Kenya lies on the equator and shares common borders with Tanzania and Uganda, which
makes up the region of “East Africa”. Kenya is roughly the size of Texas or Spain. Elevation
in Nairobi is 5,889 ft. above sea level. During your safari, elevations may vary between 2,500 and 7,500 feet.
There are 42 tribal ethnic groups, each with their own dialect, though most people in the country speak Swahili as well as their own tribal language. English is commonly spoken in the major towns and at all camps and hotels.
Climate
The Kenyan climate can be quite pleasant although variations in altitude and terrain can create contrasts. In the Highlands the climate is cool, while elsewhere, like in Samburu and the Masai Mara, the temperatures can reach up to 35 degrees C during the day.
Over most of the country there are two rainy seasons:
- The Short rains occur from late October through November
- The Long rains occur from late March to end of May
• July and August are the coolest months and can be overcast especially in the morning making for great photographic opportunities.
Health Precautions & Vaccinations
Prior to Covid-19, Kenya was considered a generally low risk place to travel. From an
infectious disease perspective exclusive of Covid-19, it is still considered a low risk
destination. Malarial mosquitoes can be present in some areas. Most of the areas we are
traveling do not have a high incidence of malaria mosquitoes. It is recommended discussing the need for Malaria prophylaxis with your health care provider.
- Please remember that the best precaution is Prevention!
- Avoid being bitten by using mosquito repellents containing DEET. Camps may
provide a locally made repellent. Consider bringing your own, as you may
experience skin sensitivity from local repellants. - Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants in the evenings. If you wear open-toed shoes,
don’t forget to spray you feet and ankles. Ants can be a problem too so best to
wear a close toed shoe., - Use the mosquito net over your bed when provided.
- Consider spraying your clothes (shirts, scarves, pants, socks) with Permethrin or
buy bug repellant clothing. REI has Sawyer Permethrin spray and is a good
resource for clothing. Ex-officio is also a good source for clothing. - There are no mandatory vaccinations required for Kenya. You should contact you doctor or specialized travel clinic for further advice (CVS, Passport Health, etc.).
- You can review the CDC recommendations at:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya
- Be sure you are current on your regular, routine vaccinations (for example:
updated MMR, tetanus, polio, influenza, etc.).
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/current-vis.html
- If you haven t had Hepatitis A, B, C and Typhoid – these are highly recommended.
Typhoid oral vaccination (4 capsules, 1 every other day) is good for 5 years and
the injection is good for 2 years. - We will not be in any areas where yellow fever, meningitis and cholera are
prevalent. - Updated travel/entry requirements related to Covid-19 need to be evaluated
closer to departure (e.g., vaccination requirements, Covid PCR testing, health
forms, etc.).
Travel Insurance
There is no national welfare scheme in Kenya and visitors to Kenya are responsible for their own medical expenses.
- Ensure you have emergency evacuation insurance to get you back to the US, which is
included in most travel insurance quotations (please be sure to check your inclusions /
exclusions). I usually get at least $250,000 and sometimes a higher amount is included. - Included in the cost of your safari is medical evacuation insurance back to a Nairobi Hospital with Flying Doctors.
- It is recommended that you have Cancellation or curtailment of trip and Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods – check if it covers COVID.
- I usually obtain my trip insurance through www.insuremytrip.com. There are several
companies you can use. Request that you buy a policy that can be increased as you make
payments. - There are many options to consider with travel insurance. For example, if you have any
pre-existing conditions that could prevent you from traveling, please ensure your policy
covers pre-existing conditions. You can call Insure My Trip to purchase my policy, they are quite helpful in identifying the best plan for you.
Information required for Cryptic Safaris
- Your overseas travel/evacuation insurance details (name of company, policy number, and contact information)
- Copy of your passport biopage with picture and all numbers and dates (need your name, passport numbers, nationality for booking internal flights and obtaining medical evacuation insurance)
- Emergency contact information at home (phone number and email address)
- Your date of birth, height and weight
- Any medical conditions that Flying Doctors or Cryptic Safaris should be aware of
Drinking water
- Please ensure that you drink bottled mineral water only throughout your stay in Kenya. (except for accommodations where drinking water is put into your room). Camps provide information about safe drinking water.
- Bottled water is included in the safari vehicles for the duration of your safari. A Cryptic Safaris water bottle is provided for each client.
- Stay hydrated!
Currency
- The monetary unit is the Kenyan Shilling (KSH). The exchange is ~100KSH=$1 USD
- Most of the hotels, lodges and shops in Kenya will accept major credit cards (AMEX is a not preferred)
- Notify your credit card company of your traveling dates
- Converting your money into Kenyan shillings (KSH) can be easily done at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, hotels and banks
- VERY IMPORTANT: USD must be newer money, totally free from any marks, bends
or tears, as this will not be accepted and our guides cannot exchange for KSH. Notify your bank early that you need this money
Luggage
- Please ensure that your luggage is packed in soft-sided bags.
- Lodges have laundry facilities at an extra charge – they will not launder your underwear. A suggested packing list in a separate document.
Voltage
- Voltage throughout the country is 220-240AC.
- Please carry adaptors with a square 3-pin English standard option and sufficient batteries for photographic equipment.
Communications
- All camps and lodges have radio or phone communication with Nairobi.
- Wi-fi is available in some camps but connections can be slow to non-existent at times. Don’t count on the wi-fi you may have at home.
- Cell service is generally available. You will need to check with your cell phone provider regarding an international package for your phone.
Vehicle
- Your vehicle will be custom built and safari equipped 4WD Land Cruiser.
- The vehicles have game viewing hatches / pop-up roofs, are comfortable, and equipped with HF Radio.
On safari
- When we are out on safari our schedule is completely flexible.
- 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 for our game drive (butts in the seat by 6AM). We usually have a bush breakfast and stay out until the wildlife viewing slows down (could be a 4 hour or up to an 8 hour game drive).
- 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 if you would like. All of our guides are fluent in
English, speak the local language, are proficient in bush craft. They are certified Safari
Guides who will tell you about the wildlife, help you with identification and describe animal behaviors – you will learn so much about the world around you.
Clothing on safari
- Light cotton clothing is recommended.
- T-Shirts, short and long cotton trousers (or jeans), a sun hat, long sleeved shirts and sweaters/fleece for game drives (it can be cold in the morning & evening). A shuka (blanket) is provided for each guest, which you will take home as a souvenir.
- Good and comfortable walking shoes (e.g. sneakers), sturdy flip flops
- A rain / wind jacket. Camps have umbrellas.
- Dress code is very casual on safari.
Security
- Avoid carrying large sums of money.
- Be sensible with hand bags, jewelry and camera cases.
- Lock up valuables in the safety deposit boxes, if provided by most hotels / lodges and camps. In some bush camps, there are no safety deposit boxes, so carry anything valuable with you in the vehicle.
Photographic equipment
- Do not photograph local people without their prior permission. Your driver/guide will advise you further on this sensitive matter.
- Take a good supply memory cards, spare batteries. Binoculars are invaluable for game and
bird viewing with your guide. A separate list of Camera/Computer equipment will be
provided.
PASSPORT, VISA & COVID REQUIREMENTS
- All US Citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter Kenya. More information will be provided closer to departure. Your visa is obtained online approximately 2 months prior to entry. Cost is approximately $50 per person.
- You are required to have at least 6 empty pages in your passport for entry into Kenya.
- Your passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of departure from Kenya (not departure from Home).
- COVID-19 requirements can be found here (changes frequently) https://ke.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Dangers of the bush and park regulations
- Although the animals we see may seem completely unconcerned by our presence, they are wild and they are dangerous.
- DO NOT walk outside the limits of the camp.
- DO NOT get out of the safari vehicle in the park without first consulting your guide.
- DO NOT climb out onto the roof etc. of your safari vehicle to photograph or view animals. This is strictly forbidden and can result in significant fines by the park rangers.
- It is also against regulations to sit on top of the vehicle, play loud music in the bush, or to
attempt to provoke some “action” from an uncooperative animal by hooting, whistling, or banging the side of the vehicle etc. Littering is strictly prohibited.
Local time
- Kenya has a single time zone which is GMT + 3.
EXTRAS/ INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
- Note that the majority of camps and lodges do not include beverages. These are extras and payable when we leave the camp. Otherwise, camps are full board accommodation.
- All Nairobi Hotels are always booked and quoted on bed and breakfast. Therefore, meals such as lunch and dinner are NOT included.
PHOTOS – prohibited areas
- It is prohibited to take pictures of any State house, government buildings, airports, military installations, police stations, any border post, soldiers or police. This can result in a fine and confiscation of your camera, phone or device used to photograph.
- Please always seek advice from your driver/guide before taking pictures of tribes. Not everyone will agree to have their photograph taken.
How much cash do you bring
- Tipping is a safari tradition but it is never compulsory. The camp staff appreciate receiving
a gratuity from you because it is one way of assuring them that they are doing a good job.
They should NEVER ask you for money and if someone in the camp does, please let our guides know immediately.
- Most lodges have a staff tip box located at the reception. Recommendation is $5.00 per
person per day. Tips left here will be divided amongst the porters and waiters and all
other lodge staff. If you are particularly satisfied with assistance received from someone, a personal tip is also acceptable (e.g., bar man, waiter, room attendant). - Our guides are always tipped separately at the end of the trip. Recommendation is $25.00 per person per day as a guideline.
- Examples of cash you will need:
- $1 s and 2’s are good for the porters at hotels and camps.
- Cash for drinks, laundry, incidentals if the camp’s wifi is down and a credit
card cannot be accepted. - Souvenirs from locals who do not accept credit cards
Dietary restrictions:
- Please advise of any dietary restrictions; medical conditions, or anything else you would like for us to know about to make this your trip of a lifetime.