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Just about any time of year (see Climate below). However, the most
popular seasons are mid December to mid March and July to mid September.
This is because of the demand for Christmas and Winter holidays and the
Summer school break timings. An increasing number of visitors are
realising that June and October are ideal, benefiting from lower visitor
numbers and off peak rates on the airlines.
Eastern Vacations Tours & Safaris
normally offers safaris with lower single supplements in the April/
May/June low season and may well be able to offer some good discounts
for larger groups during this period- please contact us for details.
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The millions of wildebeest and zebras are always somewhere, but they are
not always in large herds and on the move. Their location is largely
dependent on the weather, which can vary considerably from year to year.
In general the herds assemble south of the Serengeti during January and
February, the season in which they give birth to their young. Starting
around March they begin moving North and West in search of fresh grazing
through the Serengeti Park. They can move in enormously long single file
lines or in huge herds. The bulk of the animals reach the Masai Mara in
Kenya, where they tend to remain during August/September/October, before
starting their return trek south back through the Serengeti in November.
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Yes. All safaris can be booked with the exclusive use of a vehicle for
your party. A custom safari for two clients is significantly more
expensive per person than seats on a similar small group safari.
However, on a custom safari with an exclusive vehicle, the cost of the
vehicle and driver/ guide are divided by the number of clients sharing
the vehicle. Therefore, the per person cost of a custom safari reduces
the more clients that are sharing the vehicle (maximum in one vehicle is
7).
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If you are arranging an exclusive vehicle safari then you are free to
arrange whatever itinerary you choose. Eastern
Vacations Tours & Safaris presents a small selection of
proven itinerary favourites in this website but you are not limited to
these and we can arrange any required itinerary, subject to practical
and logistical considerations. We will be pleased to develop and quote
for any feasible plan.
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This is really a matter of personal preference and choice. Most of the
vehicle- based set itinerary safaris use lodges, but some include nights
at tented camps and some use all tented camps. The majority of flying
safaris use tented camp accommodation.
All the accommodation used by Eastern Vacations
Tours & Safaris for their
clients is of high standard, but you should be aware that, contrary to
many clients' expectations, tented camps are in general more expensive
than lodges. The main reason for this is that the tented camps are low
capacity, exclusive and luxurious places with a high standard of
service.
Because of the size of its organisation and volume of customers, Eastern Vacations Tours & Safaris can easily include single travellers on most set date safari
departures. There is a single supplement to cover the additional cost of
single accommodation. However, there is a reduced single supplement in
the low season.
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A safari is a wonderful trip for any child old enough to enjoy and
appreciate the experience. On most safaris there are quite long trips on
rough roads, and these cannot really be recommended for babies and very
young children.
Children under 12 will benefit from reduced fares on scheduled airlines,
and all lodges will provide an additional bed for a child sharing a room
with parents at a reduced cost. A few of the more expensive permanent
tented camps do not allow children under 12 years of age.
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Kenya straddles the equator so there is little seasonal variation in
temperature. There is much more variation between the coastal and low
lying regions and the high plains and mountain regions. The game parks
lie at an altitude of 5,000 to 7,000 feet and have a pleasant climate
with warm days and cooler evenings year round.
There are two rainy seasons- the long rains during April and May and the
short rains in November. The rest of the year is classified as dry
season. In practice, the rainfall pattern has been neither regular nor
predictable in recent years. In the rainy seasons, the rain often falls
in heavy but brief tropical downpours during the evening or night with
pleasant sunny days in between. The effects of the rain can cause some
animals to disperse and may produce a few local problems with flooding
of roads and bridges. On the other hand, rain makes the atmosphere clean
and dust free and the vegetation beautifully lush and green.
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The local unit of currency is the Kenya Shilling which these days is
freely convertible within Kenya for the U.S.$ and other currencies.
There are numerous banks and bureaux de change in towns, and most lodges
and hotels will exchange currency or travellers cheques at reasonable
rates.
It is not possible to obtain Kenya Shillings outside the country, and it
is illegal to export more than a small amount. Many items or services
are priced and paid for in US dollars so do not convert more funds into
the local currency than you need for incidental expenses.
Credit cards are accepted at an increasing number of establishments in
Kenya but not everywhere. It is not generally possible to obtain cash on
a credit card in Kenya, so it is recommended that visitors carry
sufficient funds in the form of travellers cheques.
