Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a number of questions frequently asked by people who consider booking a tour with us but in case you have got a question that is not captured herein, just contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Preamble
We’re a Destination Management Company based in Nairobi Kenya but offering East Africa destinations where we have got vast knowledge, passion and a high level of professionalism, excellence as well as reliability. We sort through a variety of holiday options to find the best value for your holiday needs. We offer more than just a holiday. We offer value for money to all our clients regardless of age, number of participants, budget and choice of safari. We make all safari arrangements including hotel/lodge/camp reservations Across East Africa and beyond. We have got our own fleet of vehicles and can also arrange for flight tickets plus other possible extras whenever need arises.
Africa remains the last outpost of raw adventure, a refuge from the modern world. From the splendor of Masai Mara, to the Serengeti teeming with herds of a million wildebeest, to the pristine beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater, to the scenic viewing of other game parks and reserves. This ancient land and its people offer a travel experience unlike any other. East Africa in our opinion provides travelers with the highest quality of African wildlife and wilderness experience available like nowhere else in the world.
The leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo used to be top on the list of traditional fun-hunters who visited Africa first. These animals constitute a wish list for many people on safari. The phrase “Big Five’ is a reference from colonial trophy hunting. Hunters ranked African animals based on how dangerous they were to hunt. This is why hippo and giraffe – despite their stature – are not among this sought-after elite group.
There are four geographical zones. The Highlands, Coastal Lowlands, Savannah Grasslands and extinct Volcanoes plus Lakes as well as Rivers. The Indian Ocean is shared by Kenya and Tanzania with great beaches in Mombasa as well as Zanzibar among other coastal towns. Our itineraries usually cover several or all of them depending on a traveler’s taste.
In Kenya and Tanzania mostly, all major roads are tarmacked but not all of them are in good condition though accessible. In the National Parks / Reserves the roads are earth-roads and rough thereby giving you a real feel of the jungle.
- Kenya: GMT +3 hours
- Tanzania: GMT +3 hours
- Uganda : GMT +3 hours
Language is not a problem and English is widely spoken in East Africa. In the tour industry, some Driver Guides also have added languages learnt from local institutions. These extra languages include German, Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese and Russian among others.
Many of the major world airlines such as KLM, British Airways, South African Airways, Swissair, Egypt Air, Turkish Airline, Etihad Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Alitalia, Air France, Gulf Air, Air India, SN Brussels, Rwanda Air, Air Mauritius, Royal Jordanian Air, Air Madagascar, Korea Air, China Southern Airlines and Kenya Airways.
Kenya Airways flies into East Africa several times a week whereas Nairobi’s JKIA acts as a hub for the East Africa region. With all international flights to Nairobi, you can easily get your connecting flight to Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Yes, there are domestic flights in Kenya and Tanzania namely Air Kenya, Safarilink, Jambo Jet, Fly 540, Precision, Flight Link, Coastal Aviation and Auric Air among others.
- Kenya has got 4 major International Airports: Jomo Kenya International Airport in Nairobi, Mombasa International Airport in Mombasa, Kisumu International Airport in Kisumu and Moi International Airport in Eldoret. Of these 4 airports, the first two are the most used by tourists arriving from outside Kenya.
- Tanzania has got 3 major International Airports: Julius KambarageNyerere International Airport in Dar Es Salaam, Kilimanjaro International Airport near Arusha and AbeidKarume International Airport in Zanzibar.
- Uganda has got only one International Airport: Entebbe International Airport
- Rwanda has got only one international Airport too: Kigali International Airport
It is always advisable to have a travel insurance while visiting East Africa just like it is with other parts of the world. It comes in handy especially in cases of evacuation from remote National Parks. An element of personal risk that is of a hazardous nature is involved in all expeditions.
Although travel insurances can be purchased in Kenya, it is much better to take a comprehensive travel insurance cover in your own countries to cover such things as flight irregularities, baggage loss or delays and any other such incidents during your entire holiday stay in Kenya / East Africa.
