Ways to reach us
The quickest way to reach Offmap Safaris is through WhatsApp or email, using the details at the top of this page. Both are good for quick questions, for checking whether a plan is realistic, or for sending a first message about a safari you have in mind. If you already know what you want, our full planning form lets you set out your dates, interests and travel style in one place, so that we can respond with a considered suggestion rather than a list of questions.
Where to find us
Our contact details list Kampala in Uganda and Kigali in Rwanda, and every safari we plan draws on local knowledge of the countries you will visit. The same WhatsApp number and email address reach the whole team, whichever country you are travelling to.
What to include in your first message
You do not need to have everything worked out, but a few details help us give you a useful answer:
- When you would like to travel. Exact dates are ideal, but a month or a season is a good start.
- Who is travelling. The number of people and any children, with their ages, because some activities have age limits.
- What you would love to do. Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives, birdwatching, walking, cultural visits, mountain trekking or a mixture.
- Your pace and fitness. Whether you like long days outdoors or prefer to keep things gentle, and any mobility or health considerations.
- Your budget range. A rough figure helps us suggest accommodation and routes that fit, without wasting your time on options that do not.
- Anything already arranged. Flights, visas, or bookings you have made, so we can plan around them.
- Dietary needs. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free or any allergy, so that lodges can be told well in advance.
What happens next
Once we have your message, we read it carefully and may come back with a few questions. From there we suggest a route and a set of experiences that fit what you have told us, explain why we have chosen them, and refine the plan with you until it feels right. Nothing is fixed at this stage. Asking questions carries no obligation, and it is much better to talk before you decide than to change plans afterwards.
Questions people ask before they write
How do I start planning a safari? Use the Plan My African Safari page and tell us your dates, destinations, interests and travel style. If you are not sure where to begin, simply tell us what you would like to experience and we will suggest ideas.
Can you create private and tailor-made safaris? Yes. Safaris are designed around the traveller’s priorities, pace and interests, whether you are one person, a couple, a family or a small group of friends.
Can I contact you before submitting the full form? Yes. You can reach Offmap Safaris through WhatsApp or email using the details on this page, and we are happy to answer questions before you commit to anything.
Do I need a visa, and what about health and insurance? Entry requirements depend on your nationality and change from time to time, so please check our Visa and Entry Requirements page and confirm current rules with the relevant authorities before you travel. Our Health and Safety page covers vaccinations, malaria prevention and travel insurance, and we recommend speaking to your doctor well ahead of departure.
How far ahead should I plan? As early as you can. Gorilla trekking permits and other limited experiences can sell out many months ahead, especially for the drier months, and good lodges fill early. That said, we can often help with shorter timescales, so it is always worth asking.
Travelling with children, older travellers or particular needs
Many safaris work well for families and for older travellers, provided they are planned with care. Some experiences, such as gorilla trekking, have minimum ages, and some routes involve long drives or steep terrain. If you or someone in your party has particular needs, tell us early. We can choose accommodation, pace and activities accordingly, and we would rather adapt the plan than have anyone struggle.
Choosing the right season
East Africa can be visited all year, but different months suit different experiences. The drier seasons, roughly June to October and December to February, are generally best for game drives and forest trekking, because animals gather near water and trails are firmer. The wetter months bring lush landscapes, migrant birds, newborn animals and fewer visitors, though some roads become muddy. If you are unsure, tell us what you most want to see and we will suggest the months that give you the best chance of seeing it.
Groups of every size
We plan safaris for solo travellers, couples, families and groups of friends. A private safari vehicle carries a limited number of guests, so larger groups may travel in more than one vehicle, and we take that into account when suggesting lodges and routes. If you are organising a celebration, a family reunion or a special interest group, let us know how many people are coming and what you would like to achieve together.
Prefer to write it all down?
If you would rather send everything at once, use the Plan My African Safari page. It asks for the details listed above in a single form, and it is a good way to make sure that nothing is missed. Either way, we look forward to hearing from you.