TRAVEL TIPS

A WORD ABOUT BRIBES
Some visitors feel it is cheaper and easier to bribe officials rather than pay the proper visa fees. It may even add a little intrigue or excitement to your trip. We strongly suggest against this.

Departure Taxes. Don't let anybody tell you to pay a departure tax at Namanga. Departure taxes only apply to airports and harbours, not land borders.

SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE BETWEEN NAIROBI AND ARUSHA

The most economical way to travel between Nairobi and Arusha and on to Moshi (for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing) is by the daily shuttle bus service.

THE TRIP
Shuttles leave from both Arusha and Nairobi at 08.00 hours and 14.00 hours each day. Though the trip on the Tanzania side of the border is shorter at 110 kilometres, the poorer state of the road makes travel time about the same as the 150 kilometre drive on the Kenya side. Generally it is about two hours on each side of the border. The time spent at Namanga can depend on the number of people on the bus and how strict customs and immigration officials are. Also, if a few fellow passengers are without visas things might go slower. You will also stop on the Kenya side, not too far from the border. This rest stop gives you a chance to answer the call of nature, buy a cool drink and look at some last minute (or first minute) gifts.

THE BUS
There are several companies, among them Davanu, Riverside, and Impala. The bus may be anything from a mini-van to a large coach. Most often, they are twenty-five seat buses with a fold down seat in the aisle to make four across seating.

WHAT YOU PASS
The route between Arusha and Nairobi has some interesting villages along the way. There is a possibility of seeing some wild animals; even perhaps giraffe as you travel.

STOPS
The shuttle buses no longer depart Nairobi from the Stanley Hotel. They have been relocated to a bus stand near the Park side Hotel. The buses will also stop at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on advance request (when buying the ticket). In Arusha, the buses stop at the Mount Meru Hotel and, by arrangement, other hotels.

MAKING YOUR TRIP MORE COMFORTABLE
The trip can have its boring stretches and it is best if you have a good book to pass the time. You should also bring your water bottle and a snack. Remember, to buy soft drinks, you often have to have an empty bottle or drink it there.

Temperatures can start out chilly in either town, and can end cool as well. Namanga, however, is often quite warm. You should dress in layers to be able to reduce clothing as you get warmer.

THE PRICE OF THE TRIP
The trip usually costs no more than US $35.00 each way.

LUGGAGE
You are generally allowed two pieces of luggage and a carry on bag. Total luggage weight is often limited to 22 kilograms.

HEALTH
Nairobi Hospital and the Aga Khan Hospital are two of the best hospitals in Africa and the staff and facilities are able to provide for almost any emergency. Most medications are available and chemists are not as strict about prescriptions as in other parts of the world, but it is best that you bring an adequate supply of any medications you require during travel.

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DISCLAIMER: THESE HEALTH TIPS ARE FOR PLANNING AND INFORMATION ONLY. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU DISCUSS THE DETAILS OF YOUR ITINERARY WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRAVEL. IN SOME CASES, SUCH AS CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO, YOUR TRAVEL COMPANY MAY REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS SIGNED BY A PHYSICIAN.

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Yellow Fever, Cholera, etc.
Though there is little risk of yellow fever in East Africa, it is recommended that you are inoculated. The yellow book you will receive as proof of inoculation will be helpful in your travel between African nations. Please note that entry to Zanzibar requires evidence of inoculation. Your doctor may also recommend protections against cholera, meningitis and hepatitis.

Tip - The yellow fever shot must have been administered at least ten days before arrival.

HIV, AIDS
The HIV virus is a serious concern in Africa. The virus, which may lead to AIDS, is spread primarily through blood products and the exchange of fluids during sexual contact. The risk to travelers is extremely remote. Should you undergo medical treatment during your trip that requires an injection, ask to watch as the seal is broken on the disposable needle. You might consider bringing a disposable hypodermic needle with you as a precaution. In a serious medical emergency, it is recommended that you travel to Nairobi. Flying Doctor or similar organizations can arrange this transfer. Most lodges, hotels and tour companies keep a supply of disposable needles for their guests. Should you enter an intimate relationship with a person whose HIV status is unknown to you during your trip, it is advised that you practice safe sex and use condoms. Though condoms are available in Africa, they may not be as reliable as those available in your country.

Malaria
One of the largest concerns about traveling in East Africa is the risk of malaria. Malaria is a parasite that is carried by mosquitoes. In spite of the extensive medical advances in the prevention and treatment of malaria, it is still one of the leading causes of death across the world. This is generally because it effects areas that do not have the access to proper and timely medical care.

