Travel tips and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Travel Tips    Safari/Travels Tips

 

General Travel Tips
Visas
All tourists to Kenya require a tourist visa which costs USD 50 per person and can be obtained on entry (visa fees must be paid in USD only) or in advance from Kenya embassies abroad. A transit visa is available for a USD 25 fee.

Medical Requirements
It is advisable to check with your doctor at least a month before your travel to get recommendations and advice. Anti malarial drugs are strongly recommended.

Insurance
It is most recommended that all travellers arrange their personal travel insurance to cover medical, property and other personal risks for the duration of their holiday and safari.

Temporary membership of the Flying Doctor Service, based in Nairobi and providing cover in Kenya and northern Tanzania can also be arranged at a modest cost.

Language
The official languages of Kenya are Kiswahili and English. Most of our driver guides, hotel staff, etc. speak also German, French and other languages. Moreover, 42 tribal languages are spoken all over Kenya.

Currency and Exchange
The Kenyan currency is Kenya Shilling (KSh). Payments for safaris can also be made in EUR, USD, GBP and others. There are numerous banks and bureaux de change in towns, and most lodges and hotels will exchange currency or travellers cheques at reasonable rates. Items or services are priced and paid in aforesaid currencies, so there is no need to convert more funds into the local currency than you need for incidental expenses.
Travelers cheques are widely accepted.
Credit cards are accepted in some establishments. The use of credit cards in banks gives only KSh.

Electricity
The power supply is at the UK/European standard voltage of 220/240, and power sockets are the U.K. square pin type. To use U.S. appliances a voltage convertor and a plug convertor will be needed. Mains power supply is subject to cuts and voltage fluctuation. On safari, most lodges' power supplies are from generators, and these are often turned off during parts of the day and night to reduce noise and fuel consumption.

Drinking water
It is recommended to drink only bottled mineral water which is available everywhere.

Climate
Kenya is an equatorial country, hence little seasonal variation in temperature which is experienced between coastal and low lying regions, and the high plains and mountain regions. There are two seasons: dry season and rainy season with long rains in April and May, and short rains in November. In practice, the rainfalls are unpredictable. Generally, during rainy seasons, the rain often falls in heavy but brief tropical downpours during the evening or night with pleasant sunny days in between.

Public Transportation
There are local buses and minibuses. Hotels generally have a superior selection of taxis available, and it is suggested that you obtain one of these, particularly for longer journeys. There is a railway link between Nairobi and Mombasa just on specific days, i.e. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and these are night journeys.

Alcoholic Drinks
Generally, there are no restrictions on the sale or consumption of alcoholic drinks, however, in some areas like Muslim villages alcohol is restricted.

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Safari/Travel Tips and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Best Season for Safari
Any single month of a year is interesting for safari.
However, the best seasons are:
- from mid December to mid March
- from July to mid September.

We offer safaris all over the year, including the rain season, i.e. April, May and June, during which good discounts are offered. Please contact us for details.

The Great Migration
Between January and February wildebeest and zebras give birth and gather in south Serengeti in Tanzania. From March the large herds start to move north and west in search of fresh grazing through Serengeti towards Masai Mara in Kenya, and remain there for 3 months (August – October). Then, they return to south Serengeti in November.

Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps
Rooms in lodges and tents in permanent tented camps share the same facilities, i.e. beds, toilet and shower, etc., all what we assure you is high standard accommodation.
Please be advised that tented camps are in general more expensive than lodges, due to low capacity, luxury and more adventurous nature.
Most of lodges/camps spray rooms and provide mosquito nets, but your own insect repellent sprays may appear necessary.
Most of lodges and camps have their own swimming pools.

Single Traveller
For single travellers there is always a supplement to cover the costs of single accommodation.

Children
It is not recommended for children under 2 years to go for safari, due to long trips on rough and bumping roads. Children under 11 will benefit from reduced fares on scheduled airlines. All lodges provide an additional bed for a child sharing a room with parents at a reduced cost. A few of the most expensive permanent tented camps do not allow children under 11 years of age.

Weather
The game parks have a pleasant climate with warm days and cooler evenings and early mornings. It is, therefore, advisable to carry with you also a pullover or jacket for evenings and mornings.

Clothing
Clothes for safari should be light, comfortable and not too brightly coloured. There is little or no requirement for anything formal. A jacket or pullover is needed in the evenings and early mornings, at higher altitudes. Comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunglasses are essential. Do not forget a swimming costume for use at the lodge/camp swimming pools.

Equipment
Binoculars, zoom cameras and video equipment with plenty of tape or film are extremely useful. Camera films are also available at lodges/camps. A flashlight is also useful.

Luggage
Please limit your luggage for safari to the most needed stuff, due to limited space in vehicles and plains.

Communication
Our safari vehicles are equipped with HF-radios, so that drivers can communicate with our base, each other and lodges/camps. Most lodges/camps have telephone, but the service, particularly for overseas calls, is quite expensive. Game parks are rarely within mobile phone range, but satellite telephones work anywhere.

Tips/Tokens of Appreciation
It is common for guests to tip the safari driver guide after safari but it is not mandatory.

Departure Taxes
There is a departure tax on international flights of USD 40 this will generally have been included and already paid in the price of your ticket. There is a small local departure tax payable in cash at the airport/ airstrip for local flights.


For more tips and information, please contact us.

E-mail: info@africanconcept.co.ke

Tel +254-42-2120218 Fax +254-42-2120218
Cell: +254-733-799675, +254-720-218947

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