Most policies will only cover you for climbing to altitudes of up to 4,500 meters. Since Mount
Kilimanjaro summit is 5,895 meters, you will need to purchase specialist insurance cover which includes altitudes of up to 6000 meters and which offers helicopter evacuation too.
Almost all parks in Kenya / East Africa have got great sightings all year round. Due to different habitats of the Parks and Reserves, many travelers maintain that June to March is the best time to tour Kenya / East Africa. However, it is worth pointing out that wildlife is plenty all year round including great birding activities. The above mentioned period of June to March usually have less vegetation and wildlife can therefore be viewed with relative ease. Note that during the months of June to March, Parks and Reserves happen to be a bit crowded and as such, it is recommended that you make reservations well in advance.
Clothings
Itis advisableto carryyourbelongings in soft-sided sturdy dufflebagsas perthe below pictureespecially for flight safaris as most local airlines have a strict baggage allowance of 15kgs perpassengerincluding hand luggage.Any added baggage weightis chargeable.
Please note, Plastic bags are banned in Kenya and Rwanda!
The following are some of the items you may need for your day pack (what you need each day when heading out to the safari with the driver guide)
- Passport+ a copy (keep in separate bags)
- International Driving License (if you plan to hire a car for self-drive)
- Sunglasses
- Lip balm (SPF 45)
- Facial cleansing clothes (“Olay Daily Facials Express” or similar)
- Mints or chewing gum
- Small notebook and pen
- Sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher)
- Safari hat
- Pony-tail holder
- Kleenex
- Pet-waste bags
- Hand-sanitizer
- Insect repellent (unscented to avoid attracting insects)
- Money/passport wallet
- Camera, battery, power bankand plenty of memorycards–You will need this for the photos of all your precious memories!
- Chargers (forcamera and phone)and a poweradaptor
- Toiletries (serviettes, toothpaste,toothbrushetc.)
- Cash fort ips (including driver guide and camp staff)and for souvenirs(Please DONOT Purchase any items made from ivory).
For a complete road safari in Kenya, you can carry a luggage weight of up to 23 kgs per person.
If you are doing fly-in safaris carry an extra small-sided bag weight of up to 15 kgs per person.
The type of clothing to pack depends very much on where you intend to spend most of your holiday in Kenya / East Africa.
In inland areas (Nairobi, Arusha, in National Parks and in Uganda and Rwanda) there is pleasant climate throughout the year with bright sunny days giving way to cool evenings. Light cottons for daywear with something more formal for eveningwear is recommended.
On the other hand, along the coastal strip (Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam) it is hot and humid throughout the year. One or two pieces of bikini is normal daywear on the beaches but it is not permitted to go topless on the beach and nude bathing is illegal. More formal clothing – light wrappers made from the famous khanga for example is an all-time evening favorite with most tourists. Shorts and slip-slops in the lobby and dining hall areas is frowned upon.
On higher altitudes for example Mt. Kenya and Mt. Kilimanjaro regions and in most safari parks, a sweater will be essential as the evenings are fairly chilly.
Recommended Clothing List:
- Short & Long-sleeve shirts or T-shirts
- Pairs of shorts
- Long-sleeve shirts for evening times (for protection mostly from cold and mosquitoes)
- Pairs of cotton trousers or light pants/skirts – pick neutral colour tones like khaki, stone and brown
- 1 light weight warm jacket or fleece (mornings and evenings since it can get really chilly)
- 1 wide-brim hat with an under-chin tie (to stop it from being blown off in open-top vehicles)
- Comfortable walking shoes – closed walking field shoes/boots
- Lightweight sandals or flip flops (for wearing around the camp)
- Cotton socks and underwear
- Buff, scarf or bandana (good for dust)
- Sunglasses
- Sports bra for ladies
Money
Read our advice on money carefully and if you have got additional questions, feel free to ask for in-depth advice.
Kenyan Shillings is the country’s official currency.
