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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
and cool evenings. Temperatures vary with altitude.
Clothing:
Cotton, linen dresses, light slacks and short sleeved
shirts are recommended. Bring a warm sweater, as nights
can be chilly at high altitudes. Comfortable walking
shoes, swim suit, sun glasses, suntan lotion, flashlight
and an alarm clock will complement your safari gear.
Hotel Check in/check out:
Check out time is usually 1000 hours. Hence check in
cannot 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 suites. Lodge
facilities include lounges/bars with log fires, dinning
rooms and viewing platforms. Most lodges have outdoor
swimming pools.
Tented camps:
These range from simple luxurious and provide spacious
twin beds with mosquito netting, private bathrooms and
verandas.
Meals:
On safari, meals are provided on full board basis. There
is full English breakfast. Lunch is often buffet style
set out with salads, cold and hot starters and hot main
dishes. Dinner is 3-5 courses with a combination of
dishes.
Getting around
BORDER POSTS:
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 you'll 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 Kenyatta International, Nairobi (NBO)
Moi International, Mombasa (MBA)
Note that departure tax (US$20) is paid when you leave.
For local flights this is KSh100 and US$20 for
international flights (not payable in KSh). A number of
airlines operate between Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu,
Nanyuki, Malindi, Lamu and the national parks/reserves
of Amboseli, Masai Mara and Samburu.
ROADS:
There are 63,800 km of highways in Kenya, 8,863 km of
which are paved. Roads are generally in good condition,
but have deteriorated and some stretches are very
unsafe. The A104 running from Mombasa to Malaba via
Nairobi is a heavy truck route. High speed and
unpredictable local driving habits are daily hazards on
Kenyan roads. Roads in the north and north-east are
predominantly dirt roads and in the rainy season are
only navigable by four-wheel drive vehicles. Your
national driving license is accepted, with an English
translation if necessary. Driving is on the left side of
the road. As fuel shortages can occur, it is best to
fill your tanks before leaving a major town.
Passports and Visas:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
(as at June 2000)
This is a guide only – please check with your nearest
Kenyan Consulate for up to date information. 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 upon
arrival. Check with the Kenyan Consulate beforehand.
Those wishing to enter Kenya on business or for longer
than 30 days, should obtain a visa from their nearest
Kenyan Consulate.
Requirements for this are:
» visa application form,
» business letter (for business visa),
» one passport photograph,
» proof of sufficient funds and onward travel / return
ticket.
Visas cost about US$50 and are valid for three months.
All visitors may be requested to show proof of
sufficient funds and onward travel / return ticket.
General Accommodation Info:
Most safari lodges vary in size and style, and are built
to blend in with the local environment. Accommodation
tends to be of rondavel or banda type, with a lounge,
central dining and bar in single unit hotels. Do not be
misled by the term “tented accommodation” – this tends
to be luxurious insect-proof tents and are usually
permanently pitched on concrete bases, often including
en suite bathrooms with flush toilets. These are very
popular and give the visitor the true experience of
being close to nature without the inconvenience and
discomfort that can be associated with camping in the
open. In the towns, cheaper hotels are definitely
avoidable. Prices for higher range hotels vary according
to season. Note that although prices may be quoted in
US$, payment in local currency is the accepted norm.
Campsites in national parks and game reserves tend to be
very basic, with running water, but only pit toilets. It
is strongly recommended that you reserve all your
accommodation as far in advance as possible as
availability is often at a premium, especially in peak
season.
Kenya - Health:
Requirements:
Everyone entering Kenya must be in possession of a valid
International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow
fever. It is imperative that you obtain malaria
prophylactics before entering Kenya. When purchasing
these, please tell your doctor or pharmacist that you
intend visiting Kenya. It is important to note that the
Kenyan authorities have banned the use of chloroquine
combinations as prophylaxis, and instead recommend the
use of either mefloquine (Lariam/Mefliam) or doxycycline.
Start your course at least one week before entering
Kenya and continue taking the pills for six weeks after
leaving the country. If you suffer from side effects,
try taking your malaria prophylactics at night, after
dinner. Precautionary measures that you can take to
prevent contact with mosquitoes are: sleeping under a
bed net or in room/tent with mosquito proofing (remember
to keep the flaps zipped at all times), spraying your
accommodation with insecticide, making use of a mosquito
repelling lotion or stick and wearing long sleeve
clothes, trousers and socks when outside at night.
