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Baggage
Baggage space on safari is restricted to one medium suitcase or
hold all per person, plus hand baggage (private safaris where there
are less than 7 persons in the vehicle are not subject to this restriction).
Visitors to Treetops and the Ark are asked to take overnight bags
only; suitcases can be left at the base hotel. Hotels will normally
store baggage at no extra cost. Baggage can also be stored at Highlight
Safaris offices. A baggage weight restriction of 15 kg per person
applies on air safaris. Where very small aircraft are used this
maybe reduced to 10kg.
Currency
Hard currencies can be exchanged in cash or travellers cheques at
banks all over the country, at forex bureaus in Nairobi and at most
large hotels. US Dollars and Sterling Pounds are most acceptable
and will cause the least delay. As a norm, always ask what commission
and charges will be deducted first and prior to transaction. Banks
are usually open from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, Mondays through Fridays
and from 9.00 am and 11.00 am on Saturdays.
Credit Cards
VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS are widely accepted for tourist
services. There’s usually a 5% mark-up on top of the price
as establishments are charged a fixed percentage of their transactions.
Health
Since rules concerning disease prevention change from time to time,
a check should be made with the nearest Kenyan High Commission,
Kenya Tourist Office or any airline flying scheduled services into
Kenya. Malaria is endemic to most parts of Kenya and intending visitors
should start taking anti-malarial tablets before departure and continue
taking them for the prescribed time after their return. Insect repellants
should be made use of after dusk and suitable cover up clothes should
be worn in the evenings. Flying Doctors Society Membership of the
Flying Doctors Society is strongly recommended. In event of accident
or sickness while on safari, the society will fly patients by air
ambulance to Nairobi for admittance to hospital. The current cost
for 1-month membership is US$ 25 per person.
Drinking Water
Drinking water from the tap must be considered risky. Hotels and
lodges usually furnish safe water in a thermos flask in guest rooms.
Bottled mineral water is available in every hotel and supermarket.
Security
Normal precautions as in any other destination worldwide should
be taken. Visitors are advised not to leave cash and valuables in
their hotel rooms but to make use of safe deposit boxes and safes.
One should never carry large sums in cash and women should keep
a tight grip on handbags in crowds or busy streets. Jewellery snatching
is quite common in city streets. As in all major cities walking
alone or in small groups at night should be considered a hazard
and avoided. Reliable taxis are available at all the principal hotels.
Taking photographs at airports, near military installations, of
policeman, the president, the national flag, the State House, state
lodges, soldiers, prisons and prisoners etc., is prohibited. Before
photographing local people, permission should be obtained and a
fixed price agreed. Seek the assistance of your driver/guide in
this matter.
Voltage
Both mains electricity and generated supply in lodges provide 240
volts AC 50 cycles. Most large hotels and some game lodges provide
shaving points with 110v 50 cycles. Sockets are normally three pin
and of the ‘square’ variety.
Tipping and Porterage
Although hotels and lodges include a service charge, it is customary
to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers and safari drivers/guides.
Language
Kiswahili is the lingua franca while English is the official language.
In addition, most tribes have their own language.
Post and Telephones.
Keeping in touch by mail and telephone is generally easy. Direct
overseas dialing is possible from major centers and increasingly
from remote places such as game lodges. Call home bureaus are in
plenty in Nairobi as are the Cyber café for e-mail and Internet
access
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