Although Kenya and East African Countries have got their own currencies, US Dollars are widely accepted and these are often more welcome than other renowned world currencies.
Note:
US Dollar banknotes dated 2009 or in earlier years will not be accepted. Euros as well as GB Pounds are also accepted in some places but are not as popular as US Dollars.
As is the case in many places in the world, travelers’ cheques are no longer acceptable in Kenya and the entire East Africa. Therefore, kindly please do not bring them! You will rely on a combination of Credit/Debit Cards and cash during your trip.
As long as you have got your passport with you for identification, you will be able to change money at reasonable prevailing exchange rates strictly from official forex bureaus but you are strongly advised never to change money in the streets as moneychangers working on the streets are not reliable and seldom honest.
Visa cards are widely accepted for purchases and ATM withdrawals. MasterCard is also accepted though not quite as widely. Some places – but not all – accept American Express Card which can also be used at ATMs.
It is better to withdraw sufficient cash from ATMs or use official forex bureaus while still in
town or at the airport since ATMs are few and far between in rural areas. It is always good to have some cash (preferably local currency) with you at all times.
Where credit cards are accepted by hotels, restaurants and shops, additional charges of between 3% and 5% surcharge are normally levied. Please ask the vendor before making any transaction
if these charges will be applied in order to avoid any nasty shocks when you receive your credit card statement.
Unlimited foreign currency (which must be declared at the port of entry) can be brought into the country but only a maximum of Kshs.100, 000/= can be allowed out. Unspent Kenya Shillings or local currency may be re-converted at the forex outlets on departure and we recommend therefore that you change only what you intend to spend.
You will need very little spending money on most safaris because virtually all meals and activities are included in your package cost. You will need to pay for lunch, dinner, and drinks when you are staying at hotels on a bed and breakfast basis as is the case at most hotels in cities. Bills may be settled by US Dollars in cash or by Credit/Debit cards since these are accepted at most Hotels/Lodges/Camps). Ensure that all your US Dollars are of year the 2000 and above series. US Dollars of 1990’s are often rejected due to the prevalence of counterfeits. Credit/Debit cards may be used in large towns at restaurants and shops whereby Visa and MasterCard being the most widely accepted.
However, the use of Credit/Debit Cards may be restricted in small towns and in the countryside. Automatic teller machines (ATM’s) are situated outside the Airport upon arrival and also outside shopping malls in towns and cities in Kenya / East Africa. International Credit/Debit cards may often be used to withdraw local currency from ATM’s.
Safari Types
Read our advice on money carefully and if you have got additional questions, feel free to ask for in-depth advice.
Mulonje Tours And Safaris Limited offers Lodge, Permanent Tented camps, Budget, Fly-in as well as Mobile Camping Safaris.
Lodge safaris:
Our safari guides drive you from lodge to lodge and do game drive excursions in each of the Parks/
Reserves visited. These facilities offer great levels of comfort with services such as swimming pools, restaurants, bars, etc. Furniture such as chairs, tables and beds are included not to mention hot showers, cold water and flashing toilets.
Permanent tented / Mobile Tented camp safaris:
Our safari guides drive you to overnight at Permanent Tented / Mobile Tented Camps as you do game drive excursions in each of the Parks/Reserves visited. These facilities offer great levels of comfort with services such as swimming pools, restaurants, bars, etc. Accommodation varies from comfortable to luxurious tents. Ideally, these camps accommodate up to 50 or less people. There are facilities for smaller groups of clients which enhances a personal feeling of closeness to nature. Furniture such as chairs, tables and beds are included as well as hot showers, cold water and flashing toilets.
This depends on personal taste and varies from Luxury safari Lodges, Hotels, , Luxury
Tented Permanent / Mobile camps and Camp Sites or Bandas but whatever your choice, advance booking is highly recommended.
- a) Permanent Lodges;
These are hotels that have fully constructed structures with all en-suite rooms (with toilet and bathroomsinside each room). They have high levels of comfort and works well with families accompanied by children as they normally have swimming pools besides children playgrounds and facilities.
