| fe Manor is known for its quirky design and authentic | | | | and cool nights for most of the year. The |
| 1930’s furnishings. The owners of the Manor | | | | temperature generally sits in the high-twenties |
| recently decided to redecorate as well as invest in | | | | (centigrade), whilst in the Highlands and Rift Valley it |
| some structural enhancements to ensure all rooms | | | | is not unusual to experience temperatures of |
| have quality en-suite facilities. The fresh new look has | | | | 30 Centigrade during the day, dropping |
| further cemented its reputation as one of East | | | | down to below 10 Centigrade at night. |
| Africa’s finest boutique hotels. Travellers | | | | Coastal regions can be humid. |
| from all over the world now make Giraffe Manor a | | | | For most of Kenya, the main rains normally occur |
| part of their east African safari. | | | | during the period March to May, followed by a short |
| Background information: | | | | rainy period towards the end of October, lasting until |
| Giraffe Manor dates back to the 1930’s and | | | | early December. |
| was built by Sir David Duncan. It is surrounded by 140 | | | | Health |
| acres of forested land and offers giraffe lovers a | | | | No vaccinations are mandatory, although a certificate |
| unique experience. It was home to Jock and Betty | | | | of vaccination against Yellow Fever is required if you |
| Leslie-Melville who committed themselves to the | | | | are travelling from an infected country; visitors |
| preservation of Kenya’s Rothschild giraffes. | | | | entering Kenya from, for instance, Europe, the United |
| In 1974 two of these endangered giraffes were | | | | States, South Africa or Zimbabwe will not need a |
| moved onto the land and they have thrived ever | | | | certificate. Immunisation against Hepatitis A, Polio and |
| since. | | | | Typhoid are recommended but you should consult |
| The home has six bedrooms with en-suite | | | | your doctor for advice. Malarial mosquitoes are not |
| bathrooms, welcoming staff and excellent cuisine. The | | | | present in large quantities inland due to the high |
| grounds are surrounded by indigenous forest that in | | | | altitude of the country, but there is a higher risk on |
| addition to the giraffe is home to other species of | | | | the coast. We recommend that you take anti-malarial |
| game and birdlife. It is an ideal family location in which | | | | tablets as a precaution. |
| to begin a Kenyan adventure. | | | | As Kenya has no national welfare scheme; visitors |
| A stay at Giraffe Manor combines well with a safari in | | | | are responsible for their own medical expenses. In |
| the Masai Mara or at one of the camps at the Meru | | | | the event of an emergency, visitors may telephone |
| National Park. | | | | or go directly to the casualty department of any |
| The Masai Mara Reserve is one of east | | | | General Hospital in the large cities or any hospital in |
| Africa’s best known game viewing areas and | | | | the smaller towns. |
| adjoins the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania. A | | | | Although water is safe to drink throughout Kenya, in |
| land of undulating hills and rolling grasslands, this | | | | some areas the water does have a high mineral |
| magnificent park supports a huge animal population. It | | | | content (usually magnesium and fluoride) and if drunk |
| is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the | | | | in large quantities by those unaccustomed to it, it can |
| visitor may see animals in the same super abundance | | | | cause stomach upsets. For the first few days, we |
| as existed a century ago. Covering some 700 square | | | | suggest that you limit your intake of water, other |
| miles, the Mara offers wonderful scenery, breath | | | | than bottled, which is free of these minerals and |
| taking vistas and panoramas of vast rolling plains, hills | | | | readily available at reasonable cost. |
| and woodland groves. | | | | Language |
| The Mara is home to the largest population of lions in | | | | The people of Kenya are made up of many different |
| Kenya, these magnificent beasts spending most the | | | | ethnic tribal groups. Their languages are many, over |
| day sleeping in the shade of acacia trees. Vast herds | | | | 1200, but the official language is Kiswahili. English is |
| of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest roam the plains. The | | | | widely spoken. |
| waters of the Mara River are renowned for huge | | | | Currency |
| numbers of crocodiles and pools of hippo, whilst the | | | | The monetary unit is the Kenyan Shilling, divided into |
| acacia woodlands and riverine forests are favoured | | | | 100 cents. There are virtually no currency restrictions |
| by leopard and elephant. | | | | in operation. It is inadvisable to take Kenyan Shillings |
| The Meru National Park is located east of Mount | | | | out of the country, as they are difficult to exchange |
| Kenya and has rich areas of open savannah, | | | | except in neighbouring countries. |
| woodland and regions of swamp. In the distance are | | | | The US Dollar is widely accepted (US$1, US$5 and |
| ranges of hills which receive considerably more rainfall | | | | US$50 notes are recommended). We recommend |
