Safari Tips

Some Important Safari Travel Tips Before You Leave

Health: It’s better to be safe… First, be sure to take precautions against malaria. Check your doctor or public health service for the right prophylaxis. Start taking your tablets before you depart. Yellow fever, hepatitis, and tetanus vaccinations are also recommended. Again, check with your doctor. We have taken the above regimen for years with excellent results.

Health insurance: Check with your insurance agent to determine if you are covered in foreign countries. If not, it may be wise to purchase a special policy to cover you through this trip or purchase travel insurance.

Travel Insurance: This type insurance covers trip cancellation or interruption, medical coverage while traveling, emergency medical evacuation and protection against baggage loss, theft or damage.

Flying Doctors: These famed doctors perform emergency treatment and evacuation in the unlikely event this may occur. Nairobi has excellent medical facilities. Most camps have professionals on site.

Passports: Valid passports are needed for Kenya and Tanzania. Kenya insists your passport be valid at least 6 months after departing the country.

Visas: Needed for both countries. For Kenya, go to www.kenyaembassy.com. All information and applications are located at this site. For a Tanzanian visa, call 202-939-6125 at their Washington, DC embassy, or 212-972-9160, their permanent mission to the UN in New York.

What to Bring: Travel Light! Some safaris/air charters limit baggage to 22-33 lbs per person. Baggage space in vehicles is limited so it is advisable that you use soft bags or soft suitcases. If you are on an extended vacation you can check extra luggage at your hotel while you are in the bush.

Clothing: Summer clothing is worn throughout the year although, at times, a light jacket or raincoat may be necessary on dawn or dusk safaris. A sweater also comes in handy. On safari, wear neutral clothes, grey, beige or khaki—bright colors may alarm the animals.

Sensible walking shoes or sneakers are also recommended. Casual wear is the norm during the safari. If you sun burn, easily, we suggest you wear long sleeves and, of course, a hat. In some hotels and restaurants, particularly in the cities, men may be required to wear a jacket and tie (very rare). Sunglasses and that hat plus swimsuits and sandals should be packed for the pool or beach. Laundry service is available at most lodges so you don’t have to bring large amounts of clothing.

Other: Here are some extra safari travel tips to really help you out: Don’t forget the camera, camcorder and a plentiful supply of film and spare batteries. Sunburn lotion, mosquito repellent, lip balm, a small flashlight, anti-diarrhea medicine, general antibiotics, aspirin, anti-histamine tablets and antibiotics, aspirin, anti-histamine tablets and band-aids are also suggested. If you are taking prescribed medicines, please ensure that you have an adequate supply for the duration of your trip. Books, pencils, crayons and candy are very welcome as gifts to the children of the local villages that you may pass or visit while on safari.

Once You Have Arrived: After you have passed through customs and retrieved your luggage at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, you will be met by our representative and escorted to your hotel where you will be briefed on your safari. Here are some additional bits of information you may find helpful.

Climate: The weather is great! With the equator located near Mt Kenya and the high altitude of both countries, you will be comfortable all year round. Kenya’s average daily high is in the 70s with the lows in the high 50s. Tanzania has a dry comfortable daily average in the 80s and lows in the 60s. Both countries have moderate rainfall with April and parts of May considered the rainy season.

Accommodations: No matter what type safari you select you will stay in luxurious lodges and tented camps, all with private bathrooms and showers. You’ll “rough it” on certain treks or mountain climbs but there will be private toilet tents available.

Singles: If there is a single person in your party who occupies a room, he or she will be charged a single supplement for the use of that room.

Dining: You will be amazed at the cuisine, which is included in your tour cost! Fresh vegetables, fruit and fish are delivered daily. Meats from nearby farms are in abundant supply. Wild game is available for those that want to try something new. Our chefs could work in the finest restaurants of Europe and America.

Electricity: 220/240 volts AC. Plugs are the UK type, round 2-pin or flat 3 pin.

Local time: GMT +3

Language: English is the official language. Kiswahili is spoken throughout the country.

Currency: Tanzania shilling / Kenya shilling

Tipping: Tipping is customary. While the actual amount of money to tip is left to your discretion, we would like to offer some guidelines:
Porter per bag: .35 US$
Server in restaurant: .50 per person
Naturalist/Guide: per day, per person $3
Tour Coordinator: per day per person $1.50

Airport Departure Tax: Each country has an airport departure tax, however some airlines include it in your ticket charge.

Communications: Phone service available. Internet could be sporadic.

Warning: Do not drink tap water!

Shopping!: Remember one of our safari travel tips mentioning that you should travel light? Well, here's one reason why. There are plenty of souvenirs to take home! Among the best buys are: wood carvings, art and batiks, ethnic and modern jewelry with a Kenyan flare, semi-precious stones (such as malachite and tanzanite), tie-dye cotton clothes, safari outfits, soapstone carvings and basket ware. Some recommended outlets are the African Heritage, Nairobi, Paa ya Paa Arts center, Ridgeways, Nairobi. The Jacaranda Special School in Nairobi and the Bombolulu in Mombassa are charity based. Most lodges have small shops. US Dollars and credit cards are accepted. Many souvenir shops and kiosks are ideal for bargaining and buying. It’s lots of fun! You are now ready to go on a safari!