BUCKLEY - Safari Collection

Straddling the Equator and stretching from coral-fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean to the vast Great Rift Valley, Kenya is a land of striking contrasts and breathtaking beauty.

The country proudly hosts six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each recognised for its cultural, historical, natural, or archaeological significance. These sites form a key part of Kenya’s identity and global heritage.

Kenya’s landscapes range from lush savannahs, mountain highlands, and riverine forests to semi-arid deserts. This incredible variety offers ideal habitats for diverse wildlife, making the country a premier safari destination. Fittingly, the word “safari”, meaning “journey” in Swahili, originated here.

In addition to natural wonders, Kenya is home to over 40 ethnic communities, each with distinct languages, music, and traditions. Cultural experiences are especially vivid in regions like the Mara and the north. Visitors can train with Maasai warriors, witness Samburu ceremonies, or learn local folklore from camp staff. Geographically, Kenya is often divided between the coastal lowlands and the elevated interior or “up-country.” These areas offer different experiences, from coastal charm to highland adventure. The highlands boast verdant valleys, cascading waters, and rugged terrain perfect for hikers and climbers seeking unspoiled nature.

Kenya’s wilderness areas are celebrated for their uniqueness. Whether it's Nairobi National Park, the world’s only wildlife haven within a capital city, Lake Nakuru or Amboseli, offering stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, each region showcases the essence of wild Africa.

Along the southeastern coast, the Indian Ocean blesses Kenya with pristine beaches, warm breezes, and crystal waters. Here, visitors can relax on the sand or explore the mainland coast, where Swahili culture thrives in vibrant communities.

Kenya’s lakes also enchant. From flamingo-filled Lake Nakuru and steaming geysers at Lake Bogoria to island-dotted Lake Baringo and the expansive Lake Victoria, each lake offers its own magic and recreational possibilities.

No reflection on Kenya would be complete without mentioning Karen Blixen, the Danish author of Out of Africa. Her lyrical memories of life on a farm near the Ngong Hills capture the country’s timeless allure:

“I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills... In the daytime, you felt that you had got high up; near to the sun... the nights were cold.”

Come and discover Kenya’s grandeur, warmth, and wild heart, a journey like no other awaits!

For all VISA requirements, including the whole application process and costs, please contact your local Kenyan Embassy, Consulate or other Kenyan Representative Office for further details.

Visas are not issued at ports of entry into Kenya. Kenya does not require visas from several countries, therefore, all visitors must get in touch with their local Kenyan Embassy, Consulate or other Kenyan Representative Office to determine whether a visa is required to enter Kenya. Visitors to Kenya must possess a passport valid for at least six months from the date of travel and should have at least two blank pages available in their passport.

It is advisable for visitors who intend to travel to neighbouring East Africa and/or additional African countries to have sufficient passport pages in place and, where applicable, apply for multiple-entry visas. For more information, visit https://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html.

The Kenyan shilling (KES) is the local currency of Kenya. United States Dollars (USD) are widely accepted across the country, while UK Pound Sterling (GBP) and Euros (EUR) are widely accepted in major tourist areas. Small denominations of foreign currencies should be carried where possible, however, change may only be given in local currency, or change may not be available. Foreign Exchange centres are in the main cities, towns and international airports.

There are numerous banks in the major cities and towns, including several international banks in the major cities. Business hours vary from bank to bank, but most are open Mondays to Fridays from 9h00 to 15h00 and 9h00 to 11h00 on the first and last Saturdays of each month. Banking services are also available at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa. Automated teller machines (ATMS) are found in all large cities and towns; however, they may not accept all foreign cards. Mastercards, Visa Cards and American Express Cards are widely accepted in major tourist areas, whereas Diners Club Cards are generally not accepted.

Public transport in Kenya is geared towards the needs of the local populace and is confined to main roads between major population centres. Although cheap and reliable, it is of little use to the traveller as most of Kenya’s tourist attractions lie off the beaten track.

There are major airports in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, while smaller regional and charter flights are commonly used to reach key attractions such as the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Laikipia, and remote coastal destinations like Lamu and Diani Beach.

Luggage

PLEASE NOTE: There may be a restriction on luggage limits on your journey – please ensure that you have the details from your agent according to your itinerary. Please ask your agent ahead of time if you would like details on the feasibility and costs of taking excess luggage with you on any of these restricted luggage safaris (as noted above in Luggage and Passenger Limitations on Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfers).

