PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS:
We recommend that all travelers have a minimum of two blank pages, side-by-side, for entry into any/all African countries. This is a requirement for entry into South Africa, and our recommendation for all African countries as well. These are the pages marked “visa” at the top of the page in US passports. Please ensure you have adequate pages for all countries you’ll be entering. All passports should be valid at least six months from the return date.
Additional official entry requirements may apply for any person under the age of 18 entering Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, or Zimbabwe). Please inquire if applicable.
VISA REQUIREMENTS:
Visas are required for entry into certain African countries. For United States passport holders entering Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Rwanda, or Mozambique, visas can be secured on arrival with payment in US currency. For South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, and Seychelles, visas are not required for American citizens. For Tanzania, visas are required and should be applied for and approved online in advance of arrival. For Uganda, visas are required and must be applied for and approved online in advance of arrival. Requirements for non-US passport holders may differ. It is the sole responsibility of all travelers to ensure they are aware of and can fulfill all visa and entry requirements.
YELLOW FEVER REQUIREMENTS:
Proof that yellow fever inoculation (shot) was administered to the traveler at least 10 days prior to arrival is required for entry into certain countries. A (yellow) medical card will be requested by the government authority upon arrival. This requirement applies for entry into Uganda and Rwanda. It also applies for entry into South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, or Tanzania following a stay, stop-over (and in some cases even airport transit/transfer) in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, or any other yellow fever country. Check with your Premier Tours agent if you are travelling to or through any countries and are unsure about the yellow fever requirements.
HEALTH MATTERS:
Many safari locations carry a risk of malaria and therefore malaria prophylaxis (oral medication) is strongly recommended.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect the cost of your trip in the event of cancellation for a covered reason, as well as for the medical, emergency evacuation, and numerous other benefits offered.
If you believe your credit card, homeowners, or healthcare plan provides coverage, you should carefully review what is and isn’t covered, as well as any limitations and exclusions. Many of our clients have been surprised to find the coverage they think they have is either limited, doesn’t cover family members, or is insufficient for adventure-oriented travel to remote destinations.
Please be sure to check the rates and coverage options offered by our insurance partner, Travelex, before making your insurance purchase. Unlike other insurance companies that charge based on the age of each traveler, The “Custom Travel Secure” policy was designed to provide the best coverage at highly competitive rates by offering a “one price fits all” option for Premier Tours travelers. All travelers will be required to sign a waiver before final travel documents are released, indicating whether they’ve chosen to purchase insurance.
LUGGAGE STORAGE:
Luggage storage may be available to you depending on your specific itinerary. Please inquire at the time of planning your tour and/or flights to ensure that arrangements can be made.
BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS:
Most African countries, in particular Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, have banned the use of plastic bags. Please refrain from using them for packing purposes.
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.
Entry Requirements
A passport with validity for at least six months beyond the last date of your stay in Kenya is required. Your passport must have 2 blank pages sitting side-by-side (a blank left side page sitting next to a blank right side page) to allow for official entry and exit stamps. Please ensure you have additional pages as required for any other countries you may be visiting.
Visas are required for US passport holders entering Kenya. These can be secured upon arrival with payment of $50.00 per person, US currency. Requirements for passport holders of other countries vary.
Proof of yellow fever inoculation (administered at least 10 days before arrival) is required ONLY WHEN travelers are arriving after having stayed in or transiting (more than 12 hours) through any yellow fever country. Your (yellow) official medical card must be presented.
It is the sole responsibility of the traveler to understand and fulfill any entry requirements.
Banking and Currency
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
Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice
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%
Climate and Weather
Kenya lies on the equator and has a pleasant tropical climate, but there are large regional climatic variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. Kenya’s daytime temperatures average between 68°F and 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 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.
Clothing and Dress Recommendations
Comfortable, casual clothing that is lightweight is the best bet while on safari. It can be quite cool in the early mornings, so you'll want to dress warmly in layers, until the sun has a chance to warm up the air. "Kenya Convertibles", khaki pants with zip-off legs, are perfect for cool early morning game drives that turn warm before you're back in camp. Walking shorts, long pants, cotton shirts and tees are just right. A cotton bush jacket or wind-breaker will be useful along with a warm sweater or fleece jacket for the cool nights. There is not a good deal of long walking or hiking on most safaris, so a comfortable pair of walking shoes or tennis shoes and a pair of sandals should be adequate.
In Kenya's major cities the dress code is conservative but not overly formal – jeans and decent tops for women are fine. Swimsuits are acceptable on the beach but you’ll need to cover up in public places.
Internet Availability
Internet cafes: Yes
Accommodation options: Yes
Restaurants: Yes
Cafes: Yes
Shopping malls: Yes
Public parks: No
Libraries: Yes, in cities.
Electricity and Plug Standards
Plug Type: G
Voltage (V): 240
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50
*A Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.
