Kenya Walking, Birding And Wildlife Tours Information

Ontdek Kenya, the leading outfitter of guided walking, bird watching and wildlife safaris in Kenya with over 10 years experience presents you with general pre-tour info for your safari. To join a small group departure, please see our group tour dates. For customized tours kindly contact us.

Climate

The climate in East Africa is strongly influenced by altitude and proximity to the sea. The coast has a hot and humid tropical climate (July and August are cooler and less humid). Inland, a pleasant temperate climate prevails, with warm, sunny days and cool nights. In July and August the highland areas can be overcast during the day and cold at night. There are two rainy seasons. The long rains occur during April and May, and the short rains November to mid-December. Rain falls generally at night, and the days are often sunny and warm.

The average maximum and minimum temperatures in °C for Nairobi per month are:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Max 25 26 25 24 22 21 21 21 24 24 23 23
Min 12 13 14 14 13 12 11 11 11 13 13 13

Photographic Equipment

Films are available in most game lodges, even in remote areas, but stocks are usually small and are of 100 ASA only. The main towns and cities carry plentiful supplies of all makes and sizes.

A telephoto lens for game photography, lens hood and ultra violet filter will be useful, as well as dust cover (plastic bag).

The sun is strong, so exposure meter settings give the maximum exposure, not the average.

Spare batteries should be brought, as these are often difficult to obtain outside the major towns.

Binoculars are of great value for game and bird viewing.

Electricity

The electrical supply in Kenya is 240 volts 50 Hz. Sockets are usually 3 pin square (British) type. It is advisable to check that any appliances (e.g. video battery charger) operating on other voltages have a built in adaptor or bring one with you.

Baggage

You may take along two normal size pieces of luggage, not exceeding a total of 20 kg per person. On domestic flights within Kenya the baggage allowance may be less. All baggage is at the tour member's risk while on tour. We highly recommend baggage insurance.

Items needed for our tours

Clients are advised to use big traveling bag(s) and not suitcases. Other items needed are:

For the Mount Kenya trekking we recommend you use a big rucksack with good shoulder straps in stead of traveling bags. Other items needed for this trekking are:

Clothing

Safari attire is casual and comfortable. In game lodges, the coast hotels and country hotels the emphasis is on informality and comfort.

Although Kenya is a land of sunshine, dawn and dusk can be cold, so pack a heavy sweater. Noon, however, is almost certain to be hot, so lightweight cotton shirts or blouses are suggested. On safari, cotton slacks and shirts and for the ladies, cotton skirts or culottes are recommended. Don't forget to bring your swimwear, as many of the hotels, lodges and tented camps have swimming pools.

Motoring in east Africa can be dusty, so bring along a scarf or a hat for your hair. A hat is also a useful protection against the sun as well as sunscreens and sunglasses.

Laundry

All hotels and lodges offer laundry services, making it possible for clients to travel light.

Footwear

For our walking tour shoes should be good hiking boots that are waterproof, have a good grip and come above the ankles. An extra pair of shoes is always handy for at the end of the day.

Visa Information

Visitors will need valid visas to enter Kenya. It is best to acquire these prior to arrival to avoid delays at the airport. It is important to carry photocopies of your passport (with visa entries), health cards, airline tickets, credit card numbers and insurance papers in a separate bag from your originals.

Banking, Credit Cards and Currency

Kenya's currency is the Kenyan Shilling and is convertible from or to the American Dollar, Euro or Pound Sterling at most of the local banks, hotels and bureaus.

All the major Credit cards are widely accepted, as are traveler cheques, which can be changed in any bank. A commission charge is normally added to any transaction using a credit card.

Though banking hours are on Monday to Friday: from 09.00 to 15.00, consider that our tours are out in the country so it is important to change your money on the day of arrival in Nairobi. The airport banks are open until midnight every day and they typically give a better exchange rate than hotels and we recommend you change some money at the bank upon arrival. Make sure to get some loose cash (100, 200 notes), these are quite hardy when purchasing curios in market places. Consider that bargaining is expected, but for cash only.

ATM cash machines are available at the Nairobi airport and in most major towns allowing cash to be drawn using an international Visa card with a P.I.N. number.

