Expedition Support, Guides & Crew
You will be accompanied by your QUEST Leader and an expert Pathfinders guide throughout the entire expedition. Where necessary, for the technical aspects of the expedition, you will be accompanied by highly experienced professional guides and instructors
Getting there
Ensure you are in Nairobi for the scheduled starting date. QUEST can help arrange transport/flights to Nairobi.
Arrival
Your QUEST leader will meet you at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where you will also meet up with the Pathfinders guide. You will be escorted to our base where you will undergo full introduction and orientation of the expedition to follow.
Departure
Your expedition ends in Jinja, Uganda. You will overnight in Jinja and then transferred to Ugandan International airport in Kampala. It is here you will bid your farewells and head home with only memories of your life changing adventure in Africa. QUEST can help you arrange transport for any onward travel or to return back to Nairobi.
Flights & Visas
Make sure that you have provided us with the correct arrival flight details to ensure that we can collect you at the right time.
KENYA
It is necessary to obtain a visa prior to departing for Kenya from your local Kenyan embassy. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you arrival date in Kenya, so please check the expiry date.
It is vital that you apply for a holiday visa.
We recommend that you request a visa that is at least one week longer than you actually need in case you decide to travel in Kenya for a few extra days or there is a change in your flight requiring you to be in the country for additional time.
UGANDA
You are able to obtain a visa prior to departing for your expedition from your local Ugandan embassy, but it is also possible to buy a visa at the border as you go through immigration. Prices vary, to be safe budget between US$30-50.
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you arrival date in Uganda, so please check the expiry date. Please note that you will need to show evidence of having been vaccinated for yellow fever when applying for your visa.
Accommodation
Week 1: Two-man canvas dome tents, i.e. bush camping
Week 2: Mountain hiking huts
Week 3 & 4: Two-man canvas dome tents, you will be bush camping. If you dare, you can sleep under the star studded African night.
Meals
All meals will be provided and will be prepared on a participatory basis.
Communication
Postal
It is best not to use this option whilst on your expedition as due to its transitory nature. It’s unlikely that you will be in one place long enough to receive post.
Email
You will be able to write emails using an Internet cafe in Jinja & Kampala. This will be at your own expense.
Telephones
You will be able to use the phones at certain times to call home, but calling out of Africa is not cheap at US$ 1 per minute, payable in cash locally. You can however have someone call you back.
Mobile Phones
You will be able to use your mobile phones in Kenya & Uganda if you enable international roaming before you leave home, but coverage is limited, especially out of the major towns & cities. So to summarize, advise your friends & family that contact may be limited whilst you are on your expedition.
Electrical Appliances
There is electricity at various points along the way and you will be able to use all normal electrical appliances such as iPods, camera chargers, etc.
Weather & Climate
East Africa has a very tropical climate, dominated by the wet and dry seasons.For both dry and wet season, you will need to bring outdoor clothing preferably neutral in colour as well as a hat and sun block; the sun can be very harsh to your skin.
June-September: Dry Season
Nights and early mornings can be very cold, especially during the winter months of June to August and can reach as low as minus 2°C while midday can reach up to 25°C. The season is very barren and dry, yet a perfect time for game viewing! If you are arriving during winter ensure you bring some warm jumpers.
October-May: Wet Season
There are two rainy seasons in Kenya. A short rainy season starting in mid-October running through the month of November, and a longer rainy season which usually lasts from the end of March through to the month of May. Between those dates the weather is warm and it is a great time to travel.
Days and nights can get very hot and sticky. You need light clothes although there might be a day the temperature drops so ensure you also bring a sweater. Bring a raincoat, waterproof shoes and plenty of clothes you can change into just in case you get caught in the rain. Everything turns green and you will find many young animals appearing.
Clothing
Please make sure you bring comfortable clothes, as well as clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. East Africa is broad-minded and it is acceptable to wear shorts and skirts, but the clothes you wear to your project should not be revealing, especially for females i.e. shorts should be to or below the knee, and generally keep your shoulders covered.