- b) Luxury Tented camps;
Luxury Tented camps are spacious and are built on designated permanent sites. All of them are fitted with private bathroom facilities wherein are hot showers and flushing toilets. Standards of hygiene and levels of comfort are extremely good. Security is given the highest consideration with each block of tents having its own armed guards. Most of the tents in this category are surrounded by an electric fence to keep wild animals at bay. Food is fresh and brought in regularly by road or light aircrafts that serve the camps and camps are safe not only for adults but young children too.
- c) Basic Camping;
The second category are basic tented camps. These are pitched on temporary sites with basic outdoor bathroom facilities. Levels of comfort in basic camps are modest.
This varies drastically depending on where you are staying and the level of luxury or standard you are looking for. With regards to Lodge accommodation, one can expect to pay anything from $100 (US Dollars) per person sharing per night upwards. The upper limit for extremely up-market accommodation stretches up to $1000 and more, per person sharing per night. The cost of accommodation generally includes all meals. At certain Lodges/Hotels/Camps, it may include various activities like shared/private game drives and certain drinks as well.
Mulonje Tours And Safaris Limited conducts safaris from inside the comfort of 4WD Safari Vehicles (7-Seater Toyota Land Cruisers) with Suspensions to withstand un-even roads, Recliner Seats for conducive legroom and back rest, Wide Sliding Windows for memorable views, Pop-up Roofs for better and easy photography both in the Passenger and Driver Cabins, Charging Sockets for your phones and other electrical gadgets never to run out of power, Mini Refrigerators for your cold drinks (especially water), Radio Calls for ease of tracking where action is, Binoculars for getting far off scenes, First Aid Kits and Fire Extinguishers for your safety.
Our safaris are guaranteed to commence with a minimum of 2 people (however, we still offer safaris for solo (single) travelers on request). All our vehicles are 7-seaters whereby each person is assured a window seat.
Parents with children, couples, honeymooners, young people, solo travelers, people from all walks of life and from various countries book our tours. We have no age restriction but we do find that most of our clients have a sense of adventure. Groups range from single travelers, couples, friends, student groups, corporates and families. However, when traveling together in a group, each individual needs to have some degree of flexibility, understanding and patience.
It is highly recommended to make arrangements for your safari in advance as much as is practically possible. 4 – 6 months is most convenientand assures you availability especially during the months of high season (July – mid September & Christmas – New Year) because this saves you from the rigors of last minute searches which often end up compromising standards with virtually no guarantee of room availability especially at the preferred accommodation facilities.
Unlimited foreign currency (which must be declared at the port of entry) can be brought into the country but only a maximum of Kshs.100, 000/= can be allowed out. Unspent Kenya Shillings or local currency may be re-converted at the forex outlets on departure and we recommend therefore that you change only what you intend to spend.
You will need very little spending money on most safaris because virtually all meals and activities are included in your package cost. You will need to pay for lunch, dinner, and drinks when you are staying at hotels on a bed and breakfast basis as is the case at most hotels in cities. Bills may be settled by US Dollars in cash or by Credit/Debit cards since these are accepted at most Hotels/Lodges/Camps). Ensure that all your US Dollars are of year the 2000 and above series. US Dollars of 1990’s are often rejected due to the prevalence of counterfeits. Credit/Debit cards may be used in large towns at restaurants and shops whereby Visa and MasterCard being the most widely accepted.
However, the use of Credit/Debit Cards may be restricted in small towns and in the countryside. Automatic teller machines (ATM’s) are situated outside the Airport upon arrival and also outside shopping malls in towns and cities in Kenya / East Africa. International Credit/Debit cards may often be used to withdraw local currency from ATM’s.
Wildebeest Migration Cycle
The two biggest misconceptions that travelers have around the Wildebeest Migration are as follows:
Not even the wildebeests know when they are going to cross! Some arrive at the water and swim over immediately; some arrive and spend days hanging around grazing; some arrive and turn back to where they came from. We wish we could predict them but no-one can. This is why it is best to have as much time on safari as possible if you hope to see a river crossing.
