Expect the unexpected, personal touches and above all, a trip of a life-time.

Like all safaris in East Africa, be prepared for some rough, bumpy terrain . Expect early starts & usually early bedtimes. One can opt in or out of the daily schedule as much as you like. It will be a busy daily routine, with enough down time to relax. Meal times are a social time for the group to chat around a large commual table. There will be no other guests; we will have exclusive use of the SWT Camps. The tours are suitable for most adults & abilities, but these tours are not suitable for young children and we cannot offer child rate reductions.

Orphan Trail Safaris are quite unique, focussing on conservation. Suited to solos, couples or friends wishing to join a small group who have a particular interest in elephants, wildlife and in all aspects of nature for people who are usually already supporters of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The SWT private Eco Camps at Ithumba in Tsavo East’s Northern Territory & Umani Springs in the Kibwezi Forest, are very remote and the bush/forest is extremely dense. This makes general wildlife viewing difficult, therefore, not suited to game drives whilst staying at these camps. The Northern Territory, where no general tourist vehicles are permitted, is for the connoisseur of pristine wilderness, here one searches for the wildlife rather than expecting to view it track-side. SWT Galdessa Camp, Amboseli NP, Samburu Reserve and the Maasai Mara however, will of course provide plenty of opportunity for game drives, amazing wildlife viewing & cultural experiences.

Orphan Trail Safaris provide a completely ethical, elephant experience unlike any other.

Many guests travel long haul, therefore we offer additional independent safari-extensions or beach retreats, should you wish to extend your stay further in Kenya. We will be happy to discuss, advise and arrange.

Unfortunately we do not accept children under the age of 16 years on a group tour due to the high level of risk involved being in close proximity to wild elephants, the long distances of road travel and unsafe areas for children in some of the camps. Children 16 years and over are permitted to join a group tour at the full adult rate. The SWT camps do not offer family tents (3 people) therefore 2 rooms/tents would be required and a single supplement charge would apply to the single person not sharing a room.

These restrictions do not apply to an independently booked safari (not a group tour) travelling to the SWT properties.

Seasons in Kenya are:-

SPRING – September through November

SUMMER: December through February

AUTUMN: March Through May

WINTER: June through August

Although Kenya enjoys a temperate year round climate usually between 23 to 30 degrees: the mountainous areas including the Central Highlands (Nairobi) can be noteably cooler, especially in the winter months, and Savannahs usually hot & dry.

There are two distinct rainy seasons; late March through May referred to as ‘the long rains’ and November through December known as the ‘short rains’. Generally rainstorms in Kenya are intense but brief with sunny intervals.

Orphan Trail Safaris Group Tours usually avoid travelling in the rainy seasons. Visiting during dry seasons offer the best viewing opportunities when animals tend to gather at water holes. Pre-scheduled Tours run in January/February, June/July and September/October.

As of January 4 th 2024, all visitors to Kenya will no longer need a Visa to enter the country, but all visitors to Kenya will need to apply for an ETA (electronic travel authority) and will need to present a valid copy upon arriving at check-in at your outbound airport and again upon entry into Kenya.

Apply for your ETA at https://www.etakenya.go.ke/

A step-by-step guide to the ETA application form will be outlined in the General Information & Packing Guide which you will receive after booking, a few months before the start of your safari. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of 6 months on entry to Kenya and ensure you have two blank pages within your passport.

Please note: It is no longer a requirement for visitors entering or departing Kenya to provide a negative Covid-19 PCR Test or proof of Covid-19 vaccination certificates. For further advice please see https://www.kcaa.or.ke/covid-19/covid-19-travel-requirements

For standard travel vaccinations, we recommend making an appoinment with your Travel Clinic/GP a minimum of 6 weeks prior to travel. Standard vaccinations/boosters recommended are:- Dyptheria, Polio, Tetanus & Hep- A. Other vaccinations to consider are Hep B, Typhoid and Rabies. Yellow Fever vaccination is not a requirement if entering Kenya from a country where there is no risk of Yellow Fever.

