The busiest tourist seasons are December through January, with Christmas and New Year being extremely busy, and the annual wildebeest migration into the Masai Mara which occurs between July and early October. You are recommended to book well in advance for these times of year. The scuba diving season runs from September to April each year. Deep sea fishing is possible all year but the seas can be rough during May, June and November, it is best between December and March.

Rainfall in Eat Africa can vary. However, most rain falls during the ‘long rains’. Even those months can be fine safari times as the dust has been laid. This is when the country is at the most beautiful with green grass, newborn animals and an abundance of wild flowers.

It is advisable to visit your local personal physician at least a month before travelling in order to update any vaccinations, obtain anti-malarial treatment and any long term medication that you may require.

Dehydration is a common problem, and we like to advise guests to drink as much water as possible to prevent this probability. Please bring a sunscreen of at least factor 15-30 to prevent sunburn and sunstroke. Dark glasses and a good hat or cap that shades the face are also essential.

There are several excellent private hospitals in Kenya, and we cover our guests with Flying Doctors Society in case of an emergency. This enables air evacuation from a remote area to Nairobi or the nearest high-quality hospital.

Visa Requirements
All visitors to Kenya except East African Citizens require a visa, irrespective of nationality. Residents of the EU, US, Switzerland, Australia, India and several other countries can obtain a three months visitor visa upon arrival (Download a visa form). The cost of a tourist visa is currently US$50.


Insurance
We suggest that you make arrangements so that you and your property are fully insured for the duration of you stay, as well as for travel in light aircraft if applicable. Similarly, we recommend to arrange for adequate insurance in the unforeseen event of the cancellation of your safari. As previously stated, we cover you through the Flying Doctor Society for emergency evacuation form remote location to the nearest hospital in Kenya.

When walking in town keep to the main thoroughfares and avoid walking at night, especially alone. Make use of hotel safe or deposit boxes and never leave valuables in hotel rooms or safari vehicles. It is a good policy to travel with photocopies of your passport, traveller’s cheques, and any other important documents.


Gratuities
Personal gratuities to guides and camp staff are left to the guests’ discretion. Most lodges, camps and hotels have a central tipping box for all staff except the guides who are typically tipped separately. As a general guideline, we recommend to tip 5-10 US$ per guest per day for the staff and the same amount for the guide.

Please, respect the local people and only photograph them with their permission. We also strongly recommend never to attempt to take photos of border posts, airports, persons in uniform and military installations where photography is strictly prohibited.


Bargaining
Bargaining is not only a commonly used practice but also a necessary one. Unless you are in a high-end store where prices are fixed, feel free to bargain. As a starting point, halve the amount quoted and negotiate with the seller there on.


Events
Kenya's most spectacular annual event is organized by an unlikely group - wildebeests. Literally millions of these ungainly antelopes move en masse between June and September from the Serengeti in Tanzania in search of lush grass. They head south again around October. The best place to see this phenomenon is at the Masai Mara National Reserve. However Game Viewing in Kenya is good all year round.

Communication
Most high-end hotels and even some remote lodges have internet, telephone and fax facilities.

There are also internet cafes and IDD telephone facilities in all major cities and some smaller towns. We will provide you with a local SIM card on which we will store all relevant numbers prior to your arrival.
The international dialling code for Kenya is +254.


Electricity:
Kenya uses 240V and 50Hz. The plug in use throughout Kenya is of the three square pin, 13amp type.
Adaptors are readily available at electronic stores in case you don’t bring one with you.