Health

Many visitors enjoy traveling extensively in Kenya without any health problems. However, you are strongly advised to take a number of sensible precautions:

Despite these precautions, the change of climate, water and diet can lead to minor stomach upsets. Remember that anti-diarrhea drugs treat symptoms rather than causes and should not be used if you are de-hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids is important, you should take a rehydration solution in case of severe problems.

Vaccines

Your doctor may offer you vaccination against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, yellow fever and a one-time polio booster if you haven't previously received one for travel. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.

Note: if you are coming from a yellow fever risk zone or have traveled to one in the recent past, you may be asked to show a document stating you have received a yellow fever immunization injection, not longer than 10 years ago.

Malaria

Risk exists throughout the year in most parts of Kenya. Mosquitoes carrying malaria tend to strike mainly in the evenings. It is wise to wear clothing, which covers your arms, legs and feet at this time of the day, as well as wearing insect repellent. Consult your doctor or pharmacist as the most appropriate form of malaria prophylaxis and let him know that you will be climbing Mt. Kenya where there is a possibility of exposure to high altitude illness.

Food and Water

In Kenya, food is of a very high standard with a wide selection of tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, meat and fish.

Dining is an integral part of the safari experience and full board is normally provided and includes early morning tea, full breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea and a four-course dinner. Tea and coffee is served with all meals.

Tap water should not be drunk. Mineral water is available in all lodges, hotels and tented camps. Water purifying tablets are needed for water in Mt. Kenya.

International flights to Kenya

Airlines flying into Nairobi include: British Airways (daily), KLM (daily), Kenya Airways (daily), SN Brussels, Swissair, South Africa Airways, El Al and Emirates.

Tips

It is habitual to give the driver, guides and porters a tip at the end of the trip. Also guides who may accompany you for 1 or more days during the trip are usually given a tip. However the amount of the tip is at the client's discretion.

For the Mount Kenya trekking

1) Altitude related illness

At high altitude the amount of available oxygen decreases dramatically. This can result in medical situations that must be of concern to every hiker. These range from acute mountain sickness (AMS), with various degrees of discomfort, to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), both of which can be fatal. Because cases can progress rapidly from mild to severe, recognition of symptoms is essential.

AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)

Signs / symptoms: Headache, nausea, fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite and difficulty in sleeping.

Treatment: Slow down, stay in the camp, drink water and rest while the body adjusts to the altitude. If symptoms persist after 48 hours, descend.

HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema)

Signs / symptoms: Shortness of breath during exercise progressing to shortness of breath at rest, a dry cough deteriorating to a frothy sputum, audible gurgling from the chest area, increased heart and breathing rate.

Treatment: Immediately descend and seek medical attention. Descent is the best available treatment. HAPE can progress quickly to a point where the victim cannot walk. HAPE does not improve with rest at the same altitude.

HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema)

Signs / symptoms: Symptoms of AMS that progress to severe headache, loss of co-ordination, slurred speech, irrational behavior, coma and death.

Treatment: Immediate descent. HACE, as with HAPE, can quickly progress to a lethal stage.

2) Prevention of altitude related illness

Increase fluid intake to 4 to 6 liters per day, avoid extreme physical exertion and eat a light diet high in carbohydrates. Dress warmly. Loss of heat is one of the main causes of altitude sickness. Use a hat; do not use shorts or short-sleeved clothes. Take the symptoms seriously, rest and acclimatize if you suspect AMS.

3) Termination of the climb

In the event that a hiker shows the symptoms of altitude related illness but he/she insists on continuing with the climb the guide has the right to terminate the climbing. This decision will be taken in the best interest of the clients health.

4) Protection of the environment and waste disposal

Mt. Kenya National Park is a 715-km² park, which has a fragile ecology, and all visitors have an obligation to protect it. At Ontdek Kenya we are fully aware of this obligation and we urge all our customers to help us live to our known standards of environmental commitment by:

The above-mentioned rules are of course not just applicable for Mount Kenya. Also in the other areas we visit we go by the same rules.

5) Sanitation