 Visas
All visitors to East Africa are required to have
valid passports. Visas are also required for visitors
who are not citizens of the commonwealth countries in
order to enter East Africa. At present visitors from Germany,
Denmark, Norway, San Marino, Sweden, Ethiopia, Eritrea,
Finland, Spain, Turkey and Uruguay do not require visas.
However, since visa requirements may change, it is advisable
for the visitors to check the current visa requirements
through airlines, tour operators or 3 East Africa Countries
Tourist Offices, High Commissions in their countries before
coming, to avoid embarrassment. Visas normally take up
to six weeks to process and are valid for up to a three
month period. Those visitors with proper documents and
who also possess onward or return tickets may be given
visitor's passes free of charge on arrival at any Kenyan
point of entry.
During the three months period, the visitors' pass holders
are not allowed to engage themselves in any form of work
or business in the country without authority from the
Principal Immigration officer. Visitors without proper
documents will be required to pay a refundable deposit
of Kshs. 5,000/= before they are issued with visitor passes.
Weather
East Africa enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot
and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry
in the north and northeast parts in Kenya.
The average annual temperature for the coastal town of
Mombasa (altitude 17 metres) is 30.30 Celsius maximum
and 22.40 Celsius minimum, the capital city, Nairobi (altitude
1,661 metres) 25.20 Celsius maximum and 13.60 Celsius
minimum, Eldoret (altitude 3,085) 23.60 Celsius maximum
and 9.50 Celsius minimum, Lodwar (altitude) 506 metres)
and the drier north plainlands 34.80 Celsius maximum and
23.70 Celsius minimum.
There is plenty of sunshine all the year round and summer
clothes are worn throughout the year. However, it is usually
cool at night and early in the morning.
The long rains occur from April to June and short rains
from October to December. The rainfall is sometimes heavy
and when it does come it often falls in the afternoons
and evenings. The hottest period is from February to March
and coldest in July to August.
The annual migration of wildlife between Serengeti National
Park in Tanzania and Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya
takes place between June and September. The migration
of almost two million wildebeest, zebras and other species
is nature's greatest spectacle on earth. The animal trek
has been captured by filmmakers worldwide.
Useful
Tips
Baggage
Baggage space on safari is restricted to one medium suitcase
or holdall per person, plus hand baggage (private safaris
where there are less than 7 persons in the vehicle are
not subject to this restriction). Visitors to Treetops
and the Ark are asked to take overnight bags only; suitcases
can be left at the base hotel. Hotels will normally store
baggage at no extra cost. Baggage can also be stored at
Roaming Africa Safaris and Vacations offices. A baggage
weight restriction of 15 kg per person applies on air
safaris. Where very small aircraft are used this maybe
reduced to 10kg.
Currency
Hard currencies can be exchanged in cash or travellers
cheques at banks all over the country, at forex bureaus
in Nairobi and at most large hotels. US Dollars and Sterling
Pounds are most acceptable and will cause the least delay.
As a norm, always ask what commission and charges will
be deducted first and prior to transaction. Banks are
usually open from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, Mondays through
Fridays and from 9.00 am and 11.00 am on Saturdays.
Credit Cards
VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS are widely accepted
for tourist services. There's usually a 5% mark-up on
top of the price as establishments are charged a fixed
percentage of their transactions.
Health
Since rules concerning disease prevention change from
time to time, a check should be made with the nearest
Kenyan High Commission, Kenya Tourist Office or any airline
flying scheduled services into Kenya. Malaria is endemic
to most parts of Kenya and intending visitors should start
taking anti-malarial tablets before departure and continue
taking them for the prescribed time after their return.
Insect repellents should be made use of after dusk and
suitable cover up clothes should be worn in the evenings.
Flying Doctors Society
Membership of the Flying Doctors Society is strongly recommended.
In event of accident or sickness while on safari, the
society will fly patients by air ambulance to Nairobi
for admittance to hospital. The current cost for 1-month
membership is US$ 25 per person.
Drinking Water
Drinking water from the tap must be considered risky.
Hotels and lodges usually furnish safe water in a thermos
flask in guest rooms. Bottled mineral water is available
in every hotel and supermarket.
Security
Normal precautions as in any other destination world-wide
should be taken. Visitors are advised not to leave cash
and valuables in their hotel rooms but to make use of
safe deposit boxes and safes. One should never carry large
sums in cash and women should keep a tight grip on handbags
in crowds or busy streets. Jewellery snatching is quite
common in city streets. As in all major cities walking
alone or in small groups at night should be considered
a hazard and avoided. Reliable taxis are available at
all the principal hotels. Taking photographs at airports,
near military installations, of policeman, the president,
the national flag, the State House, state lodges, soldiers,
prisons and prisoners etc., is prohibited. Before photographing
local people, permission should be obtained and a fixed
price agreed. Seek the assistance of your driver/guide
in this matter.
Voltage
Both mains electricity and generated supply in lodges
provide 240 volts AC 50 cycles. Most large hotels and
some game lodges provide shaving points with 110v 50 cycles.
Sockets are normally three pin and of the 'square' variety.
Tipping and Pooterage
Although hotels and lodges include a service charge, it
is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers and
safari drivers/guides.
Language
Kiswahili is the lingua franca while English is the official
language. In addition, most tribes have their own language.
Post and Telephones
Keeping in touch by mail and telephone is generally easy.
Direct overseas dialling is possible from major centers
and increasingly from remote places such as game lodges.
Call home bureaus are in plenty in Nairobi as are the
Cyber café for e-mail and Internet access.
Arrivals and Departures
East Africa has two main ports of entry by air: Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport, Nairobi. Located 16 km from the
city center. Moi International Airport, Mombasa. Located
12 km from the town center. Mombasa is the main port of
entry by sea.
Airport Departure Tax
International Airport departure tax equivalent to US$
40 per person is payable on departure from the International
airports. A local airport service charge is also payable
on departure for domestic flights. As this varies from
country to country, please check with us on the prevailing
amounts payable prior to your flight departure.
Opening and Shopping
Hours
Major stores, tourist services, offices and museums open
from 8.00 am to 5.00 PM in large towns though offices
often break for lunch. In rural areas and out in the bush
small shops can be open at almost any hour. Souvenirs
to take back home can include wood and soap stone sculptures
and carvings, ciondos (sisal baskets), beadwork and tribal
regalia, masks, textiles and gemstones set in unique jewellery
pieces.
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