A pre-departure meeting will be held the night prior to your trip departure, the details of where to meet are listed on your tour voucher and trip dossier.

The Pre-Departure meeting is held at 6pm THE DAY BEFORE the scheduled departure date at the meeting point. The pre-departure meeting is held to discuss the tour itinerary in more detail, meet your crew and fellow passengers.

In addition the crew will check that all passengers have the following necessary travel documents:-
1. Tour voucher
2. Travel insurance documentation
3. Your passport
4. Vaccination certificate – if applicable

It is IMPORTANT that you attend this meeting. Please advise KUMUKA or your AGENT if you CANNOT attend this meeting.

From Victoria Falls to Nairobi, the East African Express packs the highlights of five countries into just 22 days. Relax on Malawi’s beautiful freshwater beaches, visit game reserves such as the Ngorongoro Crater, where 30,000 animals compete for 265ksq land and add to this the classic 'Out of Africa' scenery of the ancient acacia forests and soda lake of Nakuru National Park. Zanzibar adds that extra spicy dimension for what must be the best overview of Africa in the shortest possible time.

Livingstone, Lusaka And Lilongwe. From Victoria Falls and Livingstone, we drive across the south eastern part of Zambia, towards Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi.  This journey takes a couple of days and it a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers and to sit back, relax and enjoy the ever changing African scenery. 

Malawi is a small country in central southern Africa and is dominated by water and mountainous regions. More than 30% of the country’s landmass comprises of Lake Malawi - our base for the next few days.

Southern Tanzania. From Malawi we cross southern Tanzania to Dar es Salaam, our gateway to Zanzibar. Our route takes us through the Iringa Highlands, Baobab Valley and Mikumi National Park.  Whilst the park is not an excursion, since the road passes right through the centre of the park, we hope to be lucky enough to see  numbers of giraffe, antelope and elephants. It is interesting to note these elephants are very small in stature, which may be a result of the effects of poaching on the population.  Large individuals have been selectively hunted, leaving a smaller breeding herd.

Arusha, The Serengeti And The Ngorongoro Crater. Leaving behind the sights and sounds of Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar we drive to the town of Arusha, following the Usambara and Pare mountain ranges. We will pass close to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest point at 5895 m. If were are lucky we may get a look at “Kili’s” snow capped peak. However, be warned, Kilimanjaro is regularly covered by cloud.

Arusha is situated on the southern slopes of Mt Meru and was originally a coffee town. However, safaris have now taken over as the town’s biggest revenue earner.

It is not possible to take large trucks into the Ngorongoro Crater, so for the next few days we will be using a local operator with four wheel drive vehicles.

It is not possible to take large trucks into the Ngorongoro Crater, so for the next few days we will be using a local operator with four wheel drive safari vehicles.

You will need to take any personal items you require with you as the truck stays behind in Arusha. Starting early we begin our journey to the Serengeti, en route stopping at the village of Mto Wa Mbu (Mosquito Creek), where there is a good curio market for purchases. Prices here are quite expensive so be prepared to haggle for a good deal. Further along the road we pass Lake Manyara, the largest soda lake in East Africa, where we will stop briefly to enjoy the magnificent views from the escarpment. Driving through the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area we skirt our way around the rim of the crater itself, before heading down onto the short grass plains, arriving at the gate to the Serengeti National Park mid-afternoon. We have a picnic lunch on our way to the Serengeti.

The Serengeti is the oldest and largest National Park in Tanzania, its name coming from the Masai word meaning “endless plains”. The landscape here varies from the long and short grass plains in the south, to the central savannah, the hilly wooded areas in the north, and extensive wooded areas in the west. This park is world renowned for its immense concentration of game, in particular its lion and zebra populations and the annual wildebeest migration which commences in July. July is generally the beginning of the dry season and the time when the wildebeest herds and some Zebra move north towards the Masai Mara in search of better pasture. The migration is a time when you will see the full circle of life for these animals sometimes called “the clowns of the plains”. The migration journey is hazardous and many of the older and weaker animals will lose their lives to predators such as lions and crocodiles. The migration also coincides with the annual rutting season, the calves being born at the beginning of the rains when there is plenty of fresh grass for feeding.

After crossing into the park, we game drive through the long grass plains to our campsite in the heart of the national park. Campsite facilities here are very basic. The following morning an early start finds us game driving in search of big game.

There is also an opportunity to experience a hot air balloon ride over the fabled Serengeti plains (subject to availability). After approximately an hour ballooning, smartly dressed waiters serve a full English breakfast, together with continental pastries, accompanied by champagne and fruit juice on long white clothed tables in the middle of the plains.

