FAQs to ask a Tour operator Going on a Kenya safari
FAQs to ask a Tour operator Going on a Kenya safari , most probably, planning a safari would have you focusing mentally on the thrill of encountering wild lions and elephants, but the most crucial element of a fruitful trip is the thorough planning that is done behind the scenes.
Although Kenya boasts a very safe and professional tourism industry, not all operators deliver the same standard of care. Booking a safari entails a substantial investment, and performing a “safety checklist” of questions is a good method to guarantee that your operator is responsible, well-prepared, and ethical.
By simply posing the right questions prior to handing over a deposit, you not only get to know a top-tier professional company but are also able to identify a company that could possibly put your safety at risk in exchange for saving money.
Licensing and Professional Accreditations.
At the outset, you should confirm that the company is not only permitted by law to operate but also duly recognized by the country’s tourism authorities. You can inquire, “Are you a licensed member of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) or registered with the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA)?” Being part of these associations doesn’t only mean having a good reputation; it also obliges the company to comply with the code of conduct and to meet the nationally set safety standards.
One that abides by the rules will willingly provide their registration numbers and insurance cover proofs. If a firm shies away from giving a definite answer to their qualification or does not appear on the official tourism websites, it is a serious warning that they might be neither properly insured nor regulated.
Guide Qualifications and Vehicle Standards.
Your guide will be the one who is going to hold the responsibility of your life for a few days in the wild; hence, you have to be absolutely sure that they are genuinely knowledgeable. For instance, you can ask: “Are the guides certified by the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association (KPSGA), and do you know what level of certification they have?” The guide with the certificate is one who has gone through the examinations on, among other things, animal behavior and safety procedures.
Furthermore, it is equally important that you inquire about the equipment: “When do you generally service your vehicles and do they come equipped with long-range radios and first-aid kits?” Since the trip you will be taking is mostly in remote areas where even the strongest cell phone signals may be weak, a radio would be your only lifeline. Thus, you want to ensure that the vehicle is a well-maintained 4×4, e.g., a Land Cruiser, which is designed to safely handle the rough terrain of the Masai Mara or Tsavo.
Emergency Protocols and Medical Evacuation.
Accidents and sudden illnesses notwithstanding the best planning, these are just some of the risks that camping in the wilderness entails. Hence, it is crucial to check with the company about the emergency medical procedures they have in place, and, in particular, we would urge you to also inquire about whether ‘Flying Doctor’ evacuation insurance is included in the package offer as well or not.
The best Kenyan operators currently put their customers first by always including an AMREF membership in their service offering (AMREF Flying Doctors), which is a service that provides emergency air ambulance from bush to a high-standard hospital in Nairobi.
In case they are not including it, you can ask them if they are able to help you in making the necessary arrangements. In actual fact, it is equally important that the operator provides you with an answer to the question, “Who do I call at 2:00 AM when I feel sick or there is an emergency at home?” Peace of mind is very vital, and it is a great feeling to know that whatever the problem is, help is right there, even when you are miles away from the nearest town.
Lodge security and Night safety.
Lastly, confirm the safety of the accommodations you select. Inquire of the operator, “Are the camps you book either fenced or open, will there be security escorting me when I return to the camp after dinner?” Many of the camps in the Kenyan reserves are open so that the wildlife can migrate through them freely. Being in these camps with wildlife migrating freely certainly adds to the thrill of being there but it also leaves a person exposed.
You need to ensure there are askaris (security guards) to escort you back to your tent after dinner. Also, you will want to ask, “Is there a 24-hour emergency contact number for a manager that I will be able to get in touch with for the entire duration of my trip?” A direct line to someone in a camp’s office who can solve issues in real-time is a clear indicator that the tour operator you are dealing with is professional.
In conclusion, an enjoyable safari in Kenya requires speaking to your operator as well as doing some “detective work.” You have every right to ask your operator about the following: their legal license(s) to operate in Kenya; education and experience levels of guides; their medical evacuation plan; and how safe they will keep you while using their service.
The fact that you will be asking about these details does not mean that you’re being a “difficult” customer; rather, you are showing that you value the operator’s professional standards in providing a safe trip through Kenya.
Once you have the answers to these questions documented, you can put your mind at ease regarding what could happen (what “if’s”) and start looking forward to the amazing trip of your lifetime, in the heart of Africa.
