Kenya safari travel Tips

When traveling to Kenya for a Kenya safari it is wise to plan in advance. A trip to Kenya is a lifetime holiday experience. There is so much to see and do that one can get easily overwhelmed by the different places to visit, activities, sights and sounds to be experienced. I intend to provide some useful tips that will help you when planning your safari to Kenya.

While packing your luggage keep in mind Kenya is located near the equator and has a temperate climate. The weather in January to early March is warm and dry with long sunny spells during the day and cool nights. Late March to early May is wet days and nights with sunny spells in between. Nights are cool with light winds. May to October is warm and dry with a cold spell in July to August. The short rains start in late October ending in early December, so when packing keep in mind the weather for your travel season.

Most citizens of Europe and the United States and Middle East countries need a visa to enter Kenya. Visa fee is 50 US Dollars. You can get the tourist visa on arrival at the airport or at the Kenya emb. in your country. Visa information is outlined on the Kenya emb website in United Kingdom this will help you in confirming whether you have fulfilled all requirements to qualify for a Visa. Alternatively, a visa tourist will be issued at the customs desk at the airport, please note you should not have a tight schedule as this may take some time if there are many people on the queue.

Contrary to popular opinion, Kenya is a relatively safe Kenya travel guide destination. While in the major cities of Nairobi, Mombasa or Kisumu, it is important to be alert and conscious of your environment and act as you would in any city in the world. Avoid displays of large amounts of cash and keep your camera close to you. Avoid strolling at night and take a cab, keep your p.port that you will use going to kenya for the masai mara tour , cash and other valuables close to yourself if possible in a hand bag or belt. Kenyan people are very friendly and helpful. Wherever you go whether on safari or on the beach you will make many friends and meet lots of people, of course follow your instincts, amongst the many persons you meet will be some bad apples. If something does not seem right follow your instincts and avoid getting into any sticky situations.

Africans love to bargain, do not purchase an item at the stated price feign disinterest and move away, most of the time, the seller will call you back and offer a lower price, practice your bargaining skills and be a tough customer. Do not buy stuff to please the seller. If you stick to your guns you will most of the time walk away with a great souvenir for half the price initially quoted, these are all part of the memories that you are bound to keep after your budget masai mara .

While on safari in Kenya it is important to discuss with your guide of the next day’s activities over dinner. This is because most people asume driving around the Kenya Masai Mara or other national parks throughout the day will ensure you see most wildlife. This is a false premise. Wildlife generally tends to feed during the cool hours of the morning and evenings, this is true especially for predators. Your kenya tour guide will most likely consent to your request to have a full day game drive so as not to offend you but you end up in the sweltering heat, seeing very few animals and quite cranky before the sun goes down. It’s best to take an early morning game drive starting at sunrise and ending as soon as the sun starts getting warm and an evening game drive two hours before sun set. You are of seeing a lot more wildlife than on a full day wild goose chase! National parks are not zoos, it takes patience and a n experienced eye to see a camouflaged leopard lurking 20 feet above ground on a bushy thorn tree. The last place a novice would look for him.

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The world today has loads to offer, that no body can fully cover from the comfort of their own homes or from the Discovery channel ,or may be even the Travel channel.Some of these luxuries have to be experienced rather than being talked about.Sometimes it may not be as easy as most people who may want to are always working to ensure that bills are made and generally make a living.So once you get your leave or vacation , make sure your first destination is a Kenya safari holiday.

Kenya as a safari destination is located in East africa. It is a country that has very many Kenya tourist attractions. It is Know by many to be the cradle of mankind as there were many findings of our ancestral remains of early man.For this reason and many more it has been voted one of the best African Safari holiday getaway destinations in the world.Another prime reason is the wealth of wildlife and since it has such a favourable climatic condition , ti can there fore support a large variety of animal species. The Game is normally in reserved areas known to most as game parks or game reserves.These areas are usually far from human activity areas.Example of some of the well known game parks are Amboseli national park , the masai mara national park , Tsavo National park , Nairobi National park and many more.

When on safari you get to view the seventh wonder of the world. The great wildebeest migration which happens in the maasai mara game reserve. The landscape there is also breathtaking. Beautiful and endless savannah grasslands filled with wildlife leading a normal life away from the hustle and interference from humans.

Other Parks and game reservers have also unique things to offer.For example in Lake Nakuru national park we have the popular flamingoes , Elephants in the amboseli and Great rift valley area.The beautiful scenery of the highlands of the savannah and the white impeccably attractive white sandy beaches on the Kenyan coast plus many others.

