Preparing for your Safari
Visas
The current cost of a visa for most nationalities is US $25 per person. This is a special 50% reduction of the usual visa cost offered by the Kenya Government to encourage people to choose to travel to Kenya. These are available at the point of entry but must be paid for in U.S. dollars cash.
Visas are also available from Kenyan Embassies and Consulates in many countries.
Departure Tax
There is a departure tax on International flights of $20.00. This will generally have been included and already paid in the price of your international ticket.
Medical Requirements
Check with your doctor to get the current recommendations and advice.
Anti malarial tablets are strongly recommended.
Kenya requires that arriving persons carry proof of a valid yellow fever vaccination when they are arriving from an endemic area. This includes those who have first visited Tanzania and/or Zanzibar which are considered endemic. The vaccination must be administered 14 days before arrival.
Clothing and Equipment
Clothes for safari should be light, comfortable and not too brightly coloured. There is little or no requirement for anything formal. A light jacket or sweater may be needed in the evenings at higher altitudes such as the rim on the Ngorongoro Crater. Comfortable walking shoes are an essential, as is a hat to keep off the sun. Sunglasses and a spare pair of prescription glasses are also suggested. Don't forget a swimming costume for use at the lodge pools.
Most people bring binoculars and/or cameras and video equipment with plenty of tape or film. Zoom or telephoto lenses are likely to be useful. Film is also available at most lodges/camps but can be expensive. Almost all lodges/camps including our private and shared luxury tented camps have power points to facilitate charging of digital cameras and laptops.
Most of the better hotels and lodges will spray rooms and provide mosquito nets, but do bring your own insect repellent sprays.
A flashlight is always useful.
There will be no television or radio in most places, so you might want to bring an iPod, little short-wave radio or Walkman if you want to keep up with world events or listen to some music.
Remember that safari vehicles and light aircraft have tight limits on the size and weight of luggage carried. Depending on your itinerary, it may be possible to leave some luggage in your hotel in Nairobi or at the Pollman's Tours and Safaris office for the duration of your safari.
For ease in loading luggage in both the safari vehicle and any light aircraft, soft sided bags are strongly suggested. For participants in scheduled departures, soft sided bags are required.
Insurance
Jim & Sue Safaris require that all clients arrange personal travel insurance to cover their medical, property and other personal risks for the duration of their safari.
Temporary one month membership of AMREF's Flying Doctors' Society may be purchased with your safari arrangements. This cover provides the services of light aircraft and skilled doctors for emergency treatment and evacuation to Nairobi during incidents resulting from accident or medical emergency in Kenya and Tanzania.
This is supplementary to and not a replacement for a standard travel insurance policy.