| and Tanzania represent an amazing combination of an | | | | The currency |
| African wildlife safari. You will enjoy a memorable | | | | Kenya’s currency is the Kenya Shilling (KES). |
| safari whether in individual countries or combining | | | | Tanzania’s currency is Tanzania Shilling (Tsh). |
| both countries. | | | | There is no restriction to the amount of foreign |
| Designing your Kenya and Tanzania safari itinerary | | | | currency a visitor may import provided that it is |
| If you are thinking of combining the two countries, | | | | exchanged through authorized dealers only. It is |
| on an average budget safari overland, you are | | | | essential to retain a receipt for each transaction in |
| well-advised to put aside about 12 to 14 days at the | | | | order to re-exchange the local currency on departure. |
| minimum to allow you enjoy a well-designed safari | | | | Foreign currency as the U.S. dollar or British pound (in |
| program. | | | | cash or travellers cheque) are the most widely |
| You can however visit more parks and reserves with | | | | accepted. Well known credit cards are also widely |
| the same number of days if you can afford to fly | | | | accepted in Kenya & Tanzania It is a legal |
| between some destinations. For example in, Kenya, | | | | offence to deface local currency. |
| there are regular, reliable schedule flights between | | | | The Banks |
| Nairobi and some of the well-known wildlife areas like | | | | Banking hours are from 09.00hrs to 14.00hrs Monday |
| Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Samburu. Likewise, you | | | | to Friday. Most Hotels and Lodges change money |
| will find similar regular schedule flights between | | | | outside these hours. |
| Arusha and the various lodges in the vast Serengeti | | | | Security |
| and Lake Manyara. Needless to say, by flying | | | | Normal precautions as in any other destination |
| between some of the parks and reserves, you save | | | | worldwide should be taken. Keep a close watch on |
| on the time. This is of course besides the relative | | | | handbags, wallets and cameras when walking in |
| comfort that the flight options offer. | | | | crowded places and avoid walking at night (take a |
| In comparison with the schedule fixed departure | | | | taxi). Place all valuables in safety deposit boxes at |
| tours, a private safari is much better in the sense | | | | hotels and lodges and only carry small amounts of |
| that it offers you the flexibility to make changes and | | | | cash. Wear as little jewellery as possible, if any, and |
| enjoy the safari at your own pace. With the schedule | | | | never leave valuables on show in an unattended car |
| fixed departure tours, one is obliged to follow the | | | | or tour bus. Taking photographs at airports, near |
| program as set from the beginning, taking into | | | | military installations, of policemen, the President, the |
| consideration the interest of the other participants. | | | | national flag, the State House, state lodges, soldiers, |
| The climate | | | | prisons and prisoners etc., is prohibited. Before |
| If there is a perfect climate in the world, surely it is in | | | | photographing local people, permission should be |
| East Africa with cool mornings and warm middays. | | | | obtained and a fixed price agreed. Seek the |
| Although it can be hot and sticky by the sea, inland | | | | assistance of your driver/guide in this matter. |
| the air is dry and even at midday the temperatures | | | | Driving |
| are equitable. Due to the proximity to the equator, | | | | Driving is on the left for all countries. |
| sunrise occurs daily between 06.00hrs and 06.30hrs | | | | Clothing |
| while sunset takes place 12 hours later. It can get | | | | Safari clothing should be casual and comfortable. |
| quite chilly in the early morning and evening hence | | | | Cotton slacks and shirts, with skirts and culottes for |
| visitors should pack a sweater. Each time of year has | | | | ladies and a light sweater or jacket, during the day. |
| its special attractions. There are two main rainy | | | | Evening wear in game lodges and safari camps can |
| seasons - usually mid-April to the end of May and | | | | be very casual. In the more sophisticated clubs and |
| November to mid-December. Even during the rains, | | | | hotels gentlemen will be required to wear a jacket, |
| the weather can be pleasant with rain occurring in the | | | | while ladies should dress rather more formally. At high |
