What is included in the trip?

Included on your package: accommodation, transportation to all locations, airport pick up and drop off, three meals a day + snacks, entrance fees for all excursions, massages, yoga sessions, and private cooking classes are all covered. Pretty much all items listed in your itinerary will be covered.

What is not included in the trip?

Not included in your package: flights, visas, passports, any Covid testing, or any meals taken outside of our catering services or any excursions/transport you may decided taken outside of the itinerary.

What is your cancellation policy?

We offer a flexible cancellation policy. Depending on when you cancel your trip, you may be eligible for either a full refund, 50% refund or 25% refund.

The $500 security deposit is non-refundable 30 days after you have booked your trip. However, if you cancel within 30 days of making your booking, you will be refunded the $500.

Ghana Retreat in March 2024 Cancellation Plan Schedule:

To receive a full refund, guests must cancel their trip by October 1st, 2023 for the Ghana Reconnect

• A cancellation made from October 2nd, 2023 - November 1st, 2023, we be refunded 50%

• A cancellation made from November 2nd, 2023 - December 31st, 2023, we be refunded 25%

• A cancellation made anytime after January 1st, 2024 are non-refundable.

Please note that our payment system does not refund transaction fees.

Which airport do I fly into?

For our Ghana retreat, book your flight to Kotoka International Airport.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes! We require a $500 security deposit per person, upon booking to reserve your spot, and then incremental monthly payment plans to cover the rest of your trip based on the month you booked. The security deposit is refundable only within 30 days after you have made your deposit (see cancellation policy above).

For the Ghana Return Home & Reconnect Retreat in March 2024 final payments must be made by February 1st 2024. If you have any other questions regarding payments, please feel free to contact us.

General Questions

What do I need to travel to Africa?

While it is your due dillegence to check what your entry requirements are to travel based on where you’re coming from, we’ve put together a few must have’s and recommendations for your travel:

Must Have’s:

Passport. A passport with at least 2 blank pages, and six month’s validity from entry date into the country is usually required for most African visas for foreigners. This seems like a no-brainer, but this is essential to have when travelling and for your visa (if needed). 

Visa(s). Generally speaking, there will be a visa requirement for tourists visiting an African country. Although there are different visa requirements based on your nationality, whether you hold a U.S, European, or an African passport going to another African country, a visa will typically be required. 

It is also important to obtain a multiple entry visa if you will be visiting a country, going to another, and returning to the original country for any reason. A visa is required for every country you will be visiting (which means leaving the airport - so not during a layover if you have a connecting flight in one country). 

Obtaining your visa on arrival is common as well, but we would strongly recommend sorting out all visa requirements prior to arriving to your destination, if possible. This may be by filling out a visa application online, sending your passport to the nearest consulate/embassy for your visa or by completing the process in person. This way, you can be sure you have all required documentation upon arrival and have a stress-free entry process. (Note: filling out your visa upon arrival will still require the same documents needed if you were to do so prior. But it can be easy to forget something critical back home [i.e 2 passport sized photos of you] while filling it out in person, delaying your process, and possibly denying you of entry [i.e passport is not valid for 6 months post arrival]. Your best bet is to complete the visa process prior to arrival to avoid any complications.

Any COVID testing, if required, and vaccine requirements (if applicable)

• Required + Recommended Vaccines and Medication. Required and recommended vaccines and medication will vary significantly based on the country you are visiting. It is your due diligence to check with your doctor regarding vaccines and medications required for the country you will be travelling to (typically by immunization or family doctors - but I am not a doctor! So please seek a professional). They will be able to provide you with the required and recommended vaccines and medication you will need based on the region(s) in Africa you will be travelling to. These vaccines can be found on the nation’s general consulate website for tourists, or by a Google search. Furthermore, proof of these vaccines may also be required in order to process your visa as well.

And some recommendations:

1. Over-the-Counter Medicines and Items: It’s simply easier to bring over- the-counter medications, rather than to having to find what you need one you get to Africa (especially if you are visiting from a Western country). Some recommended over-the-counter medications and items for your trip are: 

• Antacid Medication (i.e Pepto Bismol).This is to treat any upset stomach, temporary stomach discomforts, diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn or nausea. Very helpful, especially after trying some local spicy foods sometimes!

• Anti-Mosquito Body Repellent (i.e OFF Repellent Spray). This is highly recommended if travelling to a region with mosquitos AND if you were required to take anti-malaria tablets. 

• Hand Sanitizer

• Handkerchief/Pocket Tissues

• Pain Killers

• Feminine Hygiene Products. Dear ladies - you may find it better to pack your own tampons or pads with you rather than getting them abroad. Of course, these products will be available at stores or pharmacies in the continent, but the quality of the products may not be consistent with what you’re used to.

• Adapters for your electronic devices (you can order online). Chances are, you will need an adapter to charge. Research what kind of adapter you will need for the country you will be traveling to (and voltage) and try to order it online before your trip. Trust me, once you arrive at your hotel room and don’t have to worry about how you’ll charge your phone after a long flight, you’ll be glad you did so!  

