General Travel Tips

Kenya & Tanzania:
Mon- Fri 0900 – 1400 hours. Sat – some banks open 0900 – 2000 hours.
NB: Banks at International Airports operate a 24hour service

Major credit cards are widely accepted throughout Kenya and Tanzania such as Access, American Express, Visa, and MasterCard. Travellers cheques or hard currency is required in Tanzania.

East Africa: The unit of currency is the Shilling divided into 100 cents. It is illegal to enter or leave these countries with any local currency and visitors must exchange any currency at their departure airport or earlier on the day of departure at city and principal town banks. It is a serious offence to deface or knowingly damage local currency. Visitors are advised to check currency exchange rates regularly. Banks give slightly better rates of exchange than hotels. Visitors are strongly advised to avoid street dealers and to transact all currency dealings through official dealers.

In East Africa, any reasonable volume of personal effects can be imported together with cameras and any amount of film. Unused personal effects, unexposed film cameras and accessories (except cine and slide projectors) may be temporarily imported free of duty. A visitor wishing to bring home video equipment in the form of cameras and cassettes should consult the nearest Consulate or High Commission as a Customs Bond is normally required for the period such equipment is in the country. Refundable deposits may be required for the temporary import of radios, tape recorders and similar equipment including musical instruments.

East Africa: Voltage us 220 – 240 volts and 3-pin square sockets. An adaptor will be necessary for appliances, which operate on 110 – 120 volts.

Malaria is endemic to certain areas of east Africa and all visitors should begin taking their anti-malaria prophylactics two weeks before arriving, thorough out their stay and for a minimum of three weeks after leaving. A yellow fever certificate is recommended for travel in East Africa.

Pharmaceutical facilities are adequate in the big town centers. These are chemists in urban areas but any visitors requiring special and continuing medication should bring sufficient quantities. The equatorial sun is deceptive and can inflict severe burns even on overcast days. A good sun cream and lip balm, with a high degree of sun protection factor, are strongly recommended. Piped water supplies are generally safe in municipal areas but local advice should be taken particularly on safari in east Africa. Bottled mineral water, both local and imported, can be purchased in hotel shops and other tourist kiosks. It is advisable not to drink water from the taps, rivers or lakes. Do not bathe in rivers and lakes.

All visitors must be in possession of a valid passport. Visa requirements vary from time to time and are dependent on the nationality of the visitor. Since it is essential that no visitor arrive without the correct documentation, visitors are strongly recommended to check the latest requirements either from airline to check the latest requirements either from airline offices or through the nearest tourist Office, Embassy or High Commission. Most nationals visiting Kenya require a visa, and this can be obtained either pre-departure or at the point of entry, at a cost of US$50 per person. Visas are required for national travelling to Tanzania, which must be obtained prior to departure. Visitors are not allowed to take up work or residence in Kenya or Tanzania without the authority of the principal immigration Officer.

It is strongly recommended that you limit your luggage to one soft lightweight bag and one handbag per person whilst on safari/tours. Luggage not required on safari will be stored in Nairobi, Mombasa or Dar es Salaam. Laundering is normally available but can be expensive. On air safari the maximum baggage per person is 15kg (Kenya) and 10kg elsewhere.

The use of local country or urban buses is not advisable. Although they offer cheap services to most major towns, they tend to be overcrowded, extremely uncomfortable and driven at neck-breaking speed!

Film is available at most game lodges, even in remote areas, but stocks are usually small and of common sizes and brands. Most cities have supplies of the normal types of film. For game and bird photography, a telephoto lens of 200-300mm is strongly recommended. Larger lens, which require a tripod, are generally impractical for game photography as are double lens reflex cameras. A lens hood and ultra-violet filter are advisable, as well as a dust proof cover. Batteries for cameras are also advisable as they are seldom available when on safari.

Visitors are advised that it is an offense to photograph Kenya’s and Tanzania’s Head of State, military installations, policemen in uniforms etc. As a general rule, elsewhere visitors are strongly advised to seek permission before taking anyone’s photograph, especially the Samburu, Turkana and Masai tribes.

The major towns have restaurants offering international cuisine. Traditional African food focuses on fish dishes.

In keeping with many tourist centers worldwide, visitors are advised not to leave any valuables in their hotel room when they go out, but to make use of the safety deposit boxes, which are available at most hotels and lodges.
Visitors should never carry large sums of cash and women are advised to keep a tight grip on handbags in crowds and busy thoroughfares. As in all cities, it is advisable to avoid back streets at night (especially alone) and if possible avoid night walking altogether. Taxis or self-drives hire cars are advisable instead.
Most hotels have experienced security personnel and caring doormen. In Zanzibar, visitors should dress modestly in and around the Stone Town.