Southern Cross Galleries Photo Safaris: 2019 Heart of the Mara led by Dean Tatooles

Kenya is the classic safari country where it all began. The Masai Mara Game Reserve remains the most prolific area in all of Africa for big cat viewing and arguably the best game viewing overall. Seasonally the already top wildlife viewing is augmented by a large portion of the great migration pouring into Kenya (typically later July into October).

Kenya is diverse, with vibrant culture and a wide range of activities possible. Quality walking, biking, horseback riding, and cultural experiences are all available. The creation of Community Conservancies has really lifted the quality offered in Kenya. The Conservancies bordering the Masai Mara often have even better game viewing than being in the reserve and they have a restricted number of camps with rights to use the Conservancy areas ensuring a non-crowded experience. This allows for quality with off-road driving, night drives, and walking at many camps.

A trip to Kenya can easily be combined with safari in Tanzania or Rwanda or Uganda for gorilla and chimp trekking.

Passport/Visa*
Make sure your passport has a minimum of 2 blank Visa pagesfor Kenya. Please note: endorsement pages at back of passport do not count as Visa pages. The expiration date must be at least 6 months beyond your return date.

KENYA NOW RECOMMENDS TRAVELERS ABOVE THE AGE OF 17 GET THEIR VISA BEFORE ENTRY
eVisa at www.evisa.go.ke

You will need to pay Visa Entry fees of USD 51 per person for Kenya

Currency

The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES; symbol KSh). 1 Kenyan Shilling = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of KSh1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of KSh20, 10 and 5.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at the major banks, bureaux de change or authorised hotels. The banks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport have 24-hour exchange services. The easiest currencies to exchange are US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros.

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding US$5,000 or equivalent must be declared.

Banking

Banking hours: Monday-Friday 09h00-16h00, Saturday 09h00-12h00. Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas typically open and close half an hour earlier.

Credits Cards are widely accepted in all major hotels and more upmarket establishments, with the most recognized being Master Card and Visa. American Express and Diners Club cards are occasionally accepted. However, you will need some cash handy because smaller shops will only accept cash.

Almost every bank now has an ATM, and they are increasingly being installed at petrol stations in cities and large towns.

Travellers cheques are no longer accepted in Kenya.

Flights – Regional Bush Flights
Aircrafts for these flights can range from 12 seat caravans to bigger crafts that might hold up to 40 passengers. These are shared charters so you may be joined by other passengers going to the same parks but not necessarily the same camps. On some routes there may be additional stops to pick up and/or drop off passengers thus all times are estimates.
NOTE: NOTE: Passenger weight limit on bush flights is100kg/220lbs per person. Total Luggage weight limit is 33 lbs. (15 kg) in a soft duffle like bag without wheels. This luggage weight limit includes your carry on.

Arrival to Nairobi, Kenya Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
On arrival to Nairobi, proceed through immigration and collect your luggage. Proceed outside where your representative as listed in your itinerary's daily information will be waiting with your name on a sign.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Since the rebuilding of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, the airport has seen a major upgrade, including a brand new terminal as well as new arrival points.Your pre-arranged driver representative will be in the specified waiting area outside the airport holding a sign with your party’s name. Taxi drivers and other individuals, some with official looking airport badges, may approach you offering their services and may even try to mislead you by telling you your driver has already left. Simply politely decline their assistance and continue to the waiting area to find your driver.

Terminal 1A (Kenya Airways and all SkyTeam Partner airlines):
• Kenya Airways
• KLM
• China Southern Airlines
• Air Mauritius
• Saudi Arabian Airlines
• Precision Airlines
• Royal Air Maroc
On arrival at Terminal 1A, passengers will exit the building through automatic glass doors shortly after collecting their luggage and clearing customs. All representatives will be waiting under the covered area surrounding the exit of the arrival terminal or in view on the other side of the road.

Terminal 1E (Any airline not affiliated with Kenya Airways):
• British Airways
• Emirates Airlines
• Lufthansa Airlines
• Swiss International Airlines
• Ethiopian Airlines
• South African Airways
• Qatar Airways • LAM Mozambique Airlines
• Etihad Airways
• Air Arabia
• Turkish Airlines
• Air Mauritius
• EgyptAir
• RwandAir

On arrival at Terminal 1E, passengers will exit the building after collecting their luggage and clearing customs and go down two ramps. All representatives will be waiting to the right hand side at the end of the ramp in the car parking area. Please look carefully for your representative who will be holding a board with the your party name.

Terminal 1D (all Domestic arrivals):
On arrival at Terminal 1D, you will exit the building shortly after picking your luggage, where all representatives will be waiting in front of you.

Kenya lies on the equator and has a pleasant tropical climate, but there are large regional climatic variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. Temperatures drop by about 6°C for every 1000m you climb (or 3.5°F per 1000ft). Kenya’s daytime temperatures average between 20°C/68°F and 28°C/82°F, but it is warmer on the coast. The coast is hot and humid all year round, but the heat is pleasant and tempered by the monsoon winds. Kenya is too close to the equator to experience a real winter and summer. There is, however, both a dry and wet season. The wet season is from November to May and the Dry season is from June to December.

The sun can be very strong so apply sunscreen, have cover up clothes, and bring protection for your head. Even though it will generally be warm by midday, when starting game drives early in the morning with the wind of the open vehicle, it can feel chilly so layers are a good idea until you get a feel for the climate and what works for you.

* Please check the weather closer to your departure date and adjust your packing accordingly.

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

UPDATE: KENYA PLASTIC BAG BAN

In their world leading efforts to protect the environment, the Kenyan Government has begun its enforcement of the February legislation to ban all use of plastic bags across and within the country.

In supporting the Kenyan government's environmental law, we would like to notify all our guests that any travelers entering the country refrain from using any and all forms of disposable’ plastic carry bags. This would include plastic being found in both the guest's main luggage as well as hand luggage to prevent any inconveniences on arrival into Kenya. It is our current understanding that the quart size Ziploc type bags often used for toiletries remain acceptable.

Please kindly note that when guests purchase duty free goods before entering Kenya, they will be required to leave their duty free plastic carry bags at the port of entry.