provide an unforgettable safari experience.

Safari Camps

Our tented safari camps offer a uniquely immersive experience, blending the intimacy of canvas accommodation with the comforts of a luxury lodge. Each camp typically features a central main area, thoughtfully designed in traditional thatched African style or crafted from a large, elegant tent, serving as the hub for dining, lounge, and communal spaces.

Guest tents are discreetly scattered around the main area, creating a sense of privacy and exclusivity. Each en-suite tent is built on a solid base, complete with luxurious private bathrooms, and often includes a veranda or terrace to enjoy the sights and sounds of the wild.

Tented camps may also feature swimming pools and other leisure amenities. They are available in a spectrum of standards, ranging from comfort and superior comfort to luxury and ultra-luxury, providing an authentic safari experience without compromising on style or comfort.

For guests booked on any of our Nairobi to Mombasa safaris, your journey will include a first-class ride on the Nairobi–Mombasa SGR train, boarding at Emali, Mtito Andei, or Voi stations, depending on the conclusion of your national park visit.

Your first-class tickets will be pre-booked and fully paid, allowing you to simply print your travel pass at the station, a process that takes only a few moments. Your dedicated safari driver and guide will be on hand to ensure everything is seamless and stress-free.

We carefully coordinate with the Nairobi–Mombasa train schedule to provide a smooth transition from your safari to the coast. Upon arrival in Mombasa, we will personally transfer you to your beach resort whether in Mombasa, Diani, Kilifi, Watamu, or Malindi completing your safari journey with the same attention to comfort and elegance that defines every aspect of your experience with us.

The SGR train, now extending from Mombasa to Nairobi and onward to near Lake Naivasha, represents the most modern, secure, and elegant way to travel across Kenya. It is also regarded as one of the most exotic and scenic journeys between the Kenyan interior and the sun-drenched coast.

Each air-conditioned coach is designed for comfort, with expansive panoramic windows offering uninterrupted views of Kenya’s diverse landscapes. As the train meanders between Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks, guests can witness majestic wildlife, rolling savannahs, and breathtaking vistas from the comfort of their seat.

For the ultimate viewing experience, the train’s restaurant car provides 360-degree perspectives, allowing you to savor gourmet cuisine while taking in the spectacular scenery. The journey is meticulously safe for both passengers and luggage, ensuring a seamless blend of luxury, adventure, and tranquility as you traverse Kenya’s iconic landscapes.

In Kenya, tipping is not mandatory, but it is a customary way to show appreciation for exceptional service.

For your convenience, all hotel, lodge, and porterage gratuities are included in your safari price as a service charge, ensuring a seamless and worry-free experience.

Should individual staff such as waiters, porters, or hotel employees provide extraordinary service, it is entirely at your discretion to offer a tip. A modest gesture of $1–$5 per interaction is generally appreciated.

For your safari driver and guide, it is customary to tip at the conclusion of your tour. The amount depends on your evaluation of the service provided. A suggested guideline is $10 per guest per day, or 5–10% of the safari-only cost, though you are welcome to reward exceptional service with additional gratuity. Bar service gratuities of $1 per visit are also appropriate.

Tipping may be done in Kenya Shillings, U.S. Dollars, or Euros, and is preferably presented in an envelope at the end of your safari, ensuring discretion and elegance in expressing your gratitude.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Kenya – Effective 1st January 2024

From 1st January 2024, travelers to Kenya will no longer require a traditional visa. Instead, all international visitors must apply for a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which has replaced the previous eVisa system. This streamlined digital process ensures effortless, secure, and seamless travel.

For further details and to submit your application, visit: www.etakenya.go.ke. The system is effective from 4th January 2024 and applies to all international travelers, including children. Citizens of Kenya and East African Community (EAC) partner states are exempt.

Application Timeline & Recommendations

• Applications can be submitted up to 3 months prior to travel.
• We recommend applying as soon as your flights and accommodations are confirmed, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.

ETA Application Checklist

To complete your ETA efficiently, please ensure you have the following:

• Passport Validity: Passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned arrival date and have at least one blank page.
• Photograph: A recent passport-style photo or a clear selfie.
• Contact Information: Email address and phone number.
• Travel Itinerary: Details of arrival, departure, and accommodation in Kenya.
• Payment Method: Credit card, debit card, or Apple Pay to cover the $34.09 per person fee.

Additional Requirements (if applicable):

• Yellow Fever Certificate – Required if arriving from a yellow fever-endemic country.
• Other Vaccinations – Depending on travel history or country of residence.

