Before you
journey.

East Africa is rewarding year-round, but each season offers something distinct.

• July to October — the Great Migration arcs across the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. Game viewing is at its peak, but so are visitor numbers and prices.
• December to March — warm, dry, and far quieter across the region. Excellent for first-time visitors who want privileged access without the crowds.
• April to June — the long rains. Lush landscapes, dramatic skies, lower rates, and the privilege of feeling alone in the bush.

For gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, the dry seasons of June to September and December to February tend to offer the most comfortable trekking conditions, though the experience is rewarding year-round.

We encourage guests to consider their priorities — wildlife density, exclusivity, photography light, or budget — and we will gladly recommend the season most suited to your particular journey.

Our shortest meaningful journey is three nights in a single park. Five to seven nights allows for two distinct ecosystems, which we strongly recommend — pairing the Mara with Amboseli, the Serengeti with Ngorongoro, or any of our flagship parks with Laikipia. Eight to twelve nights opens up bush-and-beach combinations or multi-country journeys spanning Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, or the Indian Ocean Islands.

For first-time visitors to East Africa, seven to ten nights is the most quietly rewarding.

Entirely. We have designed safaris for guests aged four to ninety-four. Many of our finest lodges offer dedicated children's programmes, junior guide training, and family tents. We will recommend properties and pacing that suit the age and interests of every traveller in your party.

For families with children under twelve, we strongly suggest private vehicles throughout — the flexibility transforms the experience.

Yes — and many of our most memorable journeys do. The most popular combinations are:

• Kenya & Tanzania — for the full migration arc and the Serengeti.
• Kenya & Uganda — for safari paired with mountain gorilla trekking.
• Kenya & Rwanda — for safari with high-end gorilla experiences in Volcanoes National Park.
• Tanzania & Zanzibar — the classic East African bush-and-beach.
• East Africa & the Indian Ocean Islands — bush-and-beach across Mauritius, the Seychelles, Lamu, or beyond.

We design across borders effortlessly. Your itinerary will feel like one journey, not several.

The first step is always a conversation — by email, WhatsApp, or video call. Our travel designers will discuss your dates, party, interests, and pace. Within three to five days, we present a tailored proposal with sample lodging and pricing. Revisions are unlimited and welcome.

Once finalised, a deposit secures all bookings. Final payment is due sixty days before travel.

A 30% deposit confirms your booking and secures all lodging, transfers, and activities on your itinerary. Final payment is due sixty days before travel.

USD, EUR, and GBP. We accept international wire transfer, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), and Flywire for guests preferring local-currency settlement. Credit card processing fees are absorbed by Ongeri — most travellers use cards for the protection they offer, and we feel that protection should not come at a premium.

Our journeys are categorised across four tiers, with rates quoted per person sharing.

• Entry-Level Luxury — from $500 per person sharing, per day.
• Mid-Level Luxury — from $800 per person sharing, per day.
• Ultra-Luxe — from $1,500 per person sharing, per day.
• Exclusive — from $2,000 per person sharing, per day.

All journeys include private vehicles, expert guides, lodging, most meals, and park fees. International flights are not included unless you specifically ask us to arrange them. Single supplements and high-season rates apply to certain dates and properties — we will be transparent about every figure during proposal stage.

Visa requirements vary by country and passport. Most visitors to Kenya require an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before arrival, while Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda each operate their own e-visa systems. The East Africa Tourist Visa allows multi-entry travel across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for ninety days at a single fee — often a sensible choice for multi-country journeys.

Citizens of EAC member states may not require visas for regional travel. We provide every guest with a step-by-step visa briefing tailored to your passport and itinerary during the planning stage and assist directly with any complications.

We can — and we frequently do, particularly for guests travelling on multi-country itineraries where domestic and regional connections require careful coordination. We have preferred relationships with several international carriers and access to fares not always available publicly.

Many guests prefer to use their own travel rewards programmes, which is equally fine. Please share your itinerary with us once confirmed so we can align ground arrangements.

