Kenya & Tanzania Safari Travel Information

Safari Booking Terms & Conditions

Please read our booking terms and conditions carefully. These terms and conditions constitute the basis of your package purchased from Flexivel Kenya Safaris. Click here to read our terms and conditions.

Entry Requirements for Kenya (eTA)

Most visitors to Kenya no longer need a traditional visa. Since January 2024, Kenya has used an online Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), which you apply for before you travel. Every traveller, including infants and children, needs an approved eTA before starting the journey, unless their nationality is exempt.

How to apply:

• Apply online through the official Kenyan government eTA website, www.etakenya.go.ke. Use this site only: look-alike websites may charge extra fees for the same service.
• Apply early. The official site recommends applying at least two weeks before you travel. Processing is usually about three working days but can take longer.
• Fee: standard processing starts at USD 30 per traveller, paid online by card. An expedited option is available for an additional USD 100. Fees and rules can change, so please check the official website when you apply.
• You will need: a passport valid for at least six months with one blank page, a selfie or passport-style photograph, your contact details, your travel itinerary, confirmation of your accommodation (the name of your first hotel or lodge is a good start), and a card to pay with.
• Keep your approval with you, on your phone or printed, together with your passport and your onward or return ticket. Immigration officers may ask to see them when you arrive.

The permitted length of stay depends on your nationality. Citizens of some countries, including the East African Community partner states, and of a number of other countries are exempt from the eTA. If you are not sure whether it applies to you, check the official website or contact the Kenyan embassy or high commission in your country.

If you are continuing to Tanzania, it has its own entry requirements. We will explain them when we plan a combined Kenya and Tanzania itinerary.

Safari Roads in Kenya

All major Kenyan roads are tarred. However road surfaces vary depending on remoteness from Nairobi city and sometimes due to regular maintenance. Weather vagaries may also affect the state of roads.

Many roads within the National Parks and game reserves are quite navigable.

Driving time on Kenyan roads vary from one safari point to another and are approximate. They may vary depending on traffic and road conditions.

Credit Cards

Credit cards Kenya: Most major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa and American Express) are widely accepted.

In addition to credit cards, it is advisable to carry easily convertible currency in cash.

Vaccination

We advise you to contact a medical specialist or family doctor or even a licensed vaccination clinic well before travelling to Kenya.

Accommodation on Safari

Safari hotels/ lodges/ tented camps are carefully chosen and are named on the safari itinerary/program.

Most are unique and add flavor/ romance to your safari tour.

They are comfortable and sufficiently luxurious.

They vary from economy, standard and luxury options.

Luxury lodges blend nicely with the landscape and have rooms with all amenities you would expect from a good hotel. Tented camps are on permanent foundations and have en-suite bathrooms.

The amenities can include hot water bottles to warm your bed before you turn in coffee, tea and hot chocolate served in your tent as part of your early morning wake up call.

Except the tree lodges, most other lodges and camps have swimming pools.

Drinking Water & Bottled Drinks

Avoid drinking water straight from the tap.

Complimentary bottled drinking water will be provided in the safari vehicle.

Soft drinks, beer and other bottled beverages can be purchased at the lodges and camps throughout the safari as they have bars and comfortable lounges with fire places for those cool evenings.

Tea or coffee are served after meals.

Packing on a Safari

It is advisable to spread packing between you and your partners suitcases. This is in case of loss of luggage.

All the important items and information should be carried in your hand luggage: passport, eTA approval, airfare, insurance, credit cards, money and prescriptions if necessary.

You should carry information about your specific health condition plus malaria pills, any lifesaving medication (diabetics), anything used to treat allergies or a sudden stomach upset (maybe Imodium) and analgesic aspirin should all be kept accessible to you. Any expensive electrical equipment, such as a camera or computer should be well looked after.

Please note that all use, import and production of plastic bags, such as those we know from supermarkets, etc., is prohibited in Kenya.

We therefore recommend that you avoid using plastic bags when packing your luggage. Use fabric bags instead, or bags made of a waterproof material other than plastic. If, for example, you are visibly carrying hand luggage in plastic bags upon your arrival in Kenya, you will be asked to hand them in. This also includes plastic bags from “Duty Free”, etc.

On light aircraft flights in Kenya the baggage allowance is limited to a maximum of 15 Kilograms, including camera and video equipment.

Any additional luggage can be stored at the hotel in Nairobi until end of safari.

