Africa Travel Guide
Visas, best seasons, health, packing, culture, and practical tips for every destination we cover — Kenya, East Africa, and beyond. Everything you need to travel Africa with confidence.
Best Time to Visit — All Destinations
Every destination has its own rhythm. Use this calendar to find your perfect travel window across all the regions Alval Safaris covers.
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇰🇪 Maasai Mara | ✦ | ✦ | ~ | · | · | ✦ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ✦ | ~ | ✦ |
| 🇰🇪 Amboseli | ★ | ★ | ✦ | · | · | ✦ | ✦ | ✦ | ✦ | ✦ | ~ | ★ |
| 🇰🇪 Diani Beach | ★ | ★ | ★ | ~ | · | ✦ | ✦ | ✦ | ✦ | ✦ | ~ | ★ |
| 🇰🇪 Lamu Island | ★ | ★ | ✦ | ~ | · | ✦ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ✦ | ~ | ★ |
| 🇷🇼 Rwanda Gorillas | ✦ | ★ | ~ | · | · | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ~ | · | ✦ |
| 🇺🇬 Uganda Bwindi | ✦ | ★ | ~ | · | · | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ~ | · | ✦ |
| 🇹🇿 Serengeti | ★ | ★ | ★ | ~ | · | ✦ | ✦ | ✦ | ✦ | ✦ | ~ | ✦ |
| 🇹🇿 Zanzibar | ✦ | ✦ | ✦ | · | · | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ✦ | ~ | ✦ |
| 🇿🇦 Cape Town | ★ | ★ | ★ | ✦ | ~ | · | · | · | ✦ | ✦ | ✦ | ★ |
| 🇲🇦 Morocco | ✦ | ✦ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ✦ | ~ | ~ | ★ | ★ | ✦ | ✦ |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | ✦ | ✦ | ★ | ★ | ✦ | ~ | · | · | ✦ | ★ | ★ | ✦ |
| 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | ~ | ~ | ~ | · | ✦ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ✦ | ~ | ~ |
| 🇳🇦 Namibia | ~ | ~ | ~ | · | ✦ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ✦ | ~ | ~ |
Plan by Region
Select a region for destination-specific practical information — visa requirements, health, money, and what to expect on the ground.
Visa
Most nationalities obtain a Kenya eTA at etakenya.go.ke — typically approved within 72 hours. East African Community citizens enter visa-free. Apply at least one week before travel and confirm with your nearest Kenya embassy.
Health
Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from endemic countries. Recommended: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Rabies. Anti-malaria tablets strongly advised for all areas outside Nairobi. See a travel doctor 6–8 weeks before departure.
Money & Connectivity
Carry Kenyan Shillings for markets, tips, and small purchases. Cards accepted at lodges and city hotels. M-Pesa mobile money works everywhere. Buy a Safaricom SIM at the airport for reliable 4G nationwide.
Gorilla Trekking Permit
Gorilla permits must be booked well in advance through the Rwanda Development Board — demand is very high year-round. Our team handles all permit bookings as part of your Rwanda itinerary. Peak season: June–September and December–February.
Visa
Most nationalities can get a Rwanda eVisa online or a visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport. The East Africa Tourist Visa (Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda combined) is an excellent option for multi-country travellers — ask our team.
On the Ground
Rwanda is one of Africa’s cleanest, safest, and most well-organised countries. Kigali has excellent hotels and restaurants. Card payments widely accepted. Buy an Airtel or MTN SIM on arrival. Altitude at Volcanoes NP is 2,400m+ — pack warm layers.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Home to almost half the world’s mountain gorilla population. Trekking can take 1–8 hours depending on the gorilla family’s location. Fitness matters — trails are steep and can be muddy. June–September is the most popular and driest window.
Visa & Entry
Uganda eVisa available at visas.ug. The East Africa Tourist Visa covering Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda is excellent value for multi-country visits. Yellow Fever vaccination certificate required on entry.
Practical Tips
Pack waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved tops, and gardening gloves for trekking. Bwindi has limited connectivity — download offline maps. Cash (USD widely accepted) is useful in remote areas. Airtel Uganda SIM recommended.
Serengeti & Ngorongoro
The Serengeti calving season (January–March) is outstanding — thousands of wildebeest calves are born and predator action is exceptional. June–October brings the dramatic river crossings in the northern Serengeti.
Zanzibar
The dry season from June to October is Zanzibar at its best — clear skies, warm seas, and ideal snorkelling conditions. The stone town of Zanzibar City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site worth at least a full day.
Visa & Practical
Tanzania eVisa available at eservices.immigration.go.tz. USD widely accepted alongside TZS. Vodacom or Airtel Tanzania SIM available at Kilimanjaro International and Julius Nyerere airports. Anti-malaria tablets essential.
Tell us your interests, budget, and travel dates — our team will recommend the perfect African destination and build your custom itinerary in KES.
Talk to Our Team →Health & Travel Insurance
Practical health essentials that apply across all African destinations — cover yourself before you go.
