Africa is a destination that captures the imagination of travelers like no other. The name of the game in East Africa is: Safari! Kenya provides the best game viewing on the continent. We will experience the classic savannas of the Masai Mara, the Rhinos of Nakuru, the flamingo populated lakes of the rift valley, and the delights of Nairobi. Come join us while we seek the Big Five and more. For those who choose our optional extension to Rwanda/Uganda, you’ll experience the emotionally impactful Genocide Museum and scale the slopes of Virunga in pursuit of Mountain Gorillas.
Visa Requirements: U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to obtain an advance visa to visit Kenya. IMPORTANT: for those participating in the pre-tour Ugandan Gorilla extension, Imprint requires that you obtain an East Africa visa. The extension commences in Rwanda and crosses to and from Uganda. You must have the East Africa visa. The East Africa visa is valid for entering Kenya as well. Note - It is the traveler's sole responsibility to ensure all entrance requirements have been met. We cannot be responsible for your being denied entry or re-entry to any country during the extension.
Q: What should I expect after registering and paying the deposit for the tour?
A: You will receive a confirmation email welcoming you to the tour. This email will include a link to a 'Manage Booking' page where you can view and edit all your trip details. Also included is your deposit receipt, payment schedule, and information for purchasing travel insurance through Travelex. Imprint Tours STRONGLY recommends purchasing trip insurance.
Q: Is my deposit refundable?
A: Your deposit is refundable for 30 days, after which it is non-refundable for any reason.
Q: Are flights included?
A: International Flights to/from the tour are NOT included.
Q: What airport do I use to join the tour?
A: The tour starts in Nairobi (NBO) on Sept 7 (late afternoon).
Q: What airport do I use to join the pre-tour Ugandan Gorilla extension?
A: Kigali, Rwanda (KGL) on Sept 4 (late afternoon).
Q: Should I arrive early for the tour?
A: When you arrive is entirely up to you. Most Imprint travelers arrive 1 day early.
Q: What airport do I use to depart the tour?
A: The tour ends in Nairobi (NBO) on Sept 17, after breakfast.
Q: Can I skip breakfast on the final day and depart early that morning?
A: Yes, you are not obliged to partake of the final breakfast, nor will you miss any tour activities.
Q: Does Imprint provide or arrange airport transfers?
A: No, airport transfers to join or depart the tour are the traveler's responsibility to arrange. Basic information will be included in the 8-Week Letter.
Q: Does Imprint provide advice about airlines, routing, or booking?
A: No, Imprint does not provide these services.
Q: When should I book my flight?
A: Avoid booking flights before Jan 7, 2026 unless you confirm the tour status.
Q: Do I need to check the tour status after Jan 7?
A: No, if you have not received a cancellation notice from Imprint by Jan 7, you may assume the tour is a go.
Q: What time will the tour start on Sept 7?
A: 17:00 (5:00PM)
Q: What time will the tour end on Sept 17?
A: After breakfast
Q: Can I skip breakfast on the final day and depart early that morning?
A: Yes, you are not obliged to partake of the final breakfast, nor will you miss any tour activities.
Q: How do I take advantage of the Early Pay Discount (EPD)
A: To receive the $300 EPD, you must register for the EPD price and pay in full by the designated date. You will receive a notice of final payment due one week prior. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions regarding EPD as cancellation incurs a penalty.
Q: If I’ve chosen to take advantage of the Early Pay Discount (EPD), and subsequently cancel, what penalties will I incur?
A: If you’ve opted for the EPD and paid in full, but then cancel, your deposit plus $400 of the EPD price is non-refundable. If no deposit has been paid, $1000 of the EPD price is non-refundable.
Q: If I have registered for the EPD price, but then need to switch to 'full price' and pay my balance later, can Imprint accommodate me?
A: Yes, we can switch packages for you. Simply send us an email - info@imprinttours.com
Q: Can I pay with a Credit Card?
A: Yes, you can opt to pay via Credit Card. However, you must pay the Credit Card fees, which are non-refundable in the case of cancellation.
Q: Can I avoid the Credit Card fees?
A: Yes, you can pay via ACH transfer without fees.
Q: Can I choose to delay final payment until May 7, 2026?
A: Yes, you must register for a Full Price package, then pay your balance due by May 7. You will receive a notice of final payment due one week prior.
Q: Is there any penalty for cancellation of a non-EPD registration?