Luggage and personal effects are at owner’s risk throughout the tour.

Baggage insurance is recommended.

Photography / Camera on Safari

Almost any camera that can zoom will do the job on safari, from a modern smartphone to a digital camera with interchangeable lenses.

For the best photographs of wildlife (including birds), bring a telephoto zoom lens of about 200mm or longer, or a camera with a long built-in zoom. A smartphone is handy for wide scenic shots, short videos and sharing, although mobile signal can be patchy in the parks.

Bring spare batteries for every camera, and more memory cards than you think you will need. It is easy to take several hundred photographs on a single game drive.

Charge your batteries whenever power is available. Some lodges and camps switch off their generators for part of the day and night (see Electricity below), so bring the right plug adapter and, if you like, a power bank.

Fine red dust gets into everything in the dry season. Keep your camera in a padded bag or dust cover when you are not using it, and carry a lens cloth and a blower or soft brush. Plastic carrier bags are banned in Kenya, so use a fabric bag or a dry bag to protect your equipment.

Your pop-up roof gives a great view. For steadier shots, rest your camera on a bean bag or a folded jacket on the window frame or roof edge, and switch off your flash around animals. The best light is early in the morning and late in the afternoon, and your driver-guide will gladly position the vehicle for a good angle.

Please ask permission before photographing local people or their homes. Drones are tightly regulated in Kenya, so check the rules before you bring one.

Weather & Safari in Kenya

You can make a safari in Kenya throughout the year.

January, February and March (High Season)
The three months are good for safari, the period is just after the short rain season, you may catch some bird species that are winter visitors from Europe. The grass is not so high enough to hinders your view of the animals. There shall be great opportunities to encounter large elephant herds.

April and May (low season)
This is the long rainy season, you can still enjoy your safari during this period. Tropical rain comes in bursts and lasts a few hours, mostly in the mornings and afternoons. The rains freshens up the nature and often enhance the safari experience.

June
The month of June is a good time to experience safari after the long rainy season. The large zebra herds cross from Tanzania to the Masai Mara game reserve ahead of the migration which happens from mid july.

July to October (peak season)
Huge herds of wildebeest enter the Masai Mara from the Serengeti in Tanzania. Due to evolving climatic situations it may be a little difficult to give specific time for the start of migration. It is however safe to state that the great wildebeest migration is active at the masai mara by mid July. Wildebeest start their return journey to Tanzania around September / October. The return process is devoid of drama.

November and December (shoulder season)
This is the short rainy season in Kenya. The short rain freshen the pastures and grass start to grow. The national parks and game reserves regain their vegetation.

Safari Clothing

We recommend that you bring casual summer clothes that are easy to launder and quick to dry. Go for neutral colors that do not reflect the heat and do not show the inevitable safari dust.

With cool morning and evening, layering is suggested. Laundry service is available in most safari lodges and tented camps which can help you replenish your supply of clean clothing, as you need it. Much of the time on safari is spent in the vehicle so lightweight and comfortable walking shoes are appropriate. The style is casual – even in the evening. For Dinner in Nairobi and at the Mount Kenya Safari Club, dress is smart casual. You will be in the sun a great deal and at these altitudes it is easy to sunburn very quickly. Pack a swimsuit and cover-up, as most of the safari accommodations have swimming pools.

Currency

Kenya’s currency is the Kenyan shilling (KSH). Check online for the current rate. You can exchange your convertible foreign currency in to shillings in a forex bureau and shall find the best rates at the airport. Small cash denominations are handy for tipping and minor expenses. You can also withdraw Kenya shillings at the ATM (VISA & MasterCard). Cash USD, Euro, British pounds are readily accepted in many outlets.

In Kenya, the unit of currency is Kenya Shilling.

We recommend that you exchange money only as needed.

You will find it easiest to make small purchases in local currencies, and will usually receive a better price.

You may conveniently exchange money at all lodges and hotels at close to the bank rate, but the best exchange rates you get from the Forex Bureaus at the airport or Nairobi city.

Custom Duty Kenya

Customs regulations are quite straightforward. The usual one bottle of spirits, 200 cigarettes, a reasonable amount of camera equipment, film and one tape recorder are allowed to enter Kenya duty free.

Driver / Guide

Your safari Driver/Guide will be an integral part of your safari tour experience.

