Tipping in Kenya although not mandatory is expected after a good service.
All hotels, lodges and porterage gratuities are included on your safari price – these are collectively referred to as service charge.
Individual waiters, porters and other hotel service employees may provide exemplary service and it is your discretion to decide to tip .Usually $ 1 -$ 5 per move or sitting is appropriate and appreciated.
It is however customary to tip your safari driver / guide at the end of the safari tour. The amount is dependent on your evaluation of the quality of the service rendered. An average of $ 10 per guest per day or 5-10% of your (safari only cost) is suggested. The amount is however at your discretion, you are welcome to provide additional compensation to any staff that has provided special services. A bar gratuity of $1 is acceptable.
You may tip in Kenya shillings, USD or in Euro at the end of your safari / tour and preferably in an envelope.
The maximum number of persons allowed in one room / tent is 3, these can be accommodated in a double bed and a single bed or in 3 single beds.
However, some safari lodges / camps can accommodate a family of 02 adults & 02 children under 12 years. This however includes an extra cost.
Where 4 persons or more are travelling together and prefer stay in one room / tent, we may book them in 2 rooms with interconnecting doors
For those that may prefer to stay close as family or friends, we may book them in adjacent tents / rooms
Some safari lodges / camps have family units for maximum of 4 persons only. This however includes an extra cost.
All safari rooms / tents are private with own bathroom / toilet
Almost all safari lodges / tented camp accommodations during your safari do provide free Wifi. These is in the three accommodation levels of economy, comfort and luxury
Wifi is provided in the public areas of the safari lodges / tented camps including the reception, dining areas and lounge. However, some safari lodges / tented camps do provide it in the individual rooms/ tents.
Your safari tour Jeep has a limited luggage compartment at the rear. We suggest that you pack / carry your luggage in soft sided duffel bags for ease of storage in safari vehicle and also to minimize on friction and damage during the sometimes bumpy road safari trips.
In case you are booked on a fly -in safari and or you would consider taking local / domestic safari flights to the national parks / game reserves, there is a baggage allowance.
The baggage allowance for local domestic flights commuting between national parks is 15kgs in soft sided duffel bags inclusive of hand luggage
You may store extra luggage not required on safari at our offices for free.
You may also choose to pay an extra $ 5 per kilogram for any extra baggage if you decide to carry all your baggage around with you (this is subject to flight / carrier capacity)
A single room supplement is an extra fee imposed on single occupancy of a double/ shared room by hotels, safari lodges and tented camps. Our safari tour prices are based on two persons sharing in a double/twin room /tent.
If someone chooses to have single occupancy of room, the single room supplement applies.
SAFARI LODGES
A safari lodge in Africa is located in a remote Wildlife area and is made up of a number of cottages / chalets spread over a landscaped land. Here shall be a main building which houses a restaurant, bar, gift shop together with the reception and also administration facilities. In most cases, there may be a swimming room,
The lodge’s en-suite guestrooms are spread in smaller separate scattered cottages around the main central building.
The atmosphere is usually rustic and compliments the natural surroundings while bringing in the essence of the wild
Safari lodges vary in size, unique design, location and standards with a nice range in Standard, deluxe and luxury category.
SAFARI CAMPS
The safari tented camps share some similarities with safari lodges in layout, purpose and location.
A tented camp is composed of the Main building (housing the public areas) usually thatched African style for effect .It may also be made of a large tent .The en-suite guest tents are scattered around the main building providing a private feel.
The tented camp is a composition of large en-suite walk in tents which are built on a solid floor base and are complete with private bathrooms and a small terrace or veranda.
Essentially they are rooms with the exterior being canvas rather than wood or brick.
The tented camp complex may also have a swimming pool.
Tented camps range from the standard, deluxe, and luxury
Our selection of safari lodges and tented camps is well researched and offers the best in terms of comfort, relaxation and atmosphere during safari. Each accommodation category is well catered for in the selection.
We fully understand the need for your protection against Mosquito and other insect bites.
