- Are there set departure
dates?
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Yes. However, all of our safaris can be tailored around your
chosen travel dates if you prefer another date. Due to the long
rains, availability is limited during May and June each year, with
many smaller lodges and camps closing for this period.
- Can we bring our children on safari?
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Children are welcome on most East African safari tours; however,
we would not recommend bringing children under 5 years old. We are
happy to recommend child-friendly properties and safaris if you
are traveling with children.
- What medical issues should I be concerned about?
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Yellow Fever, hepatitis and tetanus vaccinations are recommended
but not required for traveling to East Africa; however, we
strongly recommend tetanus and hepatitis vaccinations. Please
bring your vaccination cards with you.
You should take precautions against malaria. There are a number of
Prophylaxis available. Some have mild side effects; you should
check with your doctor for advice. We recommend starting your
course of tablets early, in order to determine if you have any
side effects before you travel.
Whilst in East Africa, only drink bottled water. We recommend that
you drink at least 4 liters of non-alcoholic fluid each day to
prevent dehydration. The most common cause of stomach upsets and
diarrhea is dehydration; increasing your fluid intake should
prevent this illness.
All countries have their own 'bugs' to which residents develop
immunity. The African gastro-enteritis 'bugs' are the next most
common cause of 'traveler's tummy.' Generally, antibiotics will
cure this illness within 24 hours. This mild form of stomach upset
is most commonly caught from hand to mouth contact with people. If
you have shaken hands (harmless) with children or people in the
bush, please wash your hands afterwards before you accidentally
brush your mouth and transfer the germs.
Hotels, camps and lodges use clean water for their food
preparation. East Africans take great pride in their fresh, good
quality food; you will not go hungry! If you are not sure about
the preparation of any type of food, simply ask. You will not
offend!
Perfume, cologne and scented body lotions can attract mosquitoes
and other flying insects. We recommend that you do not wear
perfumes or colognes during your safari.
Nairobi, Kenya has excellent, European standard hospitals. Should
evacuation be necessary, excellent medical care is a short flight
away.
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So as not to offend, what local customs do I need to follow
when on my
safari?
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Local cultures vary tremendously throughout East Africa. With over
60 different tribes, each with their own traditions, beliefs,
language and culture, it is not possible to learn all the cultural
taboos during a short vacation. However, there are a few do's and
don'ts that will ensure you do not offend local custom during your
safari.
Nudity or semi-nudity is not permitted; on the Coast, it is
especially offensive to the Muslim culture. Visitors are expected
to wear a bikini or swimsuit when swimming at the Coast; topless
sunbathing is illegal.
Shorts, t-shirts, trousers, skirts and dresses are suitable for
all other activities. African attire tends to be casual; modest
western dress is perfectly acceptable.
Do not take photographs without permission. Photography of
airports or any government buildings is illegal. Save your film
for the wildlife and cultural villages where photos are
encouraged!
The elderly are very respected in East African culture; when
introduced to a local family, addressing the eldest member first
generates an excellent rapport!
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Tipping In East Africa
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It has been customary since safaris began to consider tips for
your driver/guide and support staff. However, tipping is a very
personal subject and the decision to tip and how much to give is
entirely yours. Unlike in the USA or most of Europe, tips in Kenya
are considered a gift; they are not a part of wages or payment.
They are considered a bonus and are not expected or required.
An average daily wage in East Africa is just over US$ 1.20. As
such, giving a porter a tip of a dollar is very generous. Room or
tent stewards would be delighted with a tip of between US$0.50 -
US$ 1.00 per day.
In a restaurant, if service has not been added to the bill, then a
tip of 10% is suitable, if you are satisfied with the service. In
most safari camps and lodges, a service charge has been included
in your accommodation rate, which is paid to the staff by the
establishment.
In general, the only person who will expect a tip from you is your
driver/guide, who would be very happy with a tip of around US$ 2-
US$ 3 per couple per day. If you are camping rather than staying
in a lodge, your camp cook would appreciate approximately US$ 10
per person for the entire trip. If you also have a camp assistant,
then a tip of US$ 5 per person for the entire trip would be
suitable.
