GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT KENYA

Time:
Kenya has only one time zone. Local time is three hours ahead of GMT

Customs Export:
You are permitted to leave the country with a reasonable amount of tobacco and alcoholic products. Export of gold and diamonds is prohibited, as is the export of game trophies and skins, unless acquired under licence from the Government of Kenya.

Currency
Kenyan currency is based on the decimal system, the unit of currency being the shilling, which is divided into 100 cents. You are allowed to leave the country with a limited amount of Kenyan shillings. Banks are usually open from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, Mondays through Fridays and from 9.00am and 11.00am Saturdays.

Clothing and Accessories
Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 27 degrees centigrade (80 degrees Fahreinheit) with low humidity, and the nights are cool. Coast temperatures are slightly higher and more humid. June and July are the colder months, and the long rains are from end March through May.
Clothing should be generally informal. Lightweight cotton slacks, shirts, skirts or culottes are recommended. A light jacket/sweater is useful. A hat or scarf for protection against the sun and the dust is advisable, as are sunglasses.

Baggage
Baggage space on safari is restricted to one medium suitcase or holdall 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. A baggage weight restriction of 15kg per person applies on air safaris. Where very small aircrafts are used this maybe reduced to 10kg.

Flying Doctors
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.

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 evening.

Electricity
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 3 pin and of the ‘square variety’.

Do not carry large sums of money around. Keep a close watch on handbags, luggage wallets, especially in crowded areas. Lock valuables in hotel/lodge safety deposit boxes and never leave valuables on show in an unattended car or tour bus. Avoid walking at night, especially alone. Avoid dark streets.

Photography
Film is available at most lodges, even in remote areas, but stocks are usually small, expensive and only common sizes are available. Spare batteries are also recommended as these are also only in regular sizes. Binoculars are invaluable on safari. It is not recommend to take pictures of people without first obtaining their permission.

Tipping
Most hotels, game lodges and tented camps include a service charge in their tariff as do most restaurants, and in such cases tipping is not necessary unless exceptional service inspires you to express extra appreciation. This is usually 10%. Tour drivers/Guides expect US$5-10 per person per day.

Water
We advise you to drink bottled water as tap water is generally not safe.

Should you have any queries while on safari, our drivers/Guides are well versed in the traditions and local habits and can be asked for advice.

Credit Cards
VISA & MASTERCARD are widely accepted for tourist services. There’s usually a 5% service charge on top of the price as establishments are charged a fixed % of their transactions.

Language
Kiswahili is the ‘Lingua Franca’ while English is the official language. In addition most tribes have their own language.

Public Holidays
January 1st (New Years Day),Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1st (Labour Day), June 1st (Madaraka Day), October 10th (Moi Day), October 20th (Kenyatta Day), December 12th (Jamuhuri Day), December 25th (Christmas Day), December 26th (Boxing Day) and also Idd-Ul-Fitr which depends on the sighting of the moon.