Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a first safari brings a lot of questions — here are the ones we hear most. Don’t see yours? Just ask; Milli answers every inquiry personally.
Getting started
Do I really need an advisor for a safari — can’t I just book it myself?
You can, and some people do. The real question is whether you want to assemble a first international safari yourself — and carry the risk if a connection, a camp, or a transfer doesn’t line up once you’re 8,000 miles from home. What we do is take that off your plate: one plan that actually fits together, one person who’s traveled these routes, and one point of contact in your own time zone from the first email to the day you’re home. For a first safari especially, that peace of mind is the whole point.
Is there any cost or obligation to start planning?
None. Telling us about your dream trip is free, and there’s no obligation to book. Milli reads every inquiry personally and replies within two business days to start the conversation. You only commit when you’re ready — and when you’ve seen exactly what your journey looks like.
How far ahead should I plan?
Sooner is better. The best camps have very few rooms and fill early, especially around the Great Migration and the holidays. Six to twelve months out is a good rule for peak season — but reach out whenever the idea strikes, and we’ll tell you honestly what’s realistic for your dates.
Value & payment
I found the same lodges cheaper online. Why book through you?
You might — and we’ll never pretend otherwise. But a room booked direct and a WCT journey aren’t the same thing. What we build is a complete, ground-handled trip: a private vehicle and expert driver-guide, park and conservancy fees, transfers, full board, and an itinerary sequenced so the right camps come in the right order at a comfortable pace — plus an advisor who’s actually traveled these routes and is reachable if something shifts. We’re not the cheapest option, and we won’t claim to be. We’re the one where every piece has been vetted and someone stands behind it. If price is your only priority, we’ll tell you so honestly and point you to book direct.
What does the price include — and what’s extra?
Your journey includes a private 4×4 with a pop-up roof and an expert driver-guide, park, conservancy and crater fees, full board at your camps, standard transfers, and Milli’s planning and support throughout. Typically not included: international flights, visa and eTA fees, gratuities, travel insurance, personal spending, and optional add-ons like balloon safaris, spa treatments, or extra bush flights. A few experiences — certain night drives, for example — carry local fees, and we’ll always spell those out in writing before you book. Every quote shows exactly what’s in and what’s not, so there are no surprises on the ground.
How do I pay — and is my money protected?
You never pay Wesley Chapel Travel directly. Your booking is processed through the licensed, regulated travel agency we operate under, so your payment moves through an established and protected system — not into a small business’s private account. We will never ask you to wire money to us personally. You’ll receive a clear invoice and pay through that secure channel.
How do cancellations and refunds work?
Every trip is subject to the cancellation policies of the camps, flights, and operators involved, and some peak-season camps require non-refundable deposits. We’ll always show you those exact terms in writing before you book, so you decide with full information. This is precisely why we require travel insurance — a good cancellation policy protects the money you’ve put down if life gets in the way.
Your experience
Is a safari safe — especially for first-time or older travelers?
This is the trip we most love planning for people who’ve never done it — because we were the nervous first-timers ourselves once. Modern safari camps are comfortable and well run, your driver-guide is with you throughout, and our journeys are paced for comfort, not a race. If you have mobility considerations, medications, or simply prefer a gentler rhythm, tell us — we plan around it.
Is the trip private, or will I share a vehicle with strangers?
On our journeys, your vehicle is private — a 4×4 for your party alone, with a guaranteed window seat for everyone and a pop-up roof for photography. You’re never squeezed into a shared van on someone else’s schedule. Traveling with friends? Two couples in one vehicle often works beautifully, and we’re glad to build for that.
Can you accommodate dietary needs — vegetarian, Indian vegetarian, halal, allergies?
Yes, and we take it seriously. We confirm dietary needs in writing with your camps before you travel rather than assuming it’ll be handled on the day. Good camps do this well, and it’s something we pay close attention to because it genuinely can make or break a trip. Tell us what you need.
Who actually runs my safari once I’m in Africa?
Your journey is operated by a long-standing East Africa ground partner we’ve worked with personally for years — the same team we first traveled with ourselves. That’s deliberate: we only build trips with operators we trust, on vehicles and at camps we can stand behind. And Milli stays your single point of contact the whole way through, so there’s always one person accountable to you.
What if something goes wrong while I’m traveling?
You’ll have support. Milli is your contact before, during, and after your trip, reachable in your time zone, and our on-the-ground team handles day-to-day logistics and any changes as they arise. Safaris occasionally shift — weather, wildlife, a flight time — and having people who know your itinerary and can adjust it in real time is exactly what you’re there for.
Before you go
Do you help with visas and entry requirements, like the Kenya eTA?
Yes — gladly, and this is one of the most common places first-timers get tripped up. Kenya now uses an electronic travel authorization you apply for online before you fly, and other countries such as Tanzania have their own requirements that change from time to time. We’ll tell you exactly what your specific route needs, point you to the official application, and walk you through it step by step so nothing slips through. There’s no charge for this — it’s simply part of taking care of you.
Do I need travel insurance? Can you arrange it?
Yes — we require every traveler to carry comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical care, and emergency evacuation, and we’ll ask for proof before your trip. Safari destinations are remote, and evacuation coverage matters. We work with a trusted travel-insurance partner and can send you a quote, or you’re welcome to use your own policy as long as it meets those requirements.
Beyond safari
Can you plan trips beyond East Africa?
East Africa is our heart and our specialty. But as your advisor, Milli can plan journeys anywhere in the world — a beach extension in Zanzibar, a European city, a cruise, a multigenerational family trip. Once you’ve traveled with us, we’re glad to be your advisor for whatever comes next.
Ready to begin? There’s no cost and no obligation to plan together.