The Great Migration is an all year-round phenomena, with different but equally exciting elements occurring at various times of the year. The river crossings usually coincides with peak safari season and hence the perception that this is the only time of the year that the wildebeests are on the move or can be seen.
With climate change, the long and short rain seasons over Tanzania and Kenya are no longer as regular or predictable as they once used to be. Rains can be ‘late’ or ‘early’ thereby throwing the whole wildebeest calendar out of sync as it were. This is, once again, why it is important to plan for as much time on safari as possible. You cannot fly in for two nights, see a river crossing and fly out again – nature simply doesn’t work that way!
This is a very general breakdown of more or less where the herds are during the year, bearing in mind that the entire Migration is triggered by rain, which can be early, late or ‘on time’.
JANUARY
Herds are in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, moving back down south from the north-east region and into the area of the Southern Serengeti, Lake Ndutu and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (they do not enter the Ngorongoro Crater – those found inside the crater are resident wildebeests). The Serengeti is not fenced so the herds are free to move where they can find grazing. Remember that although up to two million wildebeests, zebras and antelopes form the Migration, they are not all in a single herd. The animals break up into mega-herds of thousands or hundreds at a time.
FEBRUARY
This is a calving season – prepare yourself for lots of wobbly babies… and lots of heartbreak as predators swoop in. If you want productive big-cat action, the Southern Serengeti supplies it with lions, brown hyenas, leopards and even wild dogs taking advantage of vulnerable calves.
MARCH
They are generally still in the south but the grasses have all been munched up, the last calves born and the herds are starting to gather in preparation for the next leg of their journey.
APRIL
Wildebeests generally begin their northward journey and many have left already and are in central and/or even western Serengeti.
MAY
Wagons roll! The massed herds are on the go, huge columns of up to 40 Kilometers in length can sometimes be seen as the wildebeests funnel up into central and western Serengeti. Water sources are starting to dry out as the dry season begins to bite and hence the march towards Mara River.
JUNE
The migration heads towards central and western Serengeti in full swing and the herds are usually there getting ready for the toughest part of their odyssey. The weather is cooler and much drier while there are fewer bugs with more dust and so prepare your camera equipment accordingly.
JULY
Book early – it is the Big Event: the start of the major river crossings. Herds have reached western Serengeti and Grumeti Reserves and are peering closely at the brown waters of the rivers they have to cross. Why? Huge Nile crocodiles!
As mentioned, it is impossible to predict crossings. Book up to a year in advance to get a lodge on or as close to the river as possible – this cuts down on travel time to lookout points. Wildebeests do have historical crossing areas and you may spend days staked out in the hope of seeing the action.
AUGUST
Herds which of survivors celebrate by feasting in the northern Serengeti and begin crossing into Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. You need a passport to cross but the wildebeests and the entire herd are exempt. The national reserve is open to members of the public and so for a more exclusive experience, head for the many community-run conservancies that border the reserve.
SEPTEMBER
Herds break up into smaller groups – about half of the animals remain in northern Serengeti, the rest are swapping stories in the Masai Mara (‘Did you hear that Nigel didn’t make it across the Grumeti?’). The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is just that – one system that has been artificially divided by humans. The herds will be spread out, making the most of water and food.
OCTOBER
Your best bet is the Masai Mara but bear in mind that it is a far smaller reserve than the Serengeti and there may be lots of other visitors. Conservancies in the Mara are much less crowded and not only will you still be able to witness the Migration but you will also be benefitting the Maasai communities who have lived there for thousands of years.
This is when the lack of rain really starts to show and animals don’t move far from the few remaining water sources with vegetation at its lowest and thinnest thereby making wild game easy to find and see.
NOVEMBER
In a ‘normal year’ the short rains have begun propelling wildebeests to leave the now denuded grasslands of Masai Mara and head back to the rejuvenated Serengeti. Bear in mind that the rain can be ‘late’ or ‘early’ but this is unpredictable.
