Q: We have never been to Africa. Is it safe travelling to Africa and especially to Kenya?
A: It is safe to travel to Africa and especially to Kenya. However the same safety principles as applying to any big city anywhere in the world also apply to our cities.Visitors are advised to travel in groups and to keep to well lit roads and avenues when travelling at night. Visitors are also advised not to carry a large amount of cash with them when out shopping and not to carry with them valuables for example expensive jewelry. Visitors are also advised to leave important documents such as passports and tickets in the hotel safety deposit boxes at all times.
The above applies to major cities only. Travelling on safari away from the large cities is very safe and visitors will be find that the country folk that leave in these parts are extremely friendly, very concerned, quick to help in case of need, and very hospitable.
Q: What about tented accommodation, are they safe? Can I take my small children to a tented camp? Are standards of hygiene acceptable on tented camps?
A: Tented camps are of two varieties. Luxury Tented camps are spacious and are built on designated permanent sites. All of them have fitted with private bathroom facilities with hot showers and flushing toilets. Standards of hygiene and levels of comfort are extremely good. Security is given the highest considerations with each block of tents having its own armed guards. Most of the tents in this category are surrounded by an electric fence to keep wild animals at bay. Food is fresh and brought in regularly by the many light aircrafts that serve these camps. The camps are safe for both adults and young children.
The second category are basic tented camps. These are pitched on temporary sites with basic outdoor bathroom facilities. Levels of comfort in basic camps are modest.
We at Raydoll Tours only use luxury camps in our safari programs unless a client specifically requests and prefers the rustic experience of a basic camp.
Q: Which is the best time to come on a safari in Kenya?
A: The best game viewing time in Kenya is the period between July and September when our game parks are dry making it easier to spot wildlife. In Masaai Mara, the annual Migration takes place between these months when thousands upon thousands of wildebeest stream in single file from Serengeti in Tanzania and cross over to Kenya in search of water and fresh pasture. This is one of the greatest phenomenon in nature and thousands upon thousands of tourists come to Kenya during these months to see the Migration. Other popular times are around Christmas and the New Year.
Q. Do I need a visa to enter Kenya?
A: A visa is required to enter Kenya and can be obtained on arrival by paying USD 50 for a single entry. Because most flights arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport round about the same time in the morning, there can be considerable delay in obtaining a visa on arrival. It is therefore highly recommended that visitors obtain their visas from the nearest Kenya Embassy located in their country of domicile before departure.
Q: What type of clothing should I pack?
A: The type of clothing to pack depends very much on where you intend to spend most of your holiday in Kenya. Nairobi has a pleasant climate throughout theyear with bright sunny days giving way to cool evenings. Light cottons for daywear with something more formal for eveningwear is recommended.
On the other hand, Mombasa Beaches are hot and humid throughout the year. A one or two piece bikini is normal daywear on the beaches but it is not permitted to go topless on the beach and nude bathing is illegal. More formal clothing – light wrappers made from the famous khanga, for example, is an all time evening favourite with most tourist. Shorts and slip-slops in the lobby and dining hall areas is frowned upon.
On the higher altitudes for example the Mount Kenya region and in most safari parks, a sweater will be essential as the evenings are fairly chilly.
Other essential items to carry include wide-brimmed hats, good walking shoes, sunglasses and binoculars.
Q: Is it safe to drink tap water?
A: Most tap water is safe but it is highly recommended that visitors drink bottled water which are in plentiful supply even in remote areas. Most tour operators carry stocks of bottled water in the tour vans and the lodges and camps have plenty of water for sale.
Q. Do we require insurance?
A: Yes, all visitors will be well advised to carry adequate health insurance including cover for emergency evacuation from remote game parks. Although these can be purchased in Kenya it much better to take comprehensive travel insurance cover in your own countries to cover any flight irregularities, baggage loss or delays, as well as your travel during your entire holiday in Kenya.
Q: What are the communication facilities like ?
A: There is an extensive network of communication facilities within Kenya as well as many parts of Africa. International roaming facilities are now available almost in every part of Kenya including the parks. So are internet facilities either connected directly in the room or within a designated business centre. In very remote camps there facilities for a radio call. So wherever you are in Kenya whether in the main towns or in the safari parks, effective communication is not a real problem.
Q: Do I need to carry cash for all my transactions?
A: No visitors do not need to carry a lot of cash while on holiday in Kenya. There are ATM machines in all major cities, except in the wildlike lodges. It is perfectly logical to carry plastic money as the only “currency” to Kenya. However if you need some cash a small amount can be carried preferably in the form of travelers cheques. Amost all foreign currencies can be changed in the banks and foreign bureax but the most frequently traded are United States dollars, Euro and Pounds Sterling .
Q. Do you offer custom built holidays or must we always join a group?
A: Raydoll Tours and Travel specialises in arranging safaris and holidays custom built around your own specifications. This is our special niche. Please fill in your requirements in the Inquiry Form provided and submit online for an itinerary plan and a quote.
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