1. Language:

English is the official language in Kenya; though Kiswahili is considered the second official language.

2. Currency:

Kenya’s currency is the Kenyan shilling (KSH). You can exchange your convertible foreign currency in to shillings in a forex bureau at the airport upon arrival. You may also 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. Most establishments accept US Dollars/Euros/GBP for payments, however the rate of exchange is at their discretion and change is given in the local currency in most cases. Coins cannot be exchanged. Large US$ denominations ($50 and $100) get a better exchange rate and bills must be from year 2009 onwards or they may be rejected.
While on safari, VISA and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards. Credit cards cannot be used for cash advances. Charges may be around 3-5% and are automatically added to the bill. A small amount of cash should be carried for daily expenses (drinks, and other small expenses, shopping and tipping). ATM machines can be found at the international airports and in most major towns. The machines dispense the respective local currency only. You may consider informing your credit card providers of your travel plans so that they don’t decline transactions you may carry out in the countries you will be visiting.

3. Passports and Visas:

Tourists are required to have a passport which must be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival in the country.
Following the Presidential Directive issued on 12th December, 2023 that Kenya will be a “Visa Free” country for all travelers across the world, Visitors to Kenya from across the world no longer require a visa from January 2024 instead the Kenyan government has developed an has developed a semi-automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to Kenya called the Republic of Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
The eTA must be applied for by ALL travellers including those that were previously Visa exempt. The eTA comes at a cost of $30.
Kenya citizens and citizens of EAC Partner States are exempt from the eTA.
The eTA application collects biographic information and answers to eligibility questions from the traveller. eTA applications for Kenya should be submitted at least 3 days prior to travel to ensure adequate time for authorisation. Travellers can submit their applications up to 3 months prior to travel.
Each eligible traveller is required to apply for an eTA before starting travel. It is mandatory to use the Government’s official website to submit your application. Applications submitted via third party websites will be automatically denied.
For children under the age of 18, the legal guardian, parent or accompanying adult is responsible for filling in the application. It is recommended that families apply as a group.
Your eTA application fee is non-refundable; the system will require a valid credit or debit card to pay and complete the transaction. Cheques and cash are not accepted by the system. If the payment does not work, please wait a few minutes and try again, or check to make sure you have sufficient funds on the means of payment that you used.
Once you submit your eTA application, the fee is non-refundable, and you cannot transfer it to another person. This is also true if your eTA is denied or if for any reason, including a force majeure, or if there are deviations to your planned journey.
Prior to submitting an application with the required payment information, you can correct all application data fields. If an applicant applied with mistakes, he or she might need to submit a new application. The associated fee will be charged for each new application submitted.
The eTA Standard processing time is three (3) working days but we recommend that Online Applications should be made at least 7 working days prior to travel to give plenty of time for the application process to be completed.

For how long is my eTA valid? Does it expire?
The eTA is valid for one journey (single entry) only and must be redone for each additional journey. It expires once you exit the country.
The travel information is an obligatory section of the application process. Therefore, it is only possible to apply for the eTA after having booked your transport and accommodation. Travelers can submit their applications up to 3 months prior to travel.

3a. What information is required to apply for an eTA?

• Valid passport Passport validity: Your passport must have at least 6 months left before expiry date and 2 blank pages left for visas.
• Recent passport picture OR a selfie picture taken during application process
• Contact details (home address, telephone, email)
• Travel information and flight itinerary (arrival flight number, date of departure of initial flight in case of connecting flights)
• Proof of booking for the hotel you will be staying at (if staying with friends, a letter of invitation is accepted)
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate if coming from endemic countries (please check the WHO website for the updated list of countries)
• Credit/Debit card information for payment, if applicable

3b. How to apply online for eTA

• Click HERE to access the web portal ( www.etakenya.go.ke )
• Once on the portal, Click “Apply Now” and follow the instructions
  o Make sure that all the data has been entered correctly
• Submit the application
• An email confirming receipt of your application will be sent to you
• An email confirming receipt of payment, if applicable, will be sent to you
• Upon decision by Immigration officer, an email confirming Approval / Refusal will be sent to you
  • If your application has been approved, please either print the PDF document that has been attached to the email, OR download the document to your mobile device OR save it in the “Kenya Travel Authorization” mobile app. This is your electronic travel authorization that needs to be shown at all departure and arrival points.
  • If your application has been denied, you will not be able to travel to Kenya for the moment.
  • You can check the status of your application at any time by visiting the following URL:
    www.etakenya.go.ke