LUGGAGE LIMITATIONS ON SCHEDULED LIGHT AIRCRAFT TRANSFERS

There are strict luggage weight restrictions for all scheduled light aircraft transfers. These restrictions are as follows:

• Camera & Hand Luggage per person is restricted to 5kgs (11 pounds).
• Only soft-sided bags will be accepted.
• Suitcases, bags with wheels, frames or hard sides will not be permitted on scheduled light aircraft flights.

Maximum dimensions of Soft-sided bags which can be accommodated are as follows:

• 25cm (10 inches) wide x 30cm (12 inches) high and 62cm (24 inches) long.
• Please remember that baggage compartments on light aircraft are only 25cm high (10 inches), so the pilots must be able to manipulate the bag into the compartment.
• A collapsible wheeled luggage frame/trolley (separate from the bag) is allowed as long as the basic dimensions are similar to the bag.

Excess Luggage:

• Requirements and costs for excess luggage on any light aircraft transfers vary depending on the charter company, aircraft used and routing. In most cases, you will have to purchase an extra seat, which allows for an additional 20 kgs (44 pounds) per person.

Kenya is an endemic Malaria area; therefore, Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Please contact your Local Travel Clinic or Medical Practitioner before travel to determine the appropriate anti-malaria measures. The use of additional precautionary measures, such as topical insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothing, long trousers and socks when outside at night, is recommended, especially when on safari. It is inadvisable for pregnant women to visit Malaria areas.

Kenya is endemic to Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis), particularly in game reserves where the Tsetse Fly vector occurs. No prophylactics are available; therefore, precautionary measures, such as topical insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothing, long trousers and socks when outdoors, are recommended, especially when on safari. The incidence of human transmission of the disease in Kenya is low compared to other countries in the region.

Pregnant women must please get in touch with their Local Travel Clinic or Medical Practitioner before travel to determine whether travelling to Kenya is advisable or not. Kenya falls into the Yellow Fever belt of Africa, therefore, a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required to enter and exit Kenya. Furthermore, travellers arriving from or travelling onwards to other countries in Africa and/or the Yellow Fever belt of South America require a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.

Although additional vaccinations (such as Hepatitis A and B, Polio, Tetanus and others) are not mandatory, certain vaccinations may be recommended by your Local Travel Clinic or Medical Practitioner. Should you be on prescription medication or require any other types of medications, please ensure you have an adequate supply of all your medicines for the duration of your trip.

For prescription medications, it is recommended that you have a copy of the original prescription and keep all medicines in their original labelled packages. Please contact your Local Travel Clinic or Medical Practitioner well before your departure date regarding all the above-mentioned health requirements. Vaccination requirements may be subject to change at short notice.

Bottled water is advisable for your stay. When buying bottled water, check that the seal of the bottle is intact. Never drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered, or chemically disinfected (such as with iodine tablets). Never drink from streams, rivers and lakes. It’s also best to avoid drinking from pumps and wells – some do bring pure water to the surface, but the presence of animals can still contaminate supplies.

Kenyan cuisine is vibrant and diverse, reflecting the country’s many ethnic groups, climates, and landscapes. Commonly, Kenyan dishes are flavourful yet simple, incorporating spices and herbs in ways that enhance rather than overpower natural flavours. Here are some highlights of Kenyan cuisine.

