Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is HIGHLY recommended.
Life is unexpected. Things happen and sometimes trips needs to be cancelled or rescheduled. Sometimes you get sick on a trip and need medical care. Some countries require immediate payment for medical services before being released. Someone back home gets sicks and you need to get home. Travel insurance helps protect you from losses you might incur. All payments are non-refundable.
Please note: In some situations (i.e. pre-existing medical conditions) you need to buy your travel insurance within a certain amount of time after you purchase your trip. We do not sell travel insurance but have recommended a possible vendors. Travelguard.com or insuremytrip.com are vendors where you can compare pricing.
How can I obtain a US Passport?
DOCUMENTATION: U.S. citizens traveling to any destination outside of the United States will be required to present a valid U.S. passport. Passports must be valid for 6 months past the return date. Some countries require a visa for transit or entry. Passengers are responsible to ensure that they have all the proper documents for entry. All names on documents must match the legal name on your photo I.D., and travel document information must match tickets. Please check the State Department website at https://travel.state.gov for further information. Immunizations may also be required. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in denied boarding, denied entry, and/or government imposed fines. If you are a citizen of another country, there may be additional requirements. Check with the nearest consulate or embassy of the destination you are traveling to and find out the entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens.
The United States Postal Service can assist with obtaining your passport. There are several other options. Passporthealthusa.com is a recommended service provider.
How do I find out about visa requirements?
Vaccinations: The country you're traveling to may require proof of vaccinations. Without proper vaccinations, you may be denied entry in the country. We recommend visiting
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ to find information on health notices and recommended/required vaccinations for the countries you'll be visiting.
Quick Reference VISA Requirements
1. Ghana - YES
2. Togo - YES
3. Benin - YES
4. Tanzania - YES
5. Ethiopia - YES
6. Dubai - NO (US Passport Only) If traveling from a different country, refer to the Dubai embassy to find out if your country requires a VISA to enter Dubai.
7. Brazil - NO (US Passport Only) If traveling from a different country, refer to the Brazilian embassy to find out if your country requires a VISA to enter Brazil.
Where can I purchase the recommended travel items?
Links are to Amazon.com
Can I use points to purchase my airfare?
If you would like to use points for your airfare, you are advised to handle this directly with the airline or the points issuing company.
Can children travel to Africa?
Absolutely. We encourage youth to visit Africa. Here are some important details to note.
Children Traveling with One Parent, or Someone Who is Not a Parent/Legal Guardian, or Children Traveling in a Group: Foreign border officials may require custody documents or written consent from the other parent/both parents. While the requirements may vary by country, here's an example of what the US requires.
Can I use American currency in the countries featured on the tours?
Some places will accept the U.S. dollar or other foreign currencies, while others prefer the local currency. Be prepared to exchange your currency to the local currency to ensure that you do not have any issues.
How much spending money should I bring?
This is up to each guest. We suggest no less than $300 USD
How much should I tip?
Tipping is strongly encouraged on our tours. Many of the people who are serving us rely on tips to supplement their income.
It is customary to give 15% as a standard tipping amount.
What should I wear?
Comfortable summer clothing is advised for our subsaharan African, South American and Dubai tours. Wearing flashy jewelry, expensive clothing and accessories is not advised.
Is the water safe to drink?
Our base accommodations are 3 and 4 star hotels. Our platinum tours have 5 star hotel options. They all have potable water to bathe and brush teeth with. We do not advise drinking non-bottled water from restaurants outside of the hotels. Additionally, we do not recommend eating fresh fruits from street vendors.
How large are the tour groups?
Tour sizes vary and can range from 2 people to 40 people. Our maximum tour size for a non-custom tour is 40 people.
Does the food taste the same as American food?
Some food items taste the same while other food items taste very different.
Can the prices change?
Once you secure your space, your price is locked in. Until your space is secured, prices can change due to hotel and airlines changing their rates as demand increases.
Why are there no refunds?
Once a trip is booked, non-refundable deposits are required with our vendors to hold your space. Additionally, there are administrative costs associated with securing a space. Obtaining the proper trip insurance can assist in the event of needing to cancel. We do not sell trip insurance and only suggest vendors we have used in the past.