You will spend many days together as he narrates the wonders of Kenya’s geography, history and of course the wildlife. Each safari guide is a local Kenyan, steeped in the traditions and folklore of his country as well as exceptionally knowledgeable in areas such as local flora and fauna, tribal lore and regional geography.

Electricity

The voltage is 220 ; however, the plugs are different from those in North America or even of Europe. Due to the variations of the outlets, we suggest you travel with a variety of international adapter plugs as well as a voltage converter, which may be purchased as a set.

The most commonly used adapter plug has 3 square prongs.

Important: note that lodges in the game parks may turn off their generators during the day and late at night (11pm – 10am), this means there will be no electricity at this time.

Please recharge your video camera batteries at applicable times of the day, or carry extra batteries.

Fees & Taxes

The safari tour price includes government taxes and service charges relating to accommodations and meals provided, entrance fees to national parks and game reserves, and game ranger services (where obligatory).

Game Trophies

In Kenya, it is illegal to sell any product made from wild animals, including hides and skins, rhinoceros horn, elephant-hair bracelets, crocodile handbags, etc.

Please note also that ivory is not legally sold in Kenya.

Please note that it is illegal to bring into the U.S. anything made from elephant, rhino or crocodile products.

Safari Gratuities

All hotel, lodges and porterage gratuities are included on your safari price – these are referred to as service charge.

It is however customary to tip the driver / guide at the end of the safari tour.

The amount is dependent on your evaluation of the quality of the service rendered.

The amount is also at your discretion, you are welcome to provide additional compensation to any staff who have provided special services.

A bar gratuity of $1 is acceptable.

Travel Insurance

Travelers should have medical insurance, as they will be responsible for all medical expenses they may incur.

Languages

Kenya has many different dialects and local languages. English is the official language while Kiswahili is the national language, these provides a common identity in the vast country.

English is the instructional language in all schools

A few Swahili phrases learnt in advance shall enhance your local interactions.

Laundry

Laundry services are available at safari lodges and camps where more that one night is being spent.

Dry cleaning is only available in Nairobi and Mombasa.

Meals

All meals are included on safari. This is from lunch on day 1 until lunch on last day of safari tour.

During your safari all meals shall be provided by your respective lodge or tented camps or at restaurant on safari route.

Packed / picnic lunches are provided during full day game viewing drives and on long day drives.

The quality of the cuisine in East Africa game lodges and camps is superb, with all meats, vegetables and fruits arriving fresh daily from the surrounding farmland areas.

Medical Facilities

Nairobi has excellent international medical facilities. Most camps and lodges have a doctor on call who is experienced with common travel related ailments. We suggest that you make certain your health insurance has adequate coverage, as once you are returned to Nairobi any further medical expenses will need to be covered by you.

Safety

Visitors should exercise the same common sense as one would in any other part of the world.

Normal care and sensible precautions should be taken.

Please do not leave cash, jewellery or travellers cash unattended in hotel rooms.

Every lodge or hotel has a safe deposit facility for your valuables safe keeping.

Do not wear flashy jewellery, or leave handbags and photographic equipment unattended in public places.

Safari Souvenir Shopping

Affordable and attractive baskets, copper jewellery, batik cloth, beads, carvings, Kenya coffee and tea are all for sale in the shops and markets of Nairobi.

Boutiques sell fine art and handicrafts, gemstones and jewellery, including a locally mined semiprecious stone called tanzanite.

Most popular are items carved from wood, which range from small trinkets such as animal head salad spoons and letter openers, to world-class ebony sculpture.

Carved soapstone from napkin rings and candlesticks to complete chess sets, are also attractive.

Bags woven from sisal and baobab are available in myriad colors, sizes, styles and shapes much more artistic and unique than those reaching the US Market.

East African artisans have responded to the increasing appreciation of tribal artifacts with a variety of stunning original pieces and faithful reproductions: drums, headrests, stools, shields, and beaded necklaces and belts from various parts of the region.

Some of the most prized pieces feature elaborately worked silver, malachite and amber beads.

We suggest that you take all goods you purchase with you as shipping and duty cost may easily exceed the cost of the item.

When purchasing large pieces, if you must have the items shipped, please note that freight can run into many hundreds of dollars.

Transfers to and from the Airport

We provide complimentary airport hotel transfers on arrival. At your time of departure, we shall again transfer you to the Nairobi airport.

Safari Transportation

Our experienced and knowledgeable driver / guide shall collect you up at Nairobi Airport, Nairobi local hotel or local residence. He will take you on safari and other sightseeing adventures and return you back to the hotel or airport on your last day.