You should discuss the malaria risk with a doctor prior to travel. The doctor may suggest any of a number of preventative medications. These often require your taking them in advance of travel and continuing to take them for a period of time after you have completed your travel. We recommend you discuss the possible side effects of these medications. You might also discuss the possibility of not taking the preventative medications but treating symptoms if they occur.

Above all, you should keep in mind that the preventative medications are not 100% effective. If, during or after your travel, you feel feverish and/or experience soreness in your muscles, you should seek medical advice. If these occur after travel, be sure to advise the physician that you have travelled in Africa and that he should check for malaria (something the doctor might not do in other circumstances.)

You can help prevent malaria by taking some precautions:

In the evenings, wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and socks.
When camping, make sure your tent is zipped up in the evenings.
Use a mosquito net if provided (not needed in Ngorongoro).
Use an insect repellent with Deet.

Insects
Besides the mosquito, there are a few other insects that might cause you concern. These include tsetse flies, caterpillars, bees, Nairobi Eye and scorpions.

Tsetse flies found in East Africa do not carry a poison or the virus known to cause ‘sleeping sickness’ that their West African counterparts do. Here they cause an annoying and sometimes painful bite. Some people have allergic reactions to the bites that may last a few hours. Insect repellent with Deet and not exposing the skin to their bites are the best protection.

Caterpillars with long furry hair often have a painful sting if touched. They are not common, but should be avoided.

Bees are common throughout the world, and those indigenous to Africa do have the potential of inflicting a painful sting. If you are allergic to bee stings, you should advise your guide and a traveling companion. You should carry the medication you would take in the event of stings at home.

Nairobi Eye is a small type of fly that can be found in many parts of East Africa (not just in Nairobi). It can cause a painful rash and eye irritation can result from contact such as rubbing your eye after scratching the rash. Ask your tour guide to point one out and then avoid them.

There is the remote possibility, especially if camping, that you will encounter scorpions during your trip. As you might expect, they can inflict a painful sting. Their poison is not fatal except in extreme allergic cases. It is wise to check your clothes before putting them on and especially check your shoes.

And if that has not given you enough to worry about, there are also…

Snakes
Though it is a topic we who sell adventure travel like to avoid, we should mention that there are some snakes in Africa. Many of the are quite dangerous. But, the incidence of snake bite is negligible – not more than two or three a year in all of East Africa. These often occur within local villages. The important thing is, if you see a snake, remain calm. Do not try to touch the snake. Most snakes are afraid of people and will go off in the other direction when they sense your approach. The exception is the puff adder, a short, fat, lazy, but deadly snake. If you have an interest in snakes, your guide can stop at one of a couple of snake parks should you be traveling near them in your itinerary.

Wild Animals
The purpose of your trip is most likely to see the wild animals of East Africa. For this reason, we expect you know there might be lions, crocodiles, and dozens of other dangerous animals in the places where you will be traveling. For your safety and the safety of the animals, you should observe the following etiquette:

Whilst on game drives, remain in the car if any animals are present within 200 metres of the vehicle.

Encourage your driver to keep a respectful distance from animals.
If there is a hunt in progress, ensure your car does not get in the way of nature.
Please do not make loud noises or throw things at the animals to get their attention.
At lodges, ask for an escort when walking back to your room in the evenings.
Remain in the perimeter of the lodge or camp on foot except under proper escort.
Avoid throwing food remains from the car (such as apple cores). Some animals are susceptible to the same illnesses that can be passed between people.

Food
There have been travel guides written that suggest you avoid meats, fish, shellfish, fruit, vegetables and salads. This is no longer the case. When traveling with a reputable company, your trip includes only lodges and camping services that have passed very strict hygienic inspection on a frequent basis. Your guide may recommend places to avoid should you wish to venture on your own in towns. Care should be taken in Zanzibar where you will have a choice of places to dine at.

You can request special meals if you have dietary requirements. These should be mentioned in advance to ensure preparations can be made in remote areas.

If you have any food allergies, these should be made known so that your safari team can ensure your diet will avoid these foods.

Water
Bottled water is provided (either free or for sale) at all lodges and often in your vehicle. Though the tap water from lodges is generally filtered, boiled or both, the differences in minerals might cause discomfort and should be avoided. It is important, however, that you drink a lot of water and other fluids to avoid dehydration in the warmer climate.

