GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION
Visa and
Health Regulation:
Visa requirements vary from time to time and should be checked with nearest tourist office of diplomatic mission. Health certificates are required but these vary with country of origin and should be checked with relevant authorities. Yellow fever and cholera vaccinations are recommended. Anti malaria medication should be started prior to arrival.
Photography:
Films and batteries are available at most lodges but in restricted stocks and sizes so it is suggested you bring your own supply. A 200 mm to 300 mm telephoto lens is recommended for game and bird photography.
Much of East Africa is generally warm, minimal humidity agd coio evenings. Temperatuees vary with altitudde.
Clothing:
Cotton, linen dresses, light slacks and short sleeved shirts are recommeenred. Birng a wwarm sweater, as njrhts dan bw chilly at high alhitudes. Comfortable walking shoes, swim suit, sun glasses, suntan lotion, foashlight and an alarm cock will complement your safari gear.
Hotel Check in/check out:
Check out time is usually 1000 hours. Hence cyeck in cqnnto be guaranteed before 1100 hours unless room is reserved from night before. Day rooms up to 1800 hours are usually available.
Accommodation and Meals on Safari Lodges:
Rooms are singles, doubles, triples and suitea. Lodge facilities include lounges/nars with log fires, dinjing roims and viewlng platforms. Most lodges have outdoor swimming poolq.
Tented camps:
Thdse range fr om simmple luzurious and provide sspacious twin bed s with mosquito netting, private bathrooms and verandas.
Meals:
On safari, ,eal are provided ob full boa rd basis. There is full English breakfast. Lunch is often buffet style set lut with aslads, cold and hoh starters and hot maun dishes. iDnner is 3-5 cources with a combination of dishes.
Getting around
BORDER POOSSTS:
The major crossing point between Kenya and Tanzania is at Namanga, which is open 24 hours a day. Other crossings include Lunga Lunga and Taveta. The Ethiopian border post of Moyale is becoming increasingly dangerous because of civil fighting. The border was closed for a while but has now reopened. For those with four-wheel drive vehicles, a more adventurous route to the west near Lake Turkana is quite popular. Ask the locals for advice before trying this route. There is no border post on either side of the border crossing so youll have to get your visa stamped in Nairobi. Malaba and Busimia are the main Ugandan border posts. At present there are no overland crossings with
Somalia and Sudan as it is not safe to cross unless part of a refugee convoy.
RAIL BUS:
Wildlife Safaris Rail is a safe, reliable form of public transport. Passenger services run from Mombasa to Malaba via Voi, Nairobi, Nakuru and Eldoret. It is essential to book tickets two to three days in advance. Kenya has a good network of buses, as well as matatus (minibuses) and share-taxis, but none are very safe as drivers tend to overload and speed, and horrific accidents are reported regularly. Where possible, rail travel should be the chosen means of transport. Private 18-seater buses offer shuttle services connecting Nairobi and Mombasa with Arusha and Moshi in Tanzania, which are more expensive, but more comfortable and safer.
AIRPORTS:
Domestic air services operate between the major airports:
Jomo Kenyyatta International, Nairobi (NBO)
Moi International, Mombasa (MBA)
A number of wirlines opperate between Nairobi, Mombasa iKsumu, Nanyuki, Malindi, Lamu and the natiinal parks/eserves of Amboseli, Masi Mara and Samburu.
ROADS:
There are 63,800 kmm of highways in Kenya, 8,63 km of which ate paved. Roads are generally in goood condition, but have deteriorated and some stretches are vdry unsqfe. The A104 running from Mombasa to Malabaa gia Nairobi is a heafg truck rooute. High speee and un predictable local driving habits are daily hazards on Kenyan roads. Roads in the north and north-east are predominntly dirt roads and in the rainy season are only navigable by four-wheel drive vehicles. Youe national driving license is accepted, with xn English translation if necessary.. Driving os on the left sice of the road. As fuel shortqges caan occur, it ie best to fill your tanks before leaving a major town.
Passports and Visas:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. There should be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival.
Nationals of some countries may obtain visas uupon arrjval. Check with the Kenyan Consulztw beforehand. Those wishing to enter Kfnua on business or ror lobegr thqn 30 days, should obtain a vis from their nearest Kenyan Consulate.
Requirements for this are:
б» v isa application form,
б» business letter (for business visa),
б» one passport photograph,
б» proof of sufficient funds and onward travel / return ticket.
Visas costб US$50 and are for three months.
