Traveling To Serengeti

Of the nearly 200,000 visitors to Tanzania serengeti National park, most either arrive through the small international airport near Arusha called Kilimanjaro Airport, or via Dar Es Salaam, located 350 kilometers away from the park, and hosting a busy international airport offering flights from all over the world. Also rental cars in Dar Es Salaam are available. There are safaris and charter flights to the park widely available in Arusha.

Also independent touring with a jeep is possible.
A highly popular travel destination, Tanzania’s wildlife park number one meets the needs of the travel world with its services for accommodation in Serengeti. There are safari camps inside the parks with also some restaurants in Serengeti, as well as limited possibilities for shopping small touristic items of local origin. Some possibilities for entertainment are also found in the camps, which however does not mean there would be discos and nightclubs available disturbing the peace of the wild Serengeti. Apart from dangers provided by nature, Serengeti is a very safe travel destination.

Practical information for your trip to Masai Mara

Masai Mara is located situated in south-western Kenya in the Great Rift Valley, approximately 220 kilometers from the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Masai Mara enjoys a mild, pleasant climate. Summer lasts from October to April. The major rainy season lasts from March to June. The best season for wildlife viewing in Masai Mara is from May to September.
What comes to the accommodation in Masai Mara there are numerous lodges and camps in the area.

The restaurants in Masai Mara are situated in the lodges and camps and they usually delicious European as well as African cuisine.
There are several options for travelling to Masai Mara. There are regular flights to Masai Mara and the park can be reached by car, bus. Car rental in Masai Mara is also available. It is recommended to use a local driver or guide familiar with the area and avoid travelling before sunrise or after sunset. As the reserve is home to a variety of large predatory wildlife, never attempt to walk there by yourself.

African Family Safari Tips

To share a big adventure together and see the exciting wildlife in beautiful African settings has all the ingredients of a unique family holiday.  Add in easy access to beaches and the chance to come into contact with other cultures in a friendly non commercial environment and you have a holiday of a lifetime. Read more

Types of African Safaris we offer

To a large extent the early exploits of the early Explorers and missionaries the likes of Selous, Roosevelt, Hemingway, some  colonial pioneers others trophy hunters were conducted on foot and often only fully appreciated through the sights of their rifles or the size of the trophy animal.

Nowadays the best way to do an African safari is still on foot but emphasis is on game-viewing and photographic pursuits… Read more

Organizing a safari- Planning a safari

There are three ways to arrange a safari – buy a tailor made or what is known as a customized safari with an African Safari Tour Operator, buy a package, or arrange everything yourself.

Whatever you choose depends on you and each has got its own advantages. For people seeking to maximize on their holidays a prearranged safari would be advised so as to save hours and days which could be spent trying to find reliable transport and accommodation.

Caution should be taken when choosing a safari company or Tour Operator especially since it is standard practice to pay in advance to ensure a booking. The nightmare scenario would be to pay for your safari and then get to your destination and discover that the company does not exist! Read more

Choosing Accommodation On your visit to Africa

For the visitor to Africa you will find a wide range of accommodation from very basic and cheap guest houses that are meant for locals and charge a few dollars a night to exclusive luxurious lodges and hotels. It all depends on your budget.

The terminology used for hotels varies slightly from one country to another but the basics remain the same. You will also be surprised that hotel rating varies slightly from country to country. For example a five star lodge in Tanzania may be classified as four star in some other countries. The lower the star rating of the hotel the trickier it gets, so you may want to consider more than the star rating of a hotel when looking for accommodation. Consider also what others have to say about the hotel by reading reviews. Read more

Beaches

Africa is known for its great white sand beaches. But before you pack your bags and head on to just anything that looks like a beach in Africa here is some advice on choosing one in the first place.

By far the most popular beach areas are those that are sheltered from ocean currents like along the Indian Ocean from Kenya to Mozambique, also along the Mediterranean which includes countries like Tunisia, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and also on the Indian Ocean islands of the Comoros and Madagascar.
Ghana too is fast becoming a popular tourist destination and has quite a lot of history even dating back to the days of slave trade. Read more

Ten Commandments Of an African Safari

Africa has a lot to offer, so forget those media images you see of poor and famine stricken Africa.