Because most of the safari journey includes most hours of safari trip, the quality of the safari vehicle is of high importance. As much of the journey is long hours on the trail on wildlife, the quality of the ground vehicle is of the utmost importance.

Each comfortable safari vehicle carries a maximum of 6/7 guests, thus providing a guaranteed window seat and access to the roof hatch.

Our safari Driver/Guides have a mechanical background.

Driving Distance & Time on Safari

• Nairobi – Amboseli: 240 km, approx. 3.5-4 hours

• Amboseli – Lake Naivasha: 350 km, approx. 6-7 hours

• Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara: 250 km, approx. 4-5 hours

• Masai Mara – Nairobi: 265 km, approx. 6 hours

• Nairobi – Samburu: 320 km, approx. 6-7 hours

• Samburu – Lake Naivasha: 340 km, approx. 6-7 hours

• Nairobi – Ol Pejeta: 220 km approx, 4 hours

• Nairobi – Lake Nakuru: 160 km approx, 3 hours

• Nairobi – Lake Naivasha: 100 km, approx, 2 hours

• Mombasa – Tsavo East: 120Km, approx, 3 hours

• Mombasa – Tsavo West: 240Km, approx 4 hours

• Tsavo West – Amboseli: 100Km, approx 2 hours

• Amboseli – Masai Mara: 520 Km, approx 9 hours

• Tsavo East – Amboseli: 300 Km, approx 5 hours

Note that all driving times are approximate and may vary depending on weather, state of road and traffic.

Masai Village Visit at Masai Mara

If your dream is to visit a Masai village (manyatta), please discuss this with your safari guide. The visit costs 25 USD per person, paid directly to the village chief.

Lunch and Drinks During Safari

All meals including picnic lunches are included in the tour price. Bottled drinks you pay for yourself.

Time Difference

Kenya is 2 hours ahead of GMT.

Mosquito Net

Mosquitoes appear when the sunsets, temperatures drop and the evening night sets in. This is when most bites happen. We advice that you wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. It is also important to make sure any exposed parts of the body are protected with insects repellant.

All safari lodges and camps are fitted with mosquito nets over the bed.

Charging of Mobile Phones and Other Electrical Items

Most hotels and lodges generally have their electricity from generators switched off after 11pm. You are reminded to take a small flashlight with you. The sockets are 240 volts and use 3 pin plugs as in the UK.

Check in / Out of the Hotels

At hotel / lodge check in always fill out one of registration cards at the front desk before key collection. Check in after 11am and check out before 10am. When checking out you pay the extra bills for drinks from the restaurant and bar.

Luggage Which Is Important to Bring

• Bright summer clothes for safari trips (Strong colours can attract unwanted attention from flies found in certain areas of the parks). It is cheap to get clothes washed, so do not bring much with you

• Nicer clothes for evenings at the hotel and lodge, such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect you against mosquitoes after sunset and, if necessary, against the sun

• A good jacket, as it can be cool in the morning and evening

• Summer Footwear (e.g. sports shoes and cotton socks). Avoid bare feet and legs at night due to mosquitoes

• Power adaptor with 3-4 sockets – this enables a shaver, trimmer, electric toothbrush and any batteries to be charged via a single adapter

• Small flashlight and extra batteries

• Hat that shields against the sun

• Sunscreen and lip balm

• A mosquito repellent for example

• Nail clippers and file

Important Items to Have in Your Hand Luggage

• Passports, money, tickets

• Sunglasses

• Medication you use at home (always in your hand luggage, just in case you lose your suitcase!)

• Hand Medicine: analgesic, allergy pills, remedy for diarrhea (maybe Imodium), malaria pills, plasters and disinfectant wipes

• Binoculars (so you get to see the leopard way out there in the tree!)

• Camera and memory cards more than you expect to use, including battery charger and a bag to protect the camera from Africa’s fine, red dust

• Shoulder bag with sturdy strap and zip. A money belt or good inside pockets that
  can be zipped up

• A few photocopies of all personal documents such as passports, your eTA approval, flights, travel insurance, vaccination card, international debit cards, (Master Card, Visa credit cards etc.) driving license

• Telephone list for immediate blocking of lost debit card and insurance

• Mail addresses of those you wish to send postcards or send messages too.

• Notebook and pens

• A good book or something to keep you entertained on the flight