Prepare for your Trip

Many major airlines from around the globe fly into Africa. Please feel free to contact us for any route suggestions. Air tickets are not included in the price of our tours. We are only ticketing Agents for Kenya Airways and select domestic airlines within Kenya – if you would require any assistance with purchasing these, please let us know.

Soft bags (that are lockable) are preferable to large rectangular suitcases. Domestic flights such as Safarilink and Airkenya have light aircraft, where the maximum allowed luggage weight is 15 kgs. We will be glad to store any excess luggage (bags must be locked) at our head office (terms & conditions apply). The Safari vehicles have small space for carrying luggage at the back. If the number of guests are more than 4 per vehicle, we recommend only one bag per person not exceeding 15 kgs in weight. Up to 4 people traveling in one Safari vehicle may carry up to two bags per person weighing 15 kgs each.

Valid Passports with over 6 months to expiry and two blank pages (with all required Visas) and Health cards (Vaccination certificates)

• Cash (Travelers’ Cheques are not accepted)
• Separate record of currency serial numbers
• Credit Cards (VISA, MasterCard and/or American Express)
• Photo copy of passport/Visas/Insurance papers/Vaccination Certificates

There are no compulsory vaccinations required for entry to Kenya unless you are arriving from a country which makes it mandatory to take Yellow Fever vaccination. In this case a Certificate of Inoculation against Yellow Fever is required ten days prior to the start of your journey for travelers above the age of 1. Visitors coming from other countries in Africa where Yellow Fever may occur, including Tanzania and Zanzibar, require a Yellow Fever certificate. The other recommended vaccinations are Typhoid, Hepatitis and Polio. Anti-malarial medication is recommended. Anti-malarial drugs should be taken prior to arrival and should be continued for 4 weeks after leaving Kenya. It is also advisable to try and avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent and by wearing suitable cover-up clothes in the evening. There are good hospitals in the main towns of Kenya while the rural areas have small health centres where one can get basic first aid. It is absolutely essential that all visitors carry some form of medical insurance to cater for any eventualities. There is an excellent Flying Doctor service in Kenya in the event of a medical emergency, while on safari away from the urban centres (This insurance cover can be purchased through us).

Please bring any prescription medicines you may have with you. If anyone suffers from chronic ailments, please always carry required medication.

All Tourist Visas to Kenya are only available online via www.evisa.go.ke
All documents required, cost, and payment instruction can be found on the link above. We do not offer any visa procurement services

• Banking Hours Monday – Friday: 0900 – 1600 hours
• Saturday: Some Banks 0900 – 1200 hours
• Sunday: Some banks stay open for 4 hrs. NB: Banks at International Airports operate 24/7

Credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, and other well known credit cards are widely accepted throughout Kenya. Note that payments by credit card in most places attracts a Service charge of between 3-5%. Traveler’s cheques or hard currency is required in Tanzania and Uganda.

Currencies are based on the decimal system. Visitors are advised to check currency exchange rates regularly. It is illegal to enter or leave these countries with any local currency and visitors must exchange any remaining currency at their departure Airport or earlier on the day of departure at City and Principal Town Banks. It is a serious offence to deface or knowingly damage such currency. Visitors are strongly advised to avoid street dealers and to transact all currency dealings through official dealers. UKL, USD, EURO can be easily converted at the Hotels, Forex Bureaus, and Banks.

For weather forecasts of the locations you will be visiting, please check www.theweathernetwork.com

Depending on the season, most afternoons are usually warm, and evenings are cool.

The list given below is a basic indication of what you should bring. We recommend that you bring khaki and green coloured clothing. Bright colours should be avoided while on Safari (but are fine for the coast). Camouflage clothes are illegal because they are worn by local soldiers. Certain Lodges require semi-formal attire – these will be outlined in your itinerary;

Trainers
Flipflops
Hat
Windbreaker/Jacket
Pullover Sweater/Sweatshirt
Safari pants (or chinos)
Safari shorts
Sport socks
Short sleeve shirts
Long sleeve shirt
T-shirts
Pyjamas
Swimwear
Semi-formal wear for evenings/dinners
Comfortable undergarments

The Lodges and Camps are protected and we take every precaution to avoid any animal-human conflict. Please abide by the rules of Safari land – never wander on your own away from designated areas, do not get off the Safari vehicle unless the guide instructs you to. Animals look very tame, but they are wild after all! Please ask each Lodge or Camp for their safety rules and regulations. Please do not take undue risks. Africa is exotic and adventurous. Please do not allow children to move around alone at anytime.

The tourism industry in Africa takes visitor safety very seriously and considers all aspects of the tourist’s stay. For this reason, the industry in Kenya created a Safety and Communication Centre under the auspices of the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF), which is operated 24hrs a day to monitor visitor safety. They represents the leading tourism trade associations comprising the Kenya Associations of Tour Operators (KATO), Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC), Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), Kenya Budget Hotel Association (KBHA), Aviation Kenya (KAAO), Ecotourism Society of Kenya (ESOK), as well as Kenya Coast Tourist Association (KCTA).

