We provide you with an essential practical guide, a compass to use before and during the journey, so that you can start your safari in Kenya having all the necessary and useful tools. It is a guide that we have been compiling over a long time, gathering notes, suggestions and information that we want to share with you. In order to answer the frequently asked questions regarding your departure and your stay, so that your safari can be safe, comfortable and carefully planned even in the most practical aspects. If you do not find all the answers to your questions, we are always at your disposal to expand on any topic, dissolve any doubts and satisfy any curiosity.
Kenya in brief
- Capital: Nairobi
- Population: around 45 millions
- Extension: 581,310 km2
- Local time: +3 GMT
- Language: Kiswahili and English
- Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)
- International code: + 254
Luggage
We recommend that you limit your luggage to two bags per person, hand luggage included. Soft bags must be used as they are easier to transport and to stow. Internal flights are run by light aircrafts usually setting a weight limit of 15 kg per person, hand luggage excluded. Most lodges offer daily laundry service, usually by hand and not always included in the price.
Security
Kenya is a democratic country, its population is hospitable and the crime rate against tourist is low. Nonetheless we recommend caution and common sense when travelling, especially in the cities and at night. Never display valuables and keep them always in a safe place. Wildlife is unpredictable and can be dangerous. Most lodges are not fenced and are located in wild areas, where animals roam free. Do not touch animals, do not approach them on foot if you are not accompanied by a guide, and do not make a noise which could attract or scare the animals.
Insurance
It is mandatory to have a proper travel insurance for the duration of the journey covering medical expenses, lost luggage and travel cancellation. Proof of the insurance coverage must be given before departure from your home country.
Electricity
The electric current in Kenya is 220/240 V. Some lodges provide electricity through solar panels and generators, sometimes at set times in the morning and after sunset. Others do not have plug sockets in the rooms, but offer mobile phone, camera and other device recharging facilities at the reception or in the communal areas. Plug sockets are with two round pins (EU) or three square pins (UK), so we advise you to bring along a universal adaptor. We recommend that you bring along a flashlight for use at night.
Photography
We recommend to ask for permission before taking pictures of people. Do not take pictures of military personnel and public buildings such as airports or military bases. Never use flash when you take pictures of animals. It’s advisable to bring along a camera, with backup memory cards and batteries, and binoculars.
What to wear
We advice you to wear casual and comfortable clothes. Do not forget the temperature range between day and night, especially in the desert areas and during winter. For outdoor activities we advice you to wear multiple layers of clothes, so that you can easily remove them when the temperature rises. We recommend to wear soft colours, especially tops or shirts and long trousers for protection against sun and insects, a fleece or a warm sweater, a windbreaker, comfortable trekking shoes and flip flops. Do not forget cap, sunglasses and a swimsuit. In winter we advice to also pack a scarf, gloves and wool hat. Lodges often offer blankets and hot drinks for outdoor activities during the coldest hours. The coastal areas are mainly Muslim, therefore we recommend to dress appropriately, avoiding to wear shorts or swimsuits away from the beaches.
Health
We advice you to contact your doctor or the health service to know about anti-malarial prophylaxis and recommended vaccines, that might vary according to seasons and destinations. Upon arrival in Kenya, travellers coming from areas where yellow fever is endemic may be requested to exhibit the yellow fever vaccination certificate. Do not forget spray against mosquitos and high protection sunscreen. We recommend to drink only bottled water.
Passports and visas
A passport valid for at least 6 months with at least two blank pages and the tourist visa are required to enter Kenya for EU citizens. The visa costs USD 51, it is valid for maximum 90 days and it can be obtained online before departure or upon arrival at the border. Obtaining the entry visa is your responsibility. We advise you to have copies of your personal documents.
Payments
In the lodges accommodation is generally “all inclusive”, so it is not necessary to carry much cash in foreign or local currency. Kenyan Shilling (KES) and US Dollar (USD) are the most used currencies for payments. We advice you to have US Dollars, also in small notes, for payments in the lodges, while in rural areas it is preferred to use Kenyan Shillings because it’s often difficult to change money. In the lodges it is advisable to leave a tip of 10-20 USD per person per day for the guide and 5-10 USD per person per day for the staff. In restaurants it is customary to leave a tip equal to 10% of the bill. If you intend to obtain the tourist visa upon arrival at the airport, we recommend to bring along USD 50 before departure. Most lodges, shops and restaurants accept major credit cards, while not all petrol stations accept credit card payment. Lodges often offer a change service for main currencies. Nonetheless we advise to change currency or withdraw cash from ATM’s or banks of the main cities.
Telephone and internet
Mobile phone reception is excellent in the main cities, but can be erratic or absent in remote areas. Usually communication between lodges in these areas happens via radio or satellite phone. Most lodges have internet connection, accessible at the reception or in the communal areas.
Recommended readings
- Out of Africa – Karen Blixen
- Green hills of Africa – Ernest Hemingway
- I dreamed of Africa – Kuki Gallman
- The constant gardener – John Le Carre
- The shadow of Kilimanjaro: on foot across East Africa – Rick Ridgeway
- The tree where man was born – Peter Matthiessen
- The flame trees of Thika: memories of an African childhood – Elspeth Huxley
- Born free: a lioness of two worlds – Joy Adamson
- It’s our turn to eat – Michela Wrong
- Facing mount Kenya: the tribal life of the Gikuyu – Jomo Kenyatta
- Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania – Dale A. Zimmerman, Donald A. Turner and David J. Pearson
- The safari companion: a guide to watching African mammals – Richard Estes