| than Meru and from which flow fifteen rivers and | | | | that you take travellers' cheques in small |
| streams, which pass through the park, providing | | | | denominations (US$10 or US$20) which can be |
| abundant water for the wildlife and birds. | | | | exchanged at most lodges. When changing money to |
| Meru is a success story of conservation. As during | | | | local currency, please make sure that you have your |
| the early 1990’s the area was at the mercy | | | | currency declaration form stamped and that you |
| of poachers who dramatically reduced the animal | | | | obtain an official receipt of the transaction. |
| numbers there. Subsequently, with the arrival of | | | | Airport departure tax |
| Elsa’s Kopje and under the energetic guidance | | | | A departure tax for domestic flights from |
| of the park warden, Mark Jenkins, international funds | | | | government airstrips such as Nairobi, Mombasa, |
| have been raised to protect the national park and | | | | Eldoret, Kusumu, Malindi, is applicable (Kshs300 per |
| the animals are flourishing again and growing in | | | | person / approximately US$4). There is no departure |
| numbers in this fertile and attractive location. | | | | tax from private airstrips. Usually Africa Exclusive will |
| You can expect to see lions, herds of elephant, over | | | | include any relevant taxes in your holiday costs. If |
| a dozen types of antelope ranging from eland to dik | | | | any extra charges are applicable to your itinerary, |
| dik, buffalo, giraffe and a wide range of other | | | | your tour operator should advise you. |
| creatures. Game viewing is carried out by open | | | | Alcoholic beverages |
| vehicle, during the day and at night, when a spot light | | | | Drinks are included at most of the camps and lodges. |
| is used, and you can also enjoy walking safaris from | | | | Food |
| the lodge with an armed guide and national park | | | | All meals are usually included at the camps and lodges. |
| scout. | | | | Laundry |
| KENYA | | | | Due to the light aircraft flights your baggage |
| Getting there | | | | allowance is usually limited to between 12kg and 15kg |
| There are direct flights from London Heathrow to | | | | per person. Laundry is included at most of the camps |
| Nairobi. Flights are only 6 hours long – making | | | | but it should be noted that it is not culturally allowed |
| it the ideal destination for families, especially with | | | | for the staff to wash underwear. |
| younger children. It also means that you will spend | | | | Tipping |
| less time flying and more time on your much | | | | A tip of US$10.00 per guest per day for guides is |
| deserved holiday. | | | | usual. Camp staff are tipped at your discretion, most |
| Light aircraft flights to and between the various | | | | camps having a central kitty system for kitchen and |
| camps. There are also direct regional flights and | | | | cleaning staff. US$3/5.00 per guest per day is an |
| combines well with a few days relaxation in Zanzibar | | | | ample tip. |
| or Mauritius. | | | | Tipping |
| Time | | | | The amount of any tip is obviously at your discretion |
| Kenya is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time | | | | but there is little pressure on you to tip. However, |
| and two hours ahead of British Summer Time. | | | | we would advise that the following amounts are |
| Passports and visas | | | | considered appropriate: |
| All passports must be valid for at least six months | | | | – Porters - US$1 |
| after you leave Africa. British, USA and European | | | | – Waiters - US$2 |
| passport holders require a visa to enter Kenya and | | | | – Drivers - US$3 |
| we recommend that you obtain your visa before you | | | | – Driver/guides - US$5 -10 per guest per day |
| travel, although it is also easy to obtain on arrival. If | | | | – Camp crew - US$5 per guest per day (to |
| you are in Kenya for a few hours en route to | | | | be divided between staff) |
| another country, or staying overnight, a transit visa is | | | | At hotels, it is customary to tip the various services |
| required at a cost of £10 (which can also be | | | | as they are provided. Whilst at lodges or on safari, |
| purchased direct at the airport). For stays of 48hrs | | | | the tip should be given as one amount when you |
| or longer, a Single Entry visa is required at a cost of | | | | leave. |
| £30. The Kenya High Commission can be | | | | Power |
| contacted on 020 7636 2371. | | | | The electricity supply is 240-volts/50 Hz. Outlets are |
| Other passport holders should seek advice from | | | | usually 13-amp square-pin (UK plug). Power cuts are |
| Africa Exclusive or by contacting the Kenya High | | | | common, though most hotels and lodges have their |
| Commission. Those who have visited the Republic of | | | | own generator. |
| South Africa for more than three months in the last | | | | If you need to have your video battery re-charged, |
| twelve months will need visas irrespective of | | | | this can often be done whilst you are out on an |
| nationality. | | | | activity. You will need to take a spare battery for |
| Climate | | | | use whilst the other is being charged. |
| The Kenyan climate is very pleasant with warm days | | | | |