Other Drinks
There is a large variety of locally bottled soft drinks and beer available. These products are generally supervised under international standards (i.e. Coca Cola) and should be quite safe. When in doubt, ask you guide. Wine drinkers might enjoy some of the wines imported from South Africa. Chateau Libertas is at the top of the recommendation list. Some spirits may be difficult to find and are often expensive. You might consider traveling with your own supply.

Important: When traveling on public transportation, do not accept drink offers from ‘friendly strangers’. There have been incidents where these beverages have been drugged that the traveller has woken several hours later, less all belongings.

A note to women
Feminine products are not always available in some of the remote locations and they may be very expensive or of questionable quality. You should remember to pack these items from home for your trip. Also, there are some roads that may be very bumpy. Supportive clothing (as in a bra) is recommended during these trips.

Jet Lag
There are a lot of ways people avoid jet lag, but the trip to Africa is long and generally crosses several time zones (unless you are arriving from Moscow). People traveling from North America might consider breaking their travel in Europe. At the minimum, you might take advantage of shower facilities offered at most international airports.

During the flight, avoid alcoholic beverages, but drink plenty of water and juice. Lip balm and skin moisturizer can help, as can the little foil wrapped moist towels.

Dress Code and Clothing Recommendations (also check 'Packing Recommendations in this page')

Dress while on your trip should be comfortable and casual. Cultural etiquette suggests you wear conservative dress. When visiting Zanzibar Town, it is suggested that men and women dress conservatively except at your hotel's pool out of respect for the Muslim culture that is evident on the island. There can be chilly mornings and evenings, especially in Ngorongoro, so you should bring a light jacket or sweater. It is best to dress in layers on cold mornings so you can reduce clothing without having to change items while on a game drive. White or light colours are suggested and long sleeves, pant legs and socks are recommended for nature walks as well as avoiding flies, and mosquitoes. Bring sturdy, comfortable shoes and if hiking or walking is on your agenda, make sure they are suitable for these activities. Don't forget your swimsuit to take advantage of the pools on the way.

Sun Protection
Do not underestimate the power of the equatorial sun. It is very serious. Bring a hat that will provide protection, sunglasses and sun screen.

COMMUNICATION

TELEPHONE SERVICE IN NAIROBI
Most hotels in Nairobi offer phone service. International access when dialing from abroad is COUNTRY CODE +254 and CITY CODE 20. If calling from within East Africa, you should omit the country code and dial 005 followed by 20. If calling from elsewhere in Kenya, add a 0 before the city code.

Many businesses and people in Kenya have cellular service. There are currently two companies operating in Kenya. To call someone with mobile service, the CITY CODE is 0720, 0721, 0722, 0723, 0733, 0734 or 0735 depending on the service they subscribe to. International callers use the COUNTRY CODE +254 and drop the '0' before the CITY CODE.

IMPORTANT: Telephone service in Africa, especially calls to international locations are very expensive.

TELEPHONE SERVICE IN MOMBASA
The CITY CODE for Mombasa is 41.

MOBILE PHONE SERVICE
Kenya's mobile phone service is GSM compatible and international roaming is available in many areas. Though local users do not pay for incoming calls, you may be charged for incoming calls on your roaming plan. Check with your service provider.

If you use a telephone that takes sim cards, you may choose to purchase a pre-paid account in Kenya for your incoming calls. These are available for as little as $5.00.

INTERNET
There are a number of Internet Cafes in towns and cities. Hotels also may offer Internet service in their business centre.

POST
The postal service from Kenya is slow and not reliable. Valuables should never be sent by post.

CLIMATE
NAIROBI
At over 5,000 feet, Nairobi seldom becomes hot and during May, June, July and August, it may get a bit chilly. It can rain at any time, but chances are greater in May and November.

MOMBASA
Being on the coast and near the equator, Mombasa is warm as you should expect. The breeze of the Indian Ocean can make for pleasant days, however; especially if you are staying near the beach.

ON SAFARI
Kenya has a variety of climates to contend with in the National Parks and Game Reserves. Most are in a comfortable temperature range throughout the year.

CURRENCY
The currency used in Kenya is the shilling. Current exchange rates are featured on the home page. The currency is available in notes of 1,000/-, 500/-, 200/-,. 100/-, 50/- and 10/- shilling denominations as well as coins of 40/-, 20/-, 10/-. 5/- and 1/- shilling values and a coin of 50 cents (1/2 shilling).

Currency may feature photographs of one of the three presidents of Kenya. It is a serious offense to deface or destroy currency. There are also limitations as to the amount of Kenya currency that can be exported.

