Kenya Safari Holidays & Tours

While we love Africa at its rustic best, when it comes to a luxury safari, Kenya is the place to go. In Kenya, luxury safari lodges and camps are in no short supply and you'll find the likes of alfresco copper bathtubs, private sleep-out decks and state-of-the-art game vehicles. Have the full experience of being completely surrounded by nature, where wildlife pads past camp, whilst enjoying the perks of one of our luxury safaris in Kenya. As for making your trip that much more special, there are superb add-ons like a hot air balloon ride in the Masai Mara, a sunset dhow cruise off the coast or an evening spent at the coveted Giraffe Manor. And no luxury Kenya safari would be complete without a team of some of the continent's finest, who will see to every last detail including surprise breakfasts in the bush.

Kenya has two international airports; Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Mombasa Moi International Airport (MBA). There are various domestic airports and airfields connecting all major towns and destinations for Kenya safaris, and to other locations in Africa. Depending on your arrival time you may have to overnight before catching your connecting flight to your first safari camp the next day. International flights We would recommend booking your flights online in order to get the best rates. If you need any help or advice please let us know. If you fly out of JFK Airport in New York, your approximate travel time to Nairobi will be 13 hours and 30 minutes. A direct flight out of Heathrow will take just under 9 hours to reach Nairobi. Domestic flights and transfers Connecting between all the locations on your trip may necessitate a variety of modes: light aircraft charters, domestic commercial flights and road transfers. Please review the inclusions and exclusions on your specific trip page for details. If you need help understanding the best flights to book, please let us know. From the moment that you land in Kenya you will be greeted and assisted to your onward connections. With our Kenya safari packages, you will be looked after from that point on until you are transferred back to the airport in time for your departure flight.

Before any and all Kenya trips, we advise you to consult your personal physician and/or a travel clinic preferably 6 weeks prior to your departure. Vaccine requirements vary based on your country of origin and your travel itinerary, as well as your previous vaccination history. It is best to consult with your physician or the CDC website for guidelines. Important vaccinations to consider and which may either be required or recommended are: Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B and Cholera, among others. Please always carry your "International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP)" (or "Yellow Card") with you. Malaria We advise that you consult a medical practitioner at least six weeks prior to travel. Malaria is present in Kenya and it is strongly advisable to take malaria prophylactics before, during and after your visit. Please consult a medical professional regarding which prophylactics will be suitable for you. In addition to the recommendations of your travel clinic or physician, you may also consider the following proactive preventative measures: ● Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Recommended repellents contain 20-35% DEET but it is a very virulent repellent, and should be used cautiously. ● Wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants at dawn and dusk, as well as closed shoes. ● Use a mosquito net if your tent or room isn't screened or air-conditioned; and spray insecticide or burn a mosquito coil before going to bed. If you come down with flu-like symptoms either during or within four to six weeks after your visit to a malaria area, seek a doctor's advice immediately and let him/her know that you have been in a malaria area. You can also visit www.malaria.org.za for more information. Yellow Fever There is risk of Yellow Fever whilst on safari in Kenya; and, vaccination is required for travellers who are arriving from, or have transited through, countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmission (e.g. Uganda, Rwanda or elsewhere worldwide). It will also be required should you be carrying on to any regional countries without Yellow Fever (e.g. South Africa, Botswana, etc). This requirement can change unexpectedly, therefore, we recommend carrying a Yellow Fever card with you at all times. Communication Kenya country code: +254 Calling overseas from Kenya: From a landline dial 00 followed by the country code plus area code and number. e.g. USA: 00 1 910 795 1048 When calling from a cell phone dial + prefix followed by the country code plus area code and number. e.g. USA: + 1 910 795 1048

Money The currency in Kenya is the Kenya Shilling (KSh). You can convert money to Shillings at a bank or Forex Bureau, or withdraw from an ATM, all found in the larger airports and towns. Please check with your bank for charges and advice when using international ATMs. VISA and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards. American Express has limited to no coverage. It is advisable to have some cash for smaller shops and for tipping. IMPORTANT: When bringing foreign currency (e.g. USD, GBP, EUR) into the country, be sure to have the new format with no damage or marks. For US Dollars only bank notes dated from 2009 and onwards will be accepted in Kenya. Gratuities Gratuities are not compulsory or expected on a trip to Kenya; rather it is a reward for excellent service. If you are pleased with the service you receive, you are more than welcome to tip your guide or the staff. Tipping is usually done at the end of your stay. You may tip the staff individually, give the tip to the manager to distribute, or do both. Tips can be made in Kenyan Shillings (KSh), USD, GBP or EUR. Gratuity suggestions: Safari camp or city lead guide: $15 - $20 per guest per day Transfer drivers (e.g. in cities or between the airport and hotel/lodge): $5 per guest per transfer Porter: $1 per bag Ranger or any “ancillary” guides on an ad-hoc basis for a specific activity: $5 - $10 per guest per activity General camp staff (put in a central box in each camp’s main area): $10 - $15 per guest per day Waitstaff in a city restaurant: 10% - 15% (large group may incur automatic service charge - please check)

Insurance It is a condition of booking that you carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependents/travelling companions for the duration of your trip. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities: Compulsory Insurance: a. Emergency evacuation expenses b. Medical expenses c. Repatriation expenses Recommended Insurance: a. Cancellation or curtailment of trip b. Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods

As a general precaution, we recommend you make several copies of your travel-related documents (passport, traveller’s cheques, credit cards, itinerary, airline tickets, insurance cover, visas, etc). Leave one set at home, and bring another set with you, and place it in a location separate from your originals. Kenya does not require travellers to apply for a visa but anyone entering Kenya is required to fill in an Electronic Travel Authorization form at https://www.etakenya.go.ke/enprior to arrival. Most African nationals are excluded from this. Passports MUST be valid for at least six months (we recommend nine) from your departure from East Africa to home. There must be at least TWO consecutive blank VISA pages in the passport (not endorsement pages). All travellers requiring a visa will need to apply for an e-visa in advance and no visas will be issued on arrival. For more information visit www.evisa.go.ke Please do contact the embassy or consultant in your home country to reconfirm visa requirements, as they change often. Visa Central is also a good resource for further information.

