|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dhow trips, Kayaking, Windsurfing, Kite
Surfing, Deep Sea Fishing, Sailing and
Snorkeling ..
Read More |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Kenya Travel
Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs) |
| Our Travel tips
are divided into two;
|
|
General tips
for travelers to Kenya |
Visas
All tourists to Kenya require a
tourist visa which costs USD 50 per
person and can be obtained on entry
(visa fees must be paid in USD only)
or in advance from Kenya embassies
abroad. A transit visa is available
for a USD 25 fee.
Medical Requirements
It is advisable to check with
your doctor at least a month before
your travel to get recommendations
and advice. Anti malarial drugs are
strongly recommended.
Insurance
It is most recommended that all
travellers arrange their personal
travel insurance to cover medical,
property and other personal risks
for the duration of their holiday
and safari.
Temporary membership of the Flying
Doctor Service, based in Nairobi and
providing cover in Kenya and
northern Tanzania can also be
arranged at a modest cost.
Language
The official languages of Kenya
are Kiswahili and English. Most of
our driver guides, hotel staff, etc.
speak also German, French and other
languages. Moreover, 42 tribal
languages are spoken all over Kenya.
Currency and Exchange
The Kenyan currency is Kenya
Shilling (KSh). Payments for safaris
can also be made in EUR, USD, GBP
and others. There are numerous banks
and bureaux de change in towns, and
most lodges and hotels will exchange
currency or travellers cheques at
reasonable rates. Items or services
are priced and paid in aforesaid
currencies, so there is no need to
convert more funds into the local
currency than you need for
incidental expenses.
Travelers cheques are widely
accepted.
Credit cards are accepted in some
establishments. The use of credit
cards in banks gives only KSh.
Electricity
The power supply is at the
UK/European standard voltage of
220/240, and power sockets are the
U.K. square pin type. To use U.S.
appliances a voltage convertor and a
plug convertor will be needed. Mains
power supply is subject to cuts and
voltage fluctuation.
On safari, most lodges' power
supplies are from generators, and
these are often turned off during
parts of the day and night to reduce
noise and fuel consumption.
Drinking Water
It is recommended to drink only
bottled mineral water which is
available everywhere.
Climate
Kenya is an equatorial country,
hence little seasonal variation in
temperature which is experienced
between coastal and low lying
regions, and the high plains and
mountain regions.
There are two seasons: dry season
and rainy season with long rains in
April and May, and short rains in
November. In practice, the rainfalls
are unpredictable. Generally, during
rainy seasons, the rain often falls
in heavy but brief tropical
downpours during the evening or
night with pleasant sunny days in
between.
Public Transportation
There are local buses and minibuses
which are likely to be
uncomfortable, overcrowded and
potentially dangerous.
Better hotels generally have a
superior selection of taxis
available, and it is suggested that
you obtain one of these,
particularly for longer journeys.
There is a railway link between
Nairobi and Mombasa just on specific
days, i.e. Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays, and these are night
journeys.
Alcoholic Drinks
Generally, there are no restrictions
on the sale or consumption of
alcoholic drinks, however, in some
areas like Muslim villages alcohol
is restricted.
Back to Top
|
|
Safari Tips |
The Best Season
for Safari
Any single month of a year is
interesting for safari.
However, the best seasons are:
- from mid December to mid March
- from July to mid September.
We offer safaris all over the year,
including the rain season, i.e.
April, May and June, during which
good discounts are offered. Please
contact us for details.
The Great Migration
Between January and February
wildebeest and zebras give birth and
gather in south Serengeti in
Tanzania. From March the large herds
start to move north and west in
search of fresh grazing through
Serengeti towards Masai Mara in
Kenya, and remain there for 3 months
(August – October). Then, they
return to south Serengeti in
November.
Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps
Rooms in lodges and tents in
permanent tented camps share the
same facilities, i.e. beds, toilet
and shower, etc., all what we assure
you is high standard accommodation.
Please be advised that tented camps
are in general more expensive than
lodges, due to low capacity, luxury
and more adventurous nature.
Most of lodges/camps spray rooms and
provide mosquito nets, but your own
insect repellent sprays may appear
necessary.
Most of lodges and camps have their
own swimming pools.
Single Traveller
For single travellers there is
always a supplement to cover the
costs of single accommodation.
Children
It is not recommended for children
under 2 years to go for safari, due
to long trips on rough and bumping
roads. Children under 12 will
benefit from reduced fares on
scheduled airlines. All lodges
provide an additional bed for a
child sharing a room with parents at
a reduced cost. A few of the most
expensive permanent tented camps do
not allow children under 12 years of
age.
Weather
The game parks have a pleasant
climate with warm days and cooler
evenings and early mornings. It is,
therefore, advisible to carry with
you also a pullover or jacket for
evenings and mornings.
Clothing
Clothes for safari should be light,
comfortable and not too brightly
coloured. There is little or no
requirement for anything formal. A
jacket or pullover is needed in the
evenings and early mornings, at
higher altitudes. Comfortable
walking shoes, a hat and sunglasses
are essential. Do not forget a
swimming costume for use at the
lodge/camp swimming pools.
Equipment
Binoculars, zoom cameras and video
equipment with plenty of tape or
film are extremely useful. Camera
films are also available at
lodges/camps. A flashlight is also
useful.
Luggage
Please limit your luggage for safari
to the most needed stuff, due to
limited space in vehicles and
plains.
Communication
Our safari vehicles are equipped
with HF-radios, so that drivers can
communicate with our base, each
other and lodges/camps. Most
lodges/camps have telephone, but the
service, particularly for overseas
calls, is quite expensive. Game
parks are rarely within mobile phone
range, but satellite telephones work
anywhere.
Tips/Tokens of Appreciation
It is upon guests to tip the safari
driver guide after safari. It is,
however, common to give about a USD
5 tip per day per person.
Departure Taxes
There is a departure tax on
international flights of USD 40 this
will generally have been included
and already paid in the price of
your ticket. There is a small local
departure tax payable in cash at the
airport/ airstrip for local flights.
For more tips and information,
please contact us.
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
 |