Oh and you might also want to put away those images of Tarzan in Africa with wild animals always attacking him. The creator of Tarzan never visited Africa and most of the episodes were filmed in southern California.

What Im about to share with you should be extremely useful so don’t discard it. You will be glad you read it. Read more

What To Wear On Safari

The most important thing to consider when considering what to wear on an African safari is comfort. Whatever you wear should be generally light and comfortable because on africa in general is warm. Occasionally it gets cold but usually nothing extreme. So you may want to carry along a jacket or sweater/pullover., for evenings and the early mornings.

It is often a misconception and i’ve seen it on several websites where they talk of wearing “bright colored clothing may get you in trouble with the wild animals” This is not true,because wild animals are often found in parks and game reserves and visiting these game reserves will often be on vehicles. Read more

Useful tips for residents and visitors to Kenya

On arrival Jomo Kenyatta  International Airport, the airport is about half an hour’s drive from Nairobi city center.  Taxis are readily available, but establish the fare before getting in to one. Other taxis work on a fixed rate using reliable and clean vehicles, as do the black London Style cabs.Moi International Airport, Mombasa.  The airport is about 10 minutes from the city center. Allow an extra half an hour for your journey to the south coast because of the ferry crossing.

Visas.  Most visitors to Kenya require a visa.  Multiple and single entry visas are available.  Applications can be made at any Kenya High Commissioner or Embassy prior to traveling.  The single entry visa (obtainable upon arrival) is US$50 (correct at time of printing) or the equivalent in local currency.\r\n\r\nLost luggage.  Visit the lost luggage desk in the baggage hall before going through customs.

GETTING AROUND

Self – drive.

Most international car hire companies operate in Kenya (with offices at the airport).  Vehicles travel on the left – hand side of the road and most cars are right – hand drive.  A current driving license with photograph is accepted for up to a three month’s stay.

Public transport.  City buses operate at reasonable low rates.  Fares are paid to the conductor.  Matatus – private minibuses – are abundant but usually overcrowded.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Post office.  Open 8am – 5 pm weekdays, 9am – 12 pm on Saturdays.

Telephone services. Public pay phones (card and coin) are automated.  Phone cards may be bought from post offices or international call offices.  International calls can be dialed direct (code 000) or operator assisted. (dial 0195/6)

Mobile phones.
Use either safaricom or celtel.  All major urban areas and many coastal regions have reception.  Pay As You Go SIM cards are readily available.

Internet. Internet cafes are increasingly common.  Emails can also be sent from most hotels, as can faxes for business people if you have a blackberry or a 3 G phone getting online is possible through the many mobile service providers including safaricom which charges per download.

MONEY MATTERS

Currency.  Kenya currency shilling (ksh.) currently around Kshs. 75.45 per US$.

Currency regulations. There are no restrictions on the movement of currency into or out of Kenya for currency transactions.

Banking.  Foreign currency can be changed at banks, foreign currency bureaux or hotels.  Banks are open from 9 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am – 11 am on the first and last Saturday of each month. Bank in coastal towns open and close half an hour earlier.  Some airport banks stay open 24/7.

ATM. 24 hours access to your account can be found at most ATMs countrywide.  Most accept international VISA cards.

Credit Cards. All major international cards are accepted in most hotels and shopping malls in Kenya.

Travellers cheques.  TCs are accepted at most banks bureaux and hotels.

Hotel Bill Payment.  This can usually be paid in shillings or convertible foreign currency.

YOUR WELL BEING

Emergency services.  911

Hospital. Nairobi and Mombasa have good hospitals offering a causally services.

Medical expenses. Even with insurance cover, consultations and treatment will have to be paid for and the cost claimed back later.

GENERAL

Voltage. All regions in Kenya are supplied with 240 volts AC.  The plug in use throughout Kenya is of the three square – pin, 13 amp type.

Security. It is a sensible precaution not to walk alone in isolated towns or beach areas.  Particularly after dark.  Use common sense to prevent opportunistic theft.

Tipping.
Tipping is appreciated.  Most hotels and restaurants include a 10% service charge.

Water. The water in most city hotels is usually safe for drinking.  However, if in doubt, bottled water is available.  Most safari lodges provide filtered water.  Water is precious; your help in using it sparingly is appreciated.

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