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The power supply is at the UK/ European standard voltage of 220/240 ,
and power sockets are the U.K. square pin type. Remember if you want to
use U.S. appliances you will need a voltage convertor as well as a plug
convertor. Mains power supply is subject to cuts and voltage
fluctuation. On safari, most lodges' power supplies are from generators,
and these are often turned off during parts of the day and night to
reduce noise and fuel consumption.
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Eastern Vacations Tours & Safaris equips all its safari vehicles with two way radios, so
that drivers can communicate with their base, each other and the lodges.
Most lodges and hotels also have a telephone, but the service,
particularly for overseas calls, is both erratic and expensive (a $50
minimum is not uncommon). More remote lodges and camps are likely to
rely on radio for communications. Game parks are not within cell phone
range, but satellite telephones work just about anywhere.
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It is generally recommended to drink only bottled mineral water which is
readily available everywhere.
There are no restrictions on the sale or consumption of alcoholic drinks
in Kenya. A good selection of local beers and soft drinks are available
everywhere, and you will find a range of imported wines, beers and
spirits in many places, although these can be expensive.
The quality and value of food in Kenya is generally very good. However,
do eat sensibly particularly in the first few days of your visit.
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The official language of Kenya is Kiswahili. This is spoken and
understood by the great majority of the population, many of whom also
speak a tribal language. There is a wide usage and understanding of
English, and virtually everyone the average tourist is likely to meet in
the course of the safari will be fluent.
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There are some long distance coaches which are suitable for use by
visitors, such as the daily Nairobi to Arusha shuttle bus. Local bus and
minibus services are likely to be uncomfortable, overcrowded and
potentially dangerous.
There is a railway link between Nairobi and Mombasa, but the service
caan be unreliable and we do not recommend using it these days.
Taxis are available everywhere in urban areas, but the condition of
these can be very poor. The better hotels generally have a superior
selection of taxis available, and it is suggested that you obtain one of
these, particularly for longer journeys.
Self drive car and safari vehicle hire is possible but not recommended.
The poor state of many of the roads in both town and on safari plus
erratic driving by other road users makes driving on most routes tiring
and unsafe.
Eastern Vacations Tours & Safaris,
in association with our counterparts, can offer a private
transfer service from Nairobi airport or city centre to Arusha and
return for a supplementary charge. This service is much more convenient
and comfortable than the public shuttle bus and can save a considerable
amount of time.
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Most hotels and lodges have gift shops with a selection of local crafts
and souvenirs. You will find some interesting woodcarvings, paintings
and batiks. Precious stones and jewellery are also a speciality.
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PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP
All tourists to Kenya require a tourist visa which costs US$50 per
person and can be obtained on entry (visa fees must be paid in US cash
only) or in advance from Kenya embassies abroad. A transit visa is
available for a US$25 fee, but if you are returning through Kenya, you
may as well obtain a full visa - make sure this is dated to include your
return visit.
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There is a departure tax on International flights of $40- this will
generally have been included and already paid in the price of your
ticket. There is a small local departure tax payable in cash at the
airport/ airstrip for local flights.
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Check with your doctor to get the current recommendations and advice.
Anti malarial drugs are strongly recommended.
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Clothes for safari should be light, comfortable and not too brightly
coloured. There is little or no requirement for anything formal. A light
jacket or sweater may be needed in the evenings at higher altitudes,
comfortable walking shoes are an essential, as is a hat to keep off the
sun, and sunglasses. Don't forget a swimming costume for use at the
lodge pools.
Most people bring binoculars and/ or cameras and video equipment with
plenty of tape or film. Zoom or telephoto lenses are likely to be
useful. Film is available at the lodges.
Most of the better hotels and lodges will spray rooms and provide
mosquito nets, but do bring your own insect repellent sprays.
A flashlight is always useful.
There will be no television or radio in most places, so you might want
to bring a little shortwave radio or Walkman if you want to keep up with
world events or listen to some music.
Remember that safari vehicles and light aircraft have tight limits on
the size and weight of luggage carried. Depending on your itinerary it
may be possible to leave some luggage in your hotel in Nairobi for the
duration of your safari.
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Eastern Vacations Tours & Safaris require that all clients arrange
personal travel insurance to cover their medical, property and other
personal risks for the duration of their safari. Advice on policies or
actual cover can be arranged if required. Temporary membership of the
Flying Doctor Service, based in Nairobi and providing cover in Kenya and
Northern Tanzania can also be arranged at a modest cost.
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