5 Star Top Seller Kenya - 10 Days

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.

A passport with at least two blank pages, six months' validity, and a visa are required to enter Kenya. Single-entry visas are available upon arrival at Kenyan airports; however, a visa can be obtained online through the following website: http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html.

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 

Children on Safari

There is no greater pleasure than watching your child discovering a different world and the joys of an old-fashioned childhood. East Africa is ideal for family holidays; we welcome children and many camps and lodges have family suites.

• Young children: attention span is short, children tire quickly. We recommend families opt for exclusive use of a vehicle.
• 6 to 12 years: a perfect age to be on safari—identifying animal tracks, fishing, walking, horse-riding, identifying “dung”, tracks and butterflies.
• 13 to 16 years: these optimistic young adults with developing opinions are interested and passionate about our planet, conservation, cultural diversity, and have their own knowledge of biodiversity facts.

Malaria

Malaria is common in Africa, however most safari areas are at altitude and in remote areas with little human population, so can be considered “malaria free”. Avoiding the mosquito bite is the cornerstone of protection including:

• mosquito bed nets when not in a tent;
• wear long clothing after dark;
• repellents/insecticides (sprays, creams & mosquito coils) again, after dark; and
• oral prophylaxis.

We team up with the foremost authority on tropical diseases in East Africa who keeps us updated with the latest prophylaxis and general inoculation advice. 

East African Flying Doctors Medical Evacuation (AMREF)

All guests are registered with AMREF Flying Doctors, who operate the most comprehensive and professional air ambulance services in East Africa. They also have international evacuation capabilities. The purpose of the membership is to ensure immediate evacuation response in case of emergency and is separate and additional to guest's own medical insurance, which is mandatory for safari participation.

Sources: Dr Mauro Saio, www.gov.uk, www.travel.state.gov

We care about your well being and peace of mind.  Here are the answers to a few questions that we have received from operators around the world.

Travel Advisories

Travel advisories have been in place for over 30 years and are usually updated annually; whether there are changes or not. The message that is communicated can cause unnecessary concern as the annual travel advisory update may lead the public to believe that the security situation has changed, when in fact it has remained the same.

Areas within Kenya that fall under a travel advisory include northeastern Kenyan counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa, the coastal counties of Tana River and Lamu in their entirety, all areas north of Malindi in Kilifi County, and the Nairobi neighbourhood of Eastleigh.

Part of Nairobi that like any large city has “no go” areas usually because they are slums with increased crime, not a tourist area.

Any areas very close to our neighbor, Somalia.  Kenya is a massive country, and all tourism areas are very many miles from the Somali border.  No normal tourist would be travelling to this very remote location.

Book with a trusted and reputable company

We have extensive international public liability insurance, we are fully licensed, have long-standing experienced staff and the best on the ground advice and support.

Beware of “briefcase operators”.  Despite sending slick safari proposals; having a lovely website, if you look carefully there is no office, only one mobile telephone number and one email.

Safari Support

We have a duty manager available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with additional officers on call for any emergency!

Sources: Dr Mauro Saio, www.gov.uk, www.travel.state.gov

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. 

Kenya lies on the Equator, therefore our dry and wet seasons have stable and pleasant temperatures, and allow for year round Safaris and game viewing. The perfect climate!

Many parts of the country are at altitudes of 2000m (6000 feet); these highlands e.g. Laikipia, Mathews Range, Masai Mara, experience a cool and temperate climate, with warm, dry sunny days, and chilly evenings.

Lower regions at 1200m (3800 feet), which include the semi-desert areas of Samburu/Shaba, Meru and the coastal strip, can reach a dry and comfortable 35°C (95°F) during the day, with cool and pleasant evenings.

The hottest months of the year in Kenya are from December through to March, with the coldest months being in July and August. Kenya’s long rains are during the months of April and May, however, we still experience sunny days. The short rains are in November. Some of the smaller bush camps close during the wet seasons of April, May and November.