Kenya Safaris Do’s and Don’ts.

By: henrykahuki

Kenya Safaris Do’s and Don’ts offers a clear guideline ahead of your Safari in Kenya and Africa. Most safari seekers will arrive in Kenya without a clear guideline.   With the world full of unpredictable’s especially in Africa, it makes  a lot of sense for someone to point out what to expect especially for the independent travelers.

1. Do not exchange money in the street, it is illegal. When you take that stroll from your town hotel you will find tempting offers from street vendors offering you better rates that established institutions ignore them and walk in to foreign exchange shops remember to negotiate a shilling or two in your favor. You will be glad you tried.
2. Do keep your passport and money and valuables on you at all times. You can check valuables into security boxes at the hotels and lodges. Loss of passport of cash could easily ruin your safari holiday. When camping a small padlock comes in handy if you have to go swimming, tents always have lockable zippers.
3. Do not walk around Nairobi and other large towns/cities at night. Please take a taxi instead, find out the cost and negotiate a little bit. Always let a tour member know where you are going and when you go off to do your own thing. Please take the same care and common sense precautions that you would in any other part of the world. Club girls are a good distraction. Don’t stray too much off the group.
4. Do not get involved with the “hustlers” in Nairobi. you may hear a hard luck story, which is designed to get you to donate to some cause.
5. Do not expect all hotels and lodges to make international calls back at home. Nairobi is the best place to make these calls. Expect to pay about $10 per Minute for a long distance call. Cell phone reception is catching up well in larger towns unless a western VIP dignitary is visiting when they jam all networks, don’t expect a signal whilst in the bush. Try to set up your roaming service well in advance you might not have much time in Nairobi city before you commence your safari.
6. On a Kenya safari, be prepared for bumpy and dusty roads. These can be irritating to the contact lens wearers. Eye drops and extra pair of glasses are sensible protection.
7. Pack light. Laundry facilities are available throughout your safari. Unless on a basic camping safari where you have to do it personally at the common areas. Remember your weight limit on your return from Kenya and Africa.
8. Be on time when you meet at your mini – vans for game viewing drives. The rest of the safari group members will appreciate when not delayed by one couple three of four times a day. They might feed you to the hyenas.
9. Equatorial sun is strong. Too much can cause dehydration, nausea, dizziness and headaches. We recommend that you wear sunscreens and a hat, as well as a strong pair of dark glasses. Most of the lodges, with the exception of the tree hotel, have swimming pools, when sunbathing use common sense.
10. Do not take photographs of the locals without permission. Never take photographs of the military, policemen, communication intitutions and the president or Government officials.
11. Always keep your camera loaded and ready for action. You never know whet it is going to start.
12. Tipping is custom ally and not mandatory, Ten US dollars per person per day for a great driver guide is welcome. One dollar for an outstanding dinning staff is really nice, this should only be used as a guideline. For outstanding personal service, you may decide to give a higher tip.
13. Remember to pack flexibility and a sense of humor.

Henry Kahuki is an online Africa safaris consultant based in Kenya. The operator of Magical Africa safaris Ltd. http://www.magicalafrica.net an eco-friendly safari agency catering for family safaris, senior travels, individual safaris and camping and offers comprehensive safari arrangements in Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Lodges and hotel bookings http://www.magicalafrica.net/africa_safaris.htm and budget camping wildlife safaris in Kenya, luxury safaris, hotel reservations in Kenya, mount Kenya hiking and self drive 4×4 car hire.

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