General information...
Together we can create an encounter with Africa, which will exceed your expectations. Our experience in crafting personalized trips for individual and small
groups gives us special insight into what works. Let us surprise you with an intimate voyage into Kenya…the landscapes, the wildlife, the people. Whether your interests
lie in walking, riding, photography, birding or just being in the bush, we can assure you of luxury, flexibility and privacy. Experience the Africa of the first explorers, a spectacle of
untouched, untamed and unparalleled beauty in a completely customized safari experience.
Geography
Kenya lies astride the equator and has an area of 225,000 square miles. Its Indian Ocean coastline extends for 380 miles from Somalia in the north to Tanzania in the south.
Since Kenya became independent in 1963 it has been subdivided into seven Provinces, which are the following: Coast, Central, Rift valley, Nyanza, Western, North Eastern and Eastern. Nairobi with
an area of over 300 square miles forms an extra provincial area.
The topography of Kenya is extremely varied and ranges from wide rolling grasslands to semi-desert and from palm fringed tropical beaches of exquisite beauty to high plateau culminating in
mountain masses such as Mt Kenya, Mt Elgon and the Aberdares.
Population
The estimated population of Kenya is approximately 30,000,000. Population density is greatest in the Nyanza and Central provinces with the sparsest in the North Eastern Province where in places
it is less than one person per square mile.
Climate
Because of the variation in altitude there are wide differences in temperature, which vary from below freezing to 35 degrees centigrade. After leaving the coastal belt the country rises in a
series of broken plateaus thus the temperature decreases by about 1 degree for every 1000ft increase in altitude.
Kenya does not have the usual defined seasons such as the European ones. There is a main rainy season from March/April to May/June and a not very well marked secondary rainy period in November.
The term “rainy season” does not mean that it pours down all day as generally the rain is in the form of showers or thunderstorms with several hours of sunshine.
Average daily maximum temperature in Celsius
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
| 28 | 30 | 30 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 28 |
Currency and Tipping
The basic unit of currency is the Kenya Shilling.
Most international credit cards and travelers cheques are accepted.
It s customary to tip your safari staff, and while no specific amount is recommended there is a suggested range. This can be discussed with your safari guide. Some people might also want to tip
their guide, but this is left to the guest’s discretion.
In lodges and permanent camps a staff tip box is usually provided in the reception office. The money collected is then collected and distributed equally among the staff. If in town, at a
restaurant, a 10% tip is the norm.
Health and Insurance
We enroll all our clients as temporary members of the AAR (Africa Air Rescue) so that in case of an emergency we can call up one of their aircraft for evacuation from the nearest airstrip. We
also maintain a comprehensively stocked First Aid Kit in our vehicles.
As Kenya is a Malaria prone region, malarial prophylactics should be obtained from your personal doctor/physician.
Please consult your doctor regarding additional inoculations and should you have any special medical condition, we ask that you bring it to our attention when you book your safari. It is also
advisable to know your blood type.
Both you and your property must be well insured before enduring your safari. We take every possible care of you and your belongings, but we cannot be held responsible for any accident, injury or
illness that you may occur or for any loss or damage to property during your safari. Travel insurance is available in your country. We advise that apart from personal injury or loss coverage that
you should consider trip cancellation insurance.
Passport and Visas
Most people require a visa for Kenya, which, where possible, should be applied for three months in advance. Visas are issued by the relevant embassies in your country or in the countries nearest
to you that have relevant consulates of Kenya. Kenya also grants visas on arrival to members of certain countries, however please confirm.
What to bring
Many people often wonder what one should bring on safari. From our own experience in the bush, “little but vital” is the key phrase. That is why we have outlined a basic list of essential items
to be brought on safari with you!
Photo or video camera (don?t forget plenty of additional film)
Proper protective footwear (safari or hiking boots)
Sunglasses, hats and high factor sun cream
Something warm for the evenings (sweater, jacket or pullover and long trousers)
Personal medicine kit, if required
Mosquito repellent
Leisure clothes for during the day (shorts, T-shirts, comfy footwear and swimsuit)
Raincoat
Personal items as required
The above listed items all of course depend on the duration of the safari. For trouble-free storage space in the vehicle itself, luggage should be well packed in soft traveling bags.
Regarding clothing, bright colors and white or light colored clothes should be avoided. Camouflage clothes are illegal, as they are worn by local soldiers. We often leave the vehicle – even when
not on a walk and in order to approach the game more closely you shouldn’t wear clothing that makes you conspicuous.
“I was given a tent, much to my satisfaction, for there was nothing I liked better than tents”
Elspeth Huxley, The Flame Trees of Thika, 1959