Anti-malerial tablets are strongly recommended. Your travel clinic/GP will advise you accordingly.

A tropical strength insect repellant containing deet is recommended.

We always recommend you obtaining an adequate Travel Insurance Policy that covers both travel and medical, at the time of booking to cushion you against any loss in the unlikely event of travel disruption, illness or loss of luggage.

We have partnered with AMREF (flying doctors) insurance so YOU WILL BE COVERED FOR EMERGENCY EVACUATION to a Nairobi Hospital, whilst on safari. This is included in the itinerary rate.

COVID-19:- If for any reason, we could not provide your safari or the tour could not proceed due to circumstances beyond our control e.g. global pandemic travel restrictions; the tour would be postponed to a later date and all payments made would be deferred. We would liaise with guests to find suitable alternative dates.

For the latest updates for Kenya’s entry requirements please see https://www.kcaa.or.ke/covid-19/covid-19-travel-requirements

or check own country’s Government’s travel advice page.

We cater for all diets/allergies, please ensure to request this at the time of booking.

All provisions are supplied and the meals provided will be simple, delicious and sustaining. Soft drinks, beers & wine are included whilst staying at the SWT private camps.

Mineral water will be available at all accommodations plus in the safari vehicle at all times. You will be provided with a metal dinking bottle at the start of your safari, to adhere to Kenya’s ban on single-use plastic, which you are requested to keep filled from the dispensers/jugs in camps. Please feel free to bring your own choice of water bottle if you prefer.

A comprehensive Information & Packing Guide will be sent out a few months prior to departure but here’s a brief guide:-

CURRENCY: Local currency is the Kenya Shilling but $US dollars are the preferred currency and widely accepted in restaurants, shops, craft markets (not supermarkets) and for tipping. Major credit cards are widely accepted in Kenya. ATM’s are widespread in major towns but please bear in mind we will be off-grid the majority of time, so carry some cash in small denominations as a back-up.

TIPPING: Tipping is customary as a way of showing gratitude throughout East Africa. Although all tips are completely at a guests descretion, please be mindful to allow for this when budgeting your trip as it soon adds up over the tour duration. Comprehensive advice & suggestions on all tipping required will be covered in the Information/Packing Guide.

LUGGAGE: Soft-sided, wheeled if preferred, duffel style luggage is requested and where possible luggage should be kept to a minimum. There is a weight restriction of 15kg on all domestic flights within in Kenya if this applies to your itinerary. Excess luggage can be stored in Nairobi if not needed when travelling internally.

CLOTHING: Casual light-weight, neutral-toned, technical trousers, shorts & shirts/tshirts are suggested. A detailed list of essentials, suggested packing etc will be included in the information guide.

For all Orphan Trail Safaris we use a long-wheel base 4 x 4 Toyota Land Cruiser specifically adapted for off-road safaris and wildlife viewing, seating 6 rear passengers comfortably all with a window view & reclining seat. The vehicles provide a pop-canopy roof ideal for game viewing when standing and are fitted with an internal mineral water dispenser for topping up water bottles.

Beverly Perry will be your initial point of contact and will personally guide you through every aspect of your trip planning. Please request the available tour itinerary you are most interested in, which will outline the group rates.

The tours are available to solos, couples and friends alike. If you are travelling solo please ensure to state whether you require single occupancy or whether you are willing to share with a fellow, same-sex group member (solo-sharing allows opportunity for maximum occupancy of 6 people and may only be required for 3 nights ). All group rates are shown on the Itinerary and are priced in US$ being the most widely used international currency in Kenya.

Initially, your place will be held by way of verbal agreement until a minimum confirmed group number of 4 guests has been reached, when a 25% deposit pp will become due to secure your place/s (non-refundable deposits are necessary due to the nature of a group-booking and the financial impact withdrawal causes to fellow group members).

Invoicing and payments are handled directly by my ground operator in Nairobi; Maniago Safaris. Payments can be made by International Bank Transfer or Credit Card; details will be outlined in the itinerary & on your invoice.