What if we get COVID-19 before we travel?
Speak with your travel manager to discuss the best option for you:
- Get a second test – note people can continue to test positive for up to 3 months after diagnosis and not be infectious to others.
- Postpone and move travel to a later date. Your Travel Manager will work with you to rebook alternative dates.
- Cancel – you may be charged cancellation fees.
What if we get COVID-19 whilst travelling?
The general rule is if you test positive while staying at a third-party establishment, that property will activate their own response to the situation. This varies from property to property. The response depends a lot on the degree of symptoms the guest is showing i.e. if the guests’ symptoms are severe etc., then the third party would activate their own emergency response providers.
However, if you are asymptomatic/mild symptoms (majority of cases) and you do not want to continue your stay at the third-party property, then TAS can step in to look at options. Transport-wise, a private charter or vehicle could be arranged to take you to alternative or more affordable accommodation. Please note these additional travel arrangements will be for your own account. Therefore, we strongly recommend travel insurance – most travel insurance policies now cover trip interruptions and associated expenses for COVID-19, but only if you test positive.
Travel Insurance
Highly recommended – in some instances compulsory.
To be taken out 24 hours after paying your first travel invoice.
Please ensure you have taken out comprehensive travel insurance. All services booked are non-refundable and it is thus important that you have travel insurance to protect you, should you have to cancel or shorten your trip for any reason or reduce numbers. It is also advisable to include luggage insurance. Please speak to your broker or a company such as AIG/Travelguard for information.
Timeless Africa Safaris is a safe travel partner with Global Rescue and recommends that all our guests purchase travel insurance to cover trip cancelation, medical emergencies, field evacuation, emergency assistance and travel delays.
Do I need any other vaccinations or medical treatment before I travel?
Malaria – Kenya is considered a low-risk Malaria area.
Yellow fever – It is not generally a requirement to have the yellow fever vaccination to visit Kenya. However, one exception is visitors coming to Kenya from another country where the risk of transmitting yellow fever is high. All travelers over the age of one year are required to have the yellow fever vaccination if they have:
- Recently visited a high-risk country
- Spent over 12 hours in transit in a high-risk country.
What are the luggage limitations?
Between 15-20kg per person in soft-sided bags – this includes ALL hand luggage.
Can children join us on safari?
All ages are welcome. No under 6-year-old allowed on game drives unless a private vehicle is booked and by arrangement with lodge/camp. No under 15-year-old for bush walks.
What is the weather like this time of the year?
Kenya lies on the equator and has a pleasant, tropical climate, but there are large regional climatic variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. Kenya’s daytime temperatures average between 20°C/68°F and 28°C/82°F, but it is warmer on the coast. Kenya is too close to the equator to experience a real winter and summer. There is, however, both a Dry and Wet season.
- Dry –June to October
During the Dry season, daytime temperatures are usually around 23°C/73°F at higher altitudes, such as the Masai Mara, and 28°C/82°F at lower altitudes, such as the coastal areas. The sky is clear, and days are sunny.June, July, August, September & October – These are the coldest months. Early morning temperatures at higher altitudes are typically 10°C/50°F. It is advisable to pack warm clothing, as morning game drives in open vehicles will be cold. There is very little rain in most of the country. - Wet season–November to May
During the Wet season, daytime temperatures are between 24°C/75°F and 27°C/81°F at higher altitudes. At lower altitudes, daytime temperatures are more consistent and hover around 30°C/86°F. Mornings stay cool at higher altitudes, and it is advisable to pack warm clothes for early morning game drives.
Will I be guaranteed to see the Great Migration if I travel now?
The Migration is a natural, clockwise movement of animals (wildebeest and zebra) which occurs throughout the year between Tanzania and Kenya. While the same pattern occurs every year, we can never guarantee the sighting or the exact location and timing of the event as it depends on so many factors out of our control (seasonal rains, grazing & temperature etc.). We will however do our best to try position you so that you are in the right place at the right time.
The general movement of animals over the next few months:
- AUGUST: Herds move from Northern Serengeti into Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.
- SEPTEMBER: The herds break up into smaller groups – some of the animals remain in the northern Serengeti, the rest are in the Masai Mara.
- OCTOBER: Your best bet is still in the Masai Mara.
- NOVEMBER: The short rains have begun, propelling the wildebeest to leave the now denuded grasslands of the Masai Mara and back into the rejuvenated Serengeti.
- DECEMBER: Fresh grazing sees the wildebeest clustered in the north-eastern Serengeti (around Lobo in particular) as well as the southern Serengeti. Calving begins again, the predators move in again, and the cycle of life begins all over again.