As stated above, each attraction is unique and therefore you are bound to be interested all through. You also get to live in the best tourist Kenya hotels in the world during your safaris which also adds to the whole experience

Other top attractions

The Masai mara tour

The budget masai mara

Other Must see East African Destinations

The Rwanda gorilla tour

The Uganda gorilla tour

3 day Rwanda gorilla trek

Hiking in the Ruwenzoris Uganda

Hiking expeditions:
Uganda offers the best ultimate Mountain Climbing Adventures on East African Mountains. If you like mountaineering or rwenzori hiking as [part of your Uganda tour packages, then the (5,119 m) high, snow covered Rwenzori Mountains - also known as the ' mountains of the moon ' and protected as Rwenzori Mountains National Park which is also a World Heritage Centre - will offer you the unique experience you've been looking for. The mist-shrouded peaks provide stunning backdrops to this magnificent mountain. Ever since the Rwenzori became known to the World, its features have been changing. Today, the most visible and probably preventable, changes in the Rwenzori are the fragile vegetation along the trails.

A trip into the Rwenzoris is an exhilarating and rewarding experience but one, which must be planned with attention to detail. The key to an enjoyable visit is 'be prepared!' You can do the central circuit in just 7 sevens and our excellent guides will be there to add flavor to your experience. Those took up the challenge to climb this mountain have promised to come back, if you are an excellent hiker, looking for a lifetime adventure; please make your reservation now.Kenya hotels

It is not just the Rwenzoris alone that you hike in Uganda; there is the famous Mount Elgon National Park. At Mount Elgon National Park, mountaineering can be experienced on this volcanic mountain which is (4,321 m), the 4th highest mountain in East Africa, located in the eastern part of Uganda on the border with Kenya. Kenya masai mara safari

Others are: Mt. Sabyinyo (366m)'Old man's teeth' like an old man, time has eroded Mt. Sabyinyo's crown. This volcano offers 3 challenging peaks to climb. A climb up the mountain takes one up a ridge along the eastern side of the climb to peak. If you are to continue, the climb to the peak 11 involves walking a ridge with breath-taking drops into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda, a dual experience you will achieve here.

Mt. Gahinga (3474m). On your way to the park, look out for small piles of stones in the garden fields. The local people call such a pile a 'Gahinga'. Mountain gorillas

Mount Gahinga is quite bigger than the average 'gahinga' but sitting next to Mount Muhavura does make it look small. A hike, which takes you about, six hours round trip, goes through a good example of a pure Bamboo forest. Gahinga once had a Crater Lake on top but time has changed it into a Lush swamp. Distance to the swamp is 8km.

Mt. Muhavura (4127m)'The Guide'
Seen from all over Kisoro, this volcano acts as a guide. The typical cone-shaped Mountain provides some of the best views in the country. Much of the climb passes a rocky surface covered by grasses and small shrubs. Once at the top, hikers are rewarded with the view of the Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and the peaks of Rwenzori Mountain. The hike takes approximately 8 hours round trip covering 12km.You are advised to camp at the Muhavura base camp the night before the site has no facilities so you need a tent, water, food and sleeping gear. I

Cheap Gorilla Permits in Uganda at 350 USD !!

Information about the so called gorilla permit price have been on tight lips over these days in the week , when details finally were released by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the association of Uganda tour operators Kampala known as AUTO made an agreement between the two entities that at an undefined date during the low season in tourism.The price of the Gorilla permits is due to be reduced from 500 US dollars to 350 US dollars.The cost of a permit for East African residents is down from 250,000 UGX to 100,000 UGX. To enable even the lay Ugandan to experience the wealth of tourism that is in our midst.

There are worries that the decision that is made by the Uganda Wildlife Authority alongside the Association of Uganda tour operators AUTO is going to bring in some bit of friction between Uganda's competitors in the gorilla tourism sector, Namely Rwanda and Congo,as a tripartite forum some time ago had resolved that all three countries would charge the same rates, year round, without any rebates, discounts or seasonal adjustments.

This is still on more or less pending status as they are now awaiting approval from the ministry of Tourism and also a date is yet to be set for the tariffs to take full swing in effect.The UWA is also determined on improving the infrastructure to the Uganda national parks, namely Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , Queen Elizabeth national park ,etc.Hopefully by the end of the year , we shall have seen some great developments.

This measures were taken due to the downward trend of tourism in Uganda, the media had also played a role in presenting a negative image to the international community therefore leading to cancellations of Book uganda tour packages to Uganda's top destinations.Gorilla trekking being one of the main and most popular tourist activities in the Pearl of Africa. This was a wanting measure ,that is justly taken.

Getting the right tour company ..

