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Holiday Guide
four or six passengers. Tanzania safaris operate using
4-wheel drive vehicles accommodating four or six
passengers.
ON THE ROAD
– Safaris often cover long distances on
rough and uneven roads and may be dusty or muddy.
Drives between game parks and lodges are made at a
relatively high speed in order to make the journeys as
comfortable as possible. Occasionally vehicles may
become stuck in mud or even break down, but help is
normally available nearby. Safari vehicles are not air-
conditioned. On long journeys comfort breaks will be
taken, often at curio shops, but the facilities will be
basic in nature.
Approximate distances and travelling times are shown
between points on each itinerary. These should be used
as a guideline only, as travel may take a lot longer than
expected due to poor road conditions or stops to view
game. Changes to itineraries, routings and camps or
lodges are sometimes unavoidable, e.g. due to rainfall,
and it may be necessary to drive greater distances.
Local conditions may lead to last minute changes en
route.
A number of our itineraries include flights or the option
to take one or more flights – please see the ‘Flying
Safaris’ section below for further information.
FLYING SAFARIS
– Choosing a flying safari offers you
complete flexibility, from which day you depart to the
combinations of destinations, game parks and lodges
and camps you choose. Flying between each
destination allows you to cover more ground in a
shorter period of time. Flying safaris are fully flexible
and the number of days at each location can be
increased or decreased, therefore no allocation is held
and all services are subject to availability (if any element
is not available we will suggest the best alternative).
Flights are in light aircraft and the baggage allowance
is strictly 15 kg per person and should be in soft bags.
Where possible, additional luggage can be left at your
hotel or at the Somak Lounge and retrieved after the
safari. Depending on your routing a change of aircraft
may be required as well as additional stops to pick
up/drop off passengers en route to your final
destination. Transfers and game drives will be provided
by the lodge or camp in their vehicles and will be
shared with other guests. A window seat in safari
vehicles is not guaranteed at some lodges and camps,
although there is usually the option to pay for exclusive
use of a safari vehicle (subject to availability). For total
flexibility and exclusivity the internal light aircraft flights
can be arranged on an exclusive charter basis for your
party at a supplement. A higher deposit may be
required at time of booking.
GAME DRIVES
–
A safari promises both excitement
and the unexpected – close encounters with wild
animals, bumpy roads and helping out when the odds
are down. Every day on a Somak Safari is different with
amazing experiences, but don’t expect lazy days.
Game-viewing activities, when taken from your lodge
or camp, occur in the early morning (so book an early
morning wake-up call!) and late afternoon, and usually
last between one and two hours. Some game drives
take place whilst driving from one lodge or camp to the
next. Please note that game viewing is not an exact
science and sightings of particular species cannot be
guaranteed. At some lake lodges game drives are not
provided, but optional excursions may be purchased
locally. Game drives are not included at tree lodges, as
they overlook waterholes and salt licks.
MEALS ON SAFARI
–
Guests booked on a Shared
Safari by Road are often referred to as a group when
travelling in the same vehicle or convoy of vehicles.
Lodges and camps prefer to reserve tables in their
dining areas to ensure that space is available, but
unfortunately it is often not practical to allocate
individual tables for every couple or family and so they
usually assign tables to guests that are travelling
together, even if they have not booked together.
WHAT TO TAKE ON SAFARI?
A soft bag is best as
there is limited space and luggage allowance is 15 kg.
We recommend neutral colours, comfortable shoes,
and warm clothing for early morning and evening
game drives. Additional items to take include
sunscreen, camera, binoculars, strong insect repellent
and a hat.
BALLOONING –
Instead of an early morning game
drive you can enjoy an optional hot-air balloon flight
over the Masai Mara or the Serengeti. Please ensure
that your holiday insurance covers activities such as
ballooning as many insurance policies require the
payment of an additional premium to cover ‘hazardous
activities’. In the event of your ballooning being
cancelled, we are unable to refund any such insurance
premiums. Balloon flights will only operate in the event
that your pilot judges the conditions to be safe and
appropriate for your flight. Adverse weather conditions
or other factors may lead to the cancellation of the
balloon flight. As on any aircraft, the pilot reserves all
rights in respect of the carriage of passengers and their
luggage/equipment. A full refund of the cost of your
balloon flight, if appropriate, will be provided in the
event of cancellation as a result of matters beyond our
control, but Somak will not pay any compensation for
disappointment as a result of the cancellation of your
balloon flight. Should an additional ballooning
excursion be booked that coincides with a pre-
arranged game drive or bush breakfast, no refund for
either will be available. Height and age restrictions
apply – children under the age of 7 are usually
not allowed; the minimum height restriction is 1.2
metres.
SOMAK SAFARI LOUNGE
– Guests can relax and
recuperate in the comfortable Safari Lounge, the only
one of its kind in East Africa. This is available to all
Somak guests passing through Nairobi (time
permitting), and is the perfect place to enjoy
refreshments, an air-conditioned rest area and showers.
Many guests consider this a huge benefit and comment
on the welcome hot food and refreshing drinks. You can
store your luggage here if you wish.
NAIROBI NOTE –
In recent years traffic in Nairobi has
expanded considerably and there are frequent and long
delays due to traffic jams.
GORILLA TREKKING
Observing Gorillas in the wild is a very special
experience and it is important to preserve these
fantastic, endangered animals, so only a limited
number of permits are available in each park. Every
visitor must obtain a permit before they can embark on
a trek, so it is essential to book well in advance. Permits
need to be paid for at the initial booking stage and are
non-refundable.
Anyone that embarks on a gorilla trek must be fit and
in good health, as reaching the gorillas in their natural
habitat can be tough, arduous and wet. To reach the
gorillas requires trekking through thick forest at heights
of up to 3,000m over sometimes difficult terrain. If on
the day of your trek you are sick with a cold, flu or
other contagious illness, visiting the gorillas will not be
permitted and you may not be refunded the cost of the
trek.
It is generally quite cold, particularly in the evening, so
warm clothing is advised. Recommended clothing is
long trousers and shirts when in the forest to avoid
nettle stings. Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are
essential. It frequently rains so take waterproof clothing
and protection for your camera equipment.
Only one hour is allowed with the gorillas, at a distance
of at least 7 metres. Flash photography is not allowed.
Throughout the trek you will be accompanied by a
ranger who will explain the rules and take you to the
gorillas.
Of course there is no guarantee of seeing a gorilla as
they are in their natural habitat.
Some photographs are courtesy of Malaika Photographic
Safaris, Neil Thomas (
), Roberto de
Micheli and Dan Messmer.
Somak Safaris is a division of Somak Travel Limited,
Registered Office: Somak Safaris, Mombasa Road, P.O.
Box 48495, Nairobi, Kenya
Driver
No access to
viewing hatch
Driver
Driver
No access
to viewing
hatch
Not
occupied
Short wheel base
4-wheel drive
Premier
Safari Bus
Standard
Safari Bus
Driver No access
to viewing
hatch
Long wheel base
4-wheel drive