| early morning and late in the afternoon or evening. If | | | | altitudes, where early mornings and evenings can be |
| you travel during the rainy season, insist on using | | | | very chilly, warm sweaters, socks and comfortable |
| 4WD vehicles for your overland travel between the | | | | shoes are recommended. Pack suntan lotion, |
| nightstops. | | | | swimwear (to be reserved for the beach and pool |
| Visa Regulations | | | | only) and a small first aid kit. Local customs and |
| Visitors must be in possession of valid visa before | | | | modesty should be respected. |
| entering either Kenya or Tanzania. Most nationalities | | | | Laundry |
| can obtain the tourist visa at the entry points | | | | Most hotels, game lodges and safari camps offer a |
| – airports and designed border post. For both | | | | 24-hour inexpensive laundry service. |
| the tourist visa and commercial visa, the regulations | | | | Electricity |
| vary dependent on nationality and country of origin. | | | | Voltage in East Africa is 240volts/50 cycles AC, |
| It is always advisable to check with the nearest | | | | British standard generally through three-pin square |
| tourist office or diplomatic mission. Your travel agent | | | | plugs. Some lodges and camps have power only in |
| or tour operator may also be in position to advise | | | | the early mornings and evenings and, in some, video |
| you on specific visa needs. | | | | charging facilities are centralized. |
| Health regulations and medical advise | | | | Luggage |
| Inoculation centres in the country of origin will provide | | | | For your safari, it is strongly recommended that |
| updated information and advice on health regulations | | | | luggage is limited to one piece per person. A small |
| and recommendations. As Kenya & Tanzania | | | | overnight bag is essential. All city hotels provide |
| enjoy a healthy, invigorating climate, visitors need feel | | | | secure storage for left luggage. On all itineraries |
| no concern for their general health during their stay. | | | | where journeys by light aircraft are involved the |
| However, malaria is endemic in certain areas and | | | | baggage allowance would be around 15kgs per |
| anti-malaria medication should be taken according to | | | | person. |
| prescription recommendations. Visitor requiring special | | | | Photography |
| medication should pack sufficient supplies in their hand | | | | There is no shortage of the more usual film |
| luggage. Chemist shops are well stocked, but the | | | | throughout Kenya, however it is expensive and |
| same generic medication may not be readily available. | | | | visitors are advised to bring plentiful supplies, |
| It advisable to drink bottled water. On safari, rooms | | | | especially where specialist film is concerned. As a |
| are provided with flasks of filtered and purified water. | | | | general guide, double the amount of film normally |
| Mineral water is readily available. | | | | needed in other areas. In Tanzania films may not be |
| Customs and exit regulations | | | | available. For wildlife photography a 35mm single |
| Personal effects, film and cameras may be imported | | | | reflex camera, with telephoto lens of 200mm to |
| temporarily free of duty. However professional video | | | | 300mm is recommended. Larger lenses which require |
| equipment, tape recorders, radios, musical | | | | a tripod, or double reflex cameras are generally |
| instruments and souvenirs from other countries may | | | | impractical. An ultra violet filter, waterproof dust |
| require a customs bond to ensure re-exportation. | | | | cover and spare batteries are essential. A pair of |
| Baggage is normally inspected by customs officials on | | | | good quality binoculars for each person will be a great |
| arrival and departure. Please strictly adhere to | | | | asset. |
| baggage limitations as advised by the airline as | | | | City Hotels check in and check out |
| excess baggage charges can be quite expensive. | | | | The standard check-out time for city/town hotels is |
| Airport and departure taxes | | | | 10.00hrs. That means rooms may not normally be |
| A local airport service charge is payable on departure | | | | ready for occupancy until 12.00hrs. In case you |
| for domestic flights. In some cases, it may be | | | | anticipate and earlier arrival, please reserve rooms |
| included on the airfare. Please seek clarification from | | | | from the preceding night. Day rooms up to 18.00hrs |
| our travel / booking agent. | | | | are usually available. |