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What items can I purchase on my East African vacation?
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East Africa's flora and fauna is often fragile and endangered.
Please do not collect any form of flora or fauna when on your
safari, whether inside a National Park or not. In particular, do
not purchase any form of handicraft or souvenir that requires the
death of an animal, such as shells, starfish, ivory, animal hides
or bird eggs.
It is prohibited to sell ivory, rhino horn and animal hides are
prohibited items in Kenya. If these items are offered to you at
any time, please report the matter to the authorities immediately.
Many local handicrafts are hand carved from indigenous trees.
Please ensure that you purchase carvings made from woods such as
mango, neam and jacaranda. Avoid the hard woods such as ebony and
bamba kofi as these trees take centuries to grow and are now
endangered through extensive forest cutting.
When purchasing your souvenirs and handicrafts, purchase the work
of local craftsmen and artisans. Woven baskets, beadwork, jewelry,
woodwork and cotton cloth are some of the more common handicrafts.
Most tribes have their own traditional designs, shapes and sizes,
providing a wide variety from which to choose.
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How much baggage can I
bring?
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When traveling on safari, baggage should be kept to a minimum.
Charter flights and vehicle transfers do not allow a large amount
of baggage. Use soft duffle bags instead of suitcases, as
frequently the small airplane baggage lockers cannot fit a large
suitcase.
Laundry service (excluding underwear) is available in all of the
properties; therefore large amounts of clothing are not required.
Towels are supplied in permanent camps and lodges.
City hotels and some large safari lodges provide electricity for
such items as shavers and hair-dryers. Smaller lodges and
permanent camps will rely on generators for electricity or solar
power, limiting electrical availability. Most campsites do not
have electricity so hair-dryers, electric shavers etc. are not
useable.
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What is the weather like?
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East Africa's climate is based upon altitude. Inland, the days are
warm to hot; the evenings are cool to cold. Only at the Coast are
the temperatures less varied, remaining warm to hot throughout the
day and night. The coldest months are June, July and August; the
hottest months are January, February and March.
June, July, August and November may provide some showers and misty
weather as these are the times of the Long and Short rains.
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What clothes should I bring?
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Dress is casual. Long-sleeved, lightweight shirts or blouses and
trousers, with a sweater or light jacket are appropriate for the
evenings. The camps do not have heating, so bring something warm
in which to sleep.
Shorts and t-shirts are suitable for the hotter days.
A lightweight rain jacket is useful; a wide-brimmed hat is vital.
A good pair of walking shoes or boots is advisable when walking or
horse riding. However, within the camps, lodges and hotels, light
footwear may be worn.
Neutral colors, such as gray, khaki, browns or greens, are best;
bright colors and patterns, including white, can spook animals and
birds.
Some lodges and hotels have swimming pools, so bring your
swimsuit!
Use our safari checklist to help you pack!
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What equipment should I bring?
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Bring all camera equipment, including spare batteries and film
(100-400ASA), cleansing fluid, tissues and dust spray, as they are
difficult to obtain and extremely expensive in East Africa.
Please ensure that you also bring dust covers of some kind for
your camera equipment. A small beanbag to use as a tripod is
useful in a vehicle.
If using a 35mm camera, we suggest a wide-angle lens of 25mm to
35mm and two additional lenses that allow a range of 35mm to
300mm.
When staying in small mobile camps, it is unlikely you'll be able
to re-charge video cameras.
In your daypack, carry:
• high factor (over 20) sunscreen
• lip-screen
• binoculars
• a small torch (flashlight)
• insect repellent and moisturizer
• moist towellettes (Wet Wipes)
Suggested medicines include:
• packets of rehydrant powder (such as Gatorade)
• anti-diarrhea tablets
• generic antibiotics
• aspirin
• anti-histamine tablets
• plasters (band-aids)
If you are taking any prescribed medicines, please ensure you have
an adequate supply for the duration of your trip. If wearing
contact lenses, please remember that it will be dusty and you will
need extra cleaning fluid.
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