We either have a picnic lunch or we return to camp for lunch before making our way back across the plains to the Ngorongoro Crater. Tonight we camp right on the rim of the Crater, where, weather permitting, we enjoy a spectacular view into this ‘Garden of Eden’. Camping facilities are again basic. Early the next day we descend onto the crater floor for a morning game drive in one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world. Measuring 19kms across and 600m deep this is the 5th largest crater in the world. It is a World Heritage site and boasts a unique eco system. The crater itself reflects a mini Rift Valley. It has a soda lake with flamingos, fresh water, open plains and a forest area. There is a high concentration of animals here and it is also a home to a small population of black rhino. We spend around 6 hours game driving around the crater, and have time for a picnic lunch.

In the afternoon we journey back to Arusha where we rejoin the Kumuka truck and overnight.

Hotel Boulevard

Harry Thuku Road

Nairobi

Kenya

Tel:  +254 20 227 567

All optional excursions, visas and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

The majority of visas for the countries we travel through can now be obtained on arrival at the border or point of entry. This applies for the following passports:

Australian, New Zealand, British, Irish, Canadian, American, Dutch and South African.

It is recommended that all passengers have at least 2 blank pages in their passport per country they are travelling to. This is very important for all nationalities entering into South Africa. All passports must be valid for 6 months AFTER the end of the tour, or 12 months for anyone going into Uganda.

Visas on average cost between US$50 - 70 with the exception of Irish into Tanzania which is now US$100. Visas MUST be paid in US$ Cash and it is recommended to have the correct amount for your visa as change is unlikely.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS FOR THEIR TOUR.

Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

Passengers choosing to pre-obtain visas must always double check that their visa covers the full time they are in the country and when the visa is valid from as some are valid from date of issue not date of travel.

Anti-malaria tablets are essential. Get professional advice from your GP or Travel Clinic about types of tablets, as resistant strains exist. These tablets may need to be taken at least 1 week before travelling to Africa, during your travels and sometimes for 4 weeks after leaving a malaria area. DO NOT forget to follow your prescribed routine. DO NOT CHANGE THE ROUTINE, once prescribed by your Doctor. As there is considerable resistance in parts of Africa, the only effective prevention is to NOT get bitten. Dusk till dawn is the time when mosquito's bite therefore, always protect your self with repellents and long clothing during this time. Malaria is the most common serious ailment that affects our clients; do not expose yourself to unnecessary risk.

Whilst all Kumuka Worldwide vehicles have secure doors and are fully lockable, it always pays to be cautious.

Do not bring any unnecessary valuables such as jewellery or electronic equipment with you.   Be aware of your surroundings and keep your personal belongings close to you at all times as pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in built-up tourist areas.

A money belt or something similar worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports and other important documents.    DO NOT be overt about how much money you are carrying or walk around with your camera dangling around your neck, no matter where you are travelling on the globe, you will be a walking target for opportunistic thieves.

If staying in hotels, do not leave your valuables in the room, make use of the safety deposit boxes available.  Likewise, do not leave ANYTHING of value in your tent unattended, leave these onboard the truck in the safe.

Currency and how much to take is something that we’re always asked about.   We hope that the following information will assist with your budgeting. 

Please keep in mind that only YOU will know how much you’ll spend on souvenirs, drinks, meals off the truck, internet fees etc. It is always best to allow for more than you think you’ll need rather than go without.

Our recommendation is to allow for at least US$25 to US$30 per day for incidentals over and above the cost of optional excursions and visa fees which should be budgeted for separately.  There will be days when you will not spend anything and other days when you may blow your budget entirely on that souvenir that you have to have, or a round of drinks for your fellow travellers.

US Dollars CASH is the most widely accepted currency in most parts of Africa, except for South Africa and Namibia where you should travel with Rand. Please ensure that all notes are clean and printed AFTER 2001. Small denominations are best for changing into local currencies and tipping i.e. US$5, US$10 & US$20. Where visas are required (refer to our visa guide) you can pay with US$50 notes however keep in mind that it is ALWAYS best to have the correct denomination as you will find immigration officials rarely have change available.

When changing money from USD to local currency be aware that you will NOT be able to change back to USD or into another currency, what money you don’t spend will be useless after you’ve left that country.   It is also often a good idea to join forces with other travellers to do one large money change transaction, thus avoiding excess conversion fees. 

If you are travelling to South Africa or Namibia you can easily withdraw Rand from an ATM in South Africa or Namibia, just be mindful of security when doing this.  Please note that it is not necessary to travel with USD in South Africa or Namibia.