  4. Vaccinations:

  Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania are considered to be Yellow Fever endemic areas, and a valid international Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required of all visitors travelling from, and between these countries, or from another Yellow Fever endemic area in the world.
  All the four countries are considered to be Malaria Endemic Zones. Your personal general practitioner should advise you on suggested vaccinations/ medications.
  Our selection of safari lodges and tented camps is well researched and offers the best in terms of comfort, relaxation and atmosphere during safari. Each accommodation category is well catered for in the selection.
  We fully understand the need for your protection against Mosquito and other insect bites.
  All rooms / tents during your safari are fitted with mosquito nets or are insect proofed to protect you against bites.
  You are also advised to carry / use insect repellent to further protect yourself especially in the outdoors during evenings.

  5. Covid-19 Travel Requirements with effect from 9th May 2023:

  1. All travellers arriving into the country through any point of entry shall no longer be required to show proof of either COVID-19 vaccination or a pre-departure COVID-19 test.
  2. Only travellers arriving at any port of entry into Kenya with flu-like symptoms will be required to fill the passenger locator form on the ‘jitenge’ platform: https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/. They will also be required to take a COVID19 antigen test upon arrival at their own cost. Those who turn out positive for antigen test will be required to take a further COVID-19 PCR test at their own cost. Those with severe symptoms shall thereafter be allowed to isolate as per the prevailing isolation requirements for mild, moderate and severe disease.
  3. Passengers traveling out of the country will be required to abide by the particular travel, health and COVID-19 related requirements of the transit and destination country.
  4. Pre-departure RDT or PCR testing may be considered at the discretion of any of the airlines departing from or terminating in Kenya.

  6. Travel Insurance and Medical Matters:

  Travel Insurance is strongly recommended, valid at least for the duration of the safari. This should cover aspects such as unforeseen cancellations, medical expenses, theft, curtailments etc.
  Visitors requiring special medication should pack sufficient supplies in their hand luggage. Chemist shops in the major cities are well stocked, but the same generic medication may not be readily available. Medical services are very good in Nairobi. Medical treatment and hospital fees must be paid for direct.
  Some lodges and camps require that guests sign a disclaimer during their stay, especially in areas where wild animals wander within the property’s grounds, and providers of adventure activities usually have the same requirements.

  7. Clothing:

  Casual and comfortable clothing is recommended. Dressing in layers is an effective method of compensating for the wide variations in temperatures during the day.
  It tends to be cool in the morning, warm or hot during the day and cool again in the evening. A sweatshirt, and a jacket/fleece is needed for evenings and early mornings, as it can be quite cold especially at high altitudes. Include a hat, sunglasses and swimwear. All hotels, lodges and safari camps offer an inexpensive or free (basic) same day laundry service (washed by hand in most cases). Camouflage clothing is not allowed in East Africa. Khaki, brown and subdued colours are only really necessary if you will be taking part in walking safaris, when you would need to blend in with the environment.

  8. Luggage:

  Your safari tour Jeep has a generous luggage compartment at the rear and can comfortably carry 6 suitcases with an average 25 -30kgs each.
  You may carry hand luggage with your vital stuff inside the safari jeep.
  We suggest that you pack / carry your luggage in soft sided suitcases or duffel bags for ease of storage in safari vehicle and also to minimize on friction and damage during the sometimes bumpy road safari trips.
  For local flights, please ensure that your baggage is packed in soft bags and should weigh no more than 15kgs per person. It’s possible to store extra luggage during the safari either at your hotel if you are returning thereafter your trip or in our offices. Most lodges have laundry facilities at an extra charge. For International flights you can pack and carry as per your given guidelines.
  Also, to note plastic bags, bottles and straws are banned for use in most of East African countries and will be confiscated by authorities upon arrival at the airport or at any check-up point.

