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General Information
On Kenya.
When to Travel
Kenya straddles the equator and enjoys a temperate climate
for most of the year. April, May, June and November are rainy months
when the land is green and refreshingly devoid of tourists.
It seldom
rains all day and short, heavy rain showers are usually followed by
sunny periods making this a very pleasant time to visit Kenya. Camping,
mountain climbing and camel safaris are more enjoyable during the drier
months of the year.
July to September are the coolest months with a low
of 10 degrees centigrade and high of 26 degrees centigrade and December
to March the warmer months.
December through January are high season
with Christmas and New Year being extremely busy. You are recommended to
book well in advance for this time of year. The scuba diving season runs
from September to April each year. Deep sea fishing is possible all year
but the seas can be rough during May, June and July.
Booking or
arranging holiday in Kenya is much easier than you thought, Joining an
overland safari in Africa is also possible. A copies of Lonely planet
Kenya guide books are available in our library.
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Taxes
Airport taxes will always be included in your tickets,
unless on special circumstances. Travellers are advised to carry small
denomination notes in excess of that needed to cover such taxes.
Passport / Visa Requirements in Kenya
A valid passport is required and most visitors require
visas. We suggest you contact your nearest relevant consulate for
details.
Customs
Personal effects including cameras and film are not
restricted into Kenya, no need for a permit. Firearms require a special
permit. Inoculations Requirements visitors must have correct health documentation and since
inoculation requirements depend upon the country to be visited, country
of residence and countries passed through en route to your destination,
it is essential to check with your travel agent, the nearest relevant
Embassy or Consulate, your airline or doctor in good time before your
holiday.
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Medical Care
Malaria in some parts of Africa is common and prophylactics
are therefore imperative. Advice on medication should be sought from
your doctor before your visit. Insect repellents are recommended.
There
are chemists in all major towns but any visitor requiring special or
continuing medication should bring an adequate supply to cover their
stay. We recommend you drink bottled water rather than tap water
wherever possible. Precautions should be taken against sunburn even at
high altitudes.
Insurance
You are strongly advised to take out travel and medical
insurance in your country of origin. However, we can arrange medical and
personal insurance if required. Within Kenya, we recommend joining the
Flying Doctor’s Society which, for a small membership fee, will provide
an airlift free of charge from anywhere within Kenya to Nairobi.
Money
Travellers cheques and major credit cards are generally
accepted in Kenya but the latter not in other regional countries where
you would be advised to carry travellers cheques and cash and not rely
on credit cards. Only authorised dealers and banks are allowed to change
currency.
There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency
which can be imported. It is strongly recommended that visitors carry
little cash and as much money as they wish in freely convertible
travellers cheques.
Generally in East Africa, no visitor is permitted to
take any local currency out of the country - all remaining local
currency must be spent prior to departure or converted through an
authorised dealer back into foreign currency.
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All the major Credit cards
are widely accepted, as are
travellers cheques which can be changed in any bank. A
commission charge is normally added to any transactions using a
credit card. |
Seasons
East Africa has a diverse geography, temperature, rainfall
and humidity vary it’s neither too hot or cold with long sun- filled
days.
There is no best season to visit Kenya. Day and night are almost
equal all the year round, with sun sunrise between 6.30pm and 7.00pm.
Rain showers are moderate in April, usually falling in the late
afternoon and are preceded by bright, fresh and sunny day.
Despite the
varying seasons, safaris can be arranged all year round hence the low
season prices between April to June. July and August are the coolest
months while September to March are the warmest.
Transportation
Road transport varies with each itinerary but safari is
usually by 9-seater minibuses with large windows, roof hatches and
English-speaking driver/guides or by self-drive or chauffeur-driven
four-wheel drive vehicles.
Tours can be just a few days to one or two
game reserves or a few weeks, covering a much wider variety of scenery,
wildlife and cultures, perhaps combined with a beach holiday.
Almost all the parks, reserves and beach resorts have
airstrips and scheduled flights depart from Nairobi daily, for those who
have limited time or wish to avoid the long road stretch.
The overnight
Nairobi Mombasa train from Nairobi to Mombasa runs three times
a week, departing from Nairobi at 1900 to arrive at approximately at
0800 in Mombasa.
