12-Day Kenya & Tanzania - Camping Safari

Resting in the magnificent Great Rift Valley and presided over by the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya is characterised by hauntingly beautiful natural landscapes of forested hills, patchwork farms, wooded savanna and vast forests brimming with an extraordinary abundance of wildlife. The nation’s diverse range of traditional African cultures is influenced by over 70 unique ethnic groups from the Maasai, Samburu, Kikuyu, and Turkana tribes to the Arabs and Indians that settled on the coast. Add to this: an exquisite tropical coastline fringed with breathtaking golden sand beaches; gorgeous coral gardens providing excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities; and a slew of lively beach resorts, and it is easy to see why so many visitors flock here from around the world to experience a truly unique African adventure in one of the world’s most pristine safari destinations.

Citizens of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mozambique, San Marino, South Africa, The Republic of Congo and Union of Comoros travelling to Kenya are now exempt from paying the application fee when applying for Electronic Travel Authorisation.

Please be advised that Kenya will no longer be issuing visas on arrival. All travelers are advised to apply for their visas online through the e-Visa website https://evisa.go.ke before traveling to Kenya. All services on the e-Visa website have been restored.

Please be advised that Kenya's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system is now operational. All travellers, including infants and children (except citizens of Kenya and EAC partner states) arriving in Kenya from 4th January 2024, are required to apply for ETA online via http://www.etakenya.go.ke prior to their arrival. A reminder that there is only one website for ETA applications www.etakenya.go.ke, please be wary of fraudulent websites.

Please be advised of the below requirements for ETA applications: 

REQUIREMENTS - ALL TRAVELLERS
Valid passport (6 month validity from the date of arrival in Kenya, with a minimum of one blank page)
Passport-style photo 
Contact information (home address, email address and phone number)
Itinerary details
Accommodation booking confirmation
Credit card, debit card, Apple pay for payment of $34 per person

REQUIREMENTS - DEPENDANT ON COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE / TRAVEL HISTORY
Yellow Fever certificate (if arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country)
Additional vaccinations

Travellers are eligible to apply for ETAs within 3 months of their arrival date in Kenya. Following application, a confirmation will be sent to the email address submitted in the application. Upon approval, the ETA will be sent to the same email address. 

Standard processing time for ETAs is three working days and the status of applications can be checked at any time on the ETA website using the ETA reference number.

All previous visa entry requirements for Kenya are now replaced by the requirement of ETAs. All e-visas currently in process will be issued and travellers with existing e-visas will be granted access to Kenya within the validity period of 90 days, without the additional requirement of an ETA. 
 

Currency:  
Local currency: Kenyan Shilling  
Symbol: KSh 
ISO code: KES
Central bank: Central Bank of Kenya
Subunit: Cent 
Banknotes: KSh1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 
Coins: KSh40, 20, 10, 5, 1 and 50, 10 cents(lesscommonly used)

Banking: 
Card Transactions:  
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Sometimes 
Diner’s club: Sometimes 

Banking Hours:
Weekdays: 09h00 - 15h00
Weekends:Saturdays: 09h00 -12h00. Sundays: Closed. Check the specific hours of the bank branch you plan to visit, as operating hours can vary between branches and regions.
Public Holidays: No
Foreign exchange services: Yes

Air: 
Main airlines: Kenya Airways, Airkenya Express, Fly540, JamboJet, African Express Airways, Mombasa Air Safari 
International Airports: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Moi International Airport, Kisumu International Airport, Eldoret International Airport 

Road:

Conditions vary greatly.
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Yes
Valid International Driver's License needed: No, unless your national licence is not in English. Third party insurance is needed.
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
Uber available: Yes

Bus: 

Inter-city bus services: Some, but not generally safe.  
Local city bus networks: No 
 
Rail: 
Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: No
 
Water: 
Ferries: Yes
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety:  
Can you drink the tap water: No
Fresh fruit and vegetables: No, unless thoroughly washed and peeled
Ice: No, unless made from bottled or purified water
Meat: Yes, but from reputable establishments
Street food: No, unless from a reputable source and freshly prepared

Local cuisine: Kenyan food is diverse, exhibiting the different tastes and flavours of its different tribes, as well as the spices of early Arab settlers and East Indian railway workers, and the fresh seafood straight from the Swahili coast. Top dishes include Kenyan Stew, made with meat and spices; Mutura, a rich, dark goat sausage; and Mandazi, a kind of donut flavoured with cardamom and sweet coconut milk.

Drinks: 

Tusker Beer
Kenyan Coffee
Chai (Kenyan Tea)
Madafu (Fresh Coconut Water)
Maziwa Lala (Fermented Milk)

*In addition to these beverages, there are also a variety of everyday drinks available, such as fruit juices, sodas, and bottled water.

