Use the drinking water supplied or recommended by your lodge, hotel, guide or operator rather than drinking untreated tap, river or lake water. Many safari properties provide filtered, treated or bottled water, but the system varies by property.
Is drinking water safe in lodges and during our game drive?
On road safaris, ESA Safaris itineraries may include drinking water as specified in the quotation. Carry a refillable bottle where the trip supports safe refilling.
When in doubt, ask. Water that is safe for showering is not automatically intended for drinking.
What signature dishes do you recommend?
Seasonal rain is one of the forces that organises wildlife movement across Kenya and Tanzania. Rain changes where grass grows, where temporary water appears and how easy it is for herbivores to feed. Predators respond because prey distribution changes with those resources.
In the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, the wildebeest migration is driven broadly by the search for grazing and water, but the exact pace and location of herds cannot be reduced to a fixed calendar. A period of rain in one area and dryness in another can shift movements. That is why a migration safari should be planned around seasonal probability and the right region, not a promise that a river crossing will happen on a particular day.
Rain also changes the safari itself. Roads can become slower, dust falls, skies become more dramatic and vegetation thickens. Some animals disperse when water is widely available. Birding often improves, and many landscapes become greener. A good itinerary treats the wet and dry seasons as different experiences rather than calling one 'good' and the other 'bad'.
What local beverages should I try during our Maasai community visit?
Local beverages vary by community and setting. You may encounter Kenyan tea and coffee, fresh juices, soft drinks and, in some contexts, locally produced fermented drinks.
A community visit should not turn alcohol or traditional beverages into a spectacle. Accept only what is offered appropriately, ask what it is and be aware of hygiene and your own health needs.
If you do not drink alcohol, a polite refusal is completely acceptable.
Safety depends on professional judgement and guest cooperation
The guide, ranger, pilot, skipper or specialist activity leader responsible for an activity should make the operational safety decision. Guests help by listening to briefings and speaking up early about health or mobility concerns.
Avoid taking risks for photographs or convenience. In wildlife areas, remain where the guide instructs and never approach an animal on foot without authorised supervision.
Before you book or travel
- Carry suitable travel insurance and personal medication.
- Keep copies of important documents and trip contacts available offline.
- Tell ESA Safaris about mobility or medical needs that could affect the itinerary.
- Follow the guide, ranger or activity operator when conditions require a change of plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is safari travel safe for first-time visitors?
Safari travel is routinely undertaken by first-time visitors, but it still requires sensible behaviour. Follow guides, use reputable operators and prepare for the activities in your itinerary.
Should I buy travel insurance?
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Check medical cover, evacuation, cancellation and the activities included in your trip.
What should I do in an emergency?
Use the operational contacts supplied for the trip and follow the guide, property or emergency service handling the situation. Keep important numbers available offline.
Should I tell ESA Safaris about a medical condition?
Yes, when it may affect the itinerary, mobility, diet or emergency planning. Share relevant information early and carry the medication and medical advice you need.
Plan this experience with ESA Safaris
Tell ESA Safaris about any medical, mobility or practical concern that could affect the itinerary. Early information makes it easier to plan the right pace, activity level and support.