All rooms / tents during your safari are fitted with mosquito nets or are insect proofed to protect you against bites.
You are also advised to carry / use insect repellent to further protect yourself especially in the outdoors during evenings.
Tourists visiting Kenya must have a valid visa. Your passport must also be valid for at least six months or more after the date of your arrival in the country. In January 2021 Kenya made it mandatory that all Visas have to be applied online, it is no longer issuing manual visas upon arrival.
Electronic visa application for Kenya:
Please use the website www.evisa.go.ke to apply for an electronic eVisa. You may pay by credit card. The visa processing fee is USD 50, and there is a service charge of USD 1. The minimum period you can apply for a Kenyan visa is three months before your travel to Kenya date.
The visa application process involves uploading your passport picture along with your passport photograph. Your visa shall be issued approximately five days after you register. You shall be required to print a copy of your electronic visa, bring it with you for presentation along with your passport on arrival in Kenya. If you have any problems or enquiries related to applying for an electronic visa, please contact the Kenyan Embassy in your country / region.
Other things you need to bear in mind with regard to your visa:
• You shall be required to complete a landing card that will be issued to you on the plane, or at the visa desk when you enter Kenya.
• You shall be required to complete an exit card, which will be provided to you in the departure terminal when leaving Kenya.
Please note that your Kenya Tourist Visa is valid for 3 months with an allowance for multiple entries . You shall use the same Visa permit if combining a Kenya / Tanzania Safari, Gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda or for a beach holiday in Zanzibar.
Distances and driving times in Africa vary from the European and American concepts. In Kenya, roads are narrow and may not be well maintained. The roads immediately leading to the National Parks and Game Reserves are rough.
Please note that advertised driving time on safari itineraries/programs on website are estimate and may vary depending on road conditions and road traffic.
Africa Rebound Safaris does not include International flight costs in our East African safari tour prices.
This is because Africa Rebound Safaris is Kenya Destination Management Company, offerings services in East Africa.
Local safari tour packages operated by Africa Rebound Safaris start from Nairobi airport, Nairobi hotels, Mombasa airport and hotels, Diani beach resorts, Malindi / Watamu beach resorts, Arusha, Namanga, Taveta and Isebania border towns and from any other location in Kenya and East Africa.
Our standard safari travel & game viewing drive vehicle is a custom designed 4 x 4 Land Cruiser Jeep with pop up roof for ease of photography during game viewing drives and sightseeing. The vehicle sits a maximum of 6 persons for guarantee window seats and access to the pop up roof.
Our 4×4 safari Jeeps are fitted with long range radios for easy communication, cooler boxes, and first aid kits .This is on top of the other extras in Jeep
The 4 x 4 Land Cruiser Jeep has several advantages on safari. These includes a higher elevation, better navigation on rough terrain, deeper reach, more comfort and brings out better the African adventure experience.
It is advisable to check with your doctor at least a month before you travel to get recommendation and advice. Anti-malaria drugs are strongly recommended.
Yellow-fever vaccination is recommended for Kenya but is mandatory for Tanzania/ Uganda & Rwanda.
Covid-19 vaccination is mandatory for all four countries.
It’s generally sunny, dry and temperate most of the year in Kenya despite being situated directly on the equator. Central Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau is situated at an altitude that keeps temperatures comfortable. Coastal areas are obviously hotter, but the ocean breeze helps to maintain pleasant conditions for most of the year. There are two rainy seasons—the heaviest rains (called masika) usually fall from mid-March to May and a shorter period of rain (called vuli) occurs in November and December. January and February are mostly dry, although there may be a chance of rain. The dry season, with cooler temperatures, lasts from May to October.
Tanzania has a generally comfortable climate year-round, although there are significant regional variations. The tropical coast stays quite hot and humid with heavy and reliable rainfall, especially during the rainy season. The central plateau is cooler and arid. There are two rainy seasons—the heaviest rains (called masika) usually fall from mid-March to May, and a shorter period of rain (called vuli) occurs from November to mid-January. The dry season, with cooler temperatures, lasts from May to October.
