General Information Arrival: Your safari itinerary will guide the activities at each day. Remember you will be at a different time zone. Currency Declaration: Unlimited foreign currency can be brought into the country but only a maximum of Kshs 100,000 can be exported . Unspent Kenya shillings (money) can be reconverted at the Airport bank on departure but this takes time and patience needed. Also with unstable currency fluctuations you loose in exchange rates. We recommend you change only what you intend to spend. Money Exchange: Do not exchange money on the streets. You may be approached by someone willing to give you a nice percentage premium for your dollars. This is what is known as the black market. DO NOT therefore get involved. Hotels, Camps and Lodges can change money but sometimes their exchange rates are lower. There are several foreign exchange bureaus in Nairobi offering competitive rates. Safekeeping of passport and valuables: Please keep your passport and money on you at all times. Never leave money or valuables in your room or in your vehicle. You can check valuable in security boxes at the hotels and lodges. Be especially careful whilst in camps and lodges and on special excursions such as boat-rides. Avoid wearing expensive jewelery and necklaces etc. Banking hours: Banking hours are from 0900- 1500 Monday to Friday and 0900 to 1200 on the first days of the month. Banks are at Jomo Kenyatta international Airport, Nairobi remain open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Credit cards: Credit cards such as American Express, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in most tourist hotels, camps and lodges in Kenya. Security: Walking around Nairobi need extra caution. Please take the same care-and common sense precaution that you would do in any other part of the world. Hustlers: Be careful of the hustles in Nairobi. You may hear a hard luck story, which is designed to get you to donate money to some cause. We strongly suggest you do not get involved. Communications: You may make international telephone calls home. Do not however, expect all hotels in Kenya to be able to get through. Nairobi is the best place to make calls and some lodges , telex facsimile machines and Internet services are equally available in Nairobi and other big towns, at your own expense. Spectacles and contacts: On safari be prepared for bumpy and dusty roads. These can be irritant to contact lens wear. Eye drops and a spare pair of glass are a sensible precaution. Packing: Pack light, laundry facilities are available throughout your safari. Remember your 20kgs limit( 30 kgs for first and club class travelers) on your return from East Africa Excess luggage charges may apply. Clothing: Safari attire is casual and comfortable . Dress mainly for outdoor comfort with a change of informal cloths for the evening. Evenings and early mornings can be chilly especially on the mountain areas. Warm jerseys, socks and walking shoes or sneakers are recommended. Footwear should be low heeled and comfortable. There is not much walking and you stay in your vehicle during game drives. Bring a lightweight raincoat and a hat for sun protection. Roof hatches on safari vehicles are left open whilst game viewing We suggest the following packing list... 3-4 changes of casual clothing for safari (shorts, T-shirts, slacks or long-sleeve shirt sweater or jacket) 2-3 changes of casual clothes (slacks, sport shirt , blouse dress) pair of comfortable shoes (tennis and running shoes) and socks. Mt. Kenya safari Club is slacks, skirts and nice shirts (not jeans at dinner time) Pair of flip-flops or sandals. Bathing suit and cover-up Hat with a visor Sunglasses (neck string comes in quite handy) Binoculars Camera Small flashlight Sunscreen Insect repellent Eye drops (the sun is very bright and it will be dusty) Skin and hair moisturizers as the climate can be very dry while on safari. Personal medication ( there are basic first Aid kits in camps and hotels /lodges Large zip-lock bags (great for keeping film and camera equipment clean, storing wet swim suits and dirty shoes) A photocopy of your passport, credit cards numbers and airline tickets ( to be kept separately from the originals) An extra pair of glasses/ contacts lances if you wear them. Punctuality: Please be on time when you meet your vehicles for game drives or any departures as agreed by with your guides. It will be advisable for this large group to pay their drink bills the night before departure. Sun: Our equatorial sun is strong. Too much can cause dehydration, nausea, dizziness and headaches, we recommend that you wear sunscreen and hat, as well as a strong pair of dark glasses. When sunbathing please use common sense, Drinking water: In Nairobi and on safari, we recommend that you do not drink tap