Application Steps

1. Upload the information page of your passport.
2. Capture a selfie using your webcam.
3. Enter your contact details.
4. Provide your arrival, departure, and accommodation information.
5. Complete general information, customs declaration, and health declaration.
6. Provide travel insurance information.
7. Upload flight tickets and accommodation confirmations.
8. Attach any additional required documents.
9. Agree to the terms and conditions.

Processing Time: Typically 3 working days.

Cost: $32.50 standard processing fee + $1.59 bank fee = $34.09 per person.

Benefits of Kenya’s eTA System

• Submit all required information from the comfort of your home.
• No longer fill out forms on the plane or at arrival.
• Airlines can verify travel authorization in advance, simplifying check-in.
• Reduced queues at health, customs, and immigration upon arrival.
• Supports Kenya’s digitization of government processes, offering a modern and effortless travel experience.

After Submission

• Look out for an email notification confirming your application.
• Upon approval, you will receive an ETA receipt with a reference number to track your status online.

Important: An eTA is mandatory for travel, but approval does not guarantee boarding. Travelers must present all required documentation, including passport and boarding passes, and may be subject to standard questioning at departure or arrival.

Special Considerations

• Children & Infants: All foreign visitors, including minors, require an eTA. Legal guardians or parents are responsible for completing the application. Families are encouraged to apply together.
• Payment Issues: Only credit/debit cards or Apple Pay are accepted. Cheques and cash are not accepted. If payment fails, verify funds or try again after a few minutes.

Luxury Travel Tip

Apply early and meticulously to enjoy a stress-free start to your Kenyan adventure. Once approved, your eTA ensures smooth airport formalities, letting you focus on the extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, and culture that await in Kenya.

Travel distances and driving times in Africa often differ from European or American standards. In Kenya, many roads are narrower and may not always be perfectly maintained, with routes leading to national parks and game reserves occasionally featuring rugged terrain.

Please note that driving times indicated in our safari itineraries are approximate, and may vary depending on road conditions and local traffic.

At Sights Travel we specialize in a curated selection of East African road safari experiences, designed to combine adventure, comfort, and style, ensuring that every journey through Kenya’s spectacular landscapes is memorable, safe, and seamlessly luxurious.

A single room supplement is an additional fee applied when a guest opts for private occupancy of a double or shared room at hotels, safari lodges, or tented camps. Our safari pricing is structured for two guests sharing a double room or tent, reflecting the standard configuration for comfort and luxury.

Guests who prefer the exclusivity of a private room or tent will incur the single occupancy supplement, clearly indicated in the pricing section of each tour package. This ensures complete transparency while allowing you to enjoy a personalized and indulgent safari experience.

Our standard safari vehicle is a custom-designed 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeep, thoughtfully crafted with a pop-up roof to ensure effortless photography and unobstructed wildlife viewing during game drives and sightseeing excursions. The vehicle accommodates a maximum of six guests, guaranteeing window seats and full access to the pop-up roof for every passenger.

Each Jeep is equipped with long-range radios for seamless communication, cooler boxes, and first-aid kits, alongside other thoughtfully curated amenities, ensuring both safety and convenience throughout your safari.

The 4×4 Land Cruiser offers distinct advantages on safari: elevated vantage points for unparalleled views, superior navigation over rugged terrain, extended reach into the heart of the wilderness, and exceptional comfort. Every journey in this vehicle is designed to maximize your connection with the African landscape and wildlife, delivering an authentic yet luxurious safari experience.

Please note that international flights are not included in our standard tour pricing. However, for your convenience, Sights Travel offers bespoke air ticketing services upon request. Our team will carefully arrange your flights to complement your safari itinerary, ensuring a seamless, stress-free, and exquisitely tailored travel experience from start to finish.

How to Apply for a Tanzania Visa Online

Travelers planning to visit the United Republic of Tanzania can conveniently apply for a visa through the official online portal: www.immigration.go.tz. The e-Visa system allows for a seamless, secure, and efficient application process, designed to complement your journey with ease and elegance.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Visit the Immigration Services website and click on the “e-Services” tab.
2. Select “e-Visa Application Form”.
3. Upload scanned copies of the required documents.
4. Upon submission, you will receive a User Identification Number via email, allowing you to track your application online.
5. Complete the application form and pay the relevant visa fee through the secure portal.
6. Submit your application and await confirmation. You will receive a notification confirming that your application has been received.

Tracking Your Visa Application

Once submitted, the status of your visa can be tracked using your User Identification Number via the Visa Status button on the online portal.

Tanzania Visa Categories and Requirements

Ordinary (Single Entry) Visa

Designed for tourism, leisure, conferences, humanitarian activities, family visits, or health treatments, valid for up to 90 days.