Banking Hours in Nairobi Kenya
Monday to Friday: 09.00-14.00 (16.30 in the major cities).
The airport banks are open until midnight every day. Banks typically
give a better exchange rate than hotels and we recommend you change some
money at the bank upon arrival.
In Nairobi, the Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport (JKIA) has a bank located in the corner of the
arrivals hall. ATM cash machines are available at Nairobi airport and in
most major towns allowing cash to be drawn using an international Visa
card with a P.I.N. use of credit cards for payment in Kenya and Tanzania
is generally acceptable.
Tipping in Kenya
Tipping is not compulsory in Kenya. However if you are happy
with the service you have received any gesture of appreciation will be
enthusiastically received.
Security in Kenya
Security is a matter of common sense and the same
precautions should be taken in our cities as in any major city. Do not
carry large sums of money, keep a close watch on handbags, wallets, etc.
When walking in crowded areas, avoid walking at night (especially
alone), never leave money or valuables unattended, even for a short time
most hotels provide safe deposit boxes. Generally security in Kenya is
generally acceptable, tourist police are sported in all major towns and
cities.
Food & Beverages
Food is generally excellent in Kenya - full English
breakfasts with fresh tropical fruit, buffet style lunches and three or
four course dinners. Beers, wines and spirits are freely available.
Ecotourism in Kenya
Tourism and, sadly, poaching in East Africa over the past
decades has largely gone unchecked and has resulted in damage to our
environment and wildlife.
We fully appreciate, as do most others, that
our success depends upon the care and preservation of our natural
heritage and that this too is crucial to your enjoyment of our
countries.
More important than our success, we must preserve what we are
so fortunate to have for future generations and for the ecology of the
continent and world as a whole. Through our corporate membership of the
East African Wildlife Society we contribute towards conservation
projects.
We also endeavour to ensure that our drivers respect the
environment by not overcrowding the game or leaving designated tracks
within the Parks - not just against the rules of the National Parks but
also a cause of so much damage by so many.
We hope you will understand
if you cannot get as close to an animal as you may wish if, by doing so,
damage to its habitat, albeit small, may be caused. We are happy to tell
you all our Kenya safari and tours are designed with the environment in
mind.
Laundry
Possible on some safaris but not all. Although many places
offer ‘same day’ service, in practice this is not always reliable. We
recommend you ‘save’ your laundry until in a city or at the coast.
Children on Safari in Kenya
A few safaris are not suitable for very young children and
some lodges do not permit children under 7 years of age - notably
treehotels. Magical Africa Ltd can adapt any itinerary, including those
published, to suit a family and exclude such safaris or lodges. Children
under 12 sharing with parents generally pay a reduced rate. |
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Most lodges and hotels are child friendly some with children
clubs and staff who dedicate all their energy to the young ones making
chidren travel in Kenya and Africa very comfortable.
Special services
I the past we have handed special children safaris in Kenya
and disabled persons travel in Kenya and Africa, we have staff including
guides who are trained in different fields with special vehicles and
supporting equipments.
Let us know if you wish to do volunteer services in Africa
and Kenya. For missionary travel in Kenya, or missionary safaris in
Kenya and Tanzania we have special tarrifs too. For those who want to do
a wedding in Kenya we are happy to make this a reality.
Photography in Kenya
We recommend you bring your equipment, extra batteries and
all your film with you although all normal types of film can
usually be bought in major towns. A telephoto lens is essential
for good game pictures. |
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Please respect the local people and only photograph them with
their permission. Please be strongly advised never to attempt to take
photos of border posts, airports, persons in uniform and military
installations where photography is strictly prohibited.
Please contact us for assistance in professional photography
and filming in Kenya
Game viewing in Kenya
The best times for game viewing are in the cool hours of the
early morning and late afternoon. Therefore, the usual routine on safari
will be to rise early for a game drive before breakfast and relax at
your camp or lodge in the heat of the day before a late afternoon game
drive.
