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Country information- Before you go, learn as much as you can about your destination. Read our countries information.
Health and Travel insurance
Buy the travel insurance. It's a relief knowing that should something happen, you will be covered. Vaccinations and other medical precautions are needed for travel to the country you are visiting. See more information in specific country information page.
Booking travel
Book Early and Save. Sometimes you can save lot of money by preplanning your trip and looking for the best rate in advance.
Money
It is always a good idea to bring a bit of cash with you for cabs, tips and smaller purchases. Credit cards are great way to go. You can cancel them if they get stolen but more important they're the best back up for emergencies. Change a little of your money to the currencies you need before leaving home in case local money changing facilities are closed when you arrive. Avoid changing money at the hotel cashiers desk, as the rates are often higher.
Security
When you arrive in the country, it is always advisable to ask our country representative for save place to keep your passport, travellers' cheques, excess money and any other valuables.
Tipping
Tipping is entirely at your discretion and most hotels and restaurants include a 10% service charge to the bill.
Water
Bottled water is available in all East Africa countries. Most isolated lodges keep filtered water in jars or flasks, which is a direct warning that tap water, is not safe, even for brushing teeth.
Visas
All the countries where we work require an entry visa, so allow plenty of time for this to be issued before you depart. Apply for Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi and Ghana visa from their Embassy or High Commission Office. If you need a letter from GSDE to verify your participation in our program, please e-mail us this request and will be happy to provide one.
Visa and passport documents
It is a good idea to keep photocopies of your passport, entry visas, travellers cheque sales advice, airline tickets, drivers licence etc. separate in your luggage, and also leave copies at home with family in case of theft. It is always easier to obtain replacements when you have photocopies of all the details.
Luggage
Remember to label your baggage inside and out, with your home address. Always lock luggage, not only to discourage theft but also to make sure it does not open during handling. Identify your luggage with bright tape or stickers, this makes your bag recognizable to you.
Culture
Africans are welcoming and always happy to share their culture and traditions with visitor. Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. Normal courtesies should be shown when visiting someone's home. Casual wear is widely acceptable. Formal social functions often call for a suit and a tie for men and full-length dresses for women; sometimes, this will be specified on the invitation.
Air travel
Long flights can be rather uncomfortable. Wear comfortable, loose fitting, non-creasing clothes.
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