Time:
Kenya has only one time zone. Local time is three hours ahead
of GMT
Customs Export:
You are permitted to leave the country with a reasonable amount
of tobacco and alcoholic products. Export of gold and diamonds
is prohibited, as is the export of game trophies and skins,
unless acquired under licence from the Government of Kenya.
Currency
Kenyan currency is based on the decimal system, the unit of
currency being the shilling, which is divided into 100 cents.
You are allowed to leave the country with a limited amount of
Kenyan shillings. Banks are usually open from 9.00 am to 3.00
pm, Mondays through Fridays and from 9.00am and 11.00am Saturdays.
Clothing and Accessories
Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 27 degrees centigrade (80
degrees Fahreinheit) with low humidity, and the nights are
cool. Coast temperatures are slightly higher and more humid.
June and July are the colder months, and the long rains are
from end March through May.
Clothing should be generally informal. Lightweight cotton
slacks, shirts, skirts or culottes are recommended. A light
jacket/sweater is useful. A hat or scarf for protection against
the sun and the dust is advisable, as are sunglasses.
Baggage
Baggage space on safari is restricted to one medium suitcase
or holdall per person, plus hand baggage( private safaris
where there are less than 7 persons in the vehicle are not
subject to this restriction). Visitors to Treetops and the
Ark are asked to take overnight bags only; suitcases can be
left at the base hotel. Hotels will normally store baggage
at no extra cost. A baggage weight restriction of 15kg per
person applies on air safaris. Where very small aircrafts
are used this maybe reduced to 10kg.
Flying Doctors
Membership of the Flying Doctors Society is strongly recommended.
In event of accident or sickness while on safari, the society
will fly patients by air ambulance to Nairobi for admittance
to hospital. The current cost for 1- month membership is US$25
per person.
Health
Since rules concerning disease prevention change from time
to time, a check should be made with the nearest Kenyan High
Commission, Kenya Tourist Office or any airline flying scheduled
services into Kenya. Malaria is endemic to most parts of Kenya
and intending visitors should start taking anti-malarial tablets
before departure and continue taking them for the prescribed
time after their return. Insect repellants should be made
use of after dusk and suitable cover up clothes should be
worn in the evening.
Electricity
Both mains electricity and generated supply in lodges provide
240 volts AC 50 cycles. Most large hotels and some game lodges
provide shaving points with 110v 50 cycles. Sockets are normally
3 pin and of the ‘square variety’.
Do not carry large sums of money around. Keep a close watch
on handbags, luggage wallets, especially in crowded areas.
Lock valuables in hotel/lodge safety deposit boxes and never
leave valuables on show in an unattended car or tour bus.
Avoid walking at night, especially alone. Avoid dark streets.
Photography
Film is available at most lodges, even in remote areas, but
stocks are usually small, expensive and only common sizes
are available. Spare batteries are also recommended as these
are also only in regular sizes. Binoculars are invaluable
on safari. It is not recommend to take pictures of people
without first obtaining their permission.
Tipping
Most hotels, game lodges and tented camps include a service
charge in their tariff as do most restaurants, and in such
cases tipping is not necessary unless exceptional service
inspires you to express extra appreciation. This is usually
10%. Tour drivers/Guides expect US$5-10 per person per day.
Water
We advise you to drink bottled water as tap water is generally
not safe.
Should you have any queries while on safari, our drivers/Guides
are well versed in the traditions and local habits and can
be asked for advice.
Credit Cards
VISA & MASTERCARD are widely accepted for tourist services.
There’s usually a 5% service charge on top of the price
as establishments are charged a fixed % of their transactions.
Language
Kiswahili is the ‘Lingua Franca’ while English
is the official language. In addition most tribes have their
own language.
Public Holidays
January 1st (New Years Day),Good Friday, Easter Monday, May
1st (Labour Day), June 1st (Madaraka Day), October 10th (Moi
Day), October 20th (Kenyatta Day), December 12th (Jamuhuri
Day), December 25th (Christmas Day), December 26th (Boxing
Day) and also Idd-Ul-Fitr which depends on the sighting of
the moon.
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