Although many people think of Africa as a hot place, the rain can cool things down dramatically. You’ll be out on early morning and late afternoon game drives, times of the day when the sun is at its weakest. Take at least one pair of trousers, closed shoes that can cope with mud (Crocs are lightweight for your limited luggage space and dry quickly although they don’t meet many travelers’ aesthetic demands!) and a fleece or waterproof jacket.
DECEMBER:
Fresh grazing sees the wildebeest clustered in north-eastern Serengeti (around Lobo in particular) as well as southern Serengeti. Calving begins again as the predators move in and the cycle of life begins all over again.
Now that you know how the Migration Cycle generally is, you can easily see that the best time to go depends on what you are personally interested in seeing. Remember that other animals are always present although migrant birds arrive for summer (about November to April) and depart for winter (about May to October).
All of the tours which we operate on fixed departures can be tailor-made to your specific travel dates and routing requirements. Please note that it is advisable to book early in order to secure unique space as some of the smaller properties fill up very quickly, especially during peak season.
Yes, this is definitely possible! In order for us to propose the most suitable itinerary which will be in line with all of your requirements, just let us know the number of people in your travel group, your intended travel dates and your specific interests including special requests for this trip if any. Once we get this information we can prepare your itinerary accordingly.
Mulonje Tours And Safaris specializes in arranging safaris and holidays that are custom-built around your own specifications. This is our special niche. Please fill in your requirements in the Inquiry Form (in the format provided hereunder) and submit online for an itinerary plan as well as our quote. Alternatively, you can drop us an email and we shall put together a package for you; based on your interests and budget.
Bookings
Kenya and Tanzania plus the entire East Africa are great destinations for families. Some of the lodges have arrangements to cater for young ones through children clubs whereby children get engaged a lot with games and nature activities. Many of the lodges and permanent tented camps have swimming pools that the kids can enjoy too. Contact us for children arrangements and you will be informed accordingly. Some lodges do not accept children who are below the age of 7 years. If traveling with children indicate the age in the remarks section on the reservation/inquiry form.
We welcome single travelers and assure you that whether you are travelling on a tailor-made itinerary or as part of one of our group tours, we will make sure that you get a fantastic time and experience magical adventures which we strive to deliver. Our driver guides are highly trained, with many years of experience in the industry. Therefore, we are very aware of single travelers who may feel apprehensive and nervous. Rest assured that African hospitality will make you feel as though you are among friends from the very beginning of the tour and in a matter of hours you will be feeling at home.
Hotels/Lodges/Camps impose a minimal extra fee for single travelers. Safari prices are based on two people sharing a room for accommodation. In the case of single travelers, they pay the per-person sharing rate and the single room supplement (SRS) additional cost.
Yes, a single traveler can share a room with another single traveler as long as the other person is of the same sex and on condition that both persons agree to the arrangement.
Any special dietary requirement can be catered for. All that is required of you is to inform us in advance for the needful to be done accordingly.
NOTE: On your itinerary you may see these letters,B, L, D. These are abbreviations which are defined as follows:-
B> Breakfast, L > Lunch, D > Dinner.
Gourmet cooks bake fresh breads, produce soups and salads that could grace tables at top restaurants around the world. Meals are international in flavor with soups, salads, beef, pasta dishes, meat and fish dishes, breads, etc.
Your day normally starts with tea and a variety of bites before your morning activity. Returning to your lodge or camp late morning, brunch is enjoyed – cereals, fruits, bacon, eggs, sausages, and toasts. Buffet lunches are typical with warm dishes such as stew served with salads, quiches and meats. Dinner consists of appetizers followed by meats, fish and pasta dishes served with assorted vegetables as well as sauces. Dinner is followed by coffee (or tea), cheeses and gorgeous desserts.
Most tap water is safe but it is highly recommended that visitors drink bottled water which are in plentiful supply even in remote areas. In all our vehicles, we supply clients with 2 bottles (1 litre) of water per day while Hotels/Lodges/Camps do daily allocations of water in the rooms and where more is needed, they have plenty of water for sale in their restaurants.