Tipping: 10%  

Annual rainfall: 680 mm 
Average temperature: 25°C - 29°C 
 
Summer: December-March
Average in highs: 26°C 
Average in lows: 16°C 
 
Winter: July-October
Average in highs: 21°C 
Average in lows: 12°C 

* Kenya, due to its equatorial location, does not experience traditional summer and winter seasons. Instead, it has periods that are cooler and drier. The climate is generally characterized by wet and dry seasons.

Best time to visit: Visiting between June and September, during the long dry season, will allow you to experience a milder climate and witness the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. The short dry season, from January to March, provides excellent opportunities for beach visits and outdoor activities. During the rainy seasons, you’ll find fewer tourists and stunning, lush landscapes. The long rainy season runs from March to May, and the short rainy season runs from October to December.

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 
 
Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 
 
General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes, during the rainy seasons (March to May and October to December)
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes, for early morning and evening game drives, especially in higher altitudes or cooler months (June to August).
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes

Internet cafes: Yes 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Yes 
Cafes: Yes 
Shopping malls: Yes 
Public parks: No 
Libraries: Yes, in cities. 

As you will be travelling in vehicles and aircraft with limited space, luggage is required to be packed in a soft bag weighing a maximum of 15kg (33 lbs) which includes hand luggage and camera equipment. Type of luggage & dimensions: Soft bags with maximum dimensions of 35cm (13.7 inches) wide x 40 cm (15.7 inches) high and 70 cm (27.5 inches) long.

No hard suitcases are allowed, and oversized bags may not be carried on your lap. An additional seat can be booked for extra luggage, subject to availability. Airline luggage requirements will vary slightly between airlines – some will allow rigid frames or wheels according to strict internal guidelines. We recommend soft bags with correct dimensions as a default but can provide specific and up-to-date luggage rules on request.

These rules are often updated without notification so are best checked nearer departure. When travelling to any of our destinations in Africa, please remember that possession of wildlife trophies is illegal. A wildlife trophy is defined as “any protected animal, game animal, or game bird, alive or dead and any bone, claw, egg, feather, hair, hoof, skin, tooth, tusk or other durable portion whatsoever of that animal or bird or fish or other aquatic life whether processed, added to or changed by the work of man or not, which is recognizable as such a durable portion”. Any person found in possession of these restricted items, without the necessary permits, will be liable to a fine and/or prison term, with the said item being confiscated. In Kenya, certain items made from the ostrich and crocodile skin, both of which are being reared for the purpose, would be permitted as proper permits are issued by the dealers.

Plastic Bags Banned in Kenya and Tanzania Kenya and Tanzania join over 40 countries that have made plastic bags illegal, in a positive effort to reduce the impact on our environment. The ban applies to carrier bags with handles (and with or without gussets), and flat bags without handles and without gussets. The only exception is for re-sealable ‘Zip-Lock’ type bags remaining in guest luggage through the trip – only applicable to Tanzania. If you are travelling to Kenya and Tanzania, plastic bags that match the above description, including duty free bags, will be confiscated at the airport. However, there is a bigger risk that if anyone is caught using these plastic bags, the fine is KS h4 000 000 (approximately USD 38 000) or a prison sentence of up to four years. If you are travelling to these countries, please refrain from using all forms of ‘disposable’ plastic bags in both main luggage and hand luggage, to avoid inconveniences and possible prosecution. While we are aware that certain countries require carry on liquids to be packaged in clear bags for security reasons , we recommend purchasing a clear, non-disposable toiletry bag, as an alternative to zip-lock bags, when travelling to Kenya and Tanzania

The name Tanzania conjures up images of wildebeest stampeding across vast savannah, rain forests teeming with monkeys and birdlife, and great plains brimming with legions of game. All of these natural wonders and more are on offer in this exceptionally diverse African nation. Visitors typically visit Tanzania to partake in at least one of the four well-known Tanzanian tourist experiences: a relaxing seaside vacation on the picturesque island paradise of Zanzibar, an underwater tour of some of the world’s most renowned dive sites around the gorgeous Spice Islands, a safari adventure in some of Africa’s most impressive game reserves, or a hiking excursion around Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will undoubtedly be welcomed by some fabulously friendly and peaceful inhabitants who, despite being divided into 120 different ethnic groups and cultures, live in harmony with one another and provide some of the most wonderfully exotic local cuisine you could imagine. With all of this diversity on offer, the most difficult part of your Tanzanian holiday experience is likely to be deciding where to go!

Zanzibar to introduce mandatory insurance fee. Please ensure you hold a paper copy of your Travel Insurance to show to the immigration officer as the Mobile phone signal at Zanzibar airport is very poor.

Zanzibar officials have announced that from 01 October 2024, all travellers to Zanzibar will be required to purchase their inbound travel insurance at a cost of USD $44.00 per person (adult and child). Coverages is valid for 92 days and only valid during the time in Zanzibar. However, it does remain valid for multiple stays in Zanzibar during the 92 day period. 