The KTF Safety Centre is the brainchild of these Associations. The Safety and Communication Centre is manned by well-trained staff who are at hand to tend to any issues of concern to tourists. These include security, health, road conditions, travel advisories and updates.

There is a 24hr TOURIST HELPLINE (020 – 604767) where one can seek assistance in case of need.

Please note the safari lodges have buffet meals, fixed meal timings, and do not provide room service unless requested specifically at an extra levy. Tea/coffee is served in the main lounge areas. The rooms/tents are spread out. Since the lodges in Game Park are designed to blend with the surroundings, they have a central reception, lounge and dining area and accommodation is often a brisk walk away. Most do not have tea-coffee maker in the rooms. They keep 500ml mineral water per person per day, in the rooms, inclusive. Lodges provide hot water, electricity by timings, all linen, umbrellas, torchlight and basic toiletries. Lodges also provide you with ice cubes to chill water/drinks in the vehicle’s cool box. The guide, when told, organizes this for you.

They are two types of vehicles that we rent out for your safari. One is a 7 + 1 seater minibus, not air-conditioned, with pop-up roofs for game viewing. The storage space for luggage at the back is small. The other is a safari Landcruiser, with similar capacity and a roof hatch. They have larger leg space. All vehicles are fitted with radios, cooler boxes, first aid kits and small handbooks on fauna. Wifi is available upon request. Luxury SUV’s are not recommended for safaris because their roof hatch is very small.

Driving to many game parks can be a bumpy affair. Brace yourselves for an authentic safari experience on murram roads. in East Africa we call it “The free African Massage.”

While Safari Guides are the drivers of the Safari Vehicle, they also double up as information base and game spotter. They are certified by the Tourism department. They speak English, and are quite knowledgeable about the country and its flora and fauna. Often they carry information books with them for you to read and clarify details on flora and fauna while on safari. We also provide guides with special language requirements.

Tips and Gratuities: The guides expect tips from the clients, anywhere within $5-10 per person per day. But this is only an indicative figure – we leave it to your discretion. The porters/waiters expect about $2-5 tip at the lodges.

• Malaria prophylaxis
• Prescription drugs (also bring the generic names for these drugs, good idea to pack 2 separate lots)
• Motion sickness pills
• Insect repellant (containing DEET for mosquitos)
• Sun Screen (SPF 15 or higher)
• Lip Balm
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste & Toothbrush
• Hair Brush or Comb
• Electric or Hand Razor
• Hand Lotion
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Sunglasses
• Case prescription glasses
• Flashlight
• Batteries for electronic equipment
• Converter plug set if needed (the electricity supply is 240V, 50Hz)
• Money pouch
• Day Pack Products

East African cuisine is healthy and mild. Maize meal and Chapatti (rolled white flour bread roasted and fried on a skillet) are eaten with spinach, potatoes, red beans or beef curry. Goat meat, lamb and beef is normally roasted with minimum marinade, the most common being Nyama Choma, where the meat is cooked on an open fire with only salt on it. Fish is eaten in the coast and the lakes cooked with coconut, or simply fried and curried. Quality of vegetables, fruits and meat is excellent.

Lodges mainly have buffet meals catered to all tastes. Chillies are rarely used in cooking. Meals include salads, vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices of main dishes, and dessert. Please let us know if you have any special meal requirements, and the lodges will try to cater to this if informed in advance. Dinner is a sit-down affair in some lodges, while buffet or BBQ and pastas are also frequently available.

We recommend you only drink mineral water. Mineral water is widely available here and strongly recommended for consumption. Local packed fruit juices are available in supermarkets, and fresh juice are provided at the lodges. All popular brands of international liquor are available. Kenya tea and coffee is normally prepared with a lot of milk and sugar – it might be better to ask for the milk/sugar separately if you do not like your hot beverage that way.

Africa is famous for its woodcarvings, including furniture and masks. Cities have many outlets for curios, fabrics, carvings, paintings, and so on. There are also many handicraft bazaars that open on specific weekdays for a more interactive shopping experience. Hotels and Lodges also have lovely shops selling curios and jewelry. Oftentimes we accompany you on your shopping excursions upon request.

For your personal and property safety, avoid wearing precious jewelry. Please keep your expensive items, money, and passports safely. Please do not leave handbags on chairs etc. In Safari Camps and Lodges, your personal belongings are normally safe. On arrival in Nairobi, you are not allowed to purchase anything from the duty-free. Any GSM mobile phone can be used. You could also purchase local mobile connection at the airport upon arrival. Network coverage can be spotty in game parks. As always, please reach out if you have any questions and we will assist you.