Africa: Frequently Asked Questions

Topics:

	Airport Tax
	Best time to visit
	Currency
	Documents required
	Electricity
	Facilities available at a luxury camp
	Gratuities
	How do I get involved in planning the Safari?
	Is Insurance Recommended?
	Language spoken
	Medical Precautions
	Message forwarding
	Safari Packing List

	Photography
	Public Holidays
	Safari quotation typically includes
	Safari quotation typically excludes
	Security
	Shopping
	Single Traveler
	State of the roads
	Traditional Courtesies
	Vehicles used
	What if I want to put together a program not listed here?

Airport Tax:

For regional flights, there may be a nominal domestic airport tax payable upon your departure, while on your international departure flight, a tax will be charged if not included in the air ticket.

Best time to visit:

East Africa: lies within the tropics, and much of the land (except coast and desert regions) are situated at fairly high altitudes of 2000-5000 feet, weather is temperate throughout most of the year, with rainfall normally in the months of April/May and November. July and August are the coolest months. The variations in altitude and terrain create contrasts in climate. The Coast is hot and often humid, mornings in the central highlands can be cold, whilst in the north and northeast the days are dry and very hot. In the areas most frequented by visitors, the weather is little short of perfect, it is neither too hot nor cold and there are long sunny days. Days and nights are of almost the same length throughout the year, with the sun rising between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m., and setting between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m.

Currency:

Kenya and Tanzania's currency are called 'Shilling'; Seychelles' currency is the 'Rupee'. Visitors can exchange most major western currencies at airport or city banks. Traveler's checks in U.S. Dollar denomination are also accepted at banks, hotels, travel agencies and foreign exchange bureaus licensed by the government. ATM machines are available in some major cities and Visa/MasterCard is the commonly used credit card. It is a serious offence to knowingly deface any currency or to transact currency dealings with unlicensed persons.

Documents required:

U.S. citizens require passports with at least six months validity from date of entry; for Kenya visas have been waived; Tanzania requires a visa. The Seychelles and Mauritius issue a visitors pass on arrival. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact us for your requirements.

Electricity:

Power supply is 220/240 volt 50 cycle. Plugs are usually 13-amp 3 pin square (British type).

Facilities available at a luxury camp:

Luxury camps are unlike any camp you are likely to have experienced. Each camp site is permanent and the tents are fully furnished like a regular bedroom, along with a private bathroom / shower. These camps offer gourmet dining and a well-stocked bar and although some camps have electricity, other camps make use of lanterns; in short, all the amenities of modern comfort in a true 'Hemingway' style setting.

Gratuities:

It is our belief that gratuities to hotel/lodge/camp staff and driver/guides is an indication of personal experiences and appreciation and is best left at the guest's discretion. The company therefore does not include this item in the safari costing, though, at your request, we will provide you with some guidelines prior to your safari departure.

How do I get involved in planning the Safari?

Complete the information questionnaire in as much details as possible.

The planning department would ideally like to take into consideration your special interests and hobbies, health requirements, any particular preferences with regard to hotels or lodges, ages of the children (if applicable) and whether you wish to book private transportation as opposed to sharing transportation with other traveling companions.

Is Insurance Recommended?

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the cost of land arrangements include no provision for insurance. It is highly advisable to obtain insurance which includes cover for medical expenses, lost luggage, trip amendment and cancellation, and personal accident.

Language spoken:

While the national language of both Kenya and Tanzania is Kiswahili, English is the official language and is widely spoken and understood across East Africa. In the Seychelles and Mauritius, English and French are commonly spoken; in Egypt, English and Arabic are widely spoken.

Medical Precautions:

Always check with your own doctor prior to departure. A malaria prophylaxis is recommended and dosages usually begin before departure and continue for several weeks after your return. Yellow fever vaccinations may be required from time to time in which case you may be asked to present your inoculation certificate.

The Bilharzia parasite is found in many lakes, streams and rivers on the continent. Do not wade or swim in waters unless you are sure they are Bilharzia-free.

In hotels, bottled drinking water is available though at a relatively high cost. Ask your driver/guide to stop in major towns enroute to refurbish your water supply as necessary. Exercise caution when choosing raw vegetable salads; tropical fruit salads are usually comprised of peeled fruits which are considered safer.

Carry an adequate supply of prescription medication to last the duration of the journey.

It is highly recommended that you take out trip insurance which includes cover for medical contingencies.

Message forwarding:

Give your close relative or business associate the fax, email and telephone numbers of the office provided to you in the final information packet and we will be glad to forward any messages to you. Many game lodges operate on a radiocall system and messages can be relayed.

