Mombasa

This information is courtesy of: www.africalastminute.com

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. DOMESTIC FLIGHT

General conditions of carriageCheck in timePassenger must check-in 2 hours before the scheduled departure time on all local flights.
Freight & Excess BaggageMaximum luggage weight allowed is 15 kilos. This allowance includes all hand luggage and excess baggage is charged at the prevailing freight charges
Infants and childrenInfants under 2 years of age are carried free provided they do not occupy a seat.Children below 12 years are required to pay 75% of adult fare.
2. KENYAKenya is one of the oldest safari destinations in East Africa. A country with a wide range of cultures, wildlife and fantastic landscape with a long tropical coastline.
The Great Rift Valley, the lakes, the tropical rain forest, the harsh arid deserts and a splendid coastline.
Kenya is known for as the home of Africa’s famous big Five ( Lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo ). Almost all species of African wildlife are available in Kenya. Birdlife is prolific and a great number of species can be identified.
3. The People
While the national language of Kenya is Kiswahili, English is the official language and is widely spoken and understood across East Africa.
4. Safety
In the cities, adhere to the following rules:
Don't walk alone in apparently deserted areas, especially in and around the cities. It is preferable and usually more enjoyable to walk with company or in groups. Don't carry large sums of cash in your purse or pocket.or display expensive jewelry. Be aware of the possibility of pick-pockets and bag snatchers in crowded areas. Make photocopies of the first few pages of your passport, air ticket and other important travel documents. Keep this separate from the originals. Don't leave money or valuables in a hotel room. Most hotels offer safety deposit box service, and ensure that you have adequate insurance coverage before leaving home.
5.Wildlife Areas:
Always remember that while some animals have become accustomed to the presence of people they are still wild animals. Keep your distance. It is illegal to feed any animal, make excessive noise to attract their attention, or deviate from designated roads for that closer photograph. Never get out of your vehicle except at designated points. Close all windows and zippers when you leave your room or tent and spray it with insect repellant.
The best way to get the most out of your safari is to take an active interest in everything going on around you, not just the number of species you can see in the shortest possible time. Ask all the questions you can think of and take reference books on wildlife, birds, insects and trees and read up about everything you see.
6. Health
It is advisable to take out emergency medical insurance prior to entering Kenya.
Bilharzias: The bilharzias parasite is found in many lakes, streams and rivers on the continent. Avoid swimming in them!
Vaccinations for cholera, tetanus and yellow fever are advised. Malaria is virulent in Kenya. Take prophylactics two weeks before arrival and continue two weeks after leaving. Your chemist or doctor can advise you of the most suitable drug available as certain drugs lose their effectiveness. Tap water in the major towns is purified and perfectly safe to drink. In the more remote areas always boil it first, except if you’re staying at a lodge or hotel where drinking water is perfectly safe. Always refer to guest relations for further details. Bottled water is readily available in the bigger towns.
It is advisable to buy travel insurance covering accidents, illness or hospitalization for the period of your stay. Temporary membership with Flying Doctors' Service is also recommended for safari goers. Members who require emergency medical attention on safari are flown to Nairobi for the best medical attention available in the country.
7.Water
Drink only bottled water or from flasks of filtered and boiled water provided by most hotels and lodges.
8. Chemists / pharmacies
Travelers should carry an adequate supply of medicines and first aid accessories with them as supplies are limited in Kenya. Most chemists in the major towns are open from 0830h to 1230h and 1400h to 17h00 Monday to Friday and 0800h to 13h00 on Saturdays. There are some late night chemists which open for 24 hours in major cities.
9. Accommodation
Standards and services range from up-market to tourist. Deluxe and first class hotels are found in the main cities and the resorts on the coastline of the country. Luxurious lodges are set in exotic locations, while comfortable tented camps are found in the main game parks.
10. Electricity
Power supply is 220/240 volt. Plugs are usually 13-amp 3 pin square (British type)
11. Banks
There are numerous banks in the major towns as well as many bureau de change. Hours of business vary from bank to bank, but most are open from 09h00 to 14h30, Mondays to Fridays, and 9h00 - 11h30 on Saturdays. Hotels and lodges change money outside these hours. Banking services are also available at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and at Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
12. Currency
Currency unit is the shilling, comprising 100 cents. Coins are in denominations of 5c, 10c, 50c and 1 and 5 shillings. Bank notes are in denominations of 5, 10, 2-0, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 shillings. Importation of foreign currency is unlimited and does not have to be declared on arrival. The importation and exportation of Kenyan currency, however, is illegal.
It's best to come into the country with either Travelers checks or dollars or pounds which can be exchanged at any of the many Bureau de Change in the main Towns. If you are offered an exchange on the black market at the borders, exercise extreme caution as they are notorious for cheating you without you even realizing it.
13. Credit Cards, Cash and Traveler's Checks
International credit cards are accepted by most restaurants, stores, hotels, lodges, camps, car rental firms, etc. However, many small shops in rural areas will not accept them. American Express, Thomas Cook, Visa and MasterCard Traveler's Checks are widely accepted.
14. Tipping
A tip of 10% for good service is adequate. A Tour driver or guide may be tipped at least Ksh. 250 per person per day. But you may tip more at your own discretion.
15. Communications
Postal services are fairly well organized in Kenya and you should have no problem sending or receiving letters. You can make international calls directly from your mobiles phones if you have a roaming service or via the telephone operator.
All major hotels have fax machines at the disposal of their guests as well as telex services. Telephone directories will list all the international dialing codes. Both local and long-distance calls are metered on a time basis.
