Segera Retreat Kenya & North Island Seychelles - Ultimate Retreats

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.

NOTE: Plastic bags are now banned in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, and are likely to be confiscated by customs officials on arrival, whether in clients’ baggage or carried by hand. For example, Duty-Free bags

Currency:  
Local currency: Kenyan Shilling  
Symbol: KSh 
ISO code: KEN 
Central bank: *South African Reserve Bank 
Subunit: *Cent 
Banknotes: KSh1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 
Coins: KSh20, 10, 5 

Banking: 
Card Transactions:  
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Sometimes 
Diner’s club: Sometimes 
 
Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 09h00 - 15h00 
Weekends: 09h00 -12h00 
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: Yes 
 
Water: 
Ferries: No 
Water taxis: No 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: No 
Ice: No 
Meat: If well cooked 
Street food: No 
 
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:  Maziwa Lala (fermented milk usually suitable for those who are lactose intolerant)

Tipping: 10%  

Annual rainfall: 680 mm 
Average temperature: 25°C - 29°C 
 
Summer: 
Average in highs: 26°C 
Average in lows: 16°C 
 
Winter: 
Average in highs: 21°C 
Average in lows: 12°C 
 
Best time to visit: Visiting between July and September, the dry season, will allow you to experience milder climate and see the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. In the rainy season, you’ll find fewer tourists and stunning, lush landscapes.  

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 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
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. 

When it comes to romantic island getaways, it doesn’t get much better than the Seychelles. Rising up from the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, this exceptionally picturesque archipelago is comprised of 115 coral and granite islands. Spend your days: exploring the fascinating culture of the lively capital city, Victoria; hiking the rugged granite cliffs which offer panoramic views of the surrounding natural landscapes; or simply relaxing on a beach lounger with a cocktail in the one hand and a good book in the other. If you are seeking a pristine holiday retreat with golden sand beaches, exceptional scenery, palm-clad jungles, and remarkable crystal clear waters, then look no further than the exquisite islands of the Seychelles.

Currency 
Local currency: Seychellois Rupee 
Symbol: SCR 
ISO code: SCR 
Subunit: Cent (1/100 of a Rupee) 
Banknotes: 25, 50, 100, 500 rupees 
Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25 cents; 1, 5, 10 rupees 

Banking 
Card Transactions: Widely accepted 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Yes 
Diner’s club: Yes 
 
Banking Hours: Weekdays: 08:00 – 14:30 
Weekends: Saturdays: 08:00 – 11:00 
Public Holidays: Closed 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 
Main airlines: Air Seychelles 
International Airports: Seychelles International Airport 
Domestic Airports: Praslin Island Airport 

Road: 
Driving on the: Left 
Tar roads: Yes, primarily on Mahé and Praslin 
Gravel roads: Yes, on smaller islands 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Limited 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes, efficient on Mahé and Praslin 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: No 
Subway System: No 

Water: 
Ferries: Yes, between main islands 
Water taxis: Yes, for tours and transfers 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: Yes, but bottled water is recommended for visitors 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Yes 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes, particularly reputable vendors 

Local cuisine: 
Seychellois cuisine is a rich fusion of French, African, Indian, and Chinese influences with a strong emphasis on seafood and exotic spices. Dishes like fish curry, octopus curry, and the unique fruit bat curry are popular, alongside rice and tropical fruits. 

Drinks: 
Famous local drinks include Seybrew (local beer), coconut water, and rum cocktails. 
Tipping: Not traditionally expected but appreciated, usually around 5-10%. 

Lying 4°-11° south of the Equator, in the western Indian Ocean, Seychelles has a tropical climate: warm and humid with strong maritime influences. The temperature is consistently 24-32°C, there is no distinct dry season and there is some humidity at all times.

Many of the granitic Inner Islands have dramatic terrain; Mahe boasting hills rising to 900m. The rainfall increases with altitude, though it is the trade winds that really dictate the islands' climate and name its seasons.
 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Not typically needed 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes, during the rainy season 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock: Essential 
Walking shoes: Yes, for nature trails 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Yes, available in major areas 
Accommodation options: Yes, widely available with good connectivity 
Restaurants: Yes, mostly in tourist areas 
Cafes: Yes, in major tourist spots 
Shopping malls: Yes, in Victoria 
Public parks: Yes 
Libraries: Yes