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Q1: Why should I consider a trip to East Africa?
Kenya and Tanzania are known for prolific wildlife and open plains as far as the eye can see. Here are diverse modern and ancient lands, which can encompass game viewing, beautiful lakes, magnificent mountains and tropical coastlines. There are also strong ethnic groups and traditions which will offer you warm and welcoming hospitality. Kenya and Tanzania are doing their utmost to maintain the relationship between man and wildlife and tourism is one of the best ways to help these countries accomplish just that.
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Q2: What should I consider in planning a trip to East Africa?
1) How many days/weeks do I have for this holiday?
2) What is my budget?
3) What am I interested in seeing/doing?
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Q3: Do I need a Visa for travel to Kenya and/or Tanzania?
All visitors require a valid passport with at minimum 6-months remaining before expiration, sufficient blank pages for Visa/s and entry/departure stamps, and a return air ticket.
Visas – Visas are required for many passport holders. Please check with the respective embassies, well in advance, as processing can take from a few days to a few weeks. If you need Visas from both countries, this will only add to the amount of time required. Remember that it is your responsibility to obtain necessary Visas in advance of travel. Visas are usually valid from three months to six months, depending on the country. The current price for Visas is USD$50 for both Kenya and Tanzania, but these amounts can change without notice. Contact the embassies nearest to you for more information.
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Q4: Is it safe to travel to (and what about crime in) Kenya and/or Tanzania?
Safety and security should be a concern regardless where one chooses to travel these days and travel to Africa is no different. Yet the media does have a morbid fascination with bad news from or warnings posted about travel to Africa. As a continent, Africa is quite large and an incident in one country doesn’t necessarily impact the entire continent, anymore then such an occurrence in your home city would. While it is true that some cities in East Africa might be more prone to crime then others, the vast majority of any incidents are targeted at people who live and work in the specific country. We at Africa Serendipity are in constant contact with our land outfitters in both countries, and their respective government authorities make enormous efforts to prevent tourists from being exposed to any such dangers.
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Q5: What is a typical day like while on Safari?
Each day will be different… each an adventure. Your days will begin with an early 5:30am wakeup, be served coffee or tea and cookies before heading out for the early game-drive at about 6:30am. After about 3-hours, you’ll return for a full breakfast. The rest of the morning you can use to simply relax, catch-up on sleep, go swimming (weather permitting). Lunch is served by 1pm. Between 3:30pm – 4:00pm you will depart on your afternoon game-drive; returning to camp/lodge around 6:30pm. You will have time to freshen up before “sundowners” at sunset; served dinner around 8pm.
Note: Night game-drives are not permitted within the National Parks in Kenya and/or Tanzania. If you are, however, on private lands outside the National Parks, game-walks can be done after breakfast, and night game-drives are available and often conducted.
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Q6: Can I drink the water and what about ice cubes?
Water is generally safe in urban areas and established hotels/resorts, but for first-time African travelers this may cause abdominal upsets. So it is best to drink sealed bottled water, which is available throughout Kenya and Tanzania – hotels, lodges and camps. This same sealed bottled or purified water is what is used by hotels, lodges and camps to make ice cubes, so they are safe; but if you are not comfortable doing so, avoid the ice cubes. Bottled water should also be used for brushing your teeth.
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Q7: What type of electrical power will I find in East Africa?
In Kenya and Tanzania, the electricity supply is 220 / 240V AC, 50 Hz. and can be round 2-pin or flat 3-pin plugs. If you use electrical appliances (shaver, hair dryer, curling iron, etc.) that are not compatible or at least dual-voltage, it is suggested you bring a converter and appropriate adapter plugs. If for some reason your appliances do not work properly, do not hesitate to contact Reception, who will likely have an appliance for your use. Be aware that generators at remote locations may only operate during specific hours… do not operate after midnight. There are some camps that do not have electricity, except that which is used in food preparation. Here guest tents are lit by hurricane lamps, and flashlights are provided, but it is a good idea to bring one of your own. Important – With strict Security measures worldwide, it is not recommended to even consider bringing appliances that use “butane” canisters… these will undoubtedly be removed from your checked or carry-on bags.
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Q8: Should we consider fly-in safaris versus driving between locations?
Road conditions are often poor, bumpy and dusty and distances can be great. We mention this not to dissuade you from road travel, which might appear to be less expensive, but rather something of which you should be aware. That is why we may recommend our client’s fly-in using light aircraft. The disadvantage of flying is that you miss the opportunity of meeting locals, especially children, along the way and enjoying some interesting landscapes. Most often, we create an itinerary that combines both flying and driving, but the decision is always yours.
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Q9: Will I require any immunizations and/or medications?