A: No, there is no penalty for cancellation until May 7. However, your deposit is forfeit if the 30 days has elapsed (see above).
Q: What if I have to cancel after May 7?
A: After May 7, 2026 all payments are final and non-refundable for any reason.
Q: What should I do to prepare for the tour?
A: About 8 weeks before departure, you'll receive a detailed email with a packing list, sightseeing suggestions, and other important information. Meanwhile, ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date and has two clean pages for visa stamps.
Q: Since Imprint is unable to assist with pre- and post-tour hotel bookings, how do I book non-tour hotel nights?
A: For pre-tour nights, book the [ ] For post-tour nights, we will be using Hotel [ ]. Bookings are under [Nenlyve Tours] and Imprint Tours, standard rooms. Final hotel bookings with roster names will be made about 60 days prior to the tour start.
Q: If I want to book pre-tour nights in Hotel [ ] can Imprint assist in making sure I stay in the same room when the tour begins?
A: No, Imprint is unable to assist with this. You must deal directly with the hotel to make any special arrangements.
Q: What if the first and/or last tour hotels are fully booked for the pre- and/or post-tour nights I am interested in?
A: You must make your own alternative arrangements. We suggest using your favorite hotel booking engine to choose an accommodation with the location, price, and standard of your choice.
Q: If I need a complete list of tour hotels, where do I find that?
A: On the East Africa Tour itinerary page on the Imprint website or the Itinerary listing on this We Travel registration portal.
Q: Are there any critical things I need to keep in mind?
A:
Print and keep the confirmation letter for reference.
If your passport will expire between now and 6 months beyond your intended departure from Africa, it is your sole responsibility to update your registration information in We Travel. You can use the link in your confirmation email to return to your account to make edits. Imprint Tours is not responsible for reminding you to update your information nor for any problems with booking delays, mistakes, or omissions due to incorrect passport data.
Add reid@imprinttours.com to your email address book.
Download & activate Whatsapp for essential on-tour communications.
Check your bank’s policy on international ATM withdrawal and/or Credit Card fees.
Q: What health precautions should I take?
A: Visit the CDC website or your local travel medicine clinic for suggested inoculations for Switzerland. We cannot advise on inoculations due to liability concerns.
This tour involves moderate to demanding physical activity, including walking tours, climbing steps, and excursions to natural sites with uneven terrain. Participants should be in good health and capable of handling such activities.
Q: What mindset should I have for the tour?
A: Be flexible, independent, and personally responsible. Expect challenges and surprises, especially in less-developed areas. Positive, flexible attitudes contribute to a better group experience.
Q: Why is travel insurance important?
A: Travel insurance protects your investment against unforeseen events like flight delays, baggage loss, or sudden illness. We recommend Travelex.
In case you haven’t read our Terms and Conditions carefully, we would like to repeat the
importance of purchasing trip insurance. We have partnered with Travelex, a leader in the travel insurance industry. We have chosen Travelex for their very high rating, their record and
reliability of processing claims, and their excellent customer service. Travelex is proud to offer
you a variety of travel protection plans to fit your travel needs. We understand your plans can
change quickly and unforeseen events could impact your travel plans. We feel it’s important to consider purchasing a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment.
Travel protection plans help provide coverage for:
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation of Remains
- Travel Delay
- Baggage & Personal Effects
- Baggage Delay and more
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE SERVICES*: With a Travelex Travel Protection Plan, emergency assistance and travel services are just a phone call away from virtually anywhere in the world.
For more information on the recommended plans or to enroll, CLICK HERE or contact Travelex
Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0252.
Please Note:
Travelex Insurance Services plans are only available to U.S. Residents. To be eligible for a
waiver of the pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the Ultimate protection plan must be
purchased within 21 days from the time you make your initial trip deposit. However, plans can
be purchased any time up until the day prior to departure.
*Travel Assistance Services are provided by the designated provider as listed in the policy. The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535, state of domicile: New York), 1299 Zurich Way, Schaumburg, IL 60196. Certain coverages not available in all states.
Day 1 Happy Hour & Meeting
We will gather in our Nairobi hotel for a Happy Hour and get-acquainted meeting. We’ll get to know one another and get excited about our upcoming tour.
Day 2 Giraffe Center, Soapstone, Craft Market
We will kick off our first morning together with a visit to the Giraffe Center, a conservation organization established to protect the vulnerable giraffes of East Africa. We’ll enjoy an “up close and personal” visit with the resident giraffes. After our giraffe encounter we’ll make stops at a soapstone art center and Nairobi’s craft market. The rest of your day is free to explore further.