Immunisation against typhoid, tetanus, tuberculosis,
polio, & meningococcal meningitis are 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 before arriving in the country. Note that
major hotels have contracts with physicians and
dentists. Visitors are however advised to bring along
supplies of specialised medication they may require.
Otherwise, medicine may be purchased at pharmacies and
emergency pharmacies are open all night.
Safety :
Adventure Safaris Travel in Kenya is generally entirely
safe, however, there are the occasional regional ethnic
skirmishes. You are advised to remain informed as to the
situation in areas to which you plan to travel,
particularly remote parts and borders. Ugandan, Somalia
and Sudanese shifta (bandits) rove their borders with
Kenya. Violent cross-border attacks and cattle raids
occur, so it is best to avoid the border regions. Border
crossings into Somalia and Sudan are strongly
discouraged. Petty crime and theft occurs in some of the
urban areas, so be vigilant and keep valuables
concealed. Security within the parks is quite good, but
never leave possessions unattended. It is always better
to travel in a large group.
Water:
While water in major towns is chlorinated and relatively
safe to drink, there are frequent breakdowns and this
can lead to mild to serious abdominal upsets for first
time African travellers. Rather stick to sealed bottled
water, which is available from most hotels and lodges,
and which is highly advised for the first few weeks of
your stay. Do not use ice cubes or eat rare meat, raw
seafood or dairy products. Avoid roadside stands and
street vendors and only eat well-cooked foods while they
are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without
contamination.
Seasons and Climate:
SUMMER: December – March
WINTER: July – August
Kenya is divided by the equator and enjoys a tropical
climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate
inland and very dry in the north and north-eastern parts
of the country. The hottest time is in February and
March and the coldest in July and August.
The average annual temperatures in the main areas are:
Mombasa (coastal):
Max 30șC, Min 22șC
Nairobi: Max 25șC, Min 13șC
North Plainlands: Max 34șC, Min 23șC
The long rains occur from April to June and short rains
from October to December. Rainfall is sometimes heavy
and tends to fall in the afternoon and evenings.
WHAT TO PACK:
Generally, casual comfortable clothing is suitable
throughout the year. The most practical items to pack
for safari are:
» Khaki, green, beige and neutral colours
» Blouses and shirts with long sleeves (even in summer,
they will protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes)
» T shirts
» Shorts or a light skirt
» Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
» Some hotels and country clubs require gentlemen to
wear a jacket and tie and women to be suitably attired
for dinner
» A jacket and sweater are recommended for early morning
and evening game drives
» Swimwear and beach apparel
» Comfortable walking shoes
» Sun block, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent,
moisturiser 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 travelling with an organised 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 Kenya’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
travelling. 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 – June and October –
December 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 KSH1, and 50, 10 and
5 cents.
Basic Costs
EXCHANGE RATE:
The exchange rate is in your favour. Generally, you will
find that fine cuisine, wine and entertainment cost a
fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent
establishments elsewhere in the world. The price of a
beer starts at KSh35. A traditional meal will cost about
KSh150, while you can expect to pay about KSh500-1000
for a more classy meal. Petrol costs about KSh35 per
litre. A roll of 36-exposure print film will cost about
KSh200.
Banking hours: Mon – Fri 09:00 – 13:00
First Sat of each month 09:00 – 11:00
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 bureaux 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:
This is not required but, unlike in some other African
countries, is not forbidden either. Most hotels include
a 10% service charge on the bill. If the service charge
has not been included a KSh100 tip is usual, although
the amount is entirely at the visitor’s discretion. 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, about KSh150 per employee per day is about right,
but of course this depends on you and how happy you were
with your service.
As in most African countries, there is a huge range of
cheap souvenirs to be purchased along the roadside.
These are handmade, but mass produced so always check
the quality before buying. Materials include ebony,
soapstone and ivory. Note that it is illegal to export
products that contain any elements of elephant, rhino or
sea turtle. Tribal souvenirs are available, including
Maasai beaded jewellery, kiondos (woven sisal baskets)
and natural or decorated calabashes (dried gourds).
Bright sarongs (kangas or kikois) make good wearable
souvenirs. If you are after quality artwork, it is
probably wisest to look in galleries and shops that deal
in it, rather than buying on the black market.
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