We recommend that you contact the Centers for Disease Control to learn current information regarding travel to Kenya and Tanzania. You can contact the CDC through their website at www.cdc.gov/travel. Before getting any inoculation/s or taking medicines, you should discuss this with your personal physician or a tropical disease specialist who knows your medical history. A Yellow Fever vaccination may be required for travel to Kenya and Tanzania and the CDC might recommend additional inoculations. A course of anti-malarial medication will also be recommended for individuals traveling to these countries. Check whether your insurance company will reimburse for travel related immunizations and/or medicines, but don’t be surprised if they won’t.
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Q10: Is English spoken in Kenya and Tanzania?
In Kenya, with over 40 ethnic languages, the official national language is Swahili, though English is spoken throughout the country. And in Tanzania, with 120 different tribes with as many languages, both Kiswahili and English are the official languages. An English speaker should not encounter any problems in being able to communicate.
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Q11: What if something happens and I require immediate medical attention? We recommend a temporary membership to The Flying Doctor’s Society of Africa. This air ambulance service is located out of Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and available 24/7. Should the need arise, they will fly to wherever you are and fly you to the closest, best medical facility – usually in Nairobi. The fee is minimal and good only for the duration of your trip. If you do not use these services (more than likely you won’t), your membership fee goes to provide service for healthcare to those who can’t afford same, especially in the remote areas of East Africa. You can contact The Flying Doctor’s Society of Africa at their website: www.amref.org/services.htm for details.
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Q12: Should I purchase travelers insurance?
It is strongly recommended that you purchase Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance. You have made an investment in your trip to Africa and should do what is necessary to protect it if something unforeseen happens. We at Africa Serendipity do not sell insurance, but can suggest the following websites: www.1travelinsurance.com or www.insuremytrip.com where you will find offerings from numerous well-known providers.
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Q13: What type/s of currency do I need to have in East Africa?
In Kenya – The currency is the Kenya Shilling (Ksh). The currency exchange at the Kenyatta International Airport is open 24-hours. There are also a few ATMs in Nairobi, or an exchange can be made at your hotel, but the rates here will be less favorable.
In Tanzania – The currency is the Tanzania Shilling (TSh). Currency can be exchanged at authorized dealers, commercial banks, exchange booths, international airports and at many of the safari lodges/camps.
Credit Cards – Visa and American Express are the most widely accepted credit cards. But it is not unusual that remote lodges/camps will not accept these without assessing a Transaction Fee; we recommend you bring cash in $1s, $5s, $10s & $20s, as USD are widely accepted, as are Amex Travelers Checks.
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Q14: Will there be any extra costs while in Kenya or Tanzania?
Minimal. Most all costs will be paid for prior your departure. At some lodges/camps there will be a charge for soft drinks, beer, and other alcoholic beverages. Of course, any items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, souvenirs, etc. are your responsibility. A Departure Fee may be due at the airports, if the amount has not been included in the price of your International air ticket.
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Q15: What about tipping?
Tipping should always be at your discretion, based on the level of service received from your guide/driver, lodge/camp staff and hotel staff in cities. Tips should be considered for guide/driver at $5-$7/per person/per day, camp staff (porters, waiters, housekeeping) is shared and placed in a “tip box” found at Reception at $2-$3/per person/per day. And remember the porters at city hotels at $1/bag, housekeeping at $2/night/room and restaurants at 10% of the bill.
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Q16: What kind of clothes do I need?
Unless you choose to, it isn’t necessary to look as if you stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine. Comfortable and interchangeability is “de rigueur” in Africa. Stay with neutral colors – tan, brown and khaki – pants, shirts and shoes. A sweater or light weight jacket are best for cool mornings and evenings; often daytime clothing can take you straight through, unless you would like to change to “nice casual” for dinner. Most lodges/camps in both countries offer laundry services (except for “smalls” = underwear) at a nominal price. We will send a recommended packing list well in advance of your travel.
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Q17: What kind of luggage should I use?
Since you don’t have to pack much in the way of formal clothing, the ideal piece of luggage is a duffle bag… very functional. These are easy to pack, easy to transport in safari vehicles, and a “must” if you are taking any internal flights. On internal flights you will be limited to 15Kg (33-lbs) of luggage, including photographic equipment. Because many roads will kick up lots of dust, it is recommended that you secure your cameras in zip-lock plastic bags.
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Q18: Are there other activities besides wildlife viewing?
Certainly. There is golf, mountain climbing and hiking, encounters with chimpanzees, camel safaris, horseback riding, hot-air ballooning, and diving and snorkeling at coastal resorts.
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Q19: Will I be able to be in contact with the outside world?
With few exceptions, most, if not all lodges/camps, communicate to their home base, (usually in Nairobi, Arusha or Dar-es-Salaam) by two-way radio. Some of the lodges might have telephone service; as well, some lodges/camps or bush homes might have Internet access, and can, on your behalf, and for a fee, send an email advising that you’ve arrived safely. However, there are no connections for personal laptops. Likewise, cell phone service is limited, if at all, especially out on the savannahs. Simply put – “it will vary.”
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