Preparing
For Your Safari |
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Here is some information
that will assist yor travel preparations to East Africa. In order to make
your travel experience safe and comfortable we have carefully listed answers
to the most important questions asked when travelling to East Africa-
what are the visa requirements, what clothing should you bring, what is
the expected climate etc.We have made every effort to keep this information
current and informative. Should you have any further questions, please
feel free to contact us.
Passports
& Visas
You must be in possession of a passport that is valid for at least six
months. Visa requirements vary from time to time and are dependent on
the nationality of the visitor. Since it is essential that you do not
arrive without the correct documentation, we strongly recommend that you
check the latest visa requirements with airline offices, your travel agent
or through the nearest Embassy or High Commission.
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Customs &
Duty Free
Any reasonable volume of personal effects can be imported, together with
cameras and film. A visitor wishing to bring home video equipment in the
form of cameras and cassettes should be aware that a Customs Bond is normally
required for the period such equipment is in the country. Refundable deposits
may be required for the temporary import of radios, tape recorders, and
similar equipment including musical instruments. These bonds and deposits
are instituted so as to ensure that these goods are re-exported.
Visitors are restricted to duty free items of 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars
and one litre bottle of spirit.
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Health Concerns
Please consult your
personal physician or travel clinic prior to travelling to East Africa.
They will provide you with the latest information on health precautions,
medications and vaccination.
- Malaria:
Malaria is endemic to certain areas of East Africa and you are advised
to use anti-malaria prophylatics. Most brands require you to begin taking
them a few days/prior to arrival, and continue using them for four weeks
after your return.
- Yellow Fever:
Currently, a Yellow Fever Vaccination Card is required for entry into
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
- Aids:
Aids and the HIV virus are major health issues facing the African continent.
However, the risk to you is negligble assuming proper precauations
are observed. Use the same precautions as you would in your own country
to prevent contracting the virus.
- General Precautions:
The equatorial sun is deceptive and can inflict severe bums even on
overcast days. A good sun cream and lip balm, with a high sun protection
factor, are strongly recommended
Piped water supplies are generally safe in municipal areas but local
advice should be taken particularly on safari. Bottled mineral water,
both local and imported, can be purchased in hotel sundry shops and
other tourist kiosks. You will find filtered and safe drinking water
in thermos, bottles in your hotel or lodge rooms, but it is advisable
not to drink water from the taps rivers or lakes. Do not bathe in rivers
and lakes.
The safari experience can get dusty in the hot months. Eye drops are
recommended, especially if you wear contact lenses. It would also be
a good idea to bring along a pair of sunglasses.
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Time Zone
East African countries (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) are three (+3) hours
ahead of GMT. This means that they are 8 hrs ahead of EST (7 hrs. during
daylight savings).
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Electricity
Voltage in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) is 220-240 AC. An
adapter will be necessary for appliances which operate on 110-120 AC.
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Currency
The currency unit of all three East African countries is the shilling.
Visitors are advised to check currency exchange rates regularly. Banks
give slightly better rates of exchange than hotels. We recommend bringing
sufficient small denomination travellers checks with you, minimizing the
amount of cash you have to carry. For your tipping, taxis and other incidental
expenses, we suggest that you have approximately US$200.00 (cash) in small
denomations (US$10 bills and US$20 bills). Exchanging larger denominations
of curreny may not be possible everywhere.
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Credit Cards
American Express, Diners Club, Visa and other well-known cards are widely
accepted throughout East Africa.
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Banks
Nairobi, Mombasa and most other principal centres in Kenya have banks
with Bureau de Change. Banking hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday
to Friday, though some open between 9 a. m. and 11 a. m. on the first
and last Saturday of each month. Banks at Jomo Kenyatta and Moi International
Airports operate a 24-hour service.
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Climate
The temperature rarely falls below 24'C during the day and 10'C at night.
Warm clothes are advised for late evenings. Kenya has two rainy seasons
- the short rains usually fall between October and December and the long
rains from March to early June.
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Tipping
A Service Charge is usually included in all tariffs, however the tipping
of exceptional service is always appreciated. Customary tips for bar service
and room porters are 10% whereas restaurants tariffs that exclude services
charge will anticipate a 5% to 10% tip.