  9. Accommodation and Wi-Fi connectivity:

  There is no official star rating system in place yet, however we will guide you in choosing the best possible accommodation style to suit your preferences. Accommodation in the cities and in major towns can fall under the western three to five stars standards. While there is a wide range of accommodation levels and styles available on the safari, you might be limited by a specific location’s options.
  In some cases, the more authentic and exclusive safari camps and lodges and mobile camps may lack 24hr electricity or running hot water, and rely on kerosene lamp-light and safari bucket showers. Their exclusivity in this case comes down to the high levels of personalised services, privileged locations and their provision of the classic safari experiences. There are a few ultra-luxurious lodges and tented lodges available, with Wi-Fi, private pools, butler services, champagne on the house etc that provide for unbelievably luxurious and pampered safari experiences. In most cases, WI-FI is only available at the reception area.

  10. Photography:

  All safari vehicles either fitted with roof hatches for unobstructed viewing and photography of wildlife and scenery. You may only get out of the vehicle at designated points during the game drives. Taking photographs at airports, near police or military installations, of policemen, the President or government ministers and/or their respective entourages, the State House, state lodges, soldiers, prisons and prisoners etc., is prohibited. Out of respect for the local communities, it is best to ask for guide’s advice before taking any photos of any person.
  Binoculars are unbelievably useful on safari, and it is recommended that you carry your own! Knowing how your camera works also helps! Learn how to adjust the settings for better pictures, before you travel. Carrying extra camera batteries and memory cards is highly recommended. You could carry a car charger that fits into the cigarette lighter in the vehicles. Cameras and lenses should be protected from dust and moisture. The use of camera flashes is not allowed when photographing wildlife from observation hides, and when tracking Gorillas and Chimpanzees.

  11.Food and Drink:

  All the hotels, lodges, and camps serve delicious freshly prepared meals based mainly on international cuisines, and special dietary requirements or preferences are catered for. In case of any special dietary requirement, it’s advisable you notify us while booking. All the foods served within the establishments are safe to eat.
  It is best to stick to drink bottled water, which is always available in the guest room and for purchase. We also provide drinking water in all our safari vehicles for use. The ice served in the hotels is prepared with filtered, treated water, and is safe to consume. All lodges and camps stock a range of refreshments and alcoholic drinks at a fee.

  12. Electricity:

  220/240 volts, with British type (square 3-pin) plugs in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and 220/240 volts, with French type (round 2-pin) plugs in Rwanda. Adaptors are available at all lodges and camps, though you may prefer to carry your own. While on safari, most lodges and camps run on solar power or generators that function at specific hours of the day. At lodges or camps where the generator is switched off at night, all the rooms are equipped with flashlights and candles. Some properties do not have sockets in the rooms, or 24-hour power, but arrangements for recharging camera/ phone batteries are always provided, usually in the main lounge area.

  13. Communications:

  The mobile phone network is excellent and the local mobile operators have roaming agreements with most operators abroad (unlocked mobile phones). Local SIM cards are readily available and can be purchased at the airport or in major towns. There are however, some areas with limited and intermittent mobile phone coverage. All drivers-guides have mobile phones, the safari vehicles have communication radios, and most lodges and camps have a satellite phone for emergency calls.
  Rwanda is two hours (+2) ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Kenya, Uganda Tanzania are three hours (+3) ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

  14. Tipping & Gratuities:

  A tip is an indication of appreciation for the services given and it is given after all the services have been completed. While it’s not mandatory, it is customary and generally expected in East Africa. Generally, a tipping of about 10-20 dollars per person per day to the driver guide is recommended. However, you can give more at your discretion after evaluation of the services offered.

  15. Our fleet:

  Much like the increasingly globalised world, we constantly renew our own personal fleet of Luxury Land Cruiser’s (4*4) to maximise your comfort and safety.
  The beauty of an East African Safari encompasses the experience of patchy rough roads. This is where the need of quality, highly maintained vehicles and experienced driver guides play a major role in ensuring we gift you an enjoyable Safari.
  For transfers (to & from airport) we use distinct saloon cars, depending on the number of persons. However, this is customized accordingly depending on prevailing factors.
  Our vehicles are spacious and designed with the traveller in mind: pop-open roofs for panoramic game viewing, reclining seats, cooler box for your chilled beverages and a first aid kit – because safety first!