Africa Travel Tips


Departures & Arrivals       
There are several airlines which fly to Kenya. They are Kenya Airways, KLM, British Airways, Gulf Air, Emirates, Air India and South African Airways to name a few. The main international airport in Kenya is the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi located 16 km from the city centre. We also have Moi International Airport in Mombasa located 12 km from the town centre. Mombasa is the main port of entry by sea.
International Airport departure tax equivalent to US$ 70 per person is payable on departure from the International airports. A local airport service charge is also payable on departure for domestic flights. As this varies from country to the other, please check with us on the prevailing amounts payable prior to your flight departure.

Language
Most people in East Africa understand English although Kiswahili is the most widely spoken language. We our guides can effectively communicate in English.

Visas and Customs
Most foreign nationals intending to enter Kenya are required to obtain entry visas from the Kenyan Embassies or consulates abroad. You can check whether you are required to obtain visa to visit Kenya from your preferred airline, travel agent, the Kenyan embassy or consulate in your country. If there is no Kenyan embassy in your country, you can contact the nearest Tanzanian embassy and you will provided with all the regarding visa requirements to Kenya. All visitors who are not citizens of the commonwealth countries require visas. You can also obtain the visa at the airports arrivals lounge subject to fulfillment of certain requirements. Personal items are not subject to tax although you may be required to declare some items.  

Countries whose Nationals Require Visa. All applications are sent to Nairobi for Approval
Afghanistan, Armania, Iraq, Lebanon, Mali, North Korea, Tadjkistan, Senegal, Somali, Syria, Jordan, Nigeria, Cameroon, Azerbaijan.

Countries whose nationals do not require a Visa to come to Kenya
Antigue And Barbuda, Tonga, The Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Tuvalu, Belize, Uganda, Botswana, Gambia, Brunei, Ghana, Darussalum, Grenada, Cyprus Papua, New Guinea, Fiji Islands, Samoa, Jamaica, Seychelles, Kiribati, Tanzania, Lesotho, Vanuatu, Malawi, Zambia, Malaysia( If Less Than 30 Days), Zimbabwe, Maldives, Ethiopia, Mauritus, Uruguay, Namibia, Turkey, Nauru, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St. Lucia, St. Vincent And The Grenadines, Swaziland, Sa Marino and holders of the United Nations refugee travel document.

Passports
All visitors are required to carry a valid passport. The passport should be valid for at least 6 months from date of travel.

Health
Kenya being a tropical country, malaria is prevalent in many areas and it advisable to take anti malarial tablets two weeks before coming to Kenya and continue taking them for the prescribed time after return. Since rules concerning disease prevention change from time to time a check should be made with the nearest Kenyan or Tanzanian embassy for the current health requirements for travelers intending to visit East Africa. There are good pharmacies all across Kenya but we advice you to carry enough stock of any prescription medicines that you may be using.

Flying Doctors Society
Membership of the Flying Doctors Society is strongly recommended. In the event of accident or sickness while on safari, the society will fly patients by air ambulance to Nairobi for admittance to hospital. The current cost for 1-month membership is US$ 30.00 per person.

Safety from animals
You are safe from the animals all the time. You will only watch the animals from the safety of your specially designed safari vans. However you are advised not to insist that your driver takes you too close to the animals as this could frighten or irritate them. It is also against Park regulations to feed the animals or to throw debris at them. Hooting and whistling is prohibited as this can cause a stampede or stress the animals.

Food and Drink
Kenya offers an impressive range of foods and drinks to suit all visitors’ needs from vegetarian diets to full course meals. Whether in a luxury city hotel or deep in the bush, a traveler is almost guaranteed to find a mouth watering buffet with a wide variety of meats to fresh salads and drinks. The food is relatively safe to try whilst in a hotel or lodge which caters for international tourists. Soft drinks and alcohol are also readily available, cheap and safe to drink.

Clothing
Kenya has a diverse climatic range form extremely hot and dry regions to cold and wet areas. We have listed below an idea of the various altitudes and how you should dress while there.
In the mountain region (5000ft and above), the climate here is wet and cold. Add gloves, strong foot wear and heavy rain gear.
If you are in the coastal region, where the weather is very tropical and hot, wear comfortable loose cotton and some sun protection.

In the eastern region (below 3000ft), normally hot, dry and dusty, you are advised to carry a hat, cotton pants and long sleeved shirts. Also carry sun protection.
While in the highland areas (3000 - 5000ft), with a climate that ranges from cool / hot days and cold nights in addition to frequent rainfall, you are advised to add a sweater and rain jacket.