Packing List:

A detailed packing list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your safari.
Dress for comfort and travel light. The warmest months extend from November to April, therefore cotton clothing is recommended for daytime use and a jacket/sweater for evenings. Most lodges do not have a formal dress code although smart casual wear is advisable. Baggage is restricted to ONE normal size suitcase and one overnight bag per person. On regional flights, there is a weight limit of 33 lbs. inclusive of hand luggage and preferable only soft-sided pieces.

Photography:

Bring your camera, video camera and extra batteries (don't forget an adapter to recharge the video camera overnight). All common types of film are available locally though at comparatively higher cost than in the West; double the amount of film you first thought you needed! Practical telephoto lenses of at least 200 mm are recommended for bird and wildlife photography. Photographs of local persons should only be taken if prior permission is given by the subjects concerned; some persons may expect payment for posing. Filming government, military personnel and related facilities is forbidden. Ask your driver/guide to assist you when in doubt (definitely before taking a photograph).

Public Holidays:

During public holidays, all non-critical business are closed.

Kenya: January 1, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1 Labor Day, June 1 Madaraka Day, October 10 Moi Day, October 20 Kenyatta Day, December 12 Jamhuri Day, December 25 Christmas Day, December 26 Boxing Day, Id el Fitr and Id el Haj (dates not fixed).

For holidays falling on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a public holiday.

Tanzania: January 1, January 12, February 5, Good Friday, Easter Monday, April 26, May 1, July 7, December 9, Christmas Day, Id el Fitr and Id el Haj (dates not fixed).

Safari quotation typically includes:

Services of an experienced English-speaking driver/guide.
Transportation in a safari vehicle with pop-up roof.
Game park entrance fees and game drives.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner while on safari.
Bed/breakfast accommodation in safari departure cities like Nairobi and Arusha, if requested.

Safari quotation typically excludes:

	International flights.
	Nairobi accommodation (which can be booked upon request)
	Expenses of a personal nature such as beverages, gratuities, laundry, airport departure taxes, visas, insurance, inoculations etc.

Security:

Theft and more serious crimes occur in African cities as they do in any major city worldwide. Be aware, travel smart and use good old common sense. When traveling out of the big cities to more remote areas, it is advisable to travel with tour companies or guides who know the area.

Here are a few universal rules:

Don't walk alone in apparently deserted areas, especially in and around the cities. It is preferable to walk with company or in groups.
Don't carry large sums of cash in your purse or pocket. Traveler's Checks are safer.
Don't wear expensive-looking jewelry.
Be aware of the possibility of pick-pockets and bag snatchers in crowded areas.
Don't leave money or valuables in a hotel room. Most hotels offer safety deposit box service.
Make photocopies of the first few pages of your passport, air ticket and other important travel documents. Keep these separate from the originals as they will help towards expediting replacement in case of loss or theft.
Be certain that you have adequate insurance coverage.
At nights in major cities, it is recommended that you make use of taxis in order to reach your destination.

Booking your travel arrangements through a reputable North American-based tour operator is highly recommended. Ivory Photo Safaris stays in constant touch with various safari offices in East Africa, as well as tour operators' associations and therefore receives the reports of unusual security situations. We consider the safety and comfort of our passengers to be paramount and therefore will make changes to itineraries (even at the last minute), if warranted by circumstances.

Shopping:

Shops are normally open Monday-Saturday from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. with some exceptions such as grocery stores. On public holidays, shops will often remain closed. Bargaining is accepted practice at kiosks and markets, and shopkeepers will often consider giving discounts on quoted prices.

Single Traveler:

The safari cost for single traveler includes provision of a single use room. If payment is made for single rooms, and in individual cases these cannot be provided, a proportionate refund of the single room supplement will be paid on completion of the tour.

State of the roads:

This depends on the destinations which are planned in your itinerary but range from excellent paved highways to off-the beaten track roads which can be rough, bumpy and dusty.

Traditional Courtesies:

A recognition of traditional courtesies is important when visiting another country. A handshake greeting is normal. Clothing such as brief shorts or swimwear is not acceptable in towns and villages away from resorts. Some high class hotels and restaurants may insist on smart casual evening wear. On safari, and in game lodges, casual wear is acceptable (jeans, shorts, sandals...).

Vehicles used:

On safari, the vehicles are safari buses seating max. eight passengers, or four-wheel drive vehicles, with pop-up roof for photography; for transfers, sedans or mini-vans are used; in Seychelles, Mauritius and Egypt, air conditioned sedans or mini-vans may be used for transfers and sightseeing.

What if I want to put together a program not listed here?

No problem, we are normally able to revert within 48 hours with a quotation and recommendations on your requested program. We actively encourage you to give us some of the "parameters" you wish to include in your trip (see Information).