17. Best times for safaris and Water Sports
Between December and mid-March, the days are sunny, hot and dry and the nights are cool. Best time for deep sea fishing and scuba diving is between August and March when the ocean is calm and water is clear. This pattern varies due to global warming and may be quite unpredictable. Always get local advise as water excursions cannot be done when there are strong winds. Rains fall mainly from mid-March to May and again in November.
18. Climate
Although Kenya is considered to fall in the tropics, climate and temperature varies depending on altitude and proximity to the ocean. Coastal regions are hot and humid while the central plateaus are warm and dry, with cool nights.
19. Clothing
Lightweight casual clothes can be worn all year round, with a jacket or sweater for early cold mornings and evenings. On safari keep clothes to a minimum and mostly of neutral coloring - khakis, browns and greens. A sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellant are vital. Don't forget swim wear and binoculars. Some city restaurants and clubs have dress codes - casual jacket and tie for men, informal dresses for women. You will be briefed on this in your itinerary if it applies.
20. Laundry
Most hotels and lodges will offer a laundry service. For low budget travelers, consider drip dry clothing and be prepared for hand washing. In most places one could hire someone to do your washing.
21. Photography
Kenya is considered to be a photographers dream destination. From panoramic scenery, wildlife and birds to people and vibrant ceremonies. Rich color and good low lighting conditions abound. It is considered rude to take pictures of people without asking for permission. Maasai and Samburu warriors will expect payment for posing. Always bring plenty of film and video cassettes or Memory stick if you're bringing a camcorder as well as batteries - as these items are difficult to get in Kenya. Keep your cameras in a dust resistant, padded case and out of the midday sun. A 200 mm (or longer) telephoto lens will prove very useful on safari, and an ultra violet filter and lens cap are strongly recommended. Please note that taking pictures of government and military personnel and installations is prohibited!
22. Driving
Driving is done on the left side of the road. Drivers require a valid license that must include a picture of the holder. A valid foreign license may be used for up to 90 days, but only after it has been endorsed by the Road Transport Office in Nairobi.
If you’re doing a vehicle trip through Kenya it is a good idea to carry a range of tools and essential spares with you. Two spare wheels and a couple of spare tubes are a must due to the condition of the roads. Spare jerry cans of fuel and water, a tow rope, winch and a spotlight are useful items to have. Many of the villages along the main routes offer tire mending services at a very reasonable fee.
Be very careful in towns and villages not to leave your vehicle open and unattended. You should have no problem sleeping outdoors in designated camping areas or remote places along the way, but get into the habit of locking things away before you go to sleep.
23.Car Rental and Taxis
Car rental companies are represented at the major airports and in the cities, as are taxis.
24.Transportation by Air
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa are main points of entry. Many charter services operate out of Nairobi's Wilson Airport, Malindi and Ukunda Airstrip. Regular services link Kisumu, Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa and Nairobi.
Air Kenya, Safari Link, Fly 540 and Mombasa Air flies to popular National Parks and Reserves. Kenya Airways is the national airline. South African Airways links Johannesburg and Nairobi with regularly scheduled air services.
Charter flights from Europe to Mombasa includes Corsair, Condor, Swiss air, Edelweiss Air, Monarch, Martin Air and Air Berlin.
24. Visa
Visa currently costs $25 or Euro 20. Children under 16 years of age do not require a visa. The visa can be paid upon arrival in US Dollar or Euro. The US Dollar that is accepted must have been printed from the year 2000 onwards. In your passport, there should exist at least one blank page for stamping visa.
25. Safari luggage.
When departing for safari just take a small piece of luggage with you due to limited space in safari vehicles. The excess luggage can be stored at the hotel till your return.
25. Departure Tax
An airport departure tax of U.S. $20 is levied when leaving the country.
26. Customs Requirements
All visitors must have a valid passport and are subject to clearance through customs. In addition, all non-Commonwealth citizens require a visa, to be obtained from Kenyan Missions abroad or at the post of entry. Personal effects, including cameras, binoculars and film are allowed into the country duty free
27. Time Differences
Throughout the year, Standard Time in Kenya is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, two hours ahead of Central European Winter Time, and eight hours ahead of Eastern Standard Winter Time in the U.S.
28. Wildebeest MigrationThis is an annual event that has repeated itself time and again every year as thousands of wildlife embarks on their long trek from Serengeti national park into Masai Mara which is its extension to the south. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and antelopes cross over Mara as they escape from the dry areas of Serengeti in search of green pastures on the Kenyan side. This is a very spectacular and unique event that is a must see. From the treks to ambush by the predators like the cats, crocodiles lying in wait for gnus in Mara river, thousands succumbing to nature by drowning in their attempt to cross Mara river, young one’s born on the move and the sheer numbers that sweep across the Mara plains is a site to behold and one cannot afford to miss this annual occurrence.
29. Individual SafarisWe also arrange custom safari and this works best when done in advance especially during the high season period. Turn around time is 48 hours and we will try very much to stay within the proposed itinerary. Though we reserve right to offer an alternative accommodation in case where earlier offered accommodation is overbooked. For low season, from April to June, there isn’t any problem with accommodation therefore chances are always open and good in securing the offered accommodation and taking last minute bookings.
30. Our Best wishes on Safari
We wish you the best of luck on your safari. A safari where you will spot all the big five. We pray that you do not get stuck so that you don’t have to push the vehicle out of the mud. Enjoy your safari!