GENERAL INFORMATION
1. ARRIVALS
Kenya has two main points of entry by air. Jomo Kenyatta I nternational Airport, Nairobi and Moi International Airport, Mombasa.
2. CUSTOMER SERVICES.
We offer our clients free transfers from the airports, Safari briefing and flight reconfirmation. We also do hotel, Lodge and camp bookings at VERY competitive rates.
3. CLIMATE AND CLOTHING.
EAST Africa has a warm weather throughout the year but on high plateaus, mountain slopes or during rain seasons, it can be very cold thus we recommend you bring with you some warm clothing. Dress should be informal, comfortable and practical. We suggest cotton clothing in neutral colors especially on safari when animals are conscious of bright colors a hat is also essential for protection against the sun.
4. BAGGAGE.
Where possible travel light..
5. CURRECNY.
Major credit cards and currencies are expected in East Africa. Kenyan currency is based on the decimal system. The unit of the currency is the shilling divided into 100 cents. Its illegal to enter or leave the Kenya with nay Kenyan currency at the banks.
6. DRINKING WATER.
While in East Africa, drink local bottled mineral water for peace of mind.
7. ELECTRICITY.
Electricity in East Africa is 230/240 50 Htz and plugs are three pin square or round, so it’s a good idea to bring an adaptor.
8. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS.
Please consult the appropriate Embassy or High Commission on Entry Visas. The immigration citizens of all common wealth countries, including the republic of Ireland, do not require visa to come to Kenya. Other countries that do not require visas are those who have concluded abolition agreement with Kenya such as Denmark, Finland, Spain, Turkey, Uruguay, Norway, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Others who do not require visas are the citizens from UK, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Austria, Japan, USA and Canada.
9. HEALTH.
It’s essential to take Malaria/Palladium prophylactics before travelling to East Africa. Before you travel, please consult your doctor.
10. INSURANCE.
Before you travel, pleas take appropriate holiday insurance.
11. PHOTOGRAPHY.
Bring with you the best cameras/video cameras and enough films. There are so many interesting things to photograph in East Africa.
12. ACCOMODATION.
During your safari, accommodation will be either in a lodge, with facilities like Lounge bar, Dinning rooms and Swimming pools or Luxury Tented Camps with all essential facilities.
13. MEALS.
Traditionally, safaris start with early morning tea / coffee before going out for game viewing, followed by a choice of full or continental breakfast. Lunch and dinner is usually buffet style.
14. SECURITY.
Security is very O.K in East Africa but this regions no different other countries in the world. Just follow common sense rules. Remember, excessive display of jewellery and cash can attract undesirable elements. Keep all you valuables in hotel/ lodge safes or leave them with hotel/lodge/camp manager for safe keeping. We recommend that you do not walk around unfamiliar streets/areas at any time.
15. TELECOMMUNICATION.
Telecommunication is well developing in East Africa especially in Kenya. However, please ask about the charges before using the services because in some establishments, the charges could be as much as 50% more on normal rates.Your mobile telephones are of great use when you are in Kenya:-you can ask at the hotel reception for local Sim cards & credit cards for cheaper communication
16. CREDIT CARDS.
Visa and other known cards are widely accepted throughout Kenya.
17. Prostitution or child abuse can be highly penalized by the Kenyan Government.
Hells gate.
Situated in the environs of Lake Naivasha, about 90km from Nairobi is Hell’s Gate national park, which covers an area of 68.25km2.the park is situated 14km after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-naivasha highway. The national park covers a small area, but the landscape is impressive and can be explored on foot. Hell’s Gate is characterized by diverse topography and geological scenery and is famous for its natural geysers, eagle and vulture breeding grounds. Two extinct volcanoes; Olkaria and hobley’s are located here. The entrance to the gorge is marked by Fischer’s Tower,a25m tall volcanic pinnacle. Animals like giraffe, hartebeest, zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, buffalo, eland and Impala can be seen grazing on the grasslands.
Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru, a small shallow alkaline lake (it varies from 5 to 30 sq km) on the edge of the town of Nakuru lies about 160 km north of Nairobi. The lake is a world famous as the location of the greatest bird spectacle on earth – serving as the congregation point for a roseate mass of some 100,000 to 2 million flamingos and over 450 other species of birds – a spectacle of immense beauty. Lake Nakuru National park is also the first rhino sanctuary in Kenya, which has recently been enlarged partly to provide a sanctuary black rhino. The park is unquestionably “the greatest ornithological spectacle on earth”. Other wildlife to be seen in the Park are waterbuck, reedbuck, zebra, impala, gazelle, lion, leopard, hippo, and rhino, especially in the olive tree forest to the south west.
Lake Naivasha.
Situated on the floor of the great Rift Valley is Lake Naivasha, a spectacular fresh water lake some 50 miles south of Lake Nakuru is surrounded by mountains, Lake Naivasha boasts good bass fishing, bird watching, easy walking on crest Island covering 170 sq kms. This beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by rolling hills and extinct volcanoes is home to over 450 species of birds. The lake’s water is used to irrigate the bountiful agriculture, is well worthwhile. Strawberries, flowers, asparagus and numerous other crops are grown for domestic consumptions and export. Black bass and tilapia made for entertaining fishing and a delicious meal.
Tsavo National Park.
The Tsavo National Park, a vast arid region of 20,807sq km (8,034 sq miles). Is Kenya’s largest wildlife stronghold. The park comprises a diversity of habitats, open plains alternating with savanna bush and semi-desert scrub; acacia woodlands; rock ridges and out crops and more extensive ranges and isolated hills; belts of riverine vegetation; palm thickets and on the Chyulu hills extension area, mountain forest. A section of Lake Jipe is included in the extreme south- west of the park, an extremely rich bird locality where pygmy Geese and black Heron are common.
The park which lies roughly half way between the Coast and Nairobi, is bisected by the main Nairobi – Mombasa road and railway. This is designated as the Tsavo road and railway National reserve. That portion lying north and east of the road is designated Tsavo Park East; that to the south and west, Tsavo park west. The park is watered by two permanent rivers, the Tsavo River which flow through Tsavo Park west and the Athi River which crosses a corner of Tsavo Park East. The two unite above Lugard Falls to become the Galana River. The Voi river, to the south, is not permanent.
Mainly on account of the difficult waterless nature of much of the terrain, parts of the park have not yet been developed for visitors. These include the uninhabited scrub of the Galan River.
Amboseli National Park.
Ambolseli is justly famous for its big game-elephants, loin and cheetahs are the main attractions – and for its great scenic beauty. The 3810sqkm (1,259sq miles) of this National Park and game. Reserve embody five main wildlife habitats, plus a generally dry Lake-bed, Lake Amboseli from which it takes its name. These are open plains; extensive stands of yellow barked- acacia woodland; and at the western end of the reserve, above Namanga the massif of Oldoinyo Orok rising to over 2,760 (8,300ft) and still for the most part zoologically unexplored.The landscape i.e. everywhere dominated by the glistening, majestic snow- cap of mt. Kilimanjaro immediately to the South a Africa’s highest mountain (5,894m – 19, 340ft)- a fitting back – drop to a wild region where the pastoral Masai and their cattle have lived in harmony with wild creatures for many centuries.
Maasai game reserve.
The Mara Reserve, as it was originally known, an area of some 1,812 sq km (700 sq miles), was established in 1961. Its southern boundary is divided into two sections. The inner reserve of 518 sq km (200sq miles) has been developed on the lines of a National park, no intrusion of human settlement being allowed, while the outer remains an undeveloped area where local Masai are permitted to pasture their cattle but which is otherwise undisturbed.The Mara country is world famous for its vast assemblages of plains game together with their associated predators. It is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the visitor may see animals in the same super – abundance as existed a century ago, The reserve extends from the edge of Loita Hills in the east to the Mara Triangle and the base of the Siria Escarpment in the West.The inner section, with its network of roads specially connected for game watching, embraces the area around the keekorok Lodge and westwards to the Mara River.