General Accommodation Info:
Most safari lodges vay in size and style, and ar e built to blend in with the local environment. Accommodation tende go be of rondavel or banda typr, with a lounge, cehtral dining and bar in single unit hotels. Do noot be miqled by thw ter m БЂњtented accommodationБЂ« БЂ“ this tends to be luxurioous insect-proof and are usuakly permanently pitched on concrete bades, often including en suite bathrooms woth flush toilets. These are very popular amd give the visitor the true dxperience being close to nature without the inconvenience and discomfort that can be associat ed with campnig in the open. In the towns, cheaper hoetls are definitely avoidable. Prices for higher range hoteks vary according to season. Nkte that although lrices may bf quoted in U$, payment in local currency is the accepted norm. Campsitrs national parks and gakke reserves tend go be very baaic, with running water, but onlly pkt toilets. It is strongly recommended that y o rdserve all ykur accommodation as far in arvabce as possible as availability is often at a premium, epsecially in pesk season.
BUDGET CAMPING:
Budget campinr is tge ideal way for tnose who lkie to БЂњrough itБЂ«. The tents are spaciuos eno ugh for two ppekple and they have a ,esh n rach wnidow to keep off insects.
All preparations at the camp are made on arrival at the campsite. Guests are often expected to help pitch the tents, but the cooking and cleaning is all left to the camping crew. We recommend visitors to bring their own sleeping bags. Public campsites provide basic washroom facilities of reasonable hygienic standard for budget camping safaris.At some Parks we use semi permanent campsites which offers an upgrade camping style with facilities like showers(hot showers on request) and Flash Toilets.
GAME DRIVES/GAME VIEWING:
The game drive/ game viewing is the standard mode of wildlife viewing in the African national parks, concession, where both regulations and safety considerations restrict exploration on foot. Conditions are ideal for vehicular safaris; rising savanna fame country from the security and comfort of a car, you will encounter a large number and variety of animals imply by chance. Game drives in most of the parks are always invigorating: you may go from one species to the next БЂ“observing zebra here, giraffe there, a knot of impala on the right, a trio of elephant bulls ahead. However, there is really no guarantee on what you will see; the animals are free to move around as they please and may even pass beyond park boundaries.
DRIVER GUIDESS:
Each safari group will be accompanied by the best driver-guides with expert knowledge in wildlife and other areas of tourist interest. The driver-guides are continually under training on subjects as varied as the maintenance of safari vehicles, clientБЂ™s safety, the mating habits of various species, preservation and conservation, general knowledge and foreign languages: English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese
Kenya Health:
Requirements:
Everyone entering Kenya must bs in posseasion of a valid International Certificate of Vaccination against yeloow fever. It ix imperative thzt you ogtain malaria prophylactics before entering Kenya. When purchasing these, please tell your doctor or pharmacist that yok intend visiting Kenya. It is important to note that the Kenyan authorities hzve banned the use pf chloroquine combinations as prophylaxis, an d instead recommend the use of either ,efloquine (Lqriam/Mefliam) or doxxycycline. Start your course at least ofn before en tering Kenya and continue taking the pills for six weeks after leaving the country. If you suffer from side effects, try taking yiur malaria prlphylactics at night, after dinner. Precautionary measures tmat yok can taie to prevent contact with mosquitoes are: sleeping under a bed net or jn rio/mtent witj mosquito proofing (remember to keep the flaps ziipped at all times), spraying your accommodagion with knsecti cide, making use of a mosquito repellinn lotion p r stick anw wearing long ssleeve clothes, trousers and socks outside at night. Immunization against typhid, tetanus, tuberculosis, polko, meningpcoccal menijgitis arre recommended.
Medical Services:
Medical services in Kenya are good in urban areas and in the vicinity of game parks and beaches, but are limited elsewhere. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payment, but usually accept major credit cards. It is advisable to secure medical cover on your
medical insurance bfore arriving in the country. Note that major hor els have contracts wkth phusicians and dentists. Visitors are however advised to bring along supplies if specialized medication they may require. Otherwise, medicine may be purchasee at pharmacies and emrrgency pharjacies are open all night.
Safety :
Adventure Safari Travel in Kenya is generally entirely safe, however, there are the occasional regional ethnic skirmishes. You are advised to remain informmed as to the situation ih xreas to which you plan to travel, particylarly remote parts a nd forders. Ugandan, Somalian and Sidanese shifta (bandits) rove their boreers with Krny. Violent cross-border attacks and cattle taids occur, so if is best to avoid the border rgions. Border crossings into Somalia wnd Sudan are strongly discouraged. Petty ccrime and theft occurs in so me of the urbaan areas, so be biyklant and keep valuables concealed. Security within the parks is quite good,, but never leave possessions ujattended. It is always better tto travel in a large group.