Documentation
• Passports (with visa entries)
• Health cards (vaccination certificate)
• Airline tickets
• Cheque book
• Cash & Travellers’ Cheques
• Separate record of T/Cheque numbers
• Credit Cards (VISA, Mastercard and/or American Express),
• Photo copy of passport/visas/Insurance papers
Clothing & Accessories - What to park on safari
The list given below is a basic indication of what you
should bring. We recommend that you bring khaki and green colored
clothing. Bright colors should be avoided while on safari (fine for the
coast and Nairobi); camouflage clothes are illegal because they are worn
by local soldiers.
Safari wear should be comfortable and casual. A few Nairobi
restaurants require gentlemen to wear a jacket and tie in the evenings
and ladies to wear formal evening dress. The same dress rules apply in
the Members Dining Room at Mount Kenya Safari Club with smart casual
wear required in the main dining room.
Evenings and early mornings can
be chilly so warm sweaters are recommended. Low heeled comfortable shoes
are best although there is not much walking on most safaris. A hat,
sunglasses, flashlight and binoculars are useful accessories.
Most
hotels, lodges and camps have swimming pools so you are advised to bring
swimsuits. Some specialist safaris, i.e. mountain climbing, require
extra items of clothing and footwear - details would be provided on
booking.
• Tennis Shoes
• Flip flops
• Hat
• Pullover Sweater/Sweatshirt
• 2 pc. safari pants (or chinos)
• 2 pc. safari shorts
• 4 pair sport socks
• 3 short sleeve shirts
• 1 long sleeve shirt
• 2 t-shirts
• Pyjamas
• Swim Trunks
• 1 pair casual slacks (men) evening outfit (women) - for
evening
• Bras (sports type) - women
• 6 sets underwear
• Belt
TOILETRIES & MEDICINE
• Malaria prophylaxis
• Prescription drugs (also bring the generic names for these
drugs, good idea to pack 2 separate lots)
• Insect repellant (containing DEET for mosquito’s)
• Sun Screen (SPF 15 or higher)
• Lip Balm
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste / Toothbrush
• Dental Floss
• Hair Brush / Comb
• Electric / Hand Razor
• Emery Boards
• Tweezers
• Hand Lotion
• Fem. Hygiene Supplies
Wear sunscreens and cover up during the hottest time of day
- between 11H00 and 15H00.
Other Supplies
• Sunglasses / Case
• Prescription glasses (and a spare pair)
• Flashlight (small with extra batteries)
• Batteries (for electronic equipment)
• Converter plug set if needed (the electricity supply is
240 Volt, 50 Hz). Sockets are usually 3 pin and are of the square
variety.
• Money pouch
• Pocket Knife
• Binocula
• Day pack
• Favourite road snacks
• Books, Magazines, a Journal or an Africa safari guide
• Small Sewing Kit
• Small Scissors
• Pen/paper
The small soft locable bag is recommended for the personal
items together with a small rectangular suitcase as the weight of
luggage that can be carried on small aircraft is limited to 25-53 pounds
depending on the size of the plane.
Driving
Driving is on the left in East Africa.
Waiver of Responsibility
On mountain climbing safaris, an adventure sport containing
an element of risk, you may be required to sign a ‘release and
assumption of risk’ form indemnifying the operator of the safari against
any untoward occurrences. However, we would like to stress that the
safety of clients is of paramount importance to safari operators at all
times and every care is taken to avoid any accident, loss of baggage or
other such incident.
Rules or contracts currently in use by any carrier,
hotel, restaurants or any other contractor rendering service shall
constitute between such contractor and the tour member.
Further more
Magical Africa safaris accept no responsibility for any damage or delay
due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes, machinery breakdown,
quarantine, government restrains, weather or any cause beyond.
The right
is reserved to cancel or change itineraries or substitute service
without notice and decline to accept or retain any tour members at any
time. No carrier shall be responsible for any act, omission or event
during the time passengers are not on board its own conveyance.
How to book
Please email us your initial requirements and we will be
happy to respond with details.
If you would like to make an enquiry or to book any of our
safaris listed on this website then simply lets us know the date when
you plan to arrive in Nairobi, the number of persons, children ages, any
special need or other special details, meal requirements, Birthdays –
‘works best if you alert us your partners birthday or anniversary and we
do the rest’ let us know what you wish to do and the number of days you
will be around or just highlight the
safari you have chosen. We
will respond promptly to confirm the price and availability.
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