Although some of the drives are long, the landscape through which we are travelling and the animals we should see more than make up for it. What makes camping more of an adventure is when everybody joins in to set up camp, put up and take down tents and help with other camp chores.
We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
The majority of optionals can be paid for by credit card (NOT debit card). Please check with your tour leader for the most up-to-date information in this regard. Please note that any credit card transactions may attract an approximate rate of 5% per transaction and are dependent on group size.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Kenya |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$2.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$2.00 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$1.50 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$4.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$15.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$25.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$20.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
UK, AUS, NZ, USA and CAN citizens require an entry visa. British citizens can obtain their visa before departure or upon arrival. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against yellow fever, malaria, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Although not compulsory, travellers may also wish to immunise themselves against Meningococcal Meningitis.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Lone Parents
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentation confirming that the individual has authority to travel with the minor. It is crucial that you contact the relevant country embassy for further information on exactly what may be required. These details can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth Website under the appropriate country www.fco.gov.uk/travel
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
Although Kenya lies astride the equator, annual rainfall over most of the country is surprisingly low and varies from year to year. Temperatures over much of Kenya are subtropical or temperate, similar to those in California, or southern France in summer
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of baggage (a kitbag or holdall) plus daysac. Total allowance: 33lbs/15kgs maximum (due to weight restrictions on our truck). Please note that it is important to keep within these restrictions. The limit does not include your camera equipment.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
Clothing: Pack for essentially 'All Tours' plus 'Hot Conditions'. Clothing should be lightweight. However, a warm sweater, a fleece and a wind/water-proof jacket are also advisable for early morning game drives. A scarf is recommended as protection against dust and dirt on game drives. A waterproof is advisable at any time of year. Avoid brightly coloured clothing for game viewing. Take a swimming costume and towel.
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Footwear
Lightweight trail boots or robust trainers with good traction soles, plastic beach shoes/dive boots and sandals.
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Equipment
3-season sleeping bag (temperature –5°C to 0°C). Also a head torch, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen and sunblock. Binoculars are useful as is a telephoto lens. Foam mattresses and eating utensils are provided, while tents have sewnin insect screening so mosquito nets are not required. Snorkel and mask may be useful for Mombasa and are normally available locally, though you may prefer to bring your own.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Trip Summary
Safari is a Swahili word meaning a journey and this classic tour of Kenya is indeed a journey in every sense of the word. We travel from the Kenyan capital, past the rich lakes of the Great Rift valley and into the ancient tribal lands of the Maasai, crossing some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in East Africa. This is Africa at its most majestic, a natural canvas of sights and sounds unlike anything else on earth. Then we end our journey besides the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, amidst the tranquil setting and rich waters of Mombasa, the perfect ending to a perfect safari. Beginning in Nairobi we head towards Lake Naivasha at the bottom of the Great Rift Valley. Here, beneath the towering slopes of Mt Longonot, we explore Crescent Island Reserve on foot and have the chance to visit the dramatic Hell’s Gate National Park and take tea at Elsamere Conservation Centre, once the home of Joy Adamson of “Elsa the lion” and Born Free fame. We then head north, towards the abundant landscape that surrounds Lake Nakuru, famed for its thousands of brightly coloured flamingos that flock to these waters to feed on the rich harvest. We go in search of rhino and lion, leopard and hippo and seek out some of the incredible bird life that inhabits the park.From here we head across the Rift Valley to the famed lands of the Maasai, arguably one of Kenya’s most renowned game park, where the plains tremble beneath the hooves of massive herds of zebra, wildebeest and buffalo. We seek out the ‘Big 5’ across these open savannahs and have the option to take an unforgettable balloon flight over the herds. We may even be fortunate to witness a hunt during our time here! After our time in the bush, we head towards the beach outside of Mombasa to relax and enjoy the magic of the warm Indian Ocean waters and white sanded palm fringed beaches.Travel on the mainland is in a purpose-built off-road safari truck and we will use some comfortable lodges as well as camping inside the National Parks.
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Country info
Area: 583,000 sq km.
Population: 31.63 million.
Language: Swahili, English.
Religion: 35% Protestant, 30% Roman Catholic, 30% Muslim, 5% Animist.
Local Time: GMT + 3 hours.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 230v AC 50 Hz.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Please note: many of our camps have no electricity supply, so recharging batteries is limited.
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Maps & Books
Karen Blixen: Out of Africa, C. Miller: Lunatic Express, E Hemingway: Green Hills of Africa, Michael Hood: East Africa Footprint Guide, Richard D Estes: Safari Companion, Joy Adamson: Born Free, Dianne Stewart: The Zebra’s Stripes: And Other African Animal Tales.
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Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
