Tour & Safari in Kenya Tips (Part 2)
PLEASE NOTE:
- Visas are your responsibility. If you have any queries about obtaining visas please contact us
- It is advisable that all passengers cover themselves with comprehensive travel, medical, cancellation, curtailment and default insurance for the duration of your trip. Due to the remote and wild areas that we operate in, it is vital that all guests are covered for emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances. We will not be held responsible for guests travelling without insurance.
- The quote is subject to any VAT, levy or any other increases that are beyond our control.
- Our standard booking conditions apply to all travel arrangements.
- Passengers weighing more than 220 lbs or more, or two guests travelling together whose combined weight is 390 lbs, must please advise us in advance as an extra seat will then have to be costed in to the package for safety purposes.
- Luggage is restricted to 33 lbs maximum per person for travel in East Africa in a soft bag (including camera equipment and carryon luggage). If this limit is exceeded, the excess luggage can be held (or forwarded to the point of exit) for your flight out at the end of your safari. Kindly note that the additional cost incurred will be for your account. Please advise us before you travel if you are likely to have excess luggage, and we will make the necessary arrangements.
- Laundry can be done at all the camps. Some camps include laundry in their tariff whereas others charge a nominal fee for this service.
- Airfares are quoted at current rates and are subject to increase without prior notice.
- Please be aware that any airfare quoted above may be a special reduced fare, and as such could be subject to various restrictions, i.e. it is non-transferable, non-refundable, and any amendment will incur a surcharge.
- Most safari camps and lodges include two game activities a day in their tariff (one in the morning and the other in the afternoon). A private vehicle and guide can be booked for additional activities, but this will incur an additional cost. Please advise if you would like additional information on this service.
- Our normal cancellation policy will apply should you fail to join or start your safari for any reason, including airline delays or missed connections. Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance for this purpose.
- The above itinerary includes camps/lodges that are situated in Malaria areas. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist, and establish what precautions will be required for this fever.
- At present, American passport holders and most European passport holders have to pay US$50 for a single entry visa on entering Kenya. This has to be paid in US Dollars and the exact amount, as no change is available.
- Due to the logistics of travelling on a safari to remote areas, we strongly recommend that you read all the literature that will be forwarded to you and if you have any queries to please contact us directly.
- & O.E.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
- Clothing and equipment on game vehicles
Casual bush clothes are the order of the day at the game reserves and you are not expected to dress for dinner. Please ensure that you have a lightweight shirt and trousers to cover yourself in summer evenings when there are mosquitoes about.
Try to wear clothing that will not distract or alarm the wildlife. Neutral colours are most suitable. Bright colours or white are to be avoided. This is even more important if you are planning to take a bush walk with a ranger as the animals will be scared off by strong colours. A hat with a brim and sunblock is also essential in Summer.
It can be very chilly in the early morning and late evening, no matter how warm it has been during the day – please believe us! Bring a warm jacket to wear for the 0600 starts! It is best to dress in layers of clothing so that you can peel off as the sun comes up. By 0900 it could be quite hot again!
Binoculars are necessary to really appreciate the animals and good mammal and bird books will aid in identification and will boost your own enjoyment and recollection of your safari.
- Photography on Safari
For close-up photographs of animals, it is essential to have a 300mm or telephoto lens. However much of our bushveld is characterised by wide open spaces, so a 28mm wide angle lens could also be invaluable, especially if you want to emphasize something in the foreground.
100-200 ASA film will be appropriate for most conditions, but some 400 ASA film can be useful for the light conditions at dusk or if you are lucky enough to come across a cheetah in a high speed chase. Make sure you bring some spare batteries, as these may not be readily available and an ultra-violet filter is also useful for reducing glare. A lens hood will prevent light from diffusing an image if you have to shoot towards the sun.
If you are not a regular photographer, the following tips may be useful:
The bright sunlight in East Africa means that early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times for photography.
Avoid static pictures of animals – a giraffe drinking is a much better photo than one just calmly looking at you.
Think about your background – if you are at a water hole you can select a spot to wait, which gives you a good background and the right light.
If you don’t have a good telephoto lens, don’t be tempted into taking numerous shots of animals in the medium ground. You will end up with lots of photos of green or brown bush! Instead concentrate on taking landscape or scene shots, for example, zebras playing or animals congregated at a water hole.