Passport & Visa
Visitors must be in possession of a valid visa and health documentation on arrival in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Different regulations are applied according to Nationality and country of origin. These should be checked with the nearest Kenya Tourist Office or Diplomatic Mission. Kenyan and Tanzanian visa are obtainable upon arrival at USD 50 in cash. Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration formalities. Our representative will be waiting for you outside the arrivals hall. Please look for a board with your name on it. Our driver will bring you to your hotel.
Meet & Greet
Upon arrival you will be met by one of our representatives. They will give you all necessary information about your safari and hand over all necessary documents (lodge vouchers, tickets and other important documents).
Insurance
Our clients become members of the Flying Doctors Rescue Service for emergency evacuation. However, you should carry your own complete holiday/medical insurance.
While every care is taken of you and your property, we cannot be held responsible for any accidents, injury, or illness that you may incur or for any loss or damage to baggage. We therefore advise that you and your property are fully covered by insurance and it is advisable to have separate baggage and ticket insurance. We are required to request you to sign our “booking conditions and waiver form".
Health Precautions
Malaria mosquitoes are not present in large quantities inland due to the high altitude of the country, but there is a higher risk at the coast other inland parts of the country. Malaria protection is imperative. It is recommended that you have a tetanus and gamma globulin (for hepatitis) inoculation. As with travel in any part of the world, it is advisable to know your blood type in case of emergency. Please consult your local health authority for up to date recommendations and regulations regarding inoculations.
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda enjoy a healthy, invigorating climate and visitors need feel no concern for their general health during their stay. The sun in Africa is hotter than you may imagine. One can get sun burnt even on a cloudy day. Please take care, and on first exposure, use a protective lotion. You will find that in most safari lodges, there will be a flask of drinking water on your bedside table. There are small field hospitals and clinics in most parts of the countries, but it is advisable to purchase all your requirements in Nairobi or Mombasa before setting out on a tour.
KENYA
General Information
- Capital: Nairobi
- Population: around 33 million. Over 40 tribal ethnic groups
- Language: Kiswahili, English and tribal languages. English is commonly spoken in the major towns and at all lodges and hotels.
- Geography: Kenya lies on the equator and share common borders with Tanzania and Uganda, which make up the region of East Africa. Kenya is roughly the size of Texas or Spain
- Size: 582,646 square km. roughly the size of Texas or Spain
- Climate: Tropical to arid
- Economy: Agriculture, tourism, industry services
- Religions: Indigenous, Protestants, Moslem, Roman Catholic
Voltage
Voltage is 220-240 A.C Most of the safari vehicles have a cigarette lighter socket operation on a 12-volt system. In the camps there is no electricity – lodges and home stays will have electricity although many work off generators with limited times – bring adapters plugs, (square pin, English standard) and sufficient batteries. Dutch plugs can also be used in the Kenyan ones, by pushing a pencil in the third opening.
Communication & Mobile Phones
Most of the city and town hotels have telephones and faxes. Game lodges and camps mostly rely on H.F. radios and sometimes satellite phones for communication, which is sufficient for emergencies, but not recommended for a casual call. Mobile phone networks are covered in 50% of the country: Nairobi other main cities and the coast. Most of the bush is not. Please inform your company and/or family who stay behind, that most of the time during your safari you will be out of reach.
Money Exchange
The monetary unit is the Kenyan Shilling. Visa and Master Card credit cards are honoured at most major hotels, safari lodges, larger shops and restaurants in Kenya. It is practical to also take dollars in cash. You can also use cards with a cirrus symbol at the ATM on arrival at Yomo Kenyatta airport. When you reach the arrival hall you will find the ATM immediately on you left hand side. Reverting your Kenyan shillings into hard currency is easily done at the airport, hotels and banks.
Business & Shopping Hours
Usual business hours throughout East Africa are 08:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday and 08:30 to 12:30 on Saturday. Apart from Nairobi and Mombasa airport banks, which are open 24 hours, banks open only up until 15:00.
TIME ZONE
Kenya is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and one or two house ahead of The Netherlands and most other European countries.
Security
Kenya is relatively safe. Clients must take the same security precautions in Kenya as they would anywhere else in the world. If you spend a night in a Nairobi hotel, be reasonable and exercise caution. Do not leave valuables lying about on car seats, in your hotel or even in your room. If its valuable store it in your room safe or give it to the hotel reception. You have to be careful especially in and around Nairobi. Make use of Taxis and don’t walk around at night. It is advisable to keep car windows closed or only slightly opened if there is no air-conditioning in the car. Take special care at round-a-bouts.
It is advisable not to wear excessive jewellery when walking in and around Nairobi. When staying in a lodge for more than one night clients should make use of the safety deposit facility provided by all the hotels and lodges. Never leave money and or valuables in the vehicles, keep them in a safe place.
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