Security
Like any other country, Kenya has a few security concerns but the tourism industry and the government is taking every possible step to ensure your safety during your visit to Kenya. Below are a few basic precautionary measures you should take:

  • Try to avoid walking at wee hours of the night especially in quiet dark streets.
  • Keep your valuables in a safe place.
  • Avoid carrying lots of money and any important documents.
  • You are advised to take cabs rather than walk in strange areas.
  • Avoid carrying valuables to the beach.

Communication
Communication in Kenya is quite reliable owing to the many modes available such as the internet, mobile/cell phone communication, direct land line telephone and telephone booths plus radio call, just to name but a few. The most reliable is the mobile phone, which is widely used and cheap to buy. Internet communication is also largely available in most major towns and cities and is quite efficient in addition to being cheap.

Kenya has an extensive road network. One drives on the left. All major roads are tarmarked. The state of the road surfaces is variable. The roads in the National Park are generally good gravel surfaces, but may at times be dusty or muddy. However, travel is nonetheless comfortable.

Currency
Hard currencies can be exchanged in cash or travelers cheques at banks or forex bureaus all over the country and at most large hotels. In general there is no restriction to the amount of foreign currency a visitor may import provided that it is exchanged through authorized dealers only. It is essential to retain a receipt for each transaction to re-exchange the local currency on departure. Well known credit cards, travelers' cheques are widely accepted. It is an offence to deface local currency. Please bear in mind that there maybe a surcharge for the use of credit cards. Banks are usually open from 9.00am to 3.00 pm, Mondays through Fridays (except public holidays) and 9.00am to 11.00 am on Saturdays.

Credit Cards
VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS are widely accepted for tourist services. There is usually a 7% mark –up on top of the price as establishments are charged a fixed percentage of their transactions.

Children
Children are generally welcome at most places however please check before booking the tour as there are restrictions at some lodges and certain activities also have restrictions for younger children. Please carry enough baby food and accessories, as these may not be available on safari. Special meals for babies cannot be guaranteed.

Electricity
Electricity in most African countries is 240 volts/50 cycles. Most large hotels and some game lodges provide shaving points with 110v. Sockets are normally three pin of the square variety.

Photography
Films of common type are generally available at safari camps, hotels and lodges even in remote areas though the cost is usually higher than in your home country. Please bring a plentiful supply of special films as these will be difficult to obtain. For wildlife photography a 35mm single reflex camera with telephoto lens of 200mm or 300mm is recommended. Large lenses, which require a tripod stand, are impractical as one cannot step out of the vehicle in game parks. An ultraviolet filter, water and dustproof covers and spare batteries are essential. A pair of good quality binoculars is a great asset. Taking photos at airports, near military installations, State House, state lodges, soldiers, prisons, prisoners, policemen, The President and his convoy or national flag is prohibited. We suggest that you ask your driver for the other countries before taking any pictures.

Tipping
Tipping is not included in your quote and is completely at your own discretion. Our general recommendation is to tip moderately.

Shopping
Africa is well known for its art and handicraft markets where one can find beadwork, carvings, local sarongs, spices, teas and coffees. Most hotels and lodges have souvenir shops. Local drivers and guides offer useful tips for shopping.

Insurance
Travel insurance is highly recommended. All travelers should have an adequate accident, baggage, medical evacuation and interruption insurance before the tour begins. Carry all insurance documents and emergency numbers on the trip at all times.

Baggage
You will be permitted soft baggage of 15 kgs (33lbs) on the domestic flights to game parks. Excess baggage should be stored at client (s) expense.

Special requests
Any special requests (e.g. for single room or particular diet) must be notified in writing when the booking is made. We will endeavor to meet such request but cannot guaranty them and any failure to comply will not be a breach of contract.

Public Holidays for Kenya

  • Jan 1..........New Year
  • March 25........Good Friday. dates can change
  • March 28............Easter Monday.dates can change
  • May 1...........Labor day
  • June........Madaraka day
  • Oct.20.........Kenyatta day
  • Nov 3.........Ed ul fitr?.dates can change
  • Dec 12.......Independence Day
  • Dec 25...... Christmas day
  • Dec 26....... Boxing Day

Some common Kiswahili words

  • Jambo.....hello
  • Habari yako....how are you (singular)
  • Habari zenu....how are you (plural)
  • Nzuri..... well
  • Asante.....thank you
  • Karibu.....welcome
  • Tafadhali....please
  • Jina lako nani.....what is your name
  • Jina langu ni.......my name is...
  • Hapana...no
  • Ndiyo......yes
  • Kwa heri....good bye (singular)
  • Kwa herini.....good bye (plural)