Always. Every Ongeri journey includes meet-and-assist on arrival — a member of our team escorts you through immigration and baggage claim, and into a luxury private transfer to your first night's accommodation. The same care is provided on departure, including airport lounge access where available.

Most multi-park itineraries include short bush flights between camps — they save hours of road travel and are themselves part of the adventure (the flight into the Mara, or the descent into the Serengeti, is a highlight in its own right). Where road transfers are more efficient or scenic, we will recommend them. We coordinate every connection.

Pack light, in muted colours — soft greens, khakis, beiges, and warm browns. Avoid bright white, dark blue, or black, which attract tsetse flies in some regions.

• Lightweight long-sleeved shirts and trousers for cool mornings and sun protection.
• A warm fleece or layer for early game drives.
• Comfortable walking shoes — not new ones.
• A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen.
• A camera, binoculars (one pair per traveller), and extra batteries.

Every guest receives our detailed Know-Before-You-Go document four weeks before travel, with packing lists tailored to your specific itinerary and season.

A wake-up call at dawn, light coffee or tea, and you are in the vehicle as the sun rises — when wildlife is at its most active. Mid-morning, you return for a leisurely breakfast. Afternoons are unhurried — rest, swim, read. Game drives resume late afternoon, often ending with sundowners at a scenic stop. Dinner is by lantern, sometimes shared, sometimes private.

Pace is yours to set. Some guests want two long drives a day. Others prefer one drive and an afternoon by the pool. We design for the rhythm you want.

Most luxury camps now offer Wi-Fi, though signal in remote conservancies can be intermittent. Some of our finest properties intentionally limit Wi-Fi to communal areas — preserving the quiet of the bush. We will tell you exactly what to expect at each camp during planning, so you can prepare accordingly.

Absolutely. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, allergies — every camp we work with is well-versed in accommodating dietary needs, and we communicate every requirement to every property in advance. Please share these on your booking form, however unusual.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry to most East African countries from many points of origin — particularly if you are arriving from another African nation, or transiting through one. Routine vaccinations should be up-to-date. We strongly recommend consulting a travel medicine specialist four to six weeks before departure for guidance specific to your itinerary and medical history.

Yes. Most safari areas across East Africa are within malaria zones. Prophylactic medication, taken as prescribed by your doctor, is the standard recommendation. Camps provide insect repellent and mosquito nets, but medication remains the most important precaution.

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all our guests — including medical coverage, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation. We will confirm proof of insurance before travel and can recommend reputable providers if you do not have an existing policy.

Considerably safer than most international travellers expect. The areas you visit on safari — private conservancies, national parks, luxury lodges — are remote, well-managed, and immaculately staffed. In capitals like Nairobi, Kigali, and Kampala, our vehicles and drivers are vetted, our recommended hotels are excellent, and we provide a 24-hour support line throughout your journey. Common-sense precautions apply, just as they would in any major international city.

Cancellation terms are governed by the policies of the lodges and camps booked, and vary by property and season. Generally:

• Cancellations more than 90 days before travel — full refund less administration fees.
• 60–90 days — partial refund (typically 50%).
• Less than 60 days — usually non-refundable, though comprehensive travel insurance should cover most circumstances.

The exact terms applicable to your journey are detailed in your booking confirmation. We strongly encourage comprehensive travel insurance for this reason.

Until 60 days before travel, most changes — adding nights, upgrading lodges, adjusting dates — can be accommodated subject to availability and rate differences. Within 60 days, changes become more constrained but we will always do our best.

Every Ongeri guest is given a 24-hour direct support line for the duration of their journey. Whether it is a delayed flight, a sudden change of plan, or simply needing a recommendation — someone from our team is always available to help. We have handled airport strikes, missed connections, and emergency evacuations. We take care of you, fully.

We do not share guest information with third parties, ever. We do not publish guest names, photos, or itineraries without explicit written permission. All payment information is processed through PCI-compliant systems. For high-profile guests requiring additional discretion, we offer fully NDA-bound bespoke arrangements.