Other currencies accepted but not as popular are Pounds and Euros, however you will find the exchange rate is not as favourable as USD.

Do not rely on credit cards for payment nor the use of working ATM’s to withdraw money as it is very common for the card facility to NOT be working when you most need it.  There have also been instances of credit card fraud and many ATM’s have been tampered with in the major cities.  

Where credit cards ARE accepted you will find that VISA CARD is more widely known than Mastercard or Cirus

Traveller’s cheques are not widely accepted and when the facility is available often you will receive a much lower rate of exchange.   If you do wish to take traveller’s cheques, we recommend taking 10% to 20% of your overall budget to use in case of emergency.

NOTE: - For passengers joining or visiting Victoria Falls, please do not change any USD to local currency without speaking with your tour leader first.

The best rule for packing is to limit yourself to the airline limit of 15 to 20kgs. It will inconvenience you and your fellow passengers if you bring more. If your luggage does not arrive at the airport, please inform your crew at the Pre Departure Meeting.

A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. Please note that we do not recommend that passengers bring suitcases.

A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. This can also be used for carrying 2 days of clothing so it is not always necessary to unload the large backpacks every night.
Other important items:-
• Sleeping Bag - (You will need a sub zero sleeping bag, if climbing Kilimanjaro).
• Inner Sheet - for your sleeping bag. Can also be used as a sleeping bag when it's hot.
• Sleeping Mat - A self-inflating mat. "Thermarest" is best, although a compressed foam mat is adequate.
• Mosquito Net -if you wish to sleep outdoors. All tents have built in mosquito nets. Nets can be obtained cheaply in Nairobi and other parts of Africa.
• We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers cheques etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

NOTE:-  You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

Personal Effects:
Torch (we recommend a head torch), camera & film OR spare memory card, spare passport photos, water bottle, money belt, sewing kit, sunhat/sunglasses, MP3 player, books, wet ones, tissues, soap to wash clothes, writing materials, army knife, calculator, personal toiletries, including tampons, contraceptives, insect repellent, sunscreen.

NOTE:- If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

Clothing:
We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many campsites there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where this is possible.

Contrary to expectations it does get cold in Africa. Southern Africa, particularly South Africa and Namibia get quite cold at night between June and August. Mount Kilimanjaro will be cold at night all year round, due to the extreme altitude. You will need to bring your warmest clothes.

A rough guideline follows:-
• underwear & socks
• 3-4 long sleeved & short sleeved shirts or t-shirts
• 2-3 long trousers / shorts
• polar fleece / waterproof jacket
• walking shoes or trainers / sandals
• a set of smart clothes & shoes

Africa has some of the most spectacular photographic opportunities in the world. To capture these scenes you will need to bring a camera with a good zoom lens. For game photography, a 200mm lens or higher is recommended. Tripods tend to be bulky and cumbersome and a versatile beanbag is a good substitute.

If you are using print film, all supplies plus any filters and other accessories should be obtained prior to departure. We do not recommend that you develop your film whilst in East Africa, as the standards vary considerably and are often unreliable.

NOTE:- Protect your camera from the elements, particularly dust, as getting your camera repaired will be impossible in most places.  A good idea is to use an old tea towel or t-shirt to wrap your camera up inside it’s dustproof camera bag when not in use.

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission. It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installations

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. Overland tours will spend the majority of time in campsites with facilities (bathrooms & bars etc.) and occasionally hotels/hostels where campsites are not available.

The more you put into your tour the greater the experience you will get from your trip. It is all about participation and mucking in with your fellow passengers!

Participation is a key factor on a tour of this nature and everyone is expected to pull their weight and get involved with the daily duties (e.g. cooking, cleaning and food shopping). The most successful trips are those where people become involved.  Naturally, amongst any group of people you will find a multitude of personalities, just remember that this is YOUR trip of a lifetime and don’t let other people’s quirks and habits bother you too much – take home your happy memories of Africa.    On the flipside you may find your tent partner will become a lifelong friend, which is one of the joys of the internet & social networking sites!

NOTE:- The longer Kumuka journeys are combinations of shorter tours. Passengers on our longer tours will therefore change crew and vehicles at either Nairobi or Victoria Falls. These and other destinations are also pickup and dropoff points for passengers so new faces and personalities will join the tours.

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

KUMUKA WORLDWIDE

UK OFFICE

Hillswood Business Park 3000
Hillswood Drive Chertsey KT16 0RS
Tel: 020 7937 8855 Fax: 020 7937 6664
Email: sales@kumuka.com
www.kumuka.com

AUSTRALIAN OFFICE