WHAT TO BRING
PASSPORT & VISAS
A valid passport is required. Visas are required by all. Tanzania visas are issued on arrival at the airport with a charge of $100 USD per passport, for a single entry visa. Please visit the Tanzania Embassy website for detailed information. Kenya visas are acquired online through an application service. Please visit the Kenya Online Visa site for detailed information.
HEALTH AND IMMUNIZATION
A course of anti-malarial tablets is essential; please seek advice from your doctor. A mosquito repellent is also advisable. Yellow Fever Vaccination is now obligatory for all visitors to Tanzania & Kenya. Please ensure that you have this before your arrival. If on medication, it is best to take a supply of medicines to last the entire trip.
CURRENCY
The Kenyan Shilling (KSH or KES) is denominated in notes of 1000/- 500/- 200/- 100/- 50/- and coins of 40/-, 20/- , 10/- , 5 /- and 1/- . The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is denominated in notes of 10,000/=, 5,000/=, 2.000/=, 1.000/=, 500/=, and coins of 100/=, 50/=, 20/= and 5/= US Dollars, Sterling Pounds and Euros are acceptable everywhere. However we advise you to have a certain amount of local currency at all times. ‘Bureau de change’ are available at all airports and in the cities. A commission is levied for changing of the foreign currency. Most of the banks and establishments will not accept US Dollar bills printed prior the year 2003. ATM’s are also popular and seen in most areas (you may only draw in the local currency).
BAGGAGE CLAIM
All bags arrive on the conveyor belt. Each person picks his/her bag, onto a trolley and then clear Customs – where he/she presents their passport. This is just a formality – nothing more than that Immediately in front of them are the Exit doors to the Public Waiting Area/Rendez-vous point.
MEETING POINT ON ARRIVAL
Once you clear immigration and customs – our representatives will meet you on arrival entry outside the arrival halls. The common name on the meeting board will read the name of the group.
POWER
The national grid power supply ranges between 240v-220v. Many of our lodges/camps in the parks and reserves get this supply from the national grid. Most of them generate their own power supply from generators and power ranges 240v –220v. For stress-free travel, we recommend you carry a universal adapter.
TELECOMUNICATION
Auto roaming of mobile phones is available in all East African Countries with excellent network in the cities and in and around some of the national parks and reserves. This will however depend on whether there is a reciprocated agreement with your country. Otherwise, most lodges/hotels are connected to land lines. There is a cost for usage of the phones. You may also buy a Pre-Paid line from the various mobile operators with easy switch over from Kenya to Tanzania whilst on holiday here. This is the cheapest option.
WATER
Piped water in East African region is chlorinated and safe to use for showering and washing of hands, but should not be drank directly from the tap. It is highly recommended that you use the purified or mineral water provided for you at the hotel or you may buy some at the hotel bar/shops and service stations.
WHAT TO CARRY
Baggage: the ‘mantra’ is TRAVEL LIGHT! We encourage you to carry soft bags as opposed to hard or roller cases. This saves time during the loading and offloading of the safari vehicles.
RECOMMENDED CAMERA GEAR
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Camera Backpack (F-Stop, ThinkTank, and Lowepro make great bags)
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Travel tripod
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Lenses
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Batteries
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Lens Cleaner
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Polarizer, UV and ND filters
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Memory card(s) (expect to take thousands of shots)
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Universal power adapter
WHAT TO WEAR
Summer clothing is worn throughout the year. Casual wear during the day, but business casual dressing is recommended for dinner time at the restaurants in the lodges and hotels. (Lightweight trousers that unzip to become shorts are awesome!) A light jacket/sweater and light raincoat may be necessary as early morning and evening temperatures are cooler since most of the national parks are located at an altitude of 1000m and above. This is also especially useful for dawn and dusk safaris. Sensible walking shoes, sunglasses and a hat for protection against the sun, Swimsuit, if you want to jump into the swimming pool.
TIPPING & GRATUITIES
Tipping is customary and in many occasions, actually ‘paves the way’. It is indeed a way of life in our part of the world. Whilst the actual amount of money to tip is left at your discretion, we would like to offer some guidelines here below (values are in USD):
Kenya Porter – $1 per bag Restaurant waiter – $1.50 per person, per meal Driver-guide – $10-30 per day, per person
Tanzania Porter – $1.50 per bag Server in restaurant – $2 per person, per meal Driver-guide – $10-30 per day, per person On average, we would recommend that you budget for US$ 150. per person on a trip of 7-10 days, which would comfortably cover all tipping & gratuities.
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