USEFUL INFORMATION FOR TRAVEL TO KENYA & TANZANIA
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: A valid passport at least 6 months from the date of your return to the USA is required. Visas are required for all U.S. citizens traveling to Kenya and Tanzania. You can obtain your visa before or on arrival. For more information contact Embassy of the Republic of Kenya at (202) 387-6101 and Embassy of the Republic of Tanzania at (202) 939-6125
IMPORTANT NOTE ON PASSPORT PAGES: It is the responsibility of each traveler to make sure their passport is valid and has sufficient “VISA” pages to stamp entry visas. Please note the last 3 pages on the passport are “NOT VISA” pages; they are amendment pages, and thus visas cannot be stamped on these pages. There should be at least a minimum of 2 blank (unstamped) “VISA” pages for each country to be visited. Failure to have 2 blank (unstamped) “VISA” pages you run the risk of being denied entry even when in possession of valid passport.
HEALTH: No vaccinations are currently required for Kenya. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for Tanzania. However, Kenya authorities require a yellow fever certificate if traveling to and from Tanzania. Anti-Malaria medication is strongly recommend. We advise you to consult your physician or the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia at (404) 639-3311 for any further requirements or recommendations.
CLIMATE: East Africa enjoys a moderate climate without any extremes in temperature. The average altitude during the safari will be between 3,000 and 7,000 feet above sea lever, so the days should be a pleasant 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the nights should be a moderate 50 to 64 degrees.
CLOTHING, ETC: Dress in Africa is casual. Clothing should be lightweight, loose-fitting and of “breathable” fabrics, such as cotton. While out in the bush neutral colors are best as they blend in with the natural surrounds and show the dust least. Laundry service is available at most hotels, lodges and camps at and is extra cost. The nights at the higher elevations can be cool, so you should bring a sweater/jacket. While on safari, only 4 or 5 changes of clothes are necessary. For the daytime, shorts and T-shirts are most comfortable with perhaps a light jacket or sweater for early morning games drives. In the evening, long pants and long-sleeve shirts or lightweight sweatshirt is good. Some lodges and camps have a supply of insect repellent; however, it is a good idea to bring some with you. Many lodges and camps have mosquito nets in the bedrooms. The mosquitoes usually come out at around sunset.
Boots are not necessary for safari. Comfortable walking or running shoes are just fine. Sandals or flip-flops are handy around the lodges and swimming pools.
FOOD & WATER: Tap water is safe in all major hotels, although bottled water is available for purchase in most places. We recommend you drink bottled water while on safari. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
The cuisine throughout is outstanding. Meals include full American buffet breakfast with fresh local fruits; safari lunches usually consist of hot and cold buffet’s and dinners are sit down with an excellent choice of menu items.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Bring plenty of film or memory flash card for digital cameras and extra batteries; as such items are very expensive in Africa. Make sure you have some way of protecting your camera from dust while on safari. Most game viewing is done in the early morning and late afternoon and 100 or 200 ASA film is probably the best to use. A telephoto or zoom lens and a wide-angle lens are recommended for some truly outstanding and impressive photographs.
Do not take photographs of military installations, police stations, government facilities, airports, border post soldiers or police. Always ask before taking photographs of people. They will most likely want to charge you, so ask your driver to negotiate for you.
BAGGAGE: Baggage should be kept to a minimum; one main lightweight bag and an overnight bag are adequate. Most city hotels have storage space for excess luggage not required on safari. On flying safaris, where light aircraft are used, baggage is limited to 33 pounds.
CURRENCY & BANKING: Local currency in East Africa is expressed in shillings. Traveler’s checks and most major credit cards are widely accepted.
Banking hours are generally from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Monday through Friday in most cities.
SECURITY: As in most major cities sensible security precautions should be taken. Keep a close watch on purses, handbags, wallets and cameras. Avoid wearing expensive or flashy jewelry. It is advisable to hire a taxi if you wish to move around at night and for your personal safety, avoid deserted alleys and streets.
ELECTRICITY: Voltage throughout East Africa is 220-240 AC. You will need to bring your own converter and adapter (universal adapter with square three prongs) for recharging camera batteries, hairdryers, and electric shavers.
TIPPING: Most major hotels and restaurants include a service charge. Tipping is not obligatory and is entirely at your discretion. A gratuity of 10% is customary at restaurants and bars where a service charge is not included. Tips to your drivers and guides are not included and once again is at your discretion; you could tip $3.00 to $10.00 per person per day depending on the activities. Porters at airports, hotels or lodges may be tipped a $1.00 per piece of baggage; this too is at your discretion.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX: Most airports in East Africa may require you to pay airport departure tax ranging from US $20 for departure on International flights and $5.00 for domestic flights, payable in cash at the time of departure from the airport. In Kenya, International flights departure tax is included in the airfare.
SOUVENIRS: As in most African countries, there is a huge range of affordable souvenirs to be purchased along the roadside. These are handmade, but mass produced, so always check the quality before buying. Materials include ebony, soapstone and ivory. It is illegal to export products that contain any elements of elephant, rhino or sea turtle. Tribal souvenirs are available; including Maasai beaded jewelry, woven sisal baskets and natural or decorated dried gourds.
If you are after good quality artwork and artifacts, it is probably wise shop in galleries and shops that deal in that, than buying on the roadside markets.
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST:
3-5 changes of casual clothing (shorts, T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweater or jacket, slacks, sport shirts, blouses, dress, etc.)
Two pair of comfortable shoes and a pair of flip-flops or sandals
Swim suit and cover-up
Hat with a visor
Sunglasses (neck string comes in quite handy)
Binoculars
Small Flashlight
Sun Screen
Insect repellent
Eye drops (the sun is very bright and it will be dusty)
Skin and Hair moisturizers
Personal medications (there are basic first aid kits in the lodges and camps)
A photo copy of your passport, credit cards, and airline tickets (to be kept separately from the originals)
An extra pair of glasses/contact lenses for those who wear them.
Large zip-lock bags (great for keeping film and camera equipment clean, storing wet swim suits and dirty shoes, etc.)
Pre-moistened small individually wrapped towelettes for quick freshen ups
Call Today to begin planning your journey of a lifetime
(866) 343 8297 or email us toafrica@toafricatours.com