Requirements:

• Copy of valid passport (biographic page)
• Completed declaration form
• $50 USD visa fee
• Return flight ticket (optional)

Multiple Entry Visa

Intended for travelers requiring frequent visits, including company directors, NGO representatives, spouses of Tanzanian residents, or American citizens visiting for tourism. Valid for up to 12 months, with maximum stays of 3 months consecutively.

Requirements:

• Copy of valid passport (biographic page)
• $100 USD visa fee
• Supporting documentation: host’s passport/ID, invitation letter, or marriage certificate
• Return flight ticket (optional)

Business Visa

For short-term professional assignments, training, or investment activities, valid for up to 90 days.

Requirements:

• Copy of valid passport
• $250 USD visa fee
• Return flight ticket
• Work contract or proof of assignment

Transit Visa

For travelers passing through Tanzania to another destination, valid for up to 7 days.

Requirements:

• Copy of valid passport
• $30 USD visa fee
• Proof of onward travel or visa for destination country

Student Visa

Issued for academic purposes, research, or long-term study:

• Up to 3 months: $50 USD
• Exceeding 3 months: $250 USD
• Research activities (max 2 years): $550 USD

Requirements:

• Valid passport
• Official letter from host institution detailing course, program, or research duration

Payment Methods

Visa fees can be paid online via:

• Visa or MasterCard
• Swift transfer through a bank counter

After payment, applicants receive a confirmation notification and should await approval before commencing travel.

Entry Ports into Tanzania

Approved visa holders may enter via:

• Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA)
• Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA)
• Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA)
• Namanga border
• Tunduma border

Important Guidance

• Only apply via the official Tanzania Immigration website.
• Ensure passports have at least six months validity and one blank page.
• Select the correct visa category; consult Immigration via info@immigration.go.tz if uncertain.
• Visa applications may be denied without refund if incomplete or incorrect.
• Processing typically takes up to 10 days; plan accordingly.
• Possession of a visa does not guarantee entry; the Immigration Officer may refuse admission if entry requirements are not met.

Contacts for Assistance

Tanzania Mainland – Immigration Services

• P.O. Box 512, Dar es Salaam
• Tel: +255 2850575, 2850576, 2850569
• Email: visatanzania@immigration.go.tz
• Website: www.immigration.go.tz

Zanzibar – Commissioner of Immigration Services

• P.O. Box 1354, Zanzibar
• Tel: +255 24 2234973
• Email: proznz@immigration.go.tz / adminznz@immigration.go.tz

Uganda, often celebrated as the Pearl of Africa, may be small in size, but its natural treasures are extraordinary. Its brilliance is reflected in the lush greens of Africa’s tallest mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, dense rainforests, and dramatic valleys, creating a landscape of unparalleled beauty.

Uganda Electronic Visa / Permit System

All travelers to Uganda must obtain a visa or permit through the Uganda Electronic Visa/Permit Application System prior to travel. The system performs checks against law enforcement databases to verify eligibility.

Important: Approval of an eVisa or permit indicates eligibility but does not guarantee entry. Upon arrival at your selected port of entry, an Immigration Officer will perform final verification. All information submitted must be true and accurate, as providing false information may lead to administrative or criminal penalties.

Uganda Electronic Visa/Permit Application System:

The Uganda Electronic Visa/Permit Application System performs checks against law enforcement databases. All travelers seeking admission to Uganda are required to obtain a Visa using this system prior to being granted boarding.

If your visa or permit application is approved, it establishes that you are eligible for the approved visa or permit, but does not establish that your application is definitely approved.

Upon arrival to Uganda (at the selected point of entry) or to the Immigration Office Headquarters, you will be inspected by an Immigration Officer who may determine if your application is finally approved. All information provided by you, or on your behalf by a designated third party, must be true and correct.

A visa or permit application approval may be revoked at any time and for any reason, such as new information influencing eligibility. You may be subject to administrative or criminal penalties if you knowingly and willfully make a materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in an electronic visa or permit application submitted by you or on your behalf.

Udanda EVisa Application Process:

• Apply for Uganda Evisa via https://visas.immigration.go.ug/
• Once the application is submitted it will be studied by an Immigration Officer. Please note that during the approval process additional information may be required. The new required information can be submitted electronically through “Manage your applications”.
• The decision taken on the application will be sent electronically through the email provided by the applicant.
• If approved, an approval letter will be sent as an attachment to the email provided. Click on the link to download it.
• This travel authorization does not guarantee entry into Uganda. Travelers will be subjected to secondary verification where necessary before personalization.
• Present a valid travel document of not less than 6 months validity to the Immigration officer at the port of entry.

