OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY

What does Lets Go Travel Uniglobe do towards this goal?

At Lets Go Travel Uniglobe, sustainability is integral to our operations, guided by four key pillars: Livelihood, Education, Conservation, and Community Tourism. Our commitment to Livelihood focuses on empowering communities by supporting essential needs and fostering development. Initiatives like the Pat Dixson Aid to the Elderly and Keep Her in School programs address food security, educational access, and gender equality, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These programs make tangible differences in local lives by providing support to vulnerable populations and enhancing educational opportunities, especially for girls.

Our dedication to Conservation involves proactive waste reduction practices and environmental stewardship. We implement measures such as promoting reusable items and participating in tree-planting initiatives to combat deforestation and protect biodiversity. Through partnerships with local conservation organizations and the adoption of eco-friendly technologies, we contribute to climate action and sustainable resource management.

In Education, we champion sustainability by co-hosting seminars and workshops that foster understanding and innovation in responsible tourism.

Lastly, our Community Tourism efforts ensure that tourism benefits local communities directly, enhancing their well-being while preserving cultural and environmental heritage. By aligning our practices with these sustainability pillars, we strive to make a lasting positive impact on both our clients and the destinations we serve.

What can you, as a tourist?

• Choose a safari or holiday that supports sustainable destinations, lodges, and hotels.
•  Travellers Philanthropy This is where, when a client books with us, USD 30 per booking goes towards the funding kitty for our sustainable initiatives; thus, clients would have contributed to helping us meet our sustainable development promises. Clients do have the option to give more, should they wish to give towards a certain initiative.
• Donate or start an ongoing project with the community around education, health, better livelihoods, or the environment (for example, piping of water or tree planting).
• Visit one of our humanitarian initiatives and give time, financial support, and company/pleasure to the individuals to help uplift their belonging in society and give direction and hope.

For more information about our sustainability principles, policies, or initiatives, please contact:

Felix Ongoma our sustainability coordinator,
email or +254 (0)20 444 7151

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING ON A SAFARI

Clothing: 

Lightweight, breathable clothing: 

• Neutral-colored clothing (khaki, beige, olive, and brown) to blend in with the environment and avoid attracting insects. Blue/bright shirts attract some biting insects. 

• Light long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect from the sun and bugs. 

• Comfortable T-shirts and shorts for the warmer days. 

• A light fleece or jacket for early morning and evening game drives, especially during the dry season. 

• A rain jacket or poncho if you're traveling during the rainy season. 

Comfortable footwear: 

• Comfortable, durable hiking shoes or safari boots for walking tours. 

• Sandals or flip-flops for relaxing at the lodge. 

Hats and accessories: 

• A wide-brimmed hat to protect from the sun. 

• Sunglasses (preferably with UV protection). 

• A scarf or bandana (useful for protecting your neck from sunburn). 

Swimwear: 

• If your accommodation has a pool or you're near a lodge with a spa, packing swimwear is a great idea. 

Light sweater or hoodie: 

• For cooler evenings or higher altitudes, like in the Aberdares or Mount Kenya areas. 

Gear and essentials: 

Binoculars and camera gear: 

• A good pair of binoculars for spotting wildlife from afar (also popular with keen birders). 

• Camera with a zoom lens (preferably 200 mm or more) for close-up shots of animals. Don’t forget camera chargers, spare batteries, memory cards, and a camera bag. 

Sunscreen: 

• High SPF sunscreen (50+), especially for the dry season to avoid sunburn. 

Insect repellent: 

• A strong repellent to protect against mosquitoes. 

Travel adapters: 

• Kenya uses the British-style 3-pin plug (Type G) with a voltage of 240V, so make sure to bring the appropriate travel adapter, power bank, and chargers. 

Reusable water bottle: 

• Stay hydrated, especially during long game drives. Many lodges provide filtered water, so a reusable bottle will help cut down on plastic use. 

Health and safety: 

Malaria prophylaxis: 

• Speak with your doctor about malaria prevention medications before traveling to Kenya. It's especially important if you're going to be in lowland areas.  

First-Aid kit: 

• Include basic items like antiseptic cream, band-aids, pain relievers (ibuprofen), antihistamines, and any prescription medications you may need. 

Hand sanitizer: 

• Handy for on-the-go cleaning, especially after handling items in public areas. 

Travel insurance: 

• A must-have for safaris - which we can assist with. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation, flight cancellations, and lost luggage. 

Waterproof dry bags: 

• For keeping electronics and documents dry, especially during rainy periods or if you're involved in water activities like boat rides. 

Documents: 

Passport and visa: 

• Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. Kenya requires an eTA for most travelers, which you can apply  here - https://immigration.go.ke/eta/.  

You can apply 90 days before or a minimum of 3 days before. We fully recommend you apply within a month before the date of travel to avoid any last-minute inconveniences.  

Travel itinerary and reservation details: 

• Have printed copies of your flight details, accommodation reservations, and safari bookings. Preferably also ensure you have the mobile numbers of the lady/gent from Lets Go Travel Uniglobe handling your safari bookings.  

Yellow fever certificate: 

• Kenya requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you're coming from a country with risk of the disease. Check with your doctor or vaccination clinic in advance. 

Debit cards/cash: 

• While most safari lodges and camps accept cards, it’s always a good idea to carry some Kenyan shillings (KES) in cash for tips, small purchases, or in case of emergencies. 

• Tips are quite important to people in Kenya considering $2/£2/€2 can help buy a 2kg maize meal flour which is enough to feed a family for 3 days. It is advisable to carry the tips in cash as small change.  

Optional items: 

Books, journals, or e-readers: 

• For relaxing downtime at your lodge, although some lodges stock a few books and magazines on conservation and tourism in their libraries.  

A few recommendations to read before or during your safari would be: 

• Love, Life, and Elephants: An African Love Story by Daphne Sheldrick. 

• Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds by Joy Adamson.  

• Out of Africa by Karen Blixen. 

• The Worlds of a Maasai Warrior by Ole Saitoti 

• Unbowed by Wangari Maathai 

• West with the Night by Beryl Markham 

Reference books while on safari:

• Birds of East Africa by Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe 

• East African Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide by Phillip Briggs 

Small backpack or day pack: 

• Handy for game drives or excursions. 

Travel pillow or eye mask: 

• If you’re traveling between destinations or doing long flights, these can make your journey more comfortable. 

Wet wipes: 

• For a quick refresh between game drives since some might be dusty or while out in the field. 

* Note that the recommended luggage should be 15 kgs and in soft bags particularly if flying in the country on smaller aircrafts. * 

Seasonal considerations: 

During dry season (June-October): 

• Emphasize lightweight clothing, sunscreen, and hats to protect from the strong sun. 

• The cooler mornings and evenings mean packing a fleece or light jacket. 

• Packing tip: You might not need much rain gear unless you're visiting places like Mount Kenya, where weather can change unpredictably. 

During rainy season (March-May and November-December): 

• A waterproof jacket, shoes that dry quickly, and a hat with a rain cover will be important. 

• Packing tip: Be sure to bring more insect repellent, as mosquitoes thrive in the wet season. 

For your information: 

Here are a few Swahili words that could be useful while communicating to the locals - https://wisdomafrica.com/top-100-kiswahili-words-and-their-translations/ 

Listed below are the conservation organizations that we are corporate members to. We would also recommend you join as an individual member or support them to help advance conservation activities in Kenya.  

• Nature Kenya. 

• East African Wildlife Society (EAWLS).  

• Friends of Nairobi National Park (FoNNAP). 

• Ngare Ndare Forest Trust.  

• Friends of Oloolua Forest.