CHANGING MONEY
Many of the restrictions on foreign currency and currency exchange have been lifted in Kenya. It is still recommended that currency be changed only at official places such as hotels and bureaus. We do not recommend changing at banks as this can be a very time consuming process.
We suggest you do not change money on the street and especially at places such as the Namanga border. Several con artists still work in these areas and often cheat on rates or use fake notes in their dealings.
Older US currency (with small photos of presidents) are not accepted by many businesses and should be avoided. Also, the exchange value for smaller notes ($5.00 to $20.00) is often less than the value for $50.00 and $100.00 bills.
Traveller's cheques used to be as good as cash, but now attract a much lower rate. This is because banks now charge a fee to businesses for depositing traveller's cheques and also delay their payment by as much as two weeks.

SHOPPING
Nairobi and Mombasa both have hundreds of shops and there is a pretty good chance that you will find anything you might need in these cities. When travelling to the bush, finding certain items might be more difficult. In these cases, it is suggested you plan ahead and bring what you might need from home or purchase the items in advance in Nairobi or Mombasa.

Shops in town are not as open to bargaining.
If you are in search of some of the wonderful African art (carvings, batiks, paintings, jewellery, etc.) there are many shops that can offer some great values. We suggest you look around and compare (and bargain) before making your final decision. That said, if you find something unusual at a price you think is a good value - buy it. It may be difficult to return to that shop if you are on a schedule.

Also, your safari guide may be very helpful in finding you what you are looking for but remember that they often get commissions from the shops they take you to. Don't let them push you into making a purchase you are not 100% happy about. (And don't let him know we told you this.)

GETTING AROUND
The local people often get around on matatus. These local buses are often overcrowded and their safety records is dreadful. Taxis are available at a reasonable rate, but are not metred and the rate should be negotiated before the start of the trip.
Hotels can arrange a chauffeur driven car on request. We can also make your booking for chauffeur or self-drive cars through this web site.
Travel between Nairobi and Mombasa can be made by bus, train or one of several daily flights. Because of the poor accident record of the train service, we do not recommend travel by train.

PACKING AND OTHER TRAVEL TIPS
Assuming that your intend on traveling on safari during your stay in Africa, you should make every effort to pack your belongings into one soft sided bag and one 'carry on' style bag for cameras, valuables and day trips. Chances are you will have limitations in your safari vehicle and, in some cases, travel on small aircraft (if part of your itinerary) limits you to 15 kgs / 33 pounds. If you plan on doing a lot of souvenir shopping, you might consider carrying another bag tucked in your suitcase to help judge your limits. Important - For persons crossing the Atlantic Ocean from North America and connecting in Europe to Africa, International air carriers limit carry on bags to one and checked bags to two per passenger. Persons departing from Europe have weight restrictions on bags as well, varying with the carrier.

If you are doing a lot of traveling and need to carry more than the suggested items, keep in mind that you may be required to leave them at the town hotel.

Laundry service in Africa is often a bargain. Camping safaris generally include laundry service free of charge.

Advice - The customs and culture of East Africa, especially in coastal areas and Zanzibar are conservative. Revealing or very tight clothing should be avoided.

MEN'S CLOTHING (suggestions)
1 pair of comfortable shoes that would be appropriate for a nice restaurant
1 pair of sturdy shoes or boots for hiking*
1 pair of sandals to use when walking to the shower at camps, etc.
3-4 pair of socks
1 nicer long slacks for use in restaurants (please note that shorts are not appropriate in Zanzibar Town)
1-2 pair of long casual slacks
1-2 pair of shorts
1-2 belts
1-2 swimming suits
3-4 pair underwear
3-4 golf/tee shirts
2 long sleeve casual shirts
1 dress shirt (tie optional depending on if you think you might visit a top restaurant)
1 sweater or light jacket
1 rain poncho
1-2 hats (VERY IMPORTANT FOR SUN PROTECTION)*
1 pair sunglasses*
Prescription glasses if used with back-up pair suggested (note: contact lenses are difficult to use on safari due to the high amount of dust.)

WOMEN'S CLOTHING (suggestions)
1 pair of comfortable shoes that would be appropriate for a nice restaurant
1 pair of sturdy shoes or boots for hiking*
1 pair of sandals to use when walking to the shower at camps, etc.
3-4 pair of socks
1-2 pair of panty hose
1 nicer skirt for use in restaurants (please note that shorts are not appropriate in Zanzibar Town)
1-2 pair of long casual slacks
1-2 pair of shorts
1-2 belts
1-2 swimming suit
3-4 pair underwear
1 bra (recommended during game drives over bumpy roads)
3-4 casual short sleeve blouses
2 long sleeve casual blouses
1 sweater or light jacket
1 rain poncho
1-2 hats (VERY IMPORTANT FOR SUN PROTECTION)*
1 pair sunglasses*
Prescription glasses if used with back-up pair suggested (note: contact lenses are difficult to use on safari due to the high amount of dust.)

