Questions worth asking before you book.
Thirty years in the field means we have heard most questions before. Here are the ones that come up most often. If yours is not here, reach out directly and we will answer it.
About the company.
We are a family-owned safari specialist, founded in Mombasa in 1990 by Salim Suleman and led by his son, Kenyan-born Sharik Suleman, since 2010. We design and operate bespoke, personal safaris across Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. We are not a booking platform or a mass-market operator, every journey is managed directly by our own team to ensure the highest standard of care.
No. We do not operate shared group tours with fixed departure dates. Every itinerary we build is designed for one client, one group, one set of dates. You travel with your own party and your own guide, on a schedule built around you.
Since 1990, over three decades of continuous operation across East Africa.
Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. We have permanent relationships and ground operations across all three destinations.
Our driver-guides operate in English, French, and German.
Before you travel.
For travel during peak season, particularly July to October, when the Great Migration is active in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti, we recommend enquiring at least three to six months in advance, as popular lodges fill quickly. Outside peak season there is generally more flexibility, but earlier is always better for securing your preferred accommodation.
Yes. Whether your priority is wildlife, birdwatching, cultural encounters, coastal relaxation, or a combination, we design around what matters to your group. The itineraries on our website are sample starting points, nothing is fixed.
We do, and we do it often. Multi-generational family groups are among the clients we work with most regularly. When you enquire, tell us about everyone in your group, ages, mobility considerations, any special requirements, and we plan around that.
Yes. Solo travellers receive the same personal approach as any other group. You travel privately, with a guide dedicated to your experience, not joined onto a shared vehicle with strangers.
It depends on what you want to see and where. Broadly, the dry seasons, January to March and July to October, offer the best wildlife viewing. The wildebeest migration crosses from the Serengeti into the Maasai Mara between July and October. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and often better value. See our Travel Guide for more, or let us advise on your specific interests.
Yes. If you are travelling for a milestone occasion, tell us when you enquire and we make sure the experience reflects that.
While you are with us.
This varies by itinerary and package. Your confirmed itinerary will detail exactly what is covered, including accommodation, meals, game drives, transfers, park fees, and guide services. We walk you through inclusions and exclusions clearly before you confirm.
Your driver-guide will be a member of the Savanna Secrets team, career professionals, many of whom have been with the company for over two decades. They are not freelancers or contractors brought in for individual trips.
We operate a fleet of 7-seater safari minibuses fitted with pop-up roofs for game viewing, with guaranteed window seats for every passenger. Our vehicles are maintained to a strict replacement and servicing standard by our in-house workshop team.
Yes. Savanna Secrets provides 24-hour backup support on every single day of your safari, at no hidden cost. Your guide is your primary point of contact on the ground, and our operations team is reachable throughout.
Flying Doctors evacuation cover is included in our safari packages. Details of the coverage are confirmed with your itinerary.
Documents, packing, and safety.
Light, neutral-coloured clothing is ideal for game drives, and layers are important, particularly in the early mornings and evenings in higher-altitude locations. A full packing guide is available on our Travel Guide page.
Most nationalities travelling to Kenya can apply online through the Kenya e-Visa system before departure. Tanzania and Rwanda each have their own requirements. We recommend checking the official government portal for your destination and confirming with your airline. Our Travel Guide has a starting point, though requirements can change and should always be verified before travel.
East Africa is a well-established international travel destination visited by millions of people each year. The national parks and safari circuits we operate in are regions our team knows thoroughly. We monitor conditions on the ground continuously and will always advise you honestly if anything warrants discussion.
Our cancellation and amendment terms are set out in our Terms & Conditions, which are shared with every client at the point of booking. We recommend reviewing these and ensuring your travel insurance covers the relevant eventualities before you confirm.
Most conversations about a safari start with exactly that, a question.
Reach us directly and we will answer it.
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