How to get the right tour operator

Conceivably the most vital thing to look for is reliability and safety. Ask to see the local tour operator’s brochures, licenses and equipment. Also ask for references. While it may be difficult to contact references if you are already in the destination, if you get references while you are still at home, you can call and ask about the tour operator or guide before you leave.

Some local Uganda tour operators and guides will show you letters of praise from foreigners who have used their services. While these may be impressive, be your own judge and listen to your instincts. Ask questions about the route, safety measures, accommodations, etc. If you are concerned, ask your hotel managers and the local tourism office for their assessment or recommendation of a company or Kenya tour guide.

Generally, local Kenya , Uganda or Rwanda tour operators and guides are trustworthy, sincere and hardworking. It’s not in their best interest to cheat or harm travelers: word gets around fast and they will be out of work. Don’t be distrustful, just cautious: you wouldn’t book a 3 day masai mara safari at home without checking things out first, either. And, if you are particularly pleased with a guide’s or tour operator’s services, a tip is appreciated, and so is a positive recommendation for other travelers. Botswana tours

Even independent travelers find that sometimes there are activities they cannot or don’t want to do by themselves–hiking, rafting, or other outdoor activities that require equipment, guides or access to remote locations. Car Rentals Kampala

Finding and choosing reliable local tour operators is not difficult in most cases

Uganda gorilla tours

Uganda and Rwanda, who has cheaper Gorilla tours

Gorillas are unique and almost extinct creatures that are almost everyone’s must see before they die. If you asked for my opinion, I would say Uganda’s Gorilla tours are cheaper compared to the one for Rwanda of the reasons you will find below.However judging from statistics , rwanda sells more gorilla tours than rwanda.It is an important phrase that they say...."conserving for generations" by the Uganda Wildlife Society. There is aneed for a limited number of people tracking gorillas per day per family. This what we mean when we say that tourism in Africa is heading towards conserving the environment and the Living creatures that live in it.Gorillas are no exception.With approximately 700 gorillas left in this grean earth today. gorilla safari Conservational Tourism is the Way to go , !!

Rwanda has few accommodation units which gives the owners a chance to charge as high as they desire and some of their lodge charge in Euros. Rwanda gorilla trekking

There are not as many tour operators in Rwanda as is in Uganda which gives them the tourist less alternatives.

Uganda has as a number of Gorilla families with 5 in Bwindi and 2 in Mgahinga (currently in Congo) which gives a tourist big chances of viewing the gorillas at once and not stand chances of missing them hence another day of stay. Bwindi gorilla tours

However, the Gorilla permits have a standard fee of US$ 500, and US$ 475 for Non residents and foreign residents respectively. This fee is the similar in all the 3 Gorilla countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.

Mountain gorillas Uganda

African Safaris in Kenya

What to Expect on a Kenyan Safari Package

Interested in a good quality value for Money safari tour to Kenya ? it dose not have to be a in a dirsty ramshackle vehicle ! our modern day safari packages to Kenya are well modified to make sure it is utterly confortable for any tourist coming to the Magical Kenya. Kenya safari places makes sure that we give you the value for money you are paying for.

Going to take up some Kenya Safari packages – advice

Within this tourist destination are various Kenya national parks to find the African animals you’ve only seen in zoos or books. Nairobi National Park and Ol Donyo Subuk National Park can give you a glimpse of the colorful birds of the area or of the herds of zebras, hippopotamuses, lions, cheetahs, and more roaming animals. You might also want to go to the Giraffe Center or the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to see your favorite animals up close and personal. 14 Falls is a local waterfall, but if you want a wetter water experience, you can go white water rafting in the Tana River.

For the safest means of transport within the city of Nairobi you may use the Taxis , though they are not really that cheap to use . You may simply choose to walk to the place within the city as it is still safe to do so, and the navigation within the city is not really a problem.

What to expect on A Kenya Safari tour

If you are on your way on a Kenya safari, a Professional guide is expected to guide your through the large areas in search of the wild animals in Magical Kenya. In most cases these animals in the national parks are accustomed to human beings as there is a lot of tourist activities going on.Of course the bonus one has it to take pictures that can forever keep your memory alive.

Without a tour operator in Kenya , You are on your own.!!

The specific travel package will often give you an idea of what you might be able to see on your trip, while sometimes your findings are a surprise to you and to your guide. With all of the safaris available, how can you choose the one that best suits your needs? First of all, it will help if you choose an operator that’s well known to your travel agent or to friends and family.

You will have have to look out for a service provider who bears a license or certificate of registration from the local authorities. An operator that can give you a valid safari quote and issues a receipt for services rendered is a point to look out for.

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