When people ask me about our Africa trip, the first questions usually aren’t about points or hotels.

They’re about logistics.

Visas. Transfers. Safety. Cash. Insurance. What could go wrong. And whether this kind of trip is even realistic with kids.

This post is the behind-the-scenes guide I wish I’d had before we went — not theory, not best guesses, but what we actually did, what worked well, and what I’d do differently next time.

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The Big Picture: Why Logistics Matter More Than Luxury

Flights and safari lodges get all the attention, but logistics are what determine whether a trip like this feels smooth or stressful.

Our strategy was simple:

• Pre-arrange as much as possible
• Avoid same-day connections when we could
• Use trusted guides and drivers
• Reduce decision-making once we arrived

That approach made a huge difference traveling as a family.

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Visas: What We Actually Needed (and What I’d Change)

Egypt (Cairo Layover)

Because we left the airport during our long layover in Cairo, we needed a transit/visitor visa.

• Cost: $25 USD per person
• Payment: Cash only
• Bills must be pristine, new, and unmarked

One important note: our guide handled all payments throughout the day and asked us to pay him at the end. He specifically said he didn’t want us pulling cash out in public, which we appreciated and felt added an extra layer of comfort.

I cover the Cairo visa process step by step in this post: How to Do a Cairo Layover Tour

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Kenya

We needed a Kenya eVisa before arrival.

Here’s the honest mistake I made: I initially applied through Sherpa (via an airline tool). After spending nearly an hour entering all of our information, I realized it was more expensive than applying directly through the Kenyan government website.

Lesson learned:

• Skip third-party services when possible
• Use the official government site
• Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need

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Zanzibar (Tanzania)

Zanzibar required:

• A visa
• Mandatory visitor travel insurance
• Cash payment if doing it on arrival

Again, cash had to be clean, new bills. This is not the place for folded, torn, or older currency.

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Cash Planning: Small Detail, Big Stress Reducer

Cash requirements came up more often than I expected.

What worked for us:

• Bringing new, crisp USD bills
• Separating cash into envelopes by country
• Letting guides handle payments when appropriate
• Paying guides at the end of the day instead of pulling money out repeatedly

This is one of those things that feels minor — until it isn’t.

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Transfers: How We Got Around Safely and Smoothly

Pre-arranged transportation was one of the best decisions we made on this trip.

United States

• Uber from LaGuardia to Hyatt Regency JFK
• Uber from Hyatt Regency JFK to JFK airport

Simple and predictable.

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Nairobi

• Hotel-arranged transfer from Nairobi airport to Hyatt Regency Westlands
  This was seamless and removed any stress after a long travel day.

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Nairobi to Masai Mara

Instead of flying, we drove to the Masai Mara gates.

• Booked through Viator
• Private transfer for our family
• Saved $868 compared to flying
• Allowed us to see more of the countryside

This was an easy decision for us and one I would absolutely make again.

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Zanzibar

We used a pre-booked Viator transfer from the airport to our hotel. After a long travel day, having someone waiting with our name on a sign was worth every penny.

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Safari Structure: Why This Worked So Well With Kids

Our safari experience was incredibly well-paced and personalized.

Each day looked like this:

• Morning game drive: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Lunch and rest at camp
• Afternoon/evening game drive: 4:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Dinner and early bedtime
• Repeat the next day

We had:

• A private open-air Land Rover
• The same guide every day
• The same server and hut steward throughout our stay
• Only our family in the vehicle

The consistency made a huge difference, especially for kids.

And the wildlife? Unreal. Lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras — including moments we’ll never forget, like watching a cheetah chase a baby impala (and seeing the impala escape).

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Safety: Our Honest Experience

I felt 100% safe throughout the entire trip.

I attribute that to:

• Pre-arranged transportation
• Experienced guides
• Hotel-organized transfers
• Following basic travel safety practices with cash and valuables

We weren’t navigating public transportation or making last-minute decisions on the ground. Everything had been planned intentionally, and that peace of mind mattered.

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Pacing With Kids: The Truth

This was a fast, full trip.

Early mornings. Long travel days. Multiple countries. Time zone changes.

Our kids are experienced travelers and handled it well, but this isn’t a slow, relaxed vacation. It’s important to be honest about that when planning a similar itinerary.

Would I change that? No — but it’s something to go into with eyes wide open.

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What I’d Do Differently Next Time

• I would complete all visa and insurance requirements earlier instead of saving them for the final week
• I’d be even more intentional about beach location in Zanzibar (less busy, more remote)
• I wouldn’t change our transfer strategy — pre-arranged transportation was absolutely worth it

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How This Fits Into the Bigger Trip

This logistics planning supported every other part of our Africa journey.

If you’re planning a similar trip, these posts will help you see how it all fits together:

• How We Booked a Multi-Country Africa Safari With Points
• How We Booked Our Africa Flights With Points
• How to Do a Cairo Layover Tour
• How We Stayed at JW Marriott Masai Mara With Points

Africa travel with kids is absolutely doable — but the details matter. My goal is to help you feel prepared, confident, and excited instead of overwhelmed.

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