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Experience a Different Safari Every Day
Your journey is almost complete! You are just one module away from becoming a Kenya specialist, and the chance to win a holiday for two people to this fantastic destination for yourself. We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed your journey of discovery and we hope that you will not only become a Kenya specialist, but that you will also become an ambassador for this rich and diverse country.
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IntroductionFrequently Asked Questions
| Do I need a visa to visit Kenya? | All UK visitors require an entry visa. They are available from the High Commission prior departure (4 working days notice) or can be issued by Immigration staff at the airport upon arrival. Kenya High Commission: For the visa application form, visit the Kenya High Commission at: www.kenyahighcommission.com |
| How much does a visa cost? | £35 for a single entry visa |
| Do I need inoculations/medication prior travel? | It is highly recommended that you take malaria tablets before travelling to Kenya. Choosing the right vaccines for your trip depends on many individual factors – please consult your doctor for specific information regarding your health needs. |
| Information from Amref: | Vaccines commonly recommended for travellers to Africa include those against:
Several of these vaccines require more than one dose, or take time to become effective. Vaccine shortages also occur from time to time – particularly for yellow fever. It is recommended you seek advice from your GP on immunisation well in advance, if possible around 6 weeks before departure. |
| What should I pack? | It is advisable to travel with a small medical kit that includes any basic remedies you may need, such as antacids, painkillers, anti-histamines and cold remedies. You may also need medication such as Imodium (adults only); and oral re-hydration sachets such as Electrolade, especially if travelling with children. You could also include first aid items such as Band-Aids, antiseptic and dressings. Please remember to pack light clothing for daytime wear and warmer clothing for the evenings. Safaris can be dusty, so pack appropriately. |
Insect Precautions | Careful precautions can reduce the risk of insect-borne disease by a factor of ten. At dusk, and at other times when insects are biting, cover up. Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers, socks, and pyjamas at night. Use an insect repellent on exposed skin and on your clothing. In addition to sprays, use a mosquito net during the night. |
| Food & Hygiene | Be selective. Possible disease hazards range from minor bouts of travellers’ upset stomach to dysentery and more serious parasitic diseases. These will ruin your trip, so precautions are worthwhile. Always choose food that has been freshly and thoroughly cooked, and is served hot. Raw fruit and vegetables tend to be very difficult to sterilise. Ensure they have been carefully and thoroughly washed in clean water, or are easy to cut open or peel without contaminating the flesh. |
| Water Purification | Do not drink tap water. Use bottled or previously boiled water – and remember that alcohol doesn’t sterilise a drink! |
| Heat & Sun | It takes time to acclimatize to the heat – so avoid excessive physical exertion, keep cool and stay in the shade as far as possible. Thirst is a poor guide as to how much fluid you need and it is essential to drink plenty. Please note that alcohol, coffee, and strong tea are diuretics and cause increased water loss. The best guide is that your body should always produce plenty of pale urine. Use plenty of high factor sunscreen, wear a hat and shady clothing, and avoid exposure to direct sunlight – especially during the hottest part of the day. |
| What weather conditions should I pack for? | Due the diverse climate of Kenya the traveller should come prepared for hot, cold, wet and dusty conditions. |
| Time difference: | Kenya has a single time zone, which is GMT+3. |
| What currency should I bring? | You can bring any international currency into Kenya to be changed into local Kenya Shillings. (£1.00 = approx. 110 KSH). US Dollars are also widely used. |
| How much am I expected to tip? | Tipping is not mandatory in Kenya. Guides, drivers, waiters and hotel staff can be tipped at your discretion. Suggestion 10-15%. |
| Will my mobile work while in Kenya? How easy will it be to contact me? | Kenya has a good network of telephone, cellular and satellite connections. If you have a mobile phone with a roaming connection, then you can make use of Kenya’s excellent cellular networks, which cover most large towns and tourist areas. Most hotels and lodges offer international telephone and fax services. In larger towns, private telecommunication centres also offer international services. When calling Kenya, the International code is 00 254 plus local area code. |
| Will I have access to the Internet? | Kenya has good Internet Service Providers. Both email and Internet services are offered by many hotels and lodges, and in most towns there are plenty of private business centres and cyber cafes offering email and Internet access. |
__________ Why sell Kenya? “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” – or heaven on earth, as a visit to Kenya would suggest.