Key Features and Ingredients

• Ugali: A national favourite, ugali is a dense maize porridge similar to polenta, often served as a side with vegetables, stews, or meats.
• Githeri: This dish consists of boiled maize and beans, sometimes with added vegetables and potatoes, creating a hearty, nutritious meal. It's especially popular among the Kikuyu people and has a comforting, earthy flavour.
• Mukimo: Made from mashed potatoes, peas, corn, and pumpkin leaves, mukimo is a bright green dish commonly served with meats or stews at celebrations.
• Chapati: This soft, pan-fried flatbread was brought to Kenya by Indian immigrants and is often served with stews or beans, providing a warm, slightly chewy accompaniment. 
• Nyama Choma: A beloved Kenyan barbecue, nyama choma (meaning "grilled meat") typically involves goat or beef seasoned with simple spices, roasted over an open flame. It’s commonly served with kachumbari, a fresh tomato and onion salsa.
• Samaki: Fish dishes, particularly tilapia and Nile perch, are popular along Lake Victoria and in coastal regions. The fish is often grilled or fried and served with vegetables or coconut-based sauces.
• Omena: Small fish similar to sardines, especially common in the western part of Kenya, are sun-dried and then cooked, often with tomatoes and onions. 
• Sukuma Wiki: Translating to “stretch the week,” this dish is a sautéed kale or collard green dish that accompanies many meals, often prepared with onions, tomatoes, and occasionally meat.
• Kenyan Curries: On the coast, dishes have been influenced by Indian cuisine, leading to aromatic curries with ingredients like coconut milk, turmeric, and coriander.  
• Samosas: Another Indian-inspired favourite, samosas are fried pastry pockets filled with spiced minced meat or vegetables.
• Mandazi: A mildly sweet, fluffy fried dough similar to doughnuts, served as a snack or breakfast item with tea.
• Mutura: Known as Kenyan sausage, this is a flavourful street food made from minced meat, spices, and sometimes blood, packed into intestines and grilled.

 Beverages

• Chai: Kenyan tea culture is strong, and “chai” (Swahili for tea) is a staple, often brewed with milk and sugar. Kenyan black tea is known for its rich, bold flavour.
• Dawa: A popular cocktail made from vodka, honey, lime, and sugar, known as “medicine ”, for its refreshing qualities.
• Tusker Beer: Kenya’s famous beer brand, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Kenyan cuisine, whether enjoyed in homes, restaurants, or as street food, is both flavourful and comforting, celebrated for bringing together diverse flavours, techniques, and cultural influences.

Kenya’s climate varies regionally, depending on topography, coastal proximity and prevailing equatorial wind direction. In general, the coastal regions remain hot and humid throughout the year, while the interior highlands tend to be warm and dry with cool to cold nights. 

Seasons are classified by rainfall patterns, which in themselves are variable. Generally speaking, dry conditions occur from June to October and December to March, whilst the months that experience the most significant precipitation are usually in April, May and November. 

Year-round, it can get cool to very cold at night and in the early morning, whilst on safari. 

Annual rainfall: 680 mm 

Average temperature: 25°C - 29°C 

Summer                                             Winter 

Average highs: 26 °C                   Average highs: 26°C 

Average lows: 16 °C                      Average lows: 16°C

In summer, lightweight, light-coloured cottons are preferable. Avoid synthetic materials and black clothing, as they increase perspiration and discomfort. In winter, wear trousers, long-sleeved shirts/blouses and cardigans/jumpers. Night temperatures can fall below zero degrees Celsius. Special attention should be given to protection from the sun. Bring good quality sunscreen, polarised sunglasses and a wide-brimmed sun hat is essential. Avoid wearing blue clothing, as tsetse flies are attracted to the colour blue and their bite can transmit African sleeping sickness. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, especially at night, can help protect against mosquito bites.

Suggested Packing List

• Wide brimmed sun hat
• Golf shirts and/or T-shirts – preferably with sleeves to protect your shoulders from the sun
• Long-sleeved cotton shirts
• Shorts and/or skirts
• Long trousers/slacks
• Comfortable walking shoes such as trainers, tennis shoes or similar sports shoes, sandals
• Formal attire for your stay at prestigious city hotels or on one of the luxury trains. Please note that most luxury trains have a specific formal dress code for dining.
• Light rain gear or waterproof jacket
• A warm jacket and/or fleece jacket is recommended not only for winter but also year-round, whilst on safari
• Lightweight cardigan/jumper for summer evenings
• Swimming costume

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

All electrical appliances run on 240v (AC – alternating current). Special adaptors for charging photographic equipment, mobile phones, laptops, tablets, hairdryers, etc., are required. These can be purchased at major airports and certain shopping centres. Some hotels and lodges may be able to supply guests with adaptors; however, we recommend that you carry your adaptors and converters, particularly if you have specific charging devices that operate at different currents/voltages. Some safari camps/lodges may not have 240v (AC – alternating current) and may operate on solar-powered 12v electricity (direct current – DC). Please bring spare batteries that can be charged at the camp/lodge while you are out on safari activities.