Choosing a trip
Which style of trip is right for me?
Our four styles of travel – Basix, Original, Comfort and Premium – cover a whole gamut of travel experiences. To find out which one has ‘You’ written all over it, visit our travel styles page.
Are trips physically demanding?
Want to lie in a hammock and not move until cocktail hour? We’ve got a trip for that. Want to power up the side of a mountain at high altitude? We’ve also got a trip for that. To determine what type of trip suits you best, each of our trips comes with a Physical Rating to let you know how physically demanding it is… or isn’t.
Does Starvel Safaris have family trips?
We offer a wide range of Family Adventures around the globe. The minimum age (for Family trips) varies depending on the destination, and Intrepid has set minimum ages to ensure that the included activities suit each age range. Additionally, you’ll notice that some of the more adventurous destinations have a higher minimum age.
How many people will be on my trip?
Good things come in small packages, which is why we keep our group sizes down. This means we’re small enough to remain flexible as we thread our way through communities without intimidating the locals. On most of our trips you’ll be part of an intimate group of 12-16 people, though our group sizes are on average 10 people. Our Overland trips are in purpose-built vehicles that can carry up to 24 travellers.
Are there age restrictions on your trips?
For the majority of our trips the minimum age is 15. An adult must accompany all children under the age of 18. Our Overland Adventures have a minimum age of 18. Younger children can join us on our Family trips and Short Break Adventures, but check each trip for its minimum age, which is located on the trip’s overview page on the website. Most of our trips don’t have a maximum age limit, but a Self-Assessment Form is required for all travellers 70 years and over.
Who will be my group leader?
While we can’t tell you who your leader is prior to departure, we can tell you they will be awesome. Our leaders are experts in their regions, some because they’ve been travelling there for years, others because they’re local to the region and can’t wait to show you around. On longer journeys, or ones that travel through more than one country, you may change leaders part way through – but this just means double the awesomeness.
Can I just do part of the trip?
Although you won’t be reimbursed for any portion of the trip unused, you can opt to sign off the trip if you need to leave a day or so earlier. If you let us know before travel that you’ll be arriving late or need to leave before the trip ends, we will notify our team on the ground to best accommodate your requirements.
Can I make any changes to the itinerary of my group trip, either before or during the trip?
Please make sure you are happy with your group trip itinerary before booking because we are unable to change them for individual travellers. However, if you and a group of friends, colleagues or even your school would like your own personally designed itinerary, get in contact with our very talented Tailor-Made team; they can tailor an itinerary just for you.
Can I add an extra night at the beginning or end of my group trip?
You sure can. Just ask your adventure consultant at the time of booking.
I’m travelling alone – is that OK?
This is the beauty of the Starvel Safaris style of travel: many of our travelers join because they are travelling solo and want to meet and share experiences with like-minded people.
If I am travelling solo, will I be charged for having my own room?
On our trips rooming is organised on a twin-share basis. We pair up solo travelers with another traveler of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. If you’d like your own space, you also have the choice to pay for an individual room (available on the majority of our trips).
As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.
On a small selection of itineraries some accommodations are booked on an open-gender, multi-share basis. In those instances, it will clearly be stated in your Essential Trip Information prior to booking and travelling.
Bookings
From 1 January 2021, all foreign citizens wishing to travel to Kenya will need an evisa, except citizens from countries who are exempt. Detailed information here:
http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html make this a linkable link
To enter in Kenya:
- Fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from PCR testing;
- Unvaccinated travellers 5yrs+ must take a valid PCR test conducted within 72hrs before departure and be subject to antigen test at their own cost of 30 USD.
- Passengers must complete the “Travelers Health Surveillance Form” online at https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/
Please note that, due to these unprecedented circumstances, this information can change very fast and be different according to the departure country. So we recommend you to keep updated with the information provided by your Government and even the Air Company you are flying with.
It is very important to set an appointment with a travel doctor in your home country before you come. Depending on the situation, you might take vaccine for yellow fever and may take prophylaxis pills to protect you against Malaria. If you go to Zanzibar or come (or have a transit) in an endemic yellow fever country, proof of vaccination against yellow fever may be required at the airport.
Our cars, daily disinfected, are prepared to cope with all social distancing requirements, with no impact on your comfort and on the quality of our service. There will be a plastic separation between the driver/guide (who will be wearing a mask) and you, and alcohol gel available at all times.
Our tours include: excellent Land Cruisers with pop-up roof and unlimited mileage; all national parks entrances; camping fees and permits; unlimited water during the safaris; donations to the local communities; accommodation as agreed (on full board or all-inclusive basis).
Our tours do not include: country visas; items of personal interest like souvenirs or extra services/tours not agreed beforehand; tips (the industry recommends a guideline of $10 USD per person per day). Please be aware that, if after you book your tour, the government decides to apply increases in park fees, camping fees, concession fees or others, these shall be added to your contract.
This is something we take very seriously. Upon booking us, we will send you a form in which you will be able to indicate any dietary preference or restriction or any specific request you might have. We will then provide that information in advance to all the hotels.
All necessary documents: passport, vaccine certificate and others that might apply; Any medication you might need: This should include medication for possible common situations like headaches or diarrhea; Sunblock, sunglasses, hat, lip balm and moisturizer; Your camera: we recommend bringing a wide lens (about 17-55mm) for those scenery pictures, and a telephoto lens (in the 200-400mm range) to catch animals at a distance; Binoculars: We do provide a pair of top notch binoculars per every 2 persons in the vehicle but feel free to bring your own which you may be more used to. Binoculars really make a big difference on a safari; Clothes: Comfortable and casual clothing, with khaki, beige or green colors. You should pack T-shirts, shirts with long sleeves, jeans, a sweater and a jacket (for the cold mornings), swimwear (if the accommodation you selected has pool or if you do a beach extension) and comfortable hiking shoes; Insect repellent.
Well, we always recommend it because we like to start our safaris early in the morning and on the last day we like to avoid having to worry about reaching the airport on time. But, of course, we are flexible and we can start the safari when you arrive at the airport and can finish any safari with a drop off at the airport. However, in those cases, we always recommend flights arriving in the morning of the first day and flights leaving in the evening of the last day.
Which airport should I arrive at?
For the down payment, we accept payments via wire bank account transfer. On some occasions payments are also possible with credit card via Pesapal although there is a fee for this service. For the final payment, you can use the same method or pay us in cash or credit card when you arrive.
We apply a penalty of 10% if you cancel with more than 60 days before your tour, a 20% penalty if you cancel between 30 and 60 days earlier, a penalty of 50% if you cancel with 15 to 29 days notice, a 75% penalty if you cancel with 7 to 14 days notice, and a penalty of 100% if you cancel with less than a week notice.
TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE
Our policy outlines how we will continue to keep you safe and healthy on our tours and make you feel even better about choosing to travel.