Kenya Safari Information

There are over 40 tribal ethnic groups, each with their own dialect, though most people in the country speak Kiswahili as well as their own tribal language. English is commonly spoken in the major towns and at all lodges and hotels.

The Kenyan climate is very pleasant and variations in altitude and terrain can create contrasts. Generally in the Highlands the climate is cool, elsewhere the temperatures can reach up to 30 / 35 degrees C during the day. The coast is humid and balmy. Over most of the country there are two rainy seasons:

1. The Short rains which occur from late October through November
2. The Long rains which occur from late March to end of May
3. It is very possible to visit Kenya during the rainy season.

The parks are usually less frequented which is great for tourists who prefer to enjoy “exclusive game viewing” without other vehicles in the vicinity. The National Parks are then fresh and green with beautiful flowers springing alive all over the plains.

July and August are the coolest months and are often overcast especially in the morning. December - Mid. March is the warmest time of the year.

Kenya is considered a generally low risk place to travel. Malarial mosquitoes are not present in large quantities inland due to the high altitude of the country, but there is a higher risk at the coast and it is recommended that you take Malaria prophylaxis. There are no mandatory inoculations required for Kenya but clients should contact their doctor or specialized travel clinic for further advice. (Our personal recommendation would be Hepatitis A & B / C). Clients traveling from India / South America / Singapore or from across the tropics, kindly note that it is mandatory to have a yellow fever vaccination and certificate

There is no national welfare scheme in Kenya and visitors to Kenya are responsible for their own medical expenses. We recommend for our clients to have an emergency evacuation insurance which we include in most quotations (pls. check your inclusions / exclusions). All clients are requested to inform us about:
- their overseas travel insurance details- passport numbers
- a contact person at home in case of any emergency
- your passport number and nationality
- your birth date
- your blood group
Whilst every care is taken of you and your property, we cannot be held responsible for any accidents, injury, or illness that you may incur or for any loss or damage to baggage. We therefore advise that you and your property be fully covered by your own insurance and it is advisable to have separate baggage and ticket insurance

We offer the above as an inclusion in most safaris (which is clearly mentioned) and if not included, you are free to purchase it through us. This is basically an insurance that is already included in most overseas insurances as they offer repatriation to your home country. However, we still highly recommend the local second insurance as a back-up as evacuation takes place by air (FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE) and is far more effective than the overseas insurance. You are transported by air from the point of emergency (the closest airstrip) to Nairobi. (to a local well renowned hospital with good medical care)

Light cotton clothing is recommended, ideal Safari outfits can be purchased in Kenya. T-Shirts, short and long cotton trousers (or jeans), a sun hat, long sleeved shirts and sweaters for game drives (it can be cold in the morning & evening), swimming costume as some lodges / camps have swimming pools. Good and comfortable walking shoes (e.g. sneakers). A rain / wind jacket is a good idea too. Dress code in general is casual on safari and formal in 5 star hotels in Nairobi.

When you are out on safari our schedule is completely flexible. Our staff, and vehicles are there exclusively for your safari. We can spend the day exactly as you wish. The best times for viewing animals are the cool hours of the early morning and late afternoon. Therefore, our usual routine will be to have an early rise with a cup of tea or coffee before leaving camp on a game drive, returning to camp midmorning for breakfast. We'll stay in camp in the heat of the day and go out again after tea in the afternoon, or stay out the whole day with a picnic lunch. Your guide will be with you to plan your day, tell you about what you see, take you to the loveliest places, look after any formalities or negotiations with the local people, and take care of your safety and comfort. All our guides are fluent in English, speak the local language, are proficient in bush craft, and can tell you about the animals, identify birds, and help you learn more about the world around you.

Kenya offers lovely artifacts, crafted by hand. There are some that are made of endangered wood which we discourage you to buy. Also, pls. DO NOT purchase any items made from ivory. If you are unsure of the material used on the product, please do not buy it. Other prohibited items are Rhino horns, tortoise / turtle shells, coral, wild animal hides, skin or fur. Those caught purchasing or trafficking banned goods will be prosecuted and receive prison sentences and/or fines. • Do not buy shells and other marine animal products as souvenirs as this encourages further plundering of the reefs and beaches. In the US, it is illegal to possess any part of a wild bird - even a single feather

Pls. note that the majority of camps and lodges do not include beverages and excursions. These are extras payable. All Nairobi Hotels are always booked and quoted on bed and breakfast. Therefore meals such as lunch and dinner are NOT included. All safari lodges are usually quoted on full board accommodation and all coast hotels include half board.

We recommend as part of our responsible travel policy that you do not give money or gifts directly to local people. We have links with local projects/schools that would appreciate your support. Please ask your guide for further details. If you would like to contribute to these donations of clothing, pens and pencils are greatly appreciated.