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Some
Useful General Information
- Arrival
and departure
Visitors must be in possession of a valid visa and health documentation on arrival in Kenya and / or Tanzania, Uganda. Different regulations are applied according to Nationality and country of origin. These should be checked with the nearest Kenya Tourist Office or Diplomatic Mission. Inoculation Centers in the country of origin will provide information and advise on health recommendations.
- Health
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda enjoy a healthy, invigorating climate and visitors need feel no concern for their general health during their stay. The sun in Africa is hotter than you may imagine. One can get sun burnt even on a cloudy day. Please take care, and on first exposure, use a protective lotion. Piped water supplies are safe practically everywhere but local advice should be taken when on safari. You will find that in most safari lodges, there will be a flask of drinking water on your bedside table. There are small field hospitals and clinics in most parts of the countries, but it is advisable to purchase all your requirements in Nairobi or Mombasa before setting out on a tour. Please remember to take Malaria preventives as presribed by your local physician for the required weeks after your departure from East Africa.
- Shopping
You will find that East Africa has a wealth of fascinating curio shops, clothes stores and shops specializing in Africana. Some shopping areas: Nairobi main streets and arcades in the city centre and within major hotels, City Market and streets around the Market; if you are going to the Rift Valley then there are some interesting curio shops there. Nearly every main shop in the city centres and in hotels/lodges will accept major credit cards and travellers cheques.
- Business
and Shopping hours
Usual business hours throughout East Africa are 08:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday and 08:30 to 12:30 on Saturday. Apart from Nairobi and Mombasa airport banks, which are open 24 hours, banks open until 15:00 Monday to Friday and from 09:00 to 12:30 on Saturday. Banks are not open on Sunday.
- Currency
and Credit Cards
The unit of currency here is the Kenya or Tanzania or Uganda shillings. The Shilling is divided into 100 cents. Notes are available in the denominations of Shs. 1000/=, Shs. 500/=, Shs. 200/=, Shs. 100/= and Shs. 50/=. Coins are available in denominations of Shs. 20/=, 10/=, Shs. 5/=, Shs. 1/= and Shs. =/50. Most major credit cards are accepted throughout East Africa. Visitors may import an unlimited amount of foreign exchange. Only banks, hotels and lodges are authorized dealers to change money.
- A
few helpful hints
Please show respect for local laws and customs, and the sensitivities of your host country. Remember for religious reasons, many people consider scanty dress a discourtesy (restrict wearing of swimsuits and beachwear to the swimming pools and beaches) - this applies particularly to northern and eastern Kenya, as well as the coastal areas. Do not leave valuables, including cameras and binoculars, anywhere. Make use of hotel safes as much us possible. Try not to make a flagrant display of wealth - your normal holiday spending money amounts to a small fortune to most Kenyans. When on safari never get out of your vehicle, unless you are told it is safe to do so. Do not attempt to go for walks when staying in game lodges.
- Photography
Please do not photograph the president, police, soldiers, military installations, prisons, prisoners and airports. Please always enlist the co-operation of your subject before photographing strangers as people do not like to be regarded as exhibits and many may not understand that your photos are merely a personal record of your trip. Your driver/guide will be able to advise you on this.
- Baggage
We are not insured for damage to, or loss of, baggage. Whilst our driver/guide will make every effort to assist you with your luggage, we take no responsibility for any loss or damage. If you are travelling by small charter aircraft, only one suitcase or soft bag of not more than 15 kg may be carried. At Treetops and The Ark, only a small over-night bag is permitted - lock-up storage facilities are available at the Outspan and The Aberdare Country Club.
- Languages
State official language and the most popular languages are SWAHILI (a mixture of African, English and Arabic) and English. Your driver/guide and all people in the hotel industry will speak reasonable to good English. Liberty Africa Safaris can provide on request, French, Spanish, German, Italian or Hebrew speaking driver/guides.
- Weather
and Clothes
During your safari to Kenya you will cross several weather zones: Mombasa and the Coast - hot and humid, Nairobi - cool and dry, Mt. Kenya - chilly, Samburu and the Maasai Mara - pleasant weather but chilly during the early morning game drives, Tsavo and Amboseli - pleasant. If you travel during rainy seasons (November - December and April - June) - expect rains everywhere. Prepare your clothes accordingly. Informality is the keynote, be prepared for cool evenings at higher altitudes, on safari try to wear neutral colors as much as possible green, beige and khaki are best not to startle the game. A hat and a pair of sunglasses are advisable for protection against the sun. Laundry can be done at most lodges. Light comfortable shoes are important.
- Food
and Restaurants
In general, the food served in hotels and lodges is European food. Breakfast and lunch will be buffet and dinner is usually a set menu. In Mombasa and Nairobi you will find a variety of restaurants - European, Indian, Chinese, African, and Seafood. The degree of cleanliness in restaurants is very high, as is the quality of food.
- Special
Diets and Needs
It is important to inform us of special dietary needs or facilities for the disabled at the quotation and / or booking stage of the itinerary. *Electricity Supply Both the mains and generated (in lodges and camps) supplies of electricity are 240 volts / 50 cycles, using three square pin plugs. Most large hotels in the city and some parks will have an electric razor point for 110 volts / 60 cycles.
- Communication
and Postage
City and town hotels mostly have telephones and faxes. On the most part international calls are very expensive. Game lodges and camps mostly rely on H.F. radios for communication, which is sufficient for emergencies, but not recommended for a casual call. Recently some lodges have installed telephones, which are usually very expensive. The Kenyan postage system is very reliable but fairly slow; for example a letter to the USA usually takes approximately two weeks. East Africa: Kshs 35.00 Letters (per 10gms) - Africa: Kshs 40.00 Europe and Asia: Kshs 55.00 Far East, USA and Australia. : Kshs 70.00
- Public
Holidays
January 01, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 01, June 01, October 10, October 20, December 12, December 25 and 26. The Muslim festival of Idd-Ul-Fitr is also a public holiday. When the designated date falls on a Sunday, then the next day is normally declared a public holiday.
- Final
Note of Advice
East Africa for the most, is an undeveloped region. It is therefore important to understand and accept that even the most meticulously planned arrangements can go wrong due to natural conditions.