Travel Tips
Visa RegulationsVisitors must be in possession of valid visa and health documentation on arrival. The regulations vary dependent on nationality and country of origin and should be checked with the nearest tourist office or diplomatic mission.
Hotel Check-in & Check-outThe standard check-out time is 1000hrs, hence rooms may not normally be ready for occupancy until 1200hrs (noon). Should an early arrival be anticipated, please reserve rooms from the preceding night. Day rooms upto 1800hrs are usually available but at a charge.
Health & Medical AdviseInoculation centres in the county of origin will provide updated information and advice on health regulations and recommendations. In Tanzania, yellow fever vaccination is a requirement. Cholera vaccinations as well as malaria medication are recommended.
As East Africa enjoys a healthy, invigorating climate, visitors need feel no concern for their general health during their stay. However, malaria is endemic in certain areas and anti-malaria medication should be taken according to prescription recommendations. Visitors requiring special medication should pack sufficient supplies in their hand luggage.
Local chemists are well stocked but the same generic medication may not be readily available. Tap water is considered safe in the cities. However, on safari, rooms are provided with flasks of filtered and purified water. Mineral water is readily available.
ClimateIf there is a perfect climate in the world, surely it is in East Africa. Although it can be hot and sticky by the sea, inland the, air is dry and even at midday the temperatures are equitable. Due to the proximity of the equator, sunrise occurs daily between 0600hrs and 0630hrs while sunset takes place 12 hours later. It can get quite chilly in the early morning and evening hence visitors should pack a sweater.
There are two main rainy seasons - usually mid-April to the end of May and November to mid-December. Even during the rains, the weather can be pleasant with rain occurring in the early morning and late in afternoons or evening. The general temperatures currently in Arusha, the Parks, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam range between 27 and 34 degrees celcius.
ClothingSafari clothing should be casual and comfortable. Cotton slacks and shirts, with skirts and culottes for ladies and a light sweater or jacket, during the day. Evening wear in game lodge and safari camps can be very casual. At high altitudes (like Ngorongoro), where early morning and evenings can very chilly, warm sweaters, socks and comfortable shoes are recommended. Pack suntan lotion, swimwear (to be reserved for the beach and pool only), a small first aid kit, a flash light and alarm clock. Local customs and modesty should be respected. The cultures of the Zanzibar coast do not allow almost nude dressing, particularly on the beaches. The dressing should be modest.
Religions & CulturesKenya has a culture born of countless sources. This region has been crossed by the paths of a long and complex history. From the prehistoric records of early man to the present day, Kenya has been a land of unending change, contrasts and diversity. The early tribal states saw cycles of migration and shifting power, with Kenya as a meeting place for peoples from the plainlands of the south, the forests of the West and the deserts of the North.
The sea brought influences from the outside world, and the passage of the spice trade created the unique coastal culture, where lines between Africa and Arabia blurred. The open coast brought European influences into this world of change and began a turbulent struggle for control whose exotic history lingers today.
The first explorers discovered a land of great peril and greater beauty, and their great adventures created the most unique colony in the British Empire. This was a meeting place of cultures, where adventurers and soldiers of fortune mingled with a complex tribal society, and the arrival of labourers and merchants from India brought new and pervasive influences.
The colonial legacy lives on in the traditions of the great safari, and the pursuit of adventure and freedom. Kenya has drawn on all of these influences to develop its own unique culture. This is the nations greatest strength- the ability to blend the best of many worlds into a strong, singular identity.
Today, Kenya welcomes the world to its shores and continues to evolve a modern culture that is born of endless variety, and yet purely, proudly Kenyan.
Banks & CurrencyBanking hours are from 08.30hrs to 1600hrs Monday to Friday. Banks open on Saturdays for a few hours, usually from 0900hrs to 1200hrs. Most Hotels/Lodges change money as well.
There is no restriction to the amount of foreign currency a visitor may import provided that it is exchanged through authorized dealers only. It is essential to retain a receipt for each transaction in order to re-exchange the local currency on departure.
Well known credit cards are widely accepted in Kenya but to a lesser extent in Tanzania. U.S dollars, Euros and travelers cheques are the most widely accepted form of payment. It is a legal offence to deface the local currency.
Service & TippingAs you already know, tipping is NOT mandatory and this can only depend on the clients’ personal feeling/judgment of level of service offered, whether it is satisfactory or below expectations.
The below is the general guideline but it is not limited to this:
Porters - 2 euro per client per check-in
Restaurants - 10% of the bill
Safari driver/guide - 4 Euro per client per day