Vaccinations
Yellow Fever certificate may be required depending on your origin country and destination. Also consider: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Rabies, and Meningitis. Always visit a certified travel health clinic at least 6–8 weeks before departure — some vaccines require multiple doses.
Malaria Prevention
Malaria is present in most of East Africa below 2,500m. Consult your doctor on the right anti-malaria tablets for your route — options include Malarone, Doxycycline, and Lariam. Use DEET repellent, sleep under a net, and wear long sleeves at dusk. Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP and Morocco are generally lower risk.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive insurance including emergency medical evacuation is non-negotiable for any Africa trip. Evacuation from a remote safari camp or gorilla trek can cost thousands of dollars without cover. Ensure your policy covers evacuation, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and adventure activities.
What to Pack — By Trip Type
Different African destinations demand different packing strategies. Here’s exactly what experienced travellers bring for each trip type.
🦁 Safari — Kenya & East Africa
- Neutral tones — khaki, olive, tan (avoid bright colours)
- Long-sleeved shirts for cool mornings and insect protection
- Lightweight fleece or zip-up for cold dawn game drives
- Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes or hiking boots
- Wide-brimmed sun hat and UV-protection sunglasses
- Binoculars — 8×42 or 10×42 recommended
- Camera with a zoom or telephoto lens + dustproof bag
- Large power bank — lodges charge infrequently
- DEET insect repellent and prescribed anti-malaria tablets
🦍 Gorilla Trekking — Rwanda & Uganda
- Waterproof, ankle-support hiking boots (essential)
- Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers — stinging nettles
- Waterproof jacket — forest rain arrives quickly
- Gardening gloves for gripping vegetation on steep slopes
- Warm mid-layer — altitude can reach 2,600m+
- Gaiters or high socks to keep mud out of boots
- Small daypack — leave large bags at the vehicle
- Energy snacks and 2L of water — trek can take 2–8 hours
- Offline maps downloaded before entering forest areas
🏙️ City & Culture — Morocco, Egypt, Cape Town
- Modest clothing for medinas and mosques (Morocco & Egypt)
- Lightweight linen shirts — breathable in heat
- Comfortable walking shoes for cobbled medina streets
- Light scarf (women) — useful in markets and religious sites
- Warm layer for Cape Town evenings and Atlas Mountains
- Universal travel adapter (various plug types across Africa)
- Physical copies of booking confirmations and insurance docs
- Small cash wallet — markets are cash-heavy in Morocco & Egypt
- SPF 50+ sunscreen — North Africa UV is intense year-round
Culture & Etiquette Across Africa
A little cultural awareness goes an enormous distance. Every destination we cover has its own customs — here’s what to know before you go.
Kenya & East Africa
“Jambo” and “Habari?” are always warmly received. Greet elders first in Maasai and Samburu communities. Always ask before photographing people — some communities welcome it, others prefer a small fee, both are entirely reasonable. Modest dress is appropriate outside beach resorts.
Gorilla Trekking Rules
Strict rules protect both gorillas and humans. Keep 7 metres distance at all times. No flash photography. Maximum 1 hour with the gorilla family. Do not visit if you have a cold or illness — gorillas are highly susceptible to human diseases. Follow your ranger guide’s instructions at all times.
Morocco & North Africa
Morocco is a Muslim-majority country — dress modestly in medinas and religious sites. During Ramadan, eating or drinking in public during daylight hours is disrespectful. Bargaining is expected and welcomed in souks — it’s a social interaction, not a confrontation. Accept mint tea when offered.
Photography Etiquette
Always ask permission before photographing people across all destinations. In Egypt and Morocco, some individuals request a small payment — always reasonable. Never photograph military installations, airports, or government buildings anywhere in Africa. In national parks, follow guide instructions on safe distances from wildlife.
Tipping Guide
Safari guides: KES 1,000–1,500/day. Drivers: KES 500–1,000/day. Camp staff: KES 500–1,000/day via shared tip box. Restaurant: 10% where not included. In Morocco/Egypt: 10–15 MAD/EGP for restaurant service. Always tip in local cash — Kenyan Shillings preferred by East Africa staff.
Responsible Travel
Across all destinations: stay on marked paths in parks, never feed wildlife, use refillable water bottles where safe, buy from local artisans rather than tourist chains, and choose lodges and operators that are invested in the communities and ecosystems they operate within.
Essential Phrases by Destination
Even a handful of local words earns enormous goodwill wherever you travel. People across Africa genuinely love when visitors make the effort.
🇰🇪🇹🇿 Swahili (Kenya & Tanzania)
🇷🇼 Kinyarwanda (Rwanda)
🇲🇦 Darija (Morocco)
🇪🇬🇿🇦🇿🇼🇳🇦 English & Arabic
Ready to Start Planning?
You’ve got the knowledge — now let Alval Safaris handle everything else. From Kenya to Rwanda, Morocco to Cape Town, we’ll craft your perfect African itinerary, quoted in KES from start to finish.