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Photography
Film is available at most game lodges, even in remote areas, but stocks
are usually small and of the common sizes and brands. Nairobi and Mombasa
have supplies of the most types of film. For game and bird photography
a telephoto lens of 200-300mm is strongly recommended. Larger lenses which
require a tripod are generally impractical for game photography. A lens
hood and ultra violet filter are advisable along with a dust proof cover.
So are batteries for cameras as they are seldom available when on safari.
Visitors are advised that it is an offence to photograph Kenya’s
head of state, military installations, policemen in uniform etc.
As a general rule elsewhere, visitors are strongly advised to seek permission
before taking anyone’s photograph, especially the Samburu, Turkana
and Maasai peoples.
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Shopping
Shops are normally open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and
again from 2.00 p.m. staying open until around 5.30 p.m. Street stalls
and markets offer inexpensive souvenirs such as lengths of local cloth,
beaded jewellery and wood carvings, etc. Bargaining is the accepted practice
of these stalls, so never accept the first price offered.
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Communication
Please check with your Hotel Reception as to the cost of telephone calls
(it is generally cheaper to phone after 10 p.m.). Person to person calls
are charged at a higher rate. A short telefax is cheaper – most major
hotels will have these facilities. Internet access, although limited,
is availble for public access in most urban areas at internet cafes.
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Buses
The use of local country urban buses is not advisable. Although they offer
cheap services to most major towns, they tend to be overcrowded, extremely
uncomfortable and driven at break-neck speed!
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Taxis
If you hire a taxi, make sure it is licensed. Taxis do not have meters
- all prices must be negotiated in advance. Although more expensive, the
Kenatco Mercedes taxis offer a comfortable ride on a fixed fare basis.
The yellow band taxis however, offer a much cheaper service, but these
are often very old vehicles.
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Hotel
checking-out time
The standard check-out time in Kenya is 10 a.m. regardless of the actual
departure time from your hotel. Day room facilities may be available for
clients leaving in the evening or they may allow you to keep your room
until departure depending on the occupancy of the hotel. A charge will
be payable locally for this service.
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Clothing
Casual clothing is most suitable in Nairobi. The weather on the coast
is more humid and the temperature higher. Safaris are informal and casual
dress is appropriate (so leave all other heavy clothing needed for your
journey at your Nairobi Hotel). Comfortable lightweight cotton clothing
is most practical. For daytime slacks or shorts are ideal for both men
and ladies, who will also be comfortable travelling in loose skirts. We
do recommend comfortable walking shoes (such as 'trainers') for your safari,
and a change of footwear for the evenings. Evenings on safari may be chilly,
but attire is still casual (other than the Mt. Kenya Safari Club where
jackets and ties are to be worn by gentlemen and ladies need a dress),
so it is advisable to take a cardigan or sweater with you. Nearly all
the lodges have swimming pools and you should take your bathing suit with
you. A hat and sunglasses are useful protection against the bright tropical
sun.
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Security
In keeping with many tourist centres world-wide, visitors are advised
not to leave any valuables in their hotel rooms when they go out, but
to make use of the safe deposit boxes which are available at most hotels
and lodges (some rooms are equipped with a safe). Visitors should never
carry large sums of cash and women are advised to keep a tight grip on
handbags in crowds and busy thoroughfares. As in all major cities, it
is advisable to avoid backstreets at night (especially alone); in fact
it is much safer to avoid night walking altogether and use taxis or self-drive
hire cars instead. Kenya has an excellent police force and most hotels
have experienced security personnel and caring doormen.
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Luggage
We strongly recommend that luggage be kept to a minimum, and on safaritrail
tours luggage is restricted to a flexible lightweight bag and one handbag
per person. Most city hotels have facilities for storing luggage not required
on safari. Laundering in hotels, lodges and camps is normally fast and
inexpensive. On safaris where light aircraft are utilised the maximum
baggage per person is restricted to 15kg in Kenya and 10kg elsewhere.
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Meals
Food is generally British-style with the added luxury of tropical fruits,
and excellent seafood, curries and cold tables. Most hotels in the main
centres offer bed and breakfast rates, whilst lodges, safari camps and
country hotels generally have full-board rates, usually with a full (English)
breakfast and three or four-course lunch and dinner. Tea or coffee after
main meals is normally included.
Many meals will be buffet-style.
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Driving
Driving is on the left side in Kenya and Tanzania (i.e., right-hand drive
vehicles).
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