TOILETRIES
You should bring a tooth brush, tooth paste, razor, shaving cream and other toiletries with you as those available in Africa are expensive and often not of good quality.

Insect repellent with Deet.*
Sun screen with high level of protection*
Common drugs such as aspirin, cough drops, Pepto Bismol, etc.
Vitamins that you might normally take
* These items are very strongly suggested.

MEDICATIONS
Don't forget to visit your doctor before you travel. You will probably receive inoculations and preventative medication for malaria. Make sure you bring these and a good supply of any medications you take on a regular basis with you. Make a list of any medications, including their strengths, and carry the list in a separate place in the event your bag gets lost.

Many travelers bring their own disposable hypodermic needles in the event an injection is required. Disposable needles are available, but carrying your own is not a bad idea.

If you suffer from motion sickness, don't forget to use your preferred medication – patch or tablets.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Some of the happiest travelers I have met are those that don't take a camera with them and just enjoy what they see, but most people want a record of some of the fantastic sights along the way. You will get fairly close to a lot of the wildlife, but a good 35 mm camera with a 75-300 zoom lens will certainly help you take some great shots. It is always best to buy your film before you travel, because film here is expensive and not as fresh. 100 – 200 ASA is a good speed for general photography here. Though it can get bright, you might want to be able to get some action shots and the higher speed film will be helpful. Some people also like to use 400 ASA for fast moving animals and evening shots. A beanbag is much better than a tripod for photos from the car. (The safari vehicle should have a pop-up or removable roof to make photography easier.) A cable release is useful to get shots without camera motion. Also, a flash can help with indoor and campfire shots. Remember to bring extra batteries for your camera equipment. Most people find they take 2 to 3 rolls of film per day whilst on safari.

If you bring a video camera, don't forget the tapes (very expensive here) and the recharging accessories. You can generally recharge the camera at lodges and from the vehicle.

ACCESSORIES
Some other things you might consider for your trip:binoculars
water bottles
pens, paper, journal
a good novel or two
Zip-Lock type bags to keep the dust and moisture out of stuff and keep your wet swimsuit in
A couple large plastic trash bags to wrap stuff in should it rain (your bags may travel on racks on top of the vehicle)
Money belt or similar. The best is a pouch that fits in front inside your shirt or slacks.

FOR CAMPING (on the more basic trips)
Two or three medium size towels
camp mattress (the roll up hard sponge type)
soap (in a plastic soap dish for easy travel) & shampoo
sleeping bag
Tip - If you are not planning on camping often, you can usually find buyers for sleeping bags and other items if they are in good, clean condition.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW (also, see the other travel tips found in this site)You will need visas for entry to Kenya and Tanzania. Though you can get these in Africa, your travel will go smoother if you get them in advance through the respective embassies.

You MUST HAVE a yellow fever vaccination to enter Zanzibar. It may also be required on arrival to Kenya, though rarely is. The book must reflect receiving the vaccination at least ten days before travel.

Make a photocopy or list of the following items: Passports (including the page with the visa stamped in them and the pages with photos and data), plane tickets, yellow booklet showing your yellow fever vaccination, list of all medications you might require, listing of all travelers’ cheque numbers, list of serial numbers for cameras, etc. Keep this list someplace apart from where you keep these other items.
Keep track of your passport above all. Loss of a passport can destroy your trip and cost considerable money during the time required to replace it.

On your international flight, pack as if the airline is going to lose your bags. It seldom happens, and almost always the bags arrive a couple of days later, but this way, you will be able to continue on your safari while the airline finds them.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR BAGS GET LOST AT THE AIRPORT
We naturally hope you don't lose your bags, but it does happen. If your bags do not show up, do the following:

Report the problem to your air carrier and fill out the required paperwork
Request compensation for your inconvenience (often $50.00 for emergency purchases and a bag with simple toiletries and a tee shirt)

Ask them when they expect the bag will arrive and tell them where you will be based on your itinerary

LEAVE THE KEYS AND/OR COMBINATIONS WITH THE AIRLINE
so they can clear the bags through customs. Ask the airline to go with you to advise Customs Officer that bags were lost so there will be no problems further in getting your bags cleared when they arrive
Tell your safari driver and ask his office work with the airline to get your bags to you at the earliest convenience.