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Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda & Zanzibar Travel Tips
Arrival & Departure
Visitors must be in possession of a valid visa and health documentation
on arrival in Kenya and / or Tanzania, Uganda. Different regulations
are applied according to Nationality and country of origin. These should
be check with the nearest Kenya Tourist Office or Diplomatic Mission.
Inoculation Centers in the country of origin will provide information
and advise on health recommendations.
Health
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda enjoy a healthy, invigorating climate and
visitors need feel no concern for their general health during their stay.
The sun in Africa is hotter than you may imagine. One can get sun burnt
even on a cloudy day. Please take care, and on first exposure, use a
protective lotion. Piped water supplies are safe practically everywhere
but local advice should be taken when on safari. You will find that in
most safari lodges, there will be a flask of drinking water on your bedside
table. There are small field hospitals and clinics in most parts of the
countries, but it is advisable to purchase all your requirements in Nairobi
or Mombasa before setting out on a tour. Please remember to take Malaria
preventives and continue these for the required weeks after your departure
from East Africa.
Shopping
You will find that East Africa has a wealth of fascinating curio shops,
clothes stores and shops specializing in Africana. Some shopping areas:
Nairobi main streets and arcades in the city centre and within major
hotels, City Market and streets around the Market; if you are going to
the Rift Valley then there are some interesting curio shops there. Nearly
every main shop in the city centres and in hotels/lodges will accept
major credit cards and travellers cheques.
Business and Shopping Hours
Usual business hours throughout East Africa are 08:30 to 12:30 and from
14:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday and 08:30 to 12:30 on Saturday. Apart
from Nairobi and Mombasa airport banks, which are open 24 hours, banks
open only up until 15:00.
Currency and Credit Cards
The unit of currency here is the Kenya or Tanzania or Uganda shillings.
The Shilling is divided into 100 cents. In Kenya notes are available
in the denominations of Shs. 1000/=, Shs. 500/=, Shs. 200/=, Shs. 100/=,
Shs. 50/= and Shs. 20/=. Coins are available in denominations of Shs
20/=, Shs. 10/=, Shs. 5/=, Shs. 1/= and Shs. =/50.
In Tanzania notes are available in denominations of Shs 10000/=, Shs
5000/=, Shs 1000/=, and Shs 500/=. Coins are available in denominations
of Shs 200/=, Shs 100/=, Shs 50/=, Shs 20/=, Shs 10/=, Shs 5/= and Shs
1/=
In Uganda notes are available in denominations of Shs 50,000/=, Shs 20,000/=,
Shs 10,000/=, Shs 5000/= and Shs 1000/=. Coins are available in denominations
of Shs 500/=, Shs 200/=, Shs 100/=, Shs 50/=, Shs 20/=, Shs 10/= Shs
5/= , Shs 2 and shs 1
Most major credit cards are accepted throughout East Africa. Visitors
may import an unlimited amount of foreign exchange. Only banks, hotels
and lodges are authorized dealers to change money.
A Few Helpful Hints
Please show respect for local laws and customs, and the sensitivities
of your host country. Remember for religious reasons, many people consider
scanty dress a discourtesy (restrict wearing of swimsuits and beachwear
to the swimming pools and beaches) - this applies particularly to northern
and eastern Kenya, as well as the coastal areas. Do not leave valuables,
including cameras and binoculars, anywhere. Make use of hotel safes as
much us possible. Try not to make a flagrant display of wealth - your
normal holiday spending money amounts to a small fortune to most Kenyans.
When on safari never get out of your vehicle, unless you are told it
is safe to do so. Do not attempt to go for walks when staying in game
lodges.
Photography
Please do not photograph the president, police, soldiers, military installations,
prisons, prisoners and airports. Please always enlist the co-operation
of your subject before photographing strangers as people do not like
to be regarded as exhibits and many may not understand that your photos
are merely a personal record of your trip. Your driver/guide will be
able to advise you on this.
Baggage
We are not insured for damage to, or loss of, baggage. Whilst our driver/guide
will make every effort to assist you with your luggage, we take no responsibility
for any loss or damage. If you are traveling by small charter aircraft,
only one suitcase or soft bag of not more than 15 kg may be carried.
Some hotels and lodge safari over-night bag is permitted - lock-up storage
facilities are also available at some base hotels. Please check with
our safari consultant for more information.
Languages
State official language and the most popular languages are SWAHILI (a
mixture of African, English and Arabic) and English. Your driver/guide
and all people in the hotel industry will speak reasonable to good English.
Olosokwan Adventures (T) Ltd can provide on request, French, Spanish,
German, Italian, Russian speaking driver/guides.
Weather and Clothes
During your safari to Eastern Africa you will cross several weather zones:
Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Mombasa and the Coast zones- hot and humid,
Arusha, Nairobi - cool and dry, Ngorongoro, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru,
Mt. Kenya - chilly, Samburu and the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Trangire,
Selous, Manyara - pleasant weather but chilly during the early morning
game drives, Ruaha, Mkomazi, Saadani, Tsavo and Amboseli - pleasant.
If you travel during rainy seasons (November - December and April - June)
- expect rains everywhere. Prepare your clothes accordingly. Informality
is the keynote, be prepared for cool evenings at higher altitudes, on
safari try to wear neutral colors as much as possible green, beige and
khaki are best not to startle the game. A hat and a pair of sunglasses
are advisable for protection against the sun. Laundry can be done at
most lodges. Light comfortable shoes are important.
Food and Restaurants
In general, the food served in hotels and lodges is European food. Breakfast
and lunch will be buffet and dinner is usually a set menu. In major cities
you will find a variety of restaurants - European, Indian, Japanese,
Chinese, African, and Seafood. The degree of cleanliness in restaurants
is very high, as is the quality of food.
Special Diets and Needs
It is important to inform Olosokwan Adventures (T) Ltd of special dietary
needs or facilities for the disabled at the quotation and / or booking
stage of the itinerary.
Electricity Supply
Both the mains and generated (in lodges and camps) supplies of electricity
are 240 volts / 50 cycles, using three square pin plugs. Most large hotels
in the city and some parks will have an electric razor point for 110
volts / 60 cycles.
Communication and Postage
City and town hotels mostly have telephones and faxes. On the most part international
calls are very expensive. Game lodges and camps mostly rely on H.F. radios
for communication, which is sufficient for emergencies, but not recommended
for a casual call. Recently some lodges have installed telephones, which
are usually very expensive.
East
African Countries
postage system
is very reliable but
fairly slow; for example
a letter to the USA
usually takes approximately
two weeks.
Public Holidays
January 01, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 01, June 01, October 10,
October 20, December 12, December 25 and 26. The Muslim festival of Idd-Ul-Fitr
is also a public holiday. When the designated date falls on a Sunday,
then the next day is normally declared a public holiday.
East Africa for the most, is an undeveloped region. It is therefore important
to understand and accept that even the most meticulously planned arrangements
can go wrong due to natural conditions.?
To learn more about East Africa please feel free to contact us via e-mail
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