Uganda Visa Application Requirements:

• Uganda Ordinary/Tourist Visa
  • Single EntryPassport copy (bio-data page)Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)Recent Passport-size Photograph.

• East Africa Tourist Visa
  • East Africa Tourist Visatravel itineraryReturn TicketVaccination Certificate (Yellow fever)Copy of recent Passport size PhotographCopy of the passport (Bio-data page).

• Transit
  • TransitPassport (Bio-data page) with atleast 6 months validityA letter stating reason for transit and country of destinationVaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)Recent Passport size Photograph.

• Multiple-Entry
  • 6 MonthsPassport (Bio-data page) with at least 6 months validityRecent Passport size PhotographValid Police clearance from Interpol or home countryProof entries and exits into Uganda in the last one yearRecommendation letter from referee one (1) in UgandaCover Letter stating reasons for Multiple EntryVaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
  • 12 MonthsRecent Passport size Photograph (not older than 6 months)Police clearance from Interpol or home countryVaccination certificate (Yellow Fever)Recommendation letters from referee Two (2) in UgandaThe passport (Bio-data page)Cover Letter stating reasons for Multiple EntryProof entries and exits into Uganda in the last one yearRecommendation letters from referee one (1) in Uganda
  • 24 MonthsThe passport (Bio-data page)Recent Passport size Photograph (Not older than 6 months)Police clearance from Interpol or home countryProof entries and exits into Uganda in the last one yearRecommendation letters from referee one (1) in UgandaCover Letter stating reasons for Multiple EntryRecommendation letters from referee Two (2) in UgandaVaccination certificate (Yellow Fever).

• Visa For Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders:
  • DiplomaticDiplomatic passport (Bio-data page & Cover Page) with at least 6 months’ validityDiplomatic Note (Note Verbale)Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)Recent Passport size Photo graph
  • OfficialSupport documents for official visaRecent Passport Size Photo graphPassport (Bio-data page & Cover Page) with at least 6 months’ validityVaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)

Uganda Visa Fees:

• Uganda Ordinary/Tourist Visa
  • Single Entry (online payment only – all the online payments may be subjected to a 3% surcharge fee)Application Fee: 50 USD

• East Africa Tourist Visa
  • East Africa Tourist Visa (online payment only – all the online payments may be subjected to a 3% surcharge fee)Application Fee: 100 USD

• Transit
  • Transit (online payment only – all the online payments may be subjected to a 3% surcharge fee)Application Fee: 50 USD

• Multiple-Entry
  • 6 Months (online payment only – all the online payments may be subjected to a 3% surcharge fee)Application Fee: 100 USD
  • 12 Months (online payment only – all the online payments may be subjected to a 3% surcharge fee)Application Fee: 100 USD
  • 24 Months (online payment only – all the online payments may be subjected to a 3% surcharge fee)Application Fee: 200 USD

• Visa For Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders
  • DiplomaticApplication Fee: 0 USD
  • OfficialApplication Fee: 0 USD

When you think of Rwanda what comes to mind? Impossibly green rolling hills and mountains? Brilliantly rich national parks? Bamboo forests and the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas? Or, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and olive baboons?

But there’s so much more happening here culturally and environmentally – Rwanda is a world leader in eco-green development – the first country to ban single-use plastic bags. The Rwandan people are committed to increasing their forest acreage to cover 30 percent of the country, and they’ve created three additional national parks. All of this to protect the natural biosphere and ensure a safe place where wildlife can thrive.

But Rwanda is blessed with plains type wildlife as well – the savannah here will show off its bounty of zebras, impalas, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and sometimes elephants and lions.

Rwanda’s main parks include: Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park & Akagera National Park.

Rwanda Visa Information:

Steps to Apply:

1. Visit the official Rwanda e-visa portal: https://irembo.gov.rw
2. Select the type of visa:
   • Tourist Visa (Single Entry, 30 days)
   • Business Visa (Single or Multiple Entry, up to 90 days)
3. Complete the online application form with your personal and travel details.
4. Upload the following documents:
   • Passport with at least 6 months validity from your date of entry
   • Recent passport-size photograph
   • Travel itinerary (hotel reservations or tour bookings)
5. Pay the visa fee online ($50 USD for Tourist Visa, may vary for other types).
6. Upon approval, you will receive an electronic visa (e-visa) via email, which you must print and carry when traveling.

    Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens

• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date
• Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory
• Travelers may need to show return or onward ticket

Additional Tips for Luxury Travelers

• Apply for the e-visa at least 2–3 weeks before travel for peace of mind.
• Ensure all documents are legible and accurate to avoid delays at immigration.
• For multi-country East Africa tours, consider the East Africa Tourist Visa, which is valid for Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda