 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 & 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 Shoppng 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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