water and even out of the thermos or flasks provided. We recommend instead, that you purchase bottled water at the lodges or supermarkets. Use mouthwash to brush your teeth . Ice is generally frozen from boiled water and is okay for consumption Food: Food in Kenya is delicious... The hotel lodges and camps in which you stay are renowned for their high standards of cuisine. However a change of climate and traveling can in a few instances cause travelers diarrhea, a minor complaint not comparable in severity with gypie tummy. Eating in moderation avoiding cold buffet lunch tables that have been exposed to the mid day sun and fasting for a day ( whilst drinking plenty of bottled water ) should you be stricken are sensible precautions. Spirits, beers, wine and cigarettes... Are all in Kenya. The prices of soft drinks and beers are reasonable, whilst imported spirits, wine and cigarette tend to be on the expensive side. Meal plan: Generally unless otherwise requested meal plan on safari is as detailed in the final itinerary. Anti-malaria medication: We strongly recommend that you take anti malaria medication. You can try Malarone. This should be taken as follows; 1 tab daily. start 2 days before start your safari and take it all days you are in Kenya and 2 weeks after safari.(adult) Paludrine is also recommended. Taken as follows; 2 tabs every day; start 1 week before start safari, all days on safari and 4 weeks after safari.(adult) The last and best option is the using of mosquito nets and apply mosquito repellant while out especially during the dark. We advise Against Larium which has serious side effects. WE STRONGLY ADVISE ALL GUESTS MUST SEE THEIR DOCTORS TO BE ADVISED BEFORE BEING SUBJECTED TO ANY DRUG. Medical services: The larger towns in Kenya have pharmacies and hospitals, but you should carry with you adequate supplies of your own medicines and toilet items as in smaller towns these items are not available. A pair of prescription glasses is recommended. Hospitals: There are several hospitals in Nairobi and other big towns staffed by doctors with internationally recognized degrees. Most Nairobi hotels have their own house doctor for emergencies. Appointments can be made if a doctor is necessary. Electricity: Most hotels and lodges outside Nairobi generate their own electricity, however take a small light weight flashlight as some generators are usually only run for short periods in the early morning and again in the evening from 1830 to 2230 hrs. The voltage is 220- 240 ac suitable for appliances with the exceptions of those manufactured in the USA and Canada. Photographs: DO NOT take photographs of the locals without their permission. NEVER take photographs of military institutions, armed forces, barracks, policemen, the president, government officials or airports. Always keep your camera loaded and ready for action. If you intend to purchase extra film, we suggest you do so in Nairobi or big towns as often safari lodges and camps have limited stock. You may wish to carry your equipment in a dust proof bag as the roads can be extremely dusty, Wild animals: Do remember please that our animals are wild and should not be approached on foot. Please be alert and cautious in the lodges and camps when walking from your room to the public areas. Never walk into the bush without a guide. Game viewing: Carry binoculars for added pleasure whilst game viewing. Tipping: Most people when visiting a foreign country like to be given some guide lines regarding tipping. Bearing in mind that tipping is an extremely personal matter , the below are mere guidelines. Ultimately ,expectations are left to the discretion of the individual safari member . 1) Restaurants; the guidelines are for those lunches and dinners you may enjoy on your own, that are not included in your itinerary. If the menu says 10% service charge included, you do not need to tip. Otherwise 10% is considered usual and customary. 2) Driver/guide; ever since the early days of safari-ing driver/guides in Africa have had their expected bush skills acknowledged in the form of tips. We recommend $10 per person per day . Air tickets recommendation: Air tickets must be reconfirmed for all domestic and international flights. We would be delighted to assist. In order to do this , we must be able to personally check your tickets. We will do all possible to secure your specific seat requests but this cannot be guaranteed. It would be helpful to have a list of all return flights details with the As You Like It (Safaris) office for confirmation. The safari experience: Please look at any inconveniences or delays with positive attitudes. Flat tires and a few unexpected delays are all part and parcel of the safari ‘experience’ and “come what may” Do not hesitate to ask us for any information that you may require.