The areas where we will be traveling are typically warm and dry, although it is surprisingly cold at higher altitudes. Summer usually lasts from November to March, and during this time there is always a chance of afternoon showers.
Currency : US Dollars or Euros
Credit Cards : Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted.
Most dietary requirements (kosher, vegetarian Hindu etc.) can be organized provided we request them well in advance. You must remember that many of the game lodges you may be visiting are literally in the middle of nowhere so if you are not very specific in advance you may just go hungry! You cannot just pop out to the nearest restaurant or 7-11 – you are in the African bush. Please also let us know if anyone in your party will be celebrating a birthday or anniversary or any other special occasions!
Yes, You are going to a photographer’s paradise wherever you go in Africa so do take plenty of memory cards to record your trip. They will not always be readily available everywhere you go. So to avoid disappointment take a lot with you as well as spare batteries for flashes etc.
Yes, A good pair of strong binoculars is a must on safari, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A KEEN BIRDER OR “TWITCHER”.
230/240 volts (US & Canada 110/120) If you are taking electric hair styling tools in any shape or form flatirons, curling irons, hairdryers etc. or any other electrical appliances, you should make sure they are dual voltage and remember to change the voltage if necessary when you get to East Africa or you can undoubtedly kiss them goodbye!
Due to their remote locations, many camps/game lodges in KENYA generate their own electricity by means of generators. Generators run for about 6-7 hours per day providing power in the rooms for lighting and possibly ceiling fans. Most camps provide plug points in the rooms.
Local time in East Africa is GMT +3 which means it is always 6 or 7 hours ahead of us in the eastern United States depending on the time of year and daylight savings So, it is 9.40 PM in NAIROBI then it is 3.40PM the same day in NEW YORK! Hope this helps. Probably won’t – you will be more confused than ever and will more than likely call home and get it all mixed up!
Although tap water may be fine in most areas for bathing and brushing teeth, we recommend that you drink bottled water at all times.
Rule of thumb – don’t pack too much
The other most frequently asked question. As a general guideline, comfortable casual wash and wear clothes are recommended. The less you take the better as most lodges and hotels do offer laundry service if you are staying at least two days. Muted colors such as stone, khaki, beige or brown are recommended when you are on safari. Game drives in the early morning and evenings can BE VERY COLD especially in winter so you must pack accordingly. “BUT WE ARE GOING TO AFRICA- WHY WOULD IT BE COLD?” Trust us, we know! The key is to dress in layers in the early morning and strip down layer by layer as it gets warmer as the sun rises. Vice versa for evening game drives.
Clothing
Light weight shirts/blouses with long sleeves as protection from the sun and mosquitos T-shirts Shorts Jeans or safari trousers A light weight water-proof jacket Comfortable walking shoes/sneakers Comfortable walking sandals or flip flops for warmer days A wide brimmed hat with under-chin tie to prevent it from flying away Swimsuit A WARM WINDPROOF jacket (winter) A fleece jacket that will go under the warm jacket (winter) A warm polo neck shirt (winter) A beanie (winter) Gloves (winter) A warm scarf (winter)
Equipment & Other
Sunglasses Spare prescription eye glasses/contact lenses Binoculars Cameras and related paraphernalia like lenses etc. and plenty of memory cards and spare batteries Chargers for cell phones, iPads, cameras, computers and you may want to invest in a mini travel charger surge protector with dual USB ports and five charging outlets. A small powerful flashlight and extra batteries Sunscreen with high SPF factor Small purse size umbrella can come in handy A supply of Ziploc bags in different sizes may come in handy for dust or water proofing cameras, wet bathing suits etc. Chargers for cell phones, iPads, cameras, computers and you may want to invest in a mini travel charger surge protector with dual USB ports and five charging outlets.
Personal First Aid Kit
Band aids Antiseptic cream Pain tablets Heartburn relief Eye drops Insect repellant Itch spray for bug bites Sunscreen Hand sanitizer Purse size Kleenex packets “make you go ” pills “make you not go” pills as well as any prescription medications that you reply on a daily basis.