Travelers to Kenya / East Africa should start with long term basic health protection. This means vaccination against Tetanus, Typhoid, Yellow fever and Hepatitis A. It is mandatory for visitors to Tanzania to be vaccinated for Yellow fever. Therefore, come along with your Yellow Fever Card since it must be produced at any port of entry in Tanzania. Some parts of Kenya / East Africa like the Coastal Region and around Lake Victoria is malaria infested. Consequently, it is advisable to consult your doctor for information on Malaria prevention preparation and the most updated information on health in East Africa. If you intend to do mountain climbing, be prepared with necessary altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness – AMS) medication from your doctor.
- Dizziness, nausea, headaches, insomnia, breathlessness, loss of appetite.
- Cure: rest, eat well, drink lots of water and don’t ascend further. You should be fine in a couple of days but in order to avoid this occurrence, take time to acclimatize before starting the climb.
- Stage 2: dry cough, vomiting, confusion, loss of balance & co-ordination and Pulmonary Oedema.
Souvenir photos can be taken. This requires some patience and excellent timing. Your regular family camera or Mobile Phone is usually not enough for wildlife that is far. A camera with a 200-300 mm comes in handy in this case. Dedicated photographers can use telephoto lens of 400-500 mm. If you have got a big lens camera, bring it along with a light tripod stand for stability and a teleconverter (2 x) to help double the focal length. Bring with you ample films and batteries. These can also be bought from hotels/ lodges or tourist centres. At the moment of writing this page, it is forbidden to photograph government institutions, military personnel (police, army and the police). Some tribes like the Masai are very sensitive and you better be careful when you photograph them but always consult your driver guide on this one first.
Electricity in Kenya / East Africa is 220-240 volts and plugs are three-pin square or round – UK Model. Most safari Lodges/Camps are not connected to the National Grids for the supply of electricity. However, solar lighting (backed up by batteries) and standby generators are common. Lanterns also provide light at night.
There is an extensive network of communication facilities within Kenya as well as many parts of East Africa. International roaming facilities are now available almost in every part of Kenya including the parks and so are internet facilities which are either connected directly in rooms or within designated business centres / lobbies. In very remote camps, there are facilities for radio calls. Whenever you are in Kenya / East Africa therefore, whether in the main towns or in the safari parks, effective communication is not a real problem.
It is safe to travel to East Africa. However the same safety principles applied at any of the big cities anywhere in the world also apply to our cities. Visitors are advised to travel in groups and to keep to well-lit roads when traveling at night. Visitors are also advised not to carry large amounts of cash with them when out for shopping and neither are you advised to carry valuables with you like expensive jewelry and the like. Always keep a close watch on handbags, wallets and cameras when walking in crowded places. Avoid walking at night and place valuables in safe deposit boxes at hotels/lodges/camps. Visitors are also advised to leave important documents such as passports and tickets in the hotel/lodge/camp safety deposit boxes at all times. The above applies to major cities only. Traveling on safari away from large cities is very safe and visitors will find that country folk that live in these parts are extremely friendly, very concerned, quick to help in case of need and very hospitable.
While viewing wildlife there is a degree of danger as the behavior of wild animals cannot be guaranteed. However most animals are frightened by the sight / smell of humans and rather than attack, will flee (unless cornered or provoked). Attacks on humans are very rare. While on safari you will be accompanied by driver guides and/or armed Rangers who are well trained with an amazing understanding of the wildlife with whom they share their lives almost on a daily basis. At your tented camp or lodge it is not uncommon for wildlife to wander through as camps & lodges are typically not fenced. An attack on a sleeping traveler would be highly unusual. Nevertheless, please don’t you ever venture outside your accommodation at night un-accompanied by an armed guard and always consult with your driver guide when in doubt.