Home to the greatest game show on earth, the vast plains rumble with the thunder of approaching hooves as the wildebeest migrate north from the Serengeti. Kenya’s 48 National Parks and Reserves are a land of endless potential for the wildlife enthusiast, while those pushed for time can have a taster with a one-day safari adventure in Nairobi national park – just 20 minutes from the capital! Or perhaps you’re inspired to go in search of something a little different from the traditional Big Five, in which case a “back to basics” camel trek might appeal – or perhaps a snake safari, the perfect opportunity to go in search of the most spine-tingling species of African snake and the alternative Big Five: Python, Boomslang, Puff Adder, Cobra and the Mamba. DAY 2: SPECIALIST Whatever your passion, Kenya prides itself on offering something for everyone.
With such a tremendous “line” up on the big game fishing front and Lake Victoria’s Rusinga Island Club alone holding 3 world line records, fans of our deep sea dwellers should certainly be angling for a trip with a difference. Don’t forget the land down under! Kenya is home to some of the Indian Ocean’s most beautiful and endangered creatures, from sperm whales and whale sharks to sea turtles and dugongs. Not only that, it also has world class dive sites. Whether you chose the island charms of Lamu as your base, stay by the white sand beaches of the South Coast or sample the best of both worlds at the Tana River Delta, a kaleidoscope of colour and life is guaranteed. DAY 3: LUXURY If upmarket travel is more your bag (Louis Vuitton, of course), there is an excellent range of award-winning safari lodges and tented camps which have opened up in recent years, bringing new levels of luxury, sophistication and incredible personal service. There are also an increasing number of spas. At the Loisaba wilderness spa, take time out from game viewing to enjoy a soothing massage overlooking the Laikipia Plateau – sheer indulgence that takes Kenyan safaris to a new level. Maybe it’s time to make this a voyage of self discovery?
Kenya has drawn on all of its many historical influences to become a unique melting pot, boasting 42 cultures, countless languages and dialects and one of the most richly diverse social tapestries on earth. It is also one of the global leaders in community-based ecotourism, working with local tribes to develop innovative ways of protecting their environment and culture, meaning you can enjoy a wonderful holiday with your halo intact. It is this dedication to eco-values that sets Kenya apart from many other African destinations. Kicheche Tented Camp, for example, is a real tented bush camp in the “Out of Africa” mould, offering guests the chance to live in the heart of the most prolific game area on earth – the Masai Mara reserve, which is part of the Serengeti eco-system and wildebeest migratory route – and help out the local communities. A true hideaway, the camp has been carefully incorporated into a wild olive copse and is barely visible even from a short distance away. DAY 5: NATURAL Kenya is world famous for its breathtaking landscapes and has long been known as a great eco-tourism destination, drawing visitors to its diverse range of wildlife and natural habitats. From the depths of a coral reef to the heights of snow-capped mountains, from lush rainforests to vast trackless expanse of desert, from extinct volcanoes to geothermal springs and from rolling savannahs to freshwater lakes, the contrasts of Kenya are a wonder to behold. And for many people, this is the real Kenya, where the great empty spaces hold the promise of real adventure. DAY 6: SPORTS Kenya is a great sporting nation and its love of sport means that there is plenty for the visiting enthusiast to see and do. With virtually unlimited potential for outdoor activities, there’s plenty on offer to satisfy the amateur enthusiast and the ultimate thrill seeker alike!
Meanwhile, far from the northern deserts, the waters of the Indian Ocean are an adventurers playground. The coast of Kenya has a well deserved reputation for big game fishing as well as world-class diving. Inland, the beautiful, bird-rich freshwater lakes of the Rift Valley are also ideal for boating, waterskiing and windsurfing. And away from the big game of our Parks and Reserves, there are plenty of other Big Games to see. From Rugby Sevens to the world’s most gruelling off road Safari Rally, there is a wide range of spectator sports throughout the year. DAY 7: BEACH SAFARI Kenya’s eastern boundary is an unbroken line of blue, an azure strip of ocean lying within a protective shelter of reef. Dive beneath these waters and discover an undersea paradise where the coral reefs teem with fish in a kaleidoscope of colour and life. Finally, come ashore to beach resorts and hotels that let you relax and experience this paradise in style and comfort. Immerse yourself in a unique coastal culture as rich and rewarding as the local Swahili cuisine. Welcome to the Kenyan coast. After all, even God rested on his 7th day… To request a brochure, please email: kenya@hillsbalfour.com [testbutton] |
DAY 1: WILDLIFE
Bird watchers will delight in “tweeting” themselves to the chance to explore the 60 designated “Important Bird Areas”, including Lake Baringo which holds the record for most bird species recorded in any country in one day.
DAY 4: CULTURAL
Lovers of extreme sports can try paragliding in the Rift Valley, base jumping in the Mathews Mountains or ice-climbing on Mount Kenya; while for gentler tastes there are watersports, bike trekking, and 38 golf courses offering world-class standards – and, on those that rise above 1500 metres, the bonus of 10% extra yardage on your strokes!