The insurance coverage can only be purchased through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation and is mandatory, even if travellers have other travel insurance. The government will provide a QR code to the link (not yet available) where the insurance can be purchased. Travellers will have to provide proof of purchase on arrival. The policy will be sent to travellers by email. We will update you when the QR Code is ready for use. Travellers who fail to purchase the insurance policy may be denied entry to Zanzibar.

Currency

Local currency: Tanzanian Shilling
Symbol: TSh
ISO code: TZS
Subunit: Cent
Banknotes: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10 000 shillings
Coins: 50, 100, 200 and 500 shillings

Banking

Card Transactions: Yes
ATMs: Yes, in major cities
Mastercard: Yes
Visa: Yes
American Express: No
Diner’s club: No

Banking Hours:
Weekdays: Generally 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturdays: Generally 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Sundays and Public Holidays: Closed
Foreign exchange services: Yes

Air:
Main airlines: Air Tanzania
International Airports: Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam), Kilimanjaro International Airport (Arusha), Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (Zanzibar)
Domestic Airports: Arusha Airport, Dodoma Airport

Road:
Driving on the: Left
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Yes
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
E-hailing services: Yes

Bus:
Inter-city bus services: Yes
Local city bus networks: Yes

Rail:
Railway system: Limited
Subway System: No

Water:
Ferries: Yes
Water taxis: Yes
Leisure cruises: Yes

Food and water safety:
Can you drink the tap water: No
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes, with strict precaution
Ice: No
Meat: Yes, when cooked thoroughly and served hot
Street food: No

Local cuisine: Tanzanian cuisine reflects its diverse cultural influences, offering a blend of Indian, Arab, and European flavors. Staple foods include ugali (maize porridge), nyamachoma (grilled meat), pilau (spiced rice), and chapati. Traditional dishes like mshikaki (marinated meat skewers) and samosas are popular street foods. Don't miss trying the Swahili cuisine with its rich seafood dishes.

Drinks: Notable local drinks include Tangawizi (ginger soda), Tembo (local beer), and Konyagi (a spirit).

Tipping: 10-15%

Annual rainfall: Varies by region, averaging around 1,000 mm 
Average temperature: 25°C 

Summer: 
Average highs: 30°C 
Average lows: 20°C 

Winter: 
Average highs: 25°C 
Average lows: 15°C 

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, from June to October, when wildlife viewing in national parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro is optimal. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

As you will be travelling in vehicles and aircraft with limited space, luggage is required to be packed in a soft bag weighing a maximum of 15kg (33 lbs) which includes hand luggage and camera equipment. Type of luggage & dimensions: Soft bags with maximum dimensions of 35cm (13.7 inches) wide x 40 cm (15.7 inches) high and 70 cm (27.5 inches) long.

No hard suitcases are allowed, and oversized bags may not be carried on your lap. An additional seat can be booked for extra luggage, subject to availability. Airline luggage requirements will vary slightly between airlines – some will allow rigid frames or wheels according to strict internal guidelines. We recommend soft bags with correct dimensions as a default but can provide specific and up-to-date luggage rules on request.

These rules are often updated without notification so are best checked nearer departure. When travelling to any of our destinations in Africa, please remember that possession of wildlife trophies is illegal. A wildlife trophy is defined as “any protected animal, game animal, or game bird, alive or dead and any bone, claw, egg, feather, hair, hoof, skin, tooth, tusk or other durable portion whatsoever of that animal or bird or fish or other aquatic life whether processed, added to or changed by the work of man or not, which is recognizable as such a durable portion”. Any person found in possession of these restricted items, without the necessary permits, will be liable to a fine and/or prison term, with the said item being confiscated. In Kenya, certain items made from the ostrich and crocodile skin, both of which are being reared for the purpose, would be permitted as proper permits are issued by the dealers.

Plastic Bags Banned in Kenya and Tanzania Kenya and Tanzania join over 40 countries that have made plastic bags illegal, in a positive effort to reduce the impact on our environment. The ban applies to carrier bags with handles (and with or without gussets), and flat bags without handles and without gussets. The only exception is for re-sealable ‘Zip-Lock’ type bags remaining in guest luggage through the trip – only applicable to Tanzania. If you are travelling to Kenya and Tanzania, plastic bags that match the above description, including duty free bags, will be confiscated at the airport. However, there is a bigger risk that if anyone is caught using these plastic bags, the fine is KS h4 000 000 (approximately USD 38 000) or a prison sentence of up to four years. If you are travelling to these countries, please refrain from using all forms of ‘disposable’ plastic bags in both main luggage and hand luggage, to avoid inconveniences and possible prosecution. While we are aware that certain countries require carry on liquids to be packaged in clear bags for security reasons , we recommend purchasing a clear, non-disposable toiletry bag, as an alternative to zip-lock bags, when travelling to Kenya and Tanzania