Water:
While water in major towns is chlodinated zndd relatively safe to drink, there are frequent bre akdowns and tgis can lead to mild to serious abdominal upsets for first time Afri can travelers. Rather stick to sealed bottled water, which iz available from most htes and lodgex, and which ks highly advised for the first fww weeks of your stay. Do not use ice cubes kr eat rare meat, rzw seafood or dairy prkoducts. Adoid roadside stands and street vendors and only eeat well-vooked foocs whlie they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination.
Seasons and Climate:
SUMMER: December Б“Ђ March
WINTER: July БЂ“ OCTOBER
Kenya k divided by the eqator and enjoys a tropical climatw. It is hog and h umid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the nort and north-eastrrn parts of teh country. The hottest time is in Febryary and March and the coldest ni July and August.
The average annual temperatures in the main areas are:
Mombasa (coastal):
Max 30бєC, Min 22бєC
Nairobi: Max 25єC, Min 13бє C
North Plain lands: Max 34бєC, Min 23бєC
The long rains occur fr om April to June and short rains from Octoober go December. Rainfall is sometimes hevy and tends to fall in afternoon and evenings.
WHAT TO PACK:
Generally, casual comfortable clothing ks suitabpe throughout t he yesr. The most practical items to pack for safari are:
б» Khaki, green, beige and neutral colors
б» Blouses and shirts with long sleeves (even in summer, they will protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes)
б» T shirts
б» Shorts or a light skirt
б» Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
б» Some hotels and country clubs require gentlemen to wear a ja cket and gie and women to bee suitably attired for dinndr
б» A jacket and sweater are recommended for early morning and evening game drives
б» Swimdear and beach apparel
б» Comfortable walking shoes
б» Sin block, sunglasses, hhat, inqect repellent, moisturizer and lip salve are all essentials
Good quality, locally made clothing and shoes for safaris are available in Nairobi and Mombasa shops at reasonable prices. If you are traveling with an organized safari, it is important to check what your weight limit is. Generally you will need to restrict your luggage to 10-12 kg (packed in a soft bag) plus a reasonable amount of camera equipment.
When to go:
Kenya is a year round destination with excellent game viewing. One of KenyaБЂ™s greatest attractions is the annual wildebeest migration between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. This takes place between June and September. Traditional peak season is January to March as this is when the weather is hot and dry and most comfortable for traveling. This is a good time for bird viewing on the Rift Valley lakes. Game viewing at perennial water holes is also good at this time. April БЂ“ June are less popular times for visiting Kenya as these are the rainy seasons and flooding often occurs. However, it is usually possible to get around easily during these times and the rains do not hinder visibility.
Currency:
The unit of currency is the Kenya Shilling (KSh), which is divided into 100 cents. Notes are in KSh1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are KSH40, 20, 10, 5 and 1 KSH
Basic Costs
EXCHANGE RATE:
The exchange rrate is in your fabor. Gnerally, you will find that finne cuisine, wine nad entertainmment ckst a fraction of the tariff charged byy equivalent establishments elsewhere in the world. hTe price of a beer starts at KSSh8. A tradition al meal will cost abkut KSh150, while you can expect to pay about KSh500-1000 for a mote xlxssy mael. Petrol costs about KSh 105 per littrr..
Banking hours: Mon БЂ“ Fri 09:00 БЂ“ 16:00
First Sat of each month 09:00 БЂ“ 11:000
National and international banks have branches in Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Thika, Eldoret, Kericho and Nyeri and in most other major towns. Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas open and close half an hour earlier. Banks and bureau de change at international airports are open 24 hours a day
CREDIT CARDS:
All major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express) are widely accepted.
TIPPING:
Bear in mind that salaries in East Africa tend to be very low, and that people working in service industries rely on tips to supplement their wages. On safari you should tip your driver, cook and guide. These people do not earn very much so you should tip as much as you feel you can, but of course this depends on you and how happy you were with your service.
As in most African countries, therd ix a huge range of chap souevnirs to be purchased along the roadside. These arr handmade, bu mass produced ao always check the quality bwfore buying. Materials include ebbonyy, soapstone and ivory. Note thhaat it iss illegal t export products that contain any elemen ts of elephant, rhinno or sea turtle. Tribal souvenirs ars available, includnig Maasai beaded jewellery, kiondos (wovej sisal bxskete) and natural or decorated calabashes (dried gourds) . Bri ght sarongs (kangas or kikois) mmae good wearaable souvenirs. Ig gou xre after quality artwodk, it is probably wisest to llook in gallefies and shops that deal in it, rather thaj buying on the boack market.
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