Tipping in Kenya / East Africa is entirely at your discretion but it is almost a norm and we suggest the following as a reference:-
- Game rangers, specialist guides – US $5-10 per guest per day
- Trackers – US $5 per guest per day
- Game Lodge/Camp, Hotel or Restaurant staff – US $5 per guest per day placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst staff
- Tour guides – USD 50 per vehicle per day.
- Mountain Climbing Crew(15% of your climbing cost)
- Drivers for Transfers – USD 5 per person
Shopping while on safari is limited. Often Hotels/Lodges/Camps have small curio shops where you can buy postcards, local goods such as carvings or books and clothing (hats, shirts, etc). At airports and in larger towns, you may find African curio markets where you can by all sorts of souvenirs, carvings, drums, jewelry, gemstones, etc. Generally speaking, souvenirs and curios are inexpensive. However, in most cities there are up market jewelers and art galleries where you can easily spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on African art. Most reputable shops offer shipping services for your purchases at extra cost.
No, haggling is not rude and is often expected.
This varies greatly depending on where you are traveling. In the national parks, one goes on game drives during the day in closed vehicles with pop-up roofs, but night drives can be undertaken too. In Private Conservancies, many Lodges/Camps offer both day and night drives as well as nature walks/trails. Game drives in the private reserves are also sometimes in open vehicles. Balloon Safaris, Cultural Excursions, City Tours, Canoeing, Boat Rides, Biking, Horse Rides, Hiking, etc are some of the other activities you may participate in.
There is no set dress code on safari in Kenya / East Africa. However, it is a conservative culture and at most Hotels/Lodges/Camps, you will want to at least wear long trousers to dinner. Very revealing clothing is not recommended.
Getting to know local laws of Kenya / East Africa before you visit is necessary to help you avoid getting into trouble with law enforcement authorities. Some of the laws that might be different from those in your own country include but are not limited to:-.
L G B T Q
Visitors should be aware that the law in Kenya / East Africa strictly prohibits same -sex activity, and any contravention may lead to imprisonment for up to 30 years.
DRUGS
Kenya / East Africa does not tolerate the use of illegal drugs, with severe penalties – including long term prison sentences for offenders.
CYBER CRIME
Use social media carefully while in Kenya / East Africa to avoid flouting cybercrime laws.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Please note that it is illegal to photograph personnel, such as the military or the police.
DRESS CODE FOR LADIES
Women visiting Kenya / East Africa should avoid wearing very short skirts or shorts and strappy
tops when outside tourist resorts. Such dressing can cause offence and be misconstrued. The best advice is to wear trousers or a skirt that is of knee-high length or longer. Upper garments should cover shoulders. Note that standards of dress and behavior in predominately Muslim Mombasa or Zanzibar are even more conservative.
DRESS CODE FOR MEN
Apart from when on the beach, men should not wander around topless. Mombasa or Zanzibar are predominantly conservative Muslim societies whereby men are required to keep their shoulders covered.
Yes, the tsetse flies can be found in Kenya / East Africa and potentially, a tsetse fly bite is extremely dangerous. Its bite can result in symptoms such as an unpleasant fever, fatigue, swelling of the lymph nodes, headache and aching joints or muscles. A severe rash on the skin is also a possibility. Tsetse flies may also carry a very dangerous parasite which can cause something called “human African trypanosomiasis” or “sleeping sickness.” Sadly, this can often be fatal in the absence of immediate and correct treatment.
While there is no way of completely protecting yourself against tsetse flies, there are several things you can do to try and avoid being bitten by the tsetse fly and other annoying insects. Your choice of clothing is important. Choose long-sleeved shirts to cover your arms and long trousers (pants) to protect your legs. Even the colour of what you wear can play a part since dark and bright colours are favoured by tsetse flies. Instead, go for beige, olive-coloured or white clothes to minimize the risk of getting bitten. And although no insect repellent is guaranteed to be 100% effective, it is highly recommended for visitors to come along with insect repellents. Keeping out of bushes and other wooded areas is another useful tip.