• A durable, insulated water bottle. I advise only drinking from bottled water in Africa. With that being said, you can always carry one of these plastic bottles around, or bring your own durable insulated water bottle (think Swell bottles) for outdoor excursions to maintain a cool temperature. 

• Unlocked Phone and Travel Notices to Your Phone Provider

Can I go to Africa affordably?

Of course! Like travelling anywhere in the world, you can penny pinch in a number of ways for your trip in order to not break the bank. It’s important to recognize that flights from the U.S.A to Africa, will usually be one of your biggest costs (typically starting at around $1,000). Flying from Europe or from another African country would cost about half of this or less.

Once you book one of our trips at Kozulu, your accommodation, breakfasts and transport to and from the airport, along with any other included tours or services included in your trip are covered. We have partnered with some of the best luxury hotels in Africa for your trip. These hotels have high ratings, great service, amenities, food and high security. 

Transportation in Africa will usually not cost you too much. Uber is becoming more prevalent in many African countries, making price discrimination for tourists less likely as well. (Please note that our Kozulu trip packages include transportation to and from the airport and to your booked activities in your itinerary.)

And of course, dining at restaurants and shopping can be done at a reasonable price as well.

Are there language barriers in travelling to Africa (for English speakers)?

Generally speaking, no. But that depends on where you’re travelling to, of course. At Kozulu, all our staff from the driver for your pick up to the airport to hotel staff can speak English. Most countries will either have English or French as their national language, but expect many locals to speak in their tribal dialect on a day-to-day basis with one another. Many people that will be help you at the airport, hotel, or in taxis will be able to communicate with you in English.

What vaccines are required to travel to Africa?

Required and recommended vaccines and medication will vary significantly based on the country you are visiting. It is your due diligence to check with your doctor regarding vaccines and medications required for the country you will be travelling to (typically by immunization or family doctors). They will be able to provide you with the required and recommended vaccines and medication you will need based on the region(s) in Africa you will be travelling to. These vaccines can be found on the nation’s general consulate website for tourists, or by an online search. Furthermore, proof of these vaccines may also be required in order to process your visa as well (i.e Yellow Fever Vaccine card is required for visa approval travel to Ghana and Kenya). 

How is food like in Africa? Can I eat the food there?

Absolutely delicious and nothing short of flavorful! Expect spicy foods on your culinary adventures in the continent. However, one should be prepared to have meals particularly heavy in starch and meat as these are staples for many African countries. You will find an abundance of seafood offered in coastal regions (such as Accra, Ghana or Mombasa, Kenya), and more red meats offered in landlocked regions (such as Ethiopia, or if you’re doing a safari trip in Kenya or Tanzania for example). Indeed, all of the restaurants and hotels Kozulu has partnered with have accommodating menus for those with special dietary needs.

What are some social and cultural Do’s and Do Nots for travelling Africa & what can I expect when travelling to Africa?

A few tips:

1. Many countries or regions in African countries, have a large Muslim population - so it is important to cover up appropriately depending on where you are visiting. 

2. Do not use your left hand (in general) to give or receive anything to locals! It may seem somewhat silly, but most Africans find this as a sign of disrespect.

3. Keep your items secure due to pick-pocketing. As with any country in the world -some people can spot foreigners from a mile away, so be sure you keep all items to yourself very closely when out and about.

Any budgeting/money management tips for my trip to Africa? 

1. Set travel notices to your debit/CC provider if you plan on using your cards abroad (and yes, many established venues in Africa do take cards!)

2. Cash prior to entering the country. Do not necessarily rely on pulling out money from an ATM once you get to your destination, as you may become a victim of fraudulent activity in some cases (identity theft, etc). Pulling out cash in your home country is preferred as well as you can prevent paying high interest rates on pulling out cash abroad from your bank. It’s best to exchange at a local forex bureau as well once you’ve arrived. Of course, some banks will allow you to pull out cash from your card if absolutely needed, but it is typically best to take as much as you and from where you are coming from in order to prevent any unwarranted issues. 

3. Although you will be able to book hotel rooms with your card online, here are a few reasons why cash is king while exploring Africa (instead of relying on a card):

   1. Transportation. Although Uber has become more prominent in many African countries, many of the drivers opt to take cash instead of card - and some will even go to the extent of not even accepting card payments from the app (reason usually being that they feel the CC fee is high for them; delay in converting their earnings to cash asap, etc.) This isn’t to say that Ubers will not take cards at all, but it's best to be prepared to pay your fee with cash. Other modes of transportation such as taxis, will most likely only accept cash as well. 

   2. Souvenir shopping. Most, if not all markets will only have sellers accepting cash. Unless you go to a more high-end brick and mortar souvenir shop that accepts cards, expect to only purchase with cash. 

   3. Tipping. Okay so this point more so comes as a societal gesture to those helping you out. It is a kind gesture to tip the locals who help you out throughout your stay - from drivers to hotel staff to those helping with your bags at the airport. It is a very kind gesture and can help the locals.

Didn’t see an answer to a question you had? Feel free to message us your questions!