Climate Kenya offers warm days with cool mornings and evenings year-round, throughout most of the country. At higher altitudes, the temperatures are moderate and the coast is often humid and tropical. There are two primary rainy seasons: the long rains roughly from April to June and the short rains during October and November. Kenya can be visited year-round, but the climate varies hugely between the rainy and dry seasons. Dress Code Modest clothing is advisable in the bigger towns and cities in Kenya, however in the lodges and camps and on the beaches at the coast, it is perfectly fine to wear shorts and shirts or beach wear. Generally speaking, light layers of clothing in neutral safari colours of green, khaki and beige are the best items to bring with you on Kenyan safaris, as well as a warmer jacket or fleece for the colder evenings. A hat is also a must have! Dark colours such as navy or black can attract tstese fllies and are best avoided, as are bright colours like yellow, red and purple if you are going on safari. What to Pack Across the board, there is a selection of clothing and items that should be on your packing list when it comes to Kenya vacations. The below is a suggested list: • Layers - long and short sleeve shirts and trousers • A warm fleece or jumper • A lightweight waterproof jacket • Comfortable but sturdy shoes • Flip-flops • Swimming costume (Bathing suit) • A hat or baseball cap • Sunglasses • Sunscreen – a must! • Toiletries – most camps will provide shampoo, shower gel and soap • A small torch • Spare batteries, plug adaptors and charging equipment • A good pair of Binoculars (8x40/8x42 is recommended) • Books or a fully loaded Kindle / iPad for siesta time Most camps and lodges will have a small medical and first aid kit, but we recommend bringing your own supply of essentials - cough medicine, plasters, vitamins, aspirin and paracetamol, and anything else you use on a regular basis. Camera Equipment (for the enthusiasts) • A telephoto lens (200/300mm) • Flash and fast film (400 ASA) for night photography • Lots of film (64,100,200,400 ASA) if using an SLR camera • Spare memory cards for digital cameras • Camera cleaning equipment and a good dust proof bag • Bring spare batteries as although you may recharge your batteries at the camps, charging capacity can be limited NB: Plastic bags are banned and carry a fine if brought into the country. Make sure you leave your bags on the airplane upon arrival. Luggage Please check with your airlines for the specific luggage restrictions relevant to your flight schedule. Many international airlines have a baggage allowance of 20kgs or more per person and commercial airlines generally permit two (2) pieces of checked luggage. The carry-on bag must be of such dimensions and weight as set by the airlines. Luggage Restrictions on Internal Flights Please be advised that on domestic flights, luggage is limited to one SOFT duffel bag per person with a maximum weight of 15kg/33lbs. No hardshell bags are permitted. Electricity Kenya uses 220/230V, 50Hz AC, and sockets take mostly Type G (3 prong large rectangular) and some Type C (2 prong narrow round). Most hotel rooms have sockets for 110V electric razors. Most of the safari camps have electricity points either in the main communal area or in each tent/room. It is best to bring an adapter/convertor combination.

In a word, yes. While a safari can be one of the most expensive trips you can plan, the experience is truly worth the cost. However, there are ways of saving a few bucks on a Kenyan safari including travelling outside of peak season, staying longer at one property and picking accommodation just outside of the national parks.

The wildlife is superlative to say the least and you’ll have the chance to spot members of the Big Five on a safari in Kenya. Between July and November, catch the enthralling scenes of the Great Migration in the Masai Mara. Kenya has a gorgeous coastline, which makes the perfect end to a safari trip. Kenya is also home to incredible tribes, who offer insight into their way of life, the land and its four-legged residents.

Kenya is one of the most prolific wildlife destinations on the planet and, no matter where in the country you choose to visit, there are incredible sightings to be had. Highlights on Kenya safaris include the Great Migration, the Big Five including the highly endangered rhino, endemic northern species, and dazzling birdlife.

It is best to consult your personal physician preferably six weeks prior to your departure to ensure any necessary vaccinations are received. However, vaccinations that may be required or recommended before a trip to Kenya include Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B, and Cholera. Malaria prophylactics are also advisable to take.

It’s best to wear items in neutral colours like green, khaki and beige to remain unobtrusive to the wildlife. Dark colours like navy blue or black may attract tsetse flies and are best avoided, as well as bright colours like yellow, red and purple. On safari trips in Kenya, lightweight layers are recommended as opposed to heavy thermals or restrictive clothing.

While this will depend on your budget and what you want to see, between a week and 10 days is the common length for a safari in Kenya. This will allow you time to settle into Nairobi, before visiting major destinations like the Masai Mara or Laikipia, then perhaps ending on the coast. Of course, your trip can be longer to include a few of Kenya’s lesser-known parks or spend additional days in one location.