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