So, the safari is booked, and you want to make sure everything is ready for the trip; here are some ideas, so that you can plan well ahead, to make this trip even better:
1: Book Your Kenya Tours
Kenya, is a beautiful, enchanting, unique and vast country. Getting to Kenya will involve a long haul flight, so you’ll want to make the most of your time there, as possible. Do some research and see what things interest you, or that you really want to try.
Safari add ons allow you to make extra tours either side of the safari, or add tours as part of the safari, for example hot air ballooning.
Articles like - a day out in Nairobi can help you to plan what to do with any extra time you may have. Alternatively you might like to end your Kenya safari with some relaxation at the beach.
Classic Diani Beach Holiday
Classic Malindi Beach Holiday
2: Book your Flights
International flights are generally cheaper the further in advance you book them. Once you have finalised all your tour details it is advisable to book your flights. Booking your flights early will also prevent any disappointments should you find closer to the time that your specific dates are booked up already or unavailable.3: Health
When you plan your trip, the last thing on your mind is thinking about getting sick. Some careful pre planning and research can reduce this possibility. Just to put your mind at rest; Nairobi has some top notch hospitals, pharmacies and doctors. There is also a state of the art and professional air ambulance evacuation service based in Nairobi, who can fly to wherever you are, however remote you may be, they will be able to assist you.
Before you travel, please make copies of any medications you are on. Ensure you have sufficient for the trip. Maybe even bring a prescription with you, just in case of loss or damage to any of your meds. Remember Kenya, especially in the bush, can get very hot, pack your medications appropriately.
Required Vaccinations
Yellow Fever is required for travellers coming from a country with the risk of yellow fever transmission. However, as Kenya does have areas where yellow fever has occurred, for your protection it is recommended, especially if you are going on safari. The yellow fever certificate is valid 10 days after vaccination. Existing and new yellow fever certificates are, since July 2016, are now deemed valid for life.
Recommended Vaccinations
As the Hepatitis A & B virus is present worldwide, just the level of local sanitary conditions alters the prevalence, it is recommended to be inoculated. There are now combined Hepatitis A & B vaccines, also there is a combined Hepatitis A and Typhoid fever vaccine. Chat to your health care provider re your options available and the time frame needed to be covered before your travel.
Malaria
The risk of Malaria is present in all of Kenya below the altitude of 2500 m. if you are planning a safari, it is best to take prophylactic measures for the whole trip. Please chat to your health care provider for up to date advice for the correct antimalarial drug to use.
In addition please reduce your risk whilst in country by using the mosquito nets provided at the camps. Use bug sprays, wear long sleeved shirts and long trousers at night, don’t use perfume. For some reason the female mosquito is attracted to perfume, and it’s only the female ones that bite.
4: Travel Insurance
If you prepare for the unexpected, the chances are that you don’t need it. However, if you do have an unexpected problem whilst on holiday, then travel insurance is worth it’s weight in gold. Never travel without it. There are many products available these days, please find one that is suitable for you.5: Go Shopping
Perhaps the most exciting part of the preparations, it is now time to start thinking about what you are going to pack and if you need anything extra items that aren't in your wardrobe. Put careful thought into what you are going to pack. Take into account the luggage restrictions and remember that you will want to leave some weight and space for any gifts and souvenirs you purchase while you are away.
Remember that all the internal flights in Kenya restrict luggage to 15 Kg, this includes hand luggage and camera equipment. The good news is, that nearly all the camps and lodges include laundry - you therefore do not to pack for every day of the holiday! There is also a secure lockup at Wilson Airport, Nairobi, where you can store excess baggage if needed.
Kenya has a tropical climate so you should aim to pack clothes for generally warm to hot days and cooler nights. Remember once again to pack light weight long sleeved shirts and lightweight trousers or pants for the evenings.
On safari neutral coloured clothes are the best, as they help you blend into the scenery and are less scary for the wildlife. If you are planning on doing some walking safaris, which are a great way to see wildlife from a totally different perspective, remember to have comfortable worn in walking/hiking boots or shoes.
A good set of binoculars are always nice to have on safari, as is a decent camera, so that you get all the shots to remind you of your holiday once you are home. An extra memory card might be an idea too, just in case you’re so relaxed that you don’t download your photo’s daily.
Three Months Before Travel
Visa and Passports
International travel to Kenya requires a passport valid for at least 6 months from date of entry and have at least one blank page available when you present it to immigration, and a return ticket. All foreign citizens travelling to Kenya will need an Evisa, except citizens from countries that are exempt.There are three types of evisa available
Single Entry visa - Issued for single entry to persons whose nationalities require a visa to enter Kenya either for business, tourism or medical reasons.
Transit visa - Issued to persons connecting through Kenya to other destinations for a period not exceeding 72 hours. Those connecting flights directly without leaving the airport don't need to apply for Transit visas.
Courtesy visa - Issued to Diplomatic, Official and Service passport holders coming into the country on official duties.
Processing of the evisa is 2 days. Once it is approved, the evisa will be made available to your evisa account. You must print a copy to carry with your passport and bring it along when you travel to Kenya. When you arrive in Kenya, you must have your evisa printout with your passport.
An evisa to Kenya, once issued is valid for 3 months before you travel.
For travellers also intending to visit Uganda and/or Rwanda from Kenya an East Africa Tourist Visa can be applied for. This visa allows multiple entries to all three countries, using only the one visa. Valid for 90 days. This visa can be applied for on arrival, it can also be applied for via the Kenyan Embassy or High Commission.
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