Yes. Hornbill Treks and Safaris is knowledgeable about every region we offer, and we take precautions to ensure your safety throughout the trip.  In addition to our long-standing roots in Africa, we work with expert guides who know the region intimately and have years of experience guiding international travelers on safari.

Every Hornbill safari is custom crafted at no additional fee, so we work with you to create the African experience of your dreams.  You can learn more about how it works here, or simply contact us to get started planning your trip.

Every trip is customized to your needs.  Pricing will vary depending on factors such as your length of stay, accommodations, desired activities, and destinations.  If you have a specific range in mind, please feel free to let us know–the more information we have, the better we can plan a trip that meets your travel needs.

Prior to booking, you will receive a initial tentative itinerary with quote, providing the opportunity to make adjustments if desired.

To begin planning your safari and receive a free quote, please contact us.

It’s hard to explain the level of dedication and passion that our team brings to each and every travel experience we create for our clients.  But when you travel with us, that’s what you get: a team of experts who know the region, understand the safari experience, and are fully committed to carrying out a tailor-made trip like no other…just for you. 

As you plan your trip and travel on safari, that looks like:

• Prompt & Reliable Communication
  Reach out to us and you’ll get a human being, every time.  No call center, no internet bots.  Just a real, live expert to answer your questions and guide you.
• Trusted, Expert Guides
  We work with a team of experienced, multi-lingual Guides who are deeply knowledge about the region, its wildlife, and its culture.  And just as importantly, Hornbill Guides love what they do and take joy in sharing the wonders of their country with our guests. 
• Tailor-Made Travel
  When planning your trip, we bring our expertise to the table to help make your travel dreams a reality.  Every accommodation, activity, and destination is carefully chosen with your travel needs in mind.
• A Commitment to Sustainability
  As you travel, rest assured knowing that your experience helps transform the lives of others, too.  Since our founding, we’ve planted trees in regions affected by deforestation, provided opportunities for at-risk youth to continue their education, and supported local villages through community-based cultural tourism.  We operate from a foundation of deep respect for the region, its cultures, and its wildlife—and we invite you to join us on the journey.

With your tentative itinerary, you will receive a detailed list of inclusions.  Typically, a safari with Hornbill includes the following:

• All Activities & Permits included in the itinerary
• Park Entrance Fees
• Accommodations as specified in the itinerary
• Meals as specified in the itinerary
• Airport Transfer on day of arrival and departure between airport and accommodations
• Ground transport in comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle, including all safari transfers
• Professional English-Speaking Driver/Guide
• Mineral Water in the Safari Vehicle
• Trip Safety:
  • MedEvac Emergency Evacuation Insurance 
  • 24/7 Service Support from our Offices
• Government Taxes, VAT where applicable

For your trip’s exact inclusions & exclusions, please review your itinerary.  As always, please reach out to your Hornbill travel specialist with any questions about your trip.

Whenever possible, it is always recommended to plan your trip in advance. At least six months is ideal, especially if you will be traveling during the high season. If your desired itinerary includes gorilla trekking, early planning is especially important, as gorilla permits can sell out months in advance. 

The simplest answer is this: send us your desired dates, and we will explore the possibilities for you.

We accept payment via bank transfer (to either our U.S. or Uganda account) or via credit card (an additional fee applies).  When your payment is received, we’ll send you confirmation along with a receipt.

For more on payment terms, visit our terms and conditions.

We work with a wide variety of trusted accommodations to offer our guests on their safari.  Depending on your preference and your itinerary, your accommodations might include an exclusive luxury tented camp perched in of a national park, a boutique hotel in the midst of a city steeped in culture, or a comfortable safari lodge offering excellent service and surrounded by nature.

In every instance, you’ll find that the lodges and hotels are either locally owned or offer valuable employment to locals, which benefits local communities in your destination.

With your tentative itinerary, you’ll receive details about suggested accommodations for your safari and will have the opportunity to provide feedback prior to booking.

Tourist visas are typically required for visitors to East African nations.  For Uganda and Kenya, a tourist visa must be applied for in advance online. 

For Rwanda and Tanzania, tourist visas may be issued on arrival or applied for in advance online.

For guests who wish to combine trip to Uganda with Rwanda or Kenya, you may be eligible for the East African tourist visa (USD $100).  Kindly note that Tanzania is not currently part of this arrangement and therefore is not included in the East African tourist visa.

More information regarding visas for your destination is included with your pre-arrival information after booking.

Proof of Yellow Fever vaccine is required for all travelers to Uganda.  If not already vaccinated, we recommend travelers schedule this in advance of their trip. 

In other East African countries, Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended for all travelers over 1 year in age, and required for those traveling from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission.

Specific requirements vary by country.  We encourage our travelers to review their specific country’s health recommendations and speak with their physician prior to travel.

After booking your safari, you will receive pre-arrival information that includes a recommended packing list for your destination.  In the meantime, you can explore the ultimate safari packing list on our Travel Guide.

After booking your safari, you will receive pre-arrival information with details about currency specific to your destination.  However, as a general guideline:

Currency can be exchanged in the larger cities.  As a general rule in East Africa, please note that USD notes older than 2009 will not be accepted, and notes will not be accepted if they are torn, stamped, or marred.  Large notes (like EUR, USD 50 and 100) get better exchange rates than the smaller denominations.

ATMs are available in and around the larger cities and dispense local currency.  While the occasional ATM is available upcountry, they are not reliably present and it is not advisable to depend on ATMs while on safari—especially while traveling in the bush.  It is also advisable to alert your bank and credit card companies beforehand that you will be travelling to Africa to avoid denial of a transaction.

It is possible to pay by credit or debit card (Visa or MasterCard) in most hotels and lodges (usually with an additional surcharge).  However, it is recommended to carry extra cash in case a card is not accepted or the network is down.

We understand that plenty of questions can arise when planning a trip.  After booking your safari, you’ll receive a detailed guide with pre-arrival information tailored to your specific destination. 

We pride ourselves on personal contact and communication throughout the process, so please reach out to your Hornbill travel expert if you have any questions before you travel.