Required documents

kenya holiday preparation

A passport is required that is still valid for at least six months after the date of departure. A visa is required and costs approximately USD 50 per person. You can only apply visa online on this link https://account.ecitizen.go.ke/visitor-registration or get your visa on arrival.

For more information about the Kenya Embassy in your region please check kenya.embassyhomepage.com

Money

The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling. You can take cash Euro’s, Pounds, U.S. Dollars or Canadian Dollars and change them at the airport or in your hotel or lodge for Kenyan Shillings. In many locations like in your accommodation or in souvenir shops it is no problem to pay in Euro’s or U.S. Dollars, however you will get your change in Shilling at unfavorable rates. In most places payments with credit card is accepted. In big towns and cities like Mombasa/Diani/Nairobi there are also possibilities of getting money from an ATM Machine, in the parks you have no opportunity of using an ATM machine so we kindly advice you to get cash before going to the parks. When buying a souvenir in Kenya it is customary to bargain a good price with the seller.

Vaccinations

When you travel to Kenya, there are no mandatory vaccinations, but you are advised to get some of them.

The following vaccinations are recommended: DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio), Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A. It is also increasingly advised to include Hepatitis B to your vaccination list as well. The whole of Kenya is also considered a malaria area and you can take various types of anti-malarial drugs for prevention. The recommendations may change and it is important to speak to a specialist for the exact information that applies to you.

The best way to prevent getting malaria is to make sure mosquitoes don’t bite you. We recommend you bring good anti-mosquito repellant. For the tours we organize it is not necessary to bring a mosquito net with you because all the accommodations provide mosquito nets incase you don’t have one in your room you can request the reception to provide one.

Clothes

During the safari it is usual to wear informal casual clothes preferably of cotton in a green or brown colour. During the day shorts are a good choice and after sunset long trousers are recommended to prevent mosquito bites. A sweater or jacket can be very pleasant for the early mornings and cooler evenings. In addition comfortable shoes are also recommended. Many accommodations have a pool, so do not forget your swimsuit. Kenya is located directly on the equator and the sun can be very powerful. It is sensible to take a hat or cap, as well as sun cream with high protection and sunglasses on safari with you.

Communications

kenya holiday preparation

Internet: Kenya is a country where in many places Internet is available and also in daily life using the web is integrated. At various accommodations you can use a computer with internet, but the speed may not always be what you are used to. When you are really on safari you must keep in mind that you cannot often make use of the Internet. Mobile telephones: in Kenya there are 3 different networks (Safaricom, Orange and Zain), which together have created a pretty strong network. It is surprising that even in the Masai Mara or in other remote areas you can be reached by mobile phone. However if you travel to remote areas do not count on an available network range. In and around cities you usually have excellent opportunities to make a mobile telephone call. When you arrive in Kenya you can buy a telephone card at the airport and make calls in East Africa for a good price. International calls: when you want to make a call abroad while visiting Kenya this can be pretty expensive, especially at the hotels. The hotels where you can call charge very high rates and often it is better to call with your own mobile phone.

Food & Drink

Avoid drinking tap water and be careful with the use of ice cubes. Boiled water and water sold in sealed bottles are perfectly fine to drink. It is important to drink a lot especially in dry and hot areas. Oranje exclusive safaris only uses good quality services and accommodations so you can safely eat everything offered in the accommodations.

Photography and Video

A journey through East Africa is an introduction to another culture and meeting different people. You certainly want to capture these encounters on photo or video. Sometimes this is considered as an annoying experience by the local people. Showing respect, a not too obtrusive attitude and asking if you may make a photograph before pulling out your camera, creates a lot of ‘goodwill’. This way the contact with the local people will be a bigger experience then when you are only shooting pictures from a distance. You can charge the batteries of your equipment in most places, but keep in mind that some accommodations do not have power all day.

Voltage

kenya holiday preparation

The accommodations in Kenya have a voltage of 220-240 volts. The voltage can greatly vary, be careful with sensitive equipment. In addition you need a three-legged plug. If you do not have this then a good idea is to buy a world plug. This allows you to use it worldwide.

Tipping

kenya holiday preparation

It is quite usual in Kenya to reward someone with a good tip, however of course only if you feel the person you deserve it. The salaries in Kenya are relatively low and what you may consider to be a small tip can be a large amount for the receiving person. For someone to who is bringing your luggage to your room a tip between KSH 200 to KSH 250 is highly appreciated and a good guideline. In a restaurant leaving a tip of around 10% of the total amount is also customary. If you stay at an accommodation which has all services included you can often use the tip box to make a nice gesture. For your Driver guide during the safari a guideline for a good tip is around USD 7 to USD 10 per person per day, but a more personal gift like a good book or a new pair of shoes will certainly also be highly appreciated.