Sarova Panafric Hotel https://www.sarovahotels.com/panafric-nairobi/
Day 3 Menengai Crater
We’ll depart Nairobi after breakfast. Today is primarily a travel day, but every day in Africa affords the opportunity of spotting wildlife along the way. Upon arrival at Nakuru, we’ll set out for remarkable Menengai crater for impressive views and photos
Day 4 Nakuru
Game Drives
After breakfast we head to Lake Nakuru National Park for a full day experience. Our objective for Nakuru is the elusive Rhinoceros. Nakuru boasts a protected sanctuary and some of the highest concentration of Rhinos in Kenya. It is also home to the vulnerable Rothschild Giraffe and we hope to see some of the famous flamingos on Lake Nakuru. For those who love birdwatching, the park offers an opportunity to see an impressive variety of species.
Sarova Woodlands https://www.sarovahotels.com/woodlands-nakuru/
Day 5 Lake Elementaita, Hell’s Gate NP Canyon Hike
A morning departure takes us to Lake Naivasha. Enroute we’ll stop for flamingo spotting on Lake Elementaita. Upon arrival we will enjoy a hike through Hells Canyon National Park.
Day 6 Walking Safari, Boat excursion, High Tea
Today will be a fun and busy day. For those inclined, we’ll start a walking safari at Crater Lake. After lunch we will have a boat excursion on the lake and high tea at Elsamere, the storied home of Joy Adamson.
Osotua Hotel https://osotua-iconresort.com
Day 7 Maasai Village Visit, Game drive
Today is a travel day. We’ll have a leisurely start and break up our driving day with a visit to a Maasai village, arriving in the late afternoon in the Masai Mara. The MM is Kenya’s premium savanna game viewing park. It is consistently ranked at or near the top of African parks for big cat spotting. By one metric MM ranks #1 for lions, #2 for rhinos, #1 for leopards, and #1 for cheetahs. After settling in the camp, we will head out for an evening game drive to explore what mother nature has to offer.
Days 8 - 9 Safari
Our days in the MM will be quite similar. We’ll engage in early and late game drives, pursuing the “Big Five” and taking advantage of each day’s best photographic light. The middle of our days will typically be spent back at camp for lunch and to relax by the pool. Occasionally, there will be optional activities such as a Hot Air Balloon Ride, Maasai cultural tours, or walking safaris.
Mara Leisure Camp https://maraleisurecamp.co.ke/
Day 10 Game Drive, Happy Hour
If in the previous week of safari, there is any important wildlife we have missed, we’ll have a final morning game drive before departing for Nairobi. Your afternoon will be free for last minute shopping or packing up for your journey home. We’ll gather for a final Happy Hour to share safari photos and toast to our new travel experiences.
Day 11 tour over
Our tour officially ends after breakfast. Imprint will assist in airport transfer arrangements.
Sarova Panafric Hotel https://www.sarovahotels.com/panafric-nairobi/
Pre-Tour Uganda Gorilla Adventure (UGA)
Day 1 Kigali
We'll gather for a Happy Hour and our traditional 'get-acquainted' meeting.
Lemigo Hotel (1 night) https://www.lemigohotel.com/
Day 2 Bwindi
After breakfast today we’ll visit the well presented and moving Genocide Museum, which chronicles the tragic Hutu-Tutsi conflict of the 1990s. After lunch together you will drive through the verdant rolling hills of Rwanda to the Ugandan border and Bwindi National Park. After dinner you’ll be briefed on the next day's activities.
Rushaga Gorilla Camp (2 nights) https://rushaga.com
Day 3 Bwindi
After an early breakfast you leave for our highly anticipated Gorilla trekking experience. You’ll drive in sturdy 4x4s to Rushaga HQ where you will be allocated to a Gorilla family to track. Rushaga sector is well known for sheltering a high number of habituated mountain gorilla families. Interacting with these docile but magnificent animals is a memorable experience. Each gorilla family is led by a Silverback who determines the movements and daily activities within the family. Your adventure will take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours, depending on how far you must trek to find your respective gorilla group.
Day 4 Kigali
In the morning, after breakfast, you will make the drive back to Kigali, where you may be dropped at